Finished reading 'Ghost Rider: Travels On The Healing Road' by Neil Peart Sir.
The book deals with him constantly traveling on a bike, covering about 90,000 Kms in less than 18 months as a means of coping with the tragic loss of his 19 year old daughter to an accident, and then his wife to cancer (or was it broken heart?). To deal with tragedies of that magnitude one after the other, Neil Peart Sir decided to leave everything behind, and just ride...
'Ghost Rider' is a philosophical travel memoir about that intense, extraordinary "journey" without any goal or a plan. It's a story about a self imposed exile of a man who's seemingly lost everything, and is trying to find himself.
For people uninitiated in the world of music, Mr. Neil Peart is basically the greatest drummer of all time. One third of the legendary Canadian Rock band Rush, he's often introduced by musicians as "your favourite drummer's favourite drummer". But that's not all. Neil Peart Sir is also one of the most incredible, inspiring human beings to have ever graced the earth. A musician par excellence, a poet extraordinaire (wrote all lyrics for Rush), writer of terrific books (like this one), an extreme rider and adventurer (the subject of this book), and a man of extraordinary erudition - Mr. Peart was a true gem.
Interestingly, despite all that fame and fortune, Mr. Peart never behaved like a "rockstar". In fact, quite an introvert, he always felt very uncomfortable around people. The guy just made and performed music with the work ethic of a military man. And then went off on his bike. Away from all the "limelight".
I was naturally fascinated with all that. Being a genuine fan of his music and writing aside, I was also seriously intrigued by the fascination for biking and the philosophy of adventure. Why do people push themselves to such an extent?
Is it the thrill? The rush? The urge to see new places? Yeah, maybe all of those.
As per Neil Peart Sir, traveling is basically like placating our "baby soul". Just how when babies cry incessantly, it works to take them "for a ride" sometime, it's what travel does to us adults as well. The motion soothes us. The road "heals" (in an almost magical way). We, like babies, become calm, even sleepy. And gradually our "baby soul" finds its way back to joy.
Such a beautiful way to put it!
As for all those real adventures (not the curated, safe experiences posturing as such); I think what Neil Peart Sir inadvertently says is that they're a longing for putting oneself in serious discomfort in an inspiring setting, with real risks and dangers of things going wrong. So if and when we come back alright, we can have a sense of genuine accomplishment, and greater appreciation for life, just as we have it.
I loved the book. It began extremely well. And while it lost a bit of its brilliance towards the end, I could sail through it.
And thank god for that! Because with this book, Neil Peart Sir inspired me to ride. And hope..
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