The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

Follow The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes takes an in-depth look into the mental, emotional and social aspects of motorcycling with licensed clinical psychologist Mark Barnes. Mark takes your questions in every episode. Support your mental motorcycling with The Ride Inside!

BMW Motorcycle Owners of America


    • Apr 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 88 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

    Riding Beyond Limits: Kandi Spangler on The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 61:32


    Kandi Spangler, a passionate motorcyclist and trainer, shares her journey from a novice rider to a two-time GS Trophy finalist with Mark Barnes, touching on overcoming physical limitations, her recovery from shoulder surgery and the importance of physical fitness in riding. She emphasizes the significance of training, skill development, and community support in the motorcycling world. Kandi also highlights her experiences in adventure riding, the role of coaching, and offers valuable advice for new riders. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Feelings are not facts on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 18:50


    FEELINGS ARE NOT FACTS: If you've ever wondered why this motorcycle somehow feels faster than that motorcycle, this is the podcast episode for you. Mark examines the differences between our perceptions of a thing and the reality of that thing and how our perception affects us. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Chore no more! on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 24:01


    CHORE NO MORE: Do you consider riding on the weekends all the training you need? Or are you more dedicated to building your riding skills? Mark looks at ways to improve your riding that are fun and beneficial, and why they're important. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Escape! on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 23:23


    ESCAPE! You can run (denial) but you can't hide (reality). We all know this, of course, but Mark is here to remind us of some ways to deal with the frustrations inherent in even feeling the need to escape from anything. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Navigating the doldrums on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 20:09


    NAVIGATING THE DOLDRUMS: Just like sailors of yore, motorcyclists can get stranded in the doldrums, especially during the winter. Mark gives you some ways to navigate the tough times when you can't ride. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    No such thing on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 20:33


    NO SUCH THING: Obscuring responsibility doesn't do us much good, but we do it anyway. The throttle cable or brake pads on our motorcycles don't go bad by magic, bu we don't always notice they need attention until it's too late. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Moto Music on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 18:05


    MOTO MUSIC: whether it's a piano etude or a perfectly banked decreasing radius curve, we can make art in the ways presented to us on an everyday basis. Playing a classic Fender Stratocaster or riding a BMW M 1000 RR, your tools create your music. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.  

    Another kind of fear on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 22:11


    ANOTHER KIND OF FEAR: Tying in with the Jan/Feb '25 issue of BMW Owners News and its focus on the MOA Foundation's mission of training and safety, Mark addresses learning, crashing, humility, ignorance, embarrassment and more. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    BJ Hessler of DC Dirt Camp on The Ride Inside With Mark Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 65:18


    B.J. Hessler is the founder and lead instructor at DC Dirt Camp, an off-road riding school in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.  Here she tells us how motorcycling in general, and setting up this operation in particular, have been central to her personal journey, and how her school has much to offer motorcyclists at all levels – including those who ride exclusively on pavement. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Frisky business on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 18:37


    FRISKY BUSINESS: Mark takes on the classic nature vs. nurture conundrum, explaining it by developing an understanding of your cat getting the zoomies and connecting it to what we all experience as motorcycle riders. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org.   The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.  

    The Sound of Thunder on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 21:59


    THE SOUND OF THUNDER: Losing a motorcycle buddy is difficult, but it's something many of us will face sooner or later. Mark explores what he's gone through since his friend Jeff died in a single-rider crash not long ago, and how his experience can help all of us manage risk, expectations and emotions. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Riding with ADHD on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 19:39


    RIDING WITH ADHD: This commonly misunderstood (or misapplied) condition has a variety of effects, but can it actually make you a better rider? Mark dispels some myths and discusses (briefly) what ADHD is and isn't as it's applied to motorcyclists. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.  

    Pearls on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 20:12


    PEARLS: Maybe yours are cleverly brief instructions passed along to you in formal coaching, or maybe they represent insights you arrived at on your own. No matter how you get them, they're critical to building your skills as a motorcyclist. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Dave Searle on The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 88:29


    DAVE SEARLE: Retired Editor-in-Chief of Motorcycle Consumer News Dave Searle reminisces about the odyssey that eventually led to his role as a highly regarded journalist for the motorcycle enthusiast press back in the glory days of print publications. His history as a self-taught mechanic, educator, writer, photographer, relentless researcher—and, of course, passionate motorcyclist—made him uniquely qualified to be MCN's longest-running leader. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Our storied lives on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 23:49


    OUR STORIED LIVES: Storytelling. Refined sugar. Umbrellas. Motorcycles. Reality. Darwinism. Information. Tying it all together is the really tricky part, but that's exactly what we do on a daily basis! Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    James Carlisle on The Ride Inside With Mark Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 67:15


    JAMES CARLISLE: Building on Mark's recent "Stealership" essay, this discussion digs into what it's really like for somebody at a motorcycle dealership to work with the public, especially disgruntled people who show up angry at a real or perceived slight, with a broken motorcycle or just itching for a confrontation. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Shawn Thomas & Louise Powers on The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 41:39


    SHAWN THOMAS & LOUISE POWERS: There is perhaps no two people more fitting the moniker of "dynamic duo" than Shawn and Louise. When they're not traveling around the world as ambassadors and product experts for BMW Motorrad, they're buried in motorcycle training - both for learners and as learners. Mark drills down into what makes them constantly want to learn more and then share that knowledge with othe riders. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Breaking Down (Or Not!) on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 19:42


    BREAKING DOWN—OR NOT: Your bike isn't the only thing that might struggle on the ride. Neglecting your body and its needs (and realities) can also cause problems on trips of any duration. “Plan your ride, ride your plan” can—and should—incorporate more than just the motorcycle. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    What we don't know on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 20:43


    WHAT WE DON'T KNOW: Old adages aside, ignorance can and often is quite painful—but there are ways to mitigate the damage caused by simply not knowing something you really should know. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Reflexes on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 19:57


    REFLEXES: Remember “bullet time” in The Matrix? There's a similar experience when it comes to motorcycling, and all you need to do to experience it is drop your motorcycle—preferably in front of a live studio audience. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    The incredible disappearing motorcycle on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 22:52


    THE INCREDIBLE DISAPPEARING MOTORCYCLE: It's not about being invisible, it's about your riding experience being as distraction-free as possible. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Farewell Old Friend on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 20:07


    FAREWELL OLD FRIEND: Selling a bike isn't nearly as exciting as buying one, but it's something we all must face sooner or later. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.  

