One’s Lure of Choice

It’s peak summer, buzzing abounds. I was recently struck by the correlation between bikes and flies. This article attempts to chase that down. An exercise in vernal observation and kinetic free association, admittedly esoteric.

Sitting by the side of the road, gazing with even a slight degree of critical attention, you’ll see Harleys, BMWs, Ducatis, Triumphs, and a spate of Japanese varieties, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki.  Within each company selections are offered which do specific things optimally. The Touring Bike, the Cruiser, the Racer, the Dirt Bike. Also dotting the landscape, an array of hybrids made to straddle on and off-road use, they do various tasks reasonably well. These are the Enduros, Spyders, Dual Sports, etc. It’s a vast domain, with models for every passion and taste.

Long before there were motorcycle brands and styles, nature offered a template for such diversity. My focus is on insects that fish in lakes and rivers eat- flies especially. Of this profusion we find a few main orders. The Mayfly, the Stonefly, and the Caddisfly being the predominate ones. Within each of these there’s near innumerable variety.  For example, among Mayflies- the oldest type- there are Drakes, Sulfurs, Hendricksons, Cahills, on and on. Indeed, it’s speculated that each stream and nuance of geographical feature has given rise to its own kind. Twenty-one-hundred species have been named. Aficionados and fish know the difference.

Rather than spending time detailing the voluminous catalog and traits of each, instead let’s move directly to a generic view of overlapping features and qualities, dwelling a moment on the comparative likeness of flies and bikes.

Motorcycles, regardless of genus or species, will have an engine, wheels, and a frame- including seats, shocks, handle bars, brakes, etc. What all flies have in common are a head, thorax, and abdomen – and to a lesser extent, wings, antennae, tails.  Squint, and squeeze your imagination, you’ll see the resemblance…Broadly speaking they both zoom and zip around curves and corners.….they’re highly fuel efficient, built lean and mean…Even the language of description conflates their association…they’re “streamlined”…all models in their own way aspire to perfected flight, i.e. the Gold Wing.

A more precise comparison of components reveals the similarity. Handlebars sure do look antenna-like, they both foster steering and fine control. Engines and thorax are where flight is born, where heads are attached and RPMs are measured…Fairings are winglike, channeling wind….Wheels are feet, the basis of take-off, contact, and delicate landings…. Tailpipes and tails, both blow smoke, some are loud, some spiny and little…. Finally, the body of the beast, where driver is seated centered and secure, and precious eggs and organs are contained.

But there’s even more to this. For a motorcycle of any variety to be effective- to do what it was made to do- it needs to 1) be in good working order 2) have fuel 3) come under control of a skilled rider.   Each division has countless sub divisions.  “Good working order” includes; proper wheel alignment and tire pressure, a timed engine, smoothly firing cylinders, etc. Skilled riding means subtle balance, quick reflexes, reading the currents, adapting to conditions.

For flies to do what they were made to do, to survive- and let’s recognize and give respect to the fact that they as a kingdom have had hundreds of million of years to work out the kinks-  their version of functionality involves 1) escaping predators  2) obtaining food  3) reproduction. In both cases, for choppers and hoppers… motion is lotion.

As a final case in point, I submit this- the scientific name for the Mayfly could equally well describe both organism and serve as motto for the mechanism- Ephemeroptera (Lives for the Day).