Page 28 - The Book For Men Spring/Summer 2023

MICHAEL LA FAVE / CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
THE THING I WANT THE MOST ISN’T SOMETHING YOU’LL FIND IN THE pages of The Book for Men. The Book is about refined sensibilities, subtle elegance, modern luxury, and, often, opulence. It can also be about adventure, experience, and indulgence. I don’t think an ATV is any of those things — in fact, it’s quite of the opposite.
Seeking Thrills
And yet it’s what I want and, I hasten to add, believe I need. Not because I have a working farm, a hobby farm, or any kind of farm. Not because I hunt or fish or camp. Not because I have an impassable path to a remote cabin in the woods and not because I grew up wanting one.
I need a side-by-side, four-seater ATV because time doesn’t stand still — and the rate at which my son is aging and growing is, frankly, giving me anxiety the likes of which I’d never considered possible.
It’s not his size or maturity that’s the problem. It’s the narrowing window of experiences that we’ll share as father and young son. Dammit, I want there to be some exciting ones.
My passion for cars hasn’t entirely worn off on him — typical of his gen- eration. But a loaner ATV had him excited to spend time exploring trails with me, at speed, as opposed to gaming online with his friends. Yes, I’m that selfish. It may be the epitome of frivolous to buy such an expensive toy in a desperate bid to garner interest and create memorable childhood memories. But you only live once.
If you think getting an EV is hard, getting a side-by-side four-seater (or SBS in ATV lingo) is proving even harder. Turns out I’m not the only middle-aged dad with this plan. I wish there was the ATV equivalent of a YYacht or a Range Rover — each with their inimitable reductionist, minimalist, and just plain heart-achingly gorgeous lines, materials, and finishes — but there isn’t.
So as much as I’d like to add a white gold submarine, a new bespoke summer wardrobe, and a pair of Jacques Mari Mages sunglasses, I might have to hit pause on those in favour of financing dirt-bike helmets and an obscenely overpriced conveyance that doesn’t have doors, a windscreen, AC, or infotainment (but does promise adventure and excitement). I’ll let you know how it goes.
28 BFM / SS23 LETTER
PHOTO BY MATT BARNES.