A select group of teachers at Hoban share a secret passion. They share a love for the open road with the wind blowing through their hair and the sunlight playing softly on their faces. These teachers enjoy biking.

For some, this means riding motorcycles; for others it simply means bicycling. However, both enjoy the satisfaction they receive from these activities.

As Robert Pirsig describes in his book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, “There are moments on a motorcycle when the glory of motion is distilled into one purposeful package. Chasing curves over a swelling landscape, a motorcycle enters the pure expression of physics and is bound to the road in a way no car will ever know.”

---

Micah Kraus

While motorcycles themselves run on gasoline, for art teacher Micah Kraus riding one runs in his blood. Around the age of 6, Kraus started riding on the back of his dad’s motorcycle. His dad, who was a minister, would take Kraus to camping trips 10 miles away or even all the way to Toronto, Canada. Kraus had a tendency to fall asleep while riding, so his dad had to build a belt to fit around them both.

The first trip in which Kraus actually drove a motorcycle occurred in 1999. Kraus and his father bought bikes, fixed them up and took a 15-day trip to California. On this trip, Kraus said he and his dad had near-death experiences about three times each. While traveling on Route 66 in Arizona, a truck was coming toward them on their side of the road. Using their helmet communicators, they decided to veer off the road toward the median. The truck barreled past them, never slowing down.

Kraus, who rides a 2000 Honda Interceptor, does not recommend riding a motorcycle until the rider is at least in his or her 20s.

“Too many things can go wrong,” Kraus said.

Instead, Kraus recommends getting a scooter.

Kraus does not see any benefits in driving a motorcycle compared to a car.

“The gas mileage is not much better, and it is less safe, less comfortable,” Kraus said. “However, it is more sensory. You can feel the temperature change and recognize certain smells.”

Kraus also thinks the unity with other motorcyclists is neat.

While on his motorcycle, Kraus wears shoes that cover his ankles, jeans or long pants, a leather jacket, gloves and of course a helmet.

“A helmet is necessary because with that much power, you must discipline yourself,” Kraus said, “It can be enjoyable without going too fast. Respect yourself and the bike.”

---

Greg Milo

Harley Davidson and Hell’s Angels…the motorcycle has been a growing phenomenon since its creation in 1885. What was first a wooden bicycle with an engine strapped to it is now the ultimate symbol of carefree rebellion. Motorcycling is an American representation of a lifestyle of freedom and often times of danger. But the motorcycle has a very different connotation for history teacher Greg Milo.

“I constantly reflect on my life, seeing what I can improve,” Milo said. “It’s how I live my life. I don’t believe in going with the status quo.”

It may seem like an oxymoron to be riding any sort of motorcycle to endorse responsibility. But, Milo rides an economically beneficial, environmentally friendly Buddy Scooter, an American version of the Italian Vespa. While such scooters may not be widely popular in the United States, they are sometimes more common than cars in many major European cities.

Rising gas prices are making it hard for the average American simply to get around. With 100 miles to the gallon, the Buddy Scooter is actually putting money back into Milo’s pocket and helping him depend less on gas, something most Americans cannot fathom.

The Buddy Scooter is environmentally helpful, as it puts less toxic fumes in the air because of its near independence from gas.

Milo was inspired to purchase his scooter on account of his wife, Terra.

“My wife and I decided to purchase the Buddy Scooter because we are both environmentally aware and want to help our planet. In fact, my wife rides the scooter to work every day,” Milo said.

Though they have not participated in any fundraisers involving the scooter due to lack of time, there are many available.

It may sound as though the intention of scootering is to improve this or fix that. But in reality the scooter is all about having fun. Even Milo himself admits that fun was what won him over when deciding whether or not to buy his Buddy Scooter.

Although the scooter is both fun and extremely accommodating to the wallet and the environment, it has a variety of risks. The damages from a scootering accident could indeed be fatal. This is why Milo makes sure to stay safe. He wears all that is required: an armored jacket, a helmet and gloves.

“I suggest rising above the status quo. Whether it’s through purchasing a scooter or a hybrid car, I always encourage improvement,” Milo said.

Milo could not be more on target. In a consumer-driven world with so much focus on fitting in, the world could use more people who realize that meeting the status quo is secondary to other issues.

---

Jill Fortman

"Out on the open road, in the middle of nowhere, you get in the zone. You’re floating on the road, a part of nature; you just want to keep riding,” art teacher Jill Fortman said, describing the joy of riding her motorcycle.

However, she doesn’t recommend riding to everyone.

“It takes the right kind of person,” Fortman said.

All the joys of motorcycling are matched with an equal amount of challenges and risks. Fortman stressed the importance of mentally preparing yourself to ride. It is essential to be a responsible rider and not to get cocky.

“You can control what you want to do on the bike, but because you don’t know what other drivers are going to do, you have to assume they are going to hit you,” Fortman said. “You can’t think you’re invincible.”

Fortunately, Fortman hasn’t had any accidents, but she has heard her fair share of stories. All her motorcycling friends, who she considers good riders, have been in serious accidents.

They have been harmed by the ignorance of the people they share the road with. Cars often don’t look for motorcyclists when they are changing lanes on the highway.

Fortman’s brother was pushed on to the shoulder by a van whose driver didn’t check the blind spot. Motorcyclists always have to be alert when an oncoming car is turning left in front of them. Because motorcycles are so much smaller than cars, drivers underestimate a motorcycle’s speed and think they can safely make the turn.

Unfortunately, even when an accident is not the motorcyclist’s fault, he or she usually takes the brunt of the damage.

