U.S. Highway 89 in Arizona from Flagstaff to Page is a long secluded road through the Navajo Nation Reservation that descends into the painted desert. I topped up my fuel tank and rolled on the throttle to head north for Kanab, Utah by sunset. I turned on music for the long haul ahead when the first song played through my headset - ‘Flight of Icarus’. One of my all-time favorites from the British metal band Iron Maiden. A song that retells the ancient greek cautionary tale about consequences of over-ambition and youthful arrogance. A legendary story about two mythical characters - the talented builder Daedalus and his son, Icarus. Both imprisoned on an island for betraying King Minos of Crete. The tall tower where they were held was a reminder of their crime of aiding in the Minotaur’s escape from the King’s labyrinth.

Days turned into weeks in their stone prison, with waves crashing against the rocks. Hope seemed lost until Daedalus created a daring escape plan. Using feathers of birds and wax made while imprisoned, he constructed man-made wings to fly away to their freedom. Daedalus warned Icarus: ‘don’t fly too high or the sun will melt the wax, and don’t fly too low or the sea will soak your wings.’

Soon after the sun broke above the clouds, they took to the air.

Icarus spread his wings, took off from the tower like an eagle, and flew too high when the sun melted the wax. He fell into the ocean, leaving Daedalus heartbroken. A tragic ending to a story that made my mind think about a few things while riding through the wide open desert landscapes.

The moral of the story brings to mind the balance between goal setting, assessing risk and overcoming fear. Daedalus made a daring escape plan, and Icarus flew as high as he could to carry it out. Even though he knew the risks, Icarus flew too close to the sun. If he had stayed focused on the goal, he probably would have survived. However, Icarus did not listen to his father's warning about the dangers of flying in the extremes.

Then I thought about how balancing skill and risk is important, especially when challenges outweigh your abilities. When jumping off a tower with wings made of feathers and wax, you need enough positive risk to stay alive. A bit of humility and good judgment could have helped. Daedalus warned Icarus about flying too high or too low, but Icarus got carried away and ignored the advice. If he had been more cautious during his flight, the result could have changed.

And finally, I reflected on fear and how not being afraid led to Icarus's downfall. This relates to motorcycle riding as well. Confronting rugged terrain on a motorcycle brings with it a natural human instinct to look down—to focus on the ground beneath our tires or to the cliff’s edge, where uncertainty and potential failure loom. What many adventure riders refer to as ‘target fixation’, this reaction only serves to heighten our fear, creating a cycle of hesitance that holds us back. It can also lead you to riding off the same cliffside you’re so desperately trying to avoid.

Just as in life, there are times when we hesitate to reach too high out of fear of failure. When we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone, we often find growth in the places where fear resides. By choosing to look where we want to go instead of where we fear, we commit to overcoming obstacles. This act of focusing on our destination beyond the immediate hazards fosters a growth mindset. It's a conscious choice to embrace the unknown and push through discomfort, leading to an expansion of skills and confidence.

The difference between a successful hill climb and a struggle to get through a gnarly rock garden can often lie in this single decision. Commitment to face challenges head-on allows us to learn from our experiences. Even if the result is picking up your bike, over and over again, each attempt teaches us a valuable lesson.

Besides a kick-ass song, the ‘Flight of Icarus’ leaves a lot to think about, on and off the motorcycle. To soar high without losing sight of the ground beneath us. To exercise caution in the pursuit of trying new challenges. And to have the courage to combat self-doubt and fear in order to reach new heights.

I eventually made it to my campsite in Kanab just in time to view an amazing sunset. If you're ever in the area, don’t miss the chance to ride the 82 mile stretch near the Arizona-Utah border on the Fredonia-Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Road. The landscape is stunning, offering many routes to explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the southwestern desert. Riding a motorcycle here lets you experience the region in a special way.

Don’t Fly too Close to the Sun

The Apache Trail

Via Pedemontana Occidentale