EXTREME HAS GONE TOO FAR, to the extreme banality

Have you ever felt like we’re living in a world where we’re constantly chasing after things we don’t really need? We spend our time working to buy stuff we end up throwing away, wanting things we can’t have, and ignoring what truly matters – our own needs and the needs of those around us.

Entertainment seems to be our go-to escape from this cycle. Whether it’s binge-watching TV shows or getting involved in extreme sports like motorcycling, we’re always looking for that next thrill. I remember watching a documentary about the Kon Tiki expedition (it was even nominated for an Oscar in 2013!) and being amazed at how the adventurers dressed in jackets, shirts, and ties as they set off on their journey.

This got me thinking about Sir Edmund Hillary, who climbed Mount Everest in tweed, wool, and knickerbockers. Or the riders of the Six Days Trial, tackling rough terrain in tweed and wellies. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is obsessed with extreme sports – extreme air, extreme surf, extreme ski, you name it.

We get these “extreme videos” from friends, showcasing incredible athletes doing mind-blowing stunts. We’re talking about riding bikes on top of the Arc de Triomphe, backflipping off old planes, or passing at 120 mph from the open roof of a Fiat 500 to the flat bed of a Man truck.

Our thirst for extreme is never-ending. We buy all this high-tech gear to look like pros, even if we’re just casual riders. Running shoes for non-runners, tree logging boots for non-loggers, polar suits for non-explorers – you get the idea.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for safety, but sometimes it feels like we’re walking billboards for these brands. And then there’s the word “Adventure” plastered on motorcycles that never see more action than a motorway cruise or a bar hop. It’s like we’re trying to buy a sense of adventure, even if we never really experience it.

It is true: extreme athletes are amazing. They train hard and risk their lives to entertain us. But it feels like “extreme” has become the new normal, and it’s starting to get a bit boring. Movies with over-the-top stunts, personal beliefs that reject any other opinions, and even our leisure time is all about chasing that adrenaline rush.

We’re becoming adrenaline junkies, always looking for the next extreme fix. We love nature, but only the Disney version where everything is perfect and nothing ever goes wrong. We want excitement without the risk, and we want it all from the comfort of our armchairs.

My mum used to say the circus was disappearing, but I think it’s more popular than ever. Every event, from weddings to sports, has turned into a circus. And if “panem”, the bread, is becoming more and more challenging to gain, “circenses”, the games of the Circus, are amply available for free with the compliment of Red Bull, under the eyes of GopPro 

So, what do you think? Maybe it’s time to embrace simplicity, rethink our obsession with extreme. Simply (in bike and gear) get out there and enjoy the reality. Take the bike out for a ride, even if it means losing a bit of sleep.

Embrace the true adventure of life, where everything is real and our responsibility.

And push the ride to the EXTREME KNOWLEDGE, eliminating the show for the sake of showing. Or maybe not. It’s up to you!