Because Fortman knows the responsibility of motorcycle riding, she knows the importance of motorcycle safety. A helmet is only the beginning of proper motorcycle riding wear.

“Wind equals death; as soon as you get cold, you’re done,” Fortman said.

Smart motorcyclists wear tight clothing, usually made of a heavy material or leather so that wind cannot get in. Thick clothing also helps prevent road rash, and gloves and glasses work as a motorcyclist’s wind shield. Boots, preferably with steel toes, are essential so riders don’t mutilate their feet.

“I hate to see a girl riding on the back of a bike wearing flip-flops because even if they are going five miles an hour she could lose her toes,” Fortman said. “But if you keep thinking about those risks, you’ll never ride.”

Fortman emphasized the dangers of motorcycling because she does not want it to be glorified or taken lightly. Like many things in life, motorcycling’s benefits can only be enjoyed if the rider has put in the practice and understands the great responsibility.

---

Matt Bryant

Two summers ago, An Inconvenient Truth persuaded science teacher Matt Bryant to do what he could to help the environment. Bryant realized that he lived very close to school, and it seemed preposterous for him to drive every day. Therefore, he went out and bought a Comfort Bicycle.

“It has a cushy seat and wide tires,” Bryant said.

Bryant uses his bike as transportation to school when the weather is nice.

“It is pretty tough coming to school because of the hill, but going home is a breeze,” Bryant said.

Bryant also has a stationary bike in his basement which he uses to train in the winter. Bryant sees strong benefits in choosing to cycle to school, the biggest being the exercise and gasoline savings.

On his bicycle, Bryant wears whatever he is planning to wear to school that day along with a helmet and sunglasses.

“I wear sunglasses even in the dark. I like to be cool,” Bryant said.

Bryant considers himself to be a safe rider and even has a headlamp on his bike.

He hopes his bicycle riding habits will produce two results: that he will not only give others a good chuckle but also a reality check about the environment.

“I hope they look at me, then look at their own lives,” Bryant said.

---

Jason Dzik

"Throughout high school and college, I had always wanted a motorcycle for fun,” history teacher Jason Dzik said. Dzik made that dream a reality after buysing a 1997 Honda CBR F3 sport bike.

“The thing I like the best about it is 45 miles per gallon. You can’t beat it,” Dzik said. “I also love to feel and smell the air on a great day.”

Dzik stressed that the most important part of riding was safety.

“You have to be a smart and alert rider. It’s too scary not to be safe on a bike,” Dzik said. “Once you start acting stupid and pushing your limits, it is a recipe for disaster.”

Protective gear was also very important to Dzik.

“I would always wear a helmet, padded jacket, gloves and jeans. It not only keeps you warm while you are riding, but also helps in an accident,” Dzik said.

Despite Dzik’s protective measures, he was involved in an accident on his motorcycle.

“I was running out of gas and was a little flustered trying to find a gas station. I took a right turn a little too wide and just dropped and skidded across the road,” Dzik recalled.

Dzik landed on his knee during the accident and needed to take a day off of school to recuperate.

“After explaining my accident to Brother James Spooner, I saw him later in the week when I was out with some friends,” Dzik said. “He walked up and made fun of me for falling off my bike. It was really embarrassing.”

Although Dzik enjoyed riding his motorcycle, he decided to sell it.

“It was just too dangerous for me, and the bike’s maintenance costs just kept growing,” Dzik said. “It was time to move on.”

Dzik would like to get back on a motorcycle in the future, but for now, he wants to stay safe.

---

Mitch Wagner

Since childhood, physical education teacher Mitch Wagner has been around motorcycles. His first experience with a dirt bike led to his long-lived love of cruising the open road on a motorcycle.

“It is much more exhilarating to travel on a motorcycle. You really experience the ride,” Wagner said.

Wagner and his wife both decided to buy motorcycles after their children had grown up. Both enjoy the thrill and experience of riding motorcycles.

“When you cruise on a motorcycle, there is a stronger sensory input. You can feel the way the sunlight hits you, smell the air and see the road in a way you never can in a car,” Wagner said.

Wagner and his wife think motorcycling is as much a social activity as it is a mode of transportation.

“It is a really great way to meet others who share your passion. We have made many fun and genuine friends who also enjoy motorcycling,” Wagner said.

The two also enjoy traveling on their motorcycles.

“I bought a Vulcan Cruiser because it is very comfortable, which makes it perfect for long trips,” Wagner said.

The Wagners take an annual “pilgrimage” to Sturgis, N.D., with 500,000 other passionate riders.

“The rally is massive. It takes up an area close to the size of Northeast Ohio in terms of how far it spans from the city of Sturgis. The wildest part of the rally is the number of people. Just hearing the tallied count does not compare to actually seeing the crowds,” Wagner said.

After Wagner decided to move up to a larger, more powerful bike, he read every book on motorcycling that he could get his hands on.

“Riding on the road is much different than zipping around the backyard on a dirt bike. I felt like I needed to learn how to be a safe rider,” Wagner said.

Safety is important to Wagner, although he does not always wear a helmet or jacket while riding.

“The jacket depends on the weather. If it’s cold out, I will put it on, but otherwise, it’s just too hot. I used to wear a helmet and sometimes still do, but I have faith in my ability and experience as a rider,” Wagner said.

Sometimes, however, this confidence can be costly.

“The best advice I have ever received about riding came from another motorcyclist who told me, ‘Every time you get on the bike, you are putting your life at risk,’” Wagner said.