GETTING WHAT WE ASK FOR maybe isn't always the best solution for our motorcycling lives - but then again, maybe sometimes it is.

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The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

TIMING: Both work and play deplete our energy reserves, so determining which is more important at any given time (and how to approach balancing one with the other) are critical to how we wend our way through our daily lives, both on and off the motorcycle.

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The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

Many of us put on our helmets every day to go ride, but we never really think about how effective they're going to be at preventing traumatic brain injuries. That appears to be all John Lloyd thinks about; after testing hundreds of helmets, he's arrived at some fairly startling conclusions. He relates his study in this discussion with Mark and Wes Fleming, host of the podcast Chasing the Horizon. (Note: This is a lightly edited version of the discussion, which can be heard in full on Chasing the Horizon Episode 162.)

DYLAN CODE: Born into one of the most well-known rider families in the USA, Dylan has sought and found ways to balance his father Keith's legacy with his own quest for knowledge and perfection atop a motorcycle. From his beginnings as a boy to keeping CSS running smoothly, Dylan brings a lot of insight to the concept of motorcycle schools and how they can benefit all riders. Wes Fleming, host of Chasing the Horizon, joins Mark for this discussion with Dylan.

Send your questions to us via email: [email protected].

The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

WON'T VS. CAN'T: It's an age-old conundrum, and discussions of it often overlook the nuances and complexities of a given situation or set of circumstances. Whether you're parenting or riding a motorcycle, the distinction between won't and can't can (and often does) have important repercussions.

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The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

SAME OLD SAME OLD? An enthusiast has an entirely different perspective on whatever it is they're particularly excited about. It can often be difficult to share or express your enthusiasms with other people, but a little understanding can go a long way.

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The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

A MOMENTARY LAPSE: Everything can change in a split second when your attention wanders. In a car, it might not be a big deal, but on a motorcycle, a momentary lapse of attention or skill could have devastating effects.

Send your questions to us via email: [email protected].

The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

X-RAY VISION: What do X-ray glasses, rocky hill climbs and invisible dangers have in common? Perception! Mark explores how experience shapes what we see—and what we miss—on the bike and beyond. Discover why learning doesn't just change how we think, but what we notice in the first place.

Send your questions to us via email: [email protected].

The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

MY LAST HAIRCUT: When do you stop chasing the next upgrade? In this episode, Mark reflects on reaching the "last haircut" moment—settling into the perfect set of bikes, dialing back the tech obsession and choosing depth over breadth. It's about aging, priorities and staying put in the saddle.

Send your questions to us via email: [email protected].

The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

LOSING CONTROL: Is more control always better? Mark examines the paradox of control and how letting go can sometimes yield the best results in motorcycling and in life. From race track lessons to psychological insights, Mark explores why relaxing your grip may be the key to confidence, performance and even joy.

Send your questions to us via email: [email protected].

The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.