Finding Connection in the oddest of places

A while ago, say, maybe a year or so, I started following a content creator on Facebook from the UK called @HarveyRidesBikes.  He rides around London giving out sweets to passers-by, grumpy road ragers, and sometimes give taxi rides to followers that need to get somewhere.  He drinks coffee, