>>28604323
>The act of lifting the front wheel, called “riding a wheelie”, conveys the paradoxical nature of the cyclist’s relationship with his machine. In one sense the vertically erect motorcycle represents a surrogate erection, displayed to attract female attention and show dominance to other males. Yet the verb, “to ride” a wheelie, also suggests an awareness of the passive nature of the rider - it is the machine that is erect, not the rider.
But seriously, that’s an interesting theory. I believe his patients were Harvard students seeking psychological counseling, so I would guess a lot of it is due to their having self-selected. Being a “college boy” at that time, when many were in the shit in ‘nam, may be a factor as well.
I sometimes worry I spend too much time thinking about bieks, though.