    Stealerships on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 25:09


    STEALERSHIPS: All it takes is one bad experience to ruin us on a motorcycle dealership—or all of them—for life. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Farklemania on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 21:50


    FARKLEMANIA: My distaste for the word aside, there's a lot to be learned about ourselves from what we attach to our motorcycles. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    It's Not Easy Being Green on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 18:19


    IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN: Your status as a beginning motorcyclist informs your entire riding life, but that doesn't mean you have to necessarily choose between being brave and being skilled. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Points of Interest on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 17:12


    POINTS OF INTEREST: Simple training—or retraining—exercises can often yield disproportionate benefits when it comes to our riding skills. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    New bike fever on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 17:40


    NEW BIKE FEVER: Nobody is immune to this condition, which often rears itself as winter turns into spring. Or in summer... or late fall... or... Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Tami Bakke on The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2024 105:46


    TAMI BAKKE: Mark talks about the importance of training with Tami, who serves on the board of the MOA Foundation, one of the biggest proponents and supporters of motorcyclist training around. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Smooth Operator on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 21:05


    SMOOTH OPERATOR: Trail braking doesn't have to be a mystery! Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.  

    Best practices (Part 2) on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 20:03


    BEST PRACTICES (PART 2): Divide, conquer, integrate—then keep it real and deal with the unlearning process. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Best Practices (Part 1) on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 20:31


    BEST PRACTICES (PART 1): Get out of your mind and into your body—and remember competency is a work in progress. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Are you crusty? on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 20:28


    ARE YOU CRUSTY?: Surviving this long doesn't mean you can't benefit from motorcycle training. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Ken Condon Part 2 on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 61:19


    KEN CONDON PART 2: Mark wraps up his interview with another titan in the motorcycle training world in the second episode of this two-part series. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Ken Condon Part 1 on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 61:42


    KEN CONDON: Mark interviews another titan in the motorcycle training world in the first episode of this two-part series. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Once in a while on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 15:35


    ONCE IN A WHILE: How *does* the train always know exactly when you need to cross the railroad tracks? Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Wrapping up 2023 on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 53:05


    WRAPPING UP 2023: Mark welcomes Wes Fleming back to The Ride Inside, discusses his recent investigation of the importance of motorcycle training and reflects on 2023. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Time Travel on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 14:42


    TIME TRAVEL: A motorcycle transports you directly into the present moment—and it really has to, if you want to survive. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Nick Ienatsch on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 93:04


    NICK IENATSCH joins Mark to discuss the Yamaha Champions Riding School (which he founded), its Champ U online program and how motorcycle training affects us all. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Everyone Has a Story on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 19:14


    EVERYONE HAS A STORY - normally, we put some kind of pithy, perhaps even witty teaser here but honestly, we can't say anything more interesting about this episode than is stated by the title. Enjoy our 50th episode! Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    When is a day not a day? on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 19:03


    WHEN IS A DAY NOT A DAY? sees Mark exploring just how many precious weekends we have and how easy they are to accidentally waste. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Ed Housewright on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 47:31


    ED HOUSEWRIGHT joins Mark to discuss his upcoming book about riders who take a long break from the sport, or come to it later in life. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    All My Fault on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 15:04


    ALL MY FAULT: Fear is controllable, and that control is necessary to get the most out of your ride. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Cheap Thrills on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 15:44


    CHEAP THRILLS: BMW's smallest bike in current production—the G 310—is a platform not to be overlooked for its fun factor. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.    

    Anatomy of a Panic on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 18:13


    ANATOMY OF A PANIC: Quick! Check your pockets! Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    The Way It Goes on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 17:21


    THE WAY IT GOES: Always expect an "easy" repair or modification to be harder than it appears and you'll never be disappointed. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    10,000 Curves on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2023 16:53


    10,000 CURVES: With repetition comes success, something Mark ruminated on during his recent tour with IMTBike. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    The Joy of Streamlining on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 16:30


    THE JOY OF STREAMLINING: Preparing for a lengthy motorcycle trip requires some hard looks at what we choose to pack along for the ride. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Low Strung on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2023 17:34


    LOW STRUNG: A laid-back bike isn't a blessing in disguise, it's one key to better riding and possibly even a better motorcycling experience. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Clearances on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 20:21


    CLEARANCES: Whether it's in the engine or transmission or in your brain, the spaces between the components (or ideas) is absolutely critical. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Our Own Worst Enemy on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2023 16:17


    OUR OWN WORST ENEMY: Getting rusty during a break from riding can come back to haunt you. Luckily, there are many ways to shake off the rust. Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Jon DelVecchio on The Ride Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 69:10


    JON DELVECCHIO joins Mark to discuss his "Cornering Confidence" course, an online version of which is free for members of the BMW MOA (and not too expensive if you're not a member). Send your questions to us via email - podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

    Claim The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel