INTO THE VOID

Most motorcycle riders know the Manic Street Preachers, a Welsh indie pop band that thrashed their guitars into the limelight throughout the ’90s for their hit song,

“Motorcycle Emptiness”.

First released in 1997, the record reached respectable chart positions across the globe and was even named the 86th best song of all time by one leading British music mag. For motorcyclists the world over, however, the song became a modern anthem: a soundtrack for the ride.

I’ve listened to this track on hundreds, maybe thousands of occasions since — sometimes on repeat. In fact, I even included it in an article I wrote for ARR’s 100th Edition Special (“100 Best Riding Songs for the Road”). But truth be told, I’ve never really understood it — or rather, have never been able to fully relate to the lyrics. Until now.

Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni — the world’s largest salt flat — is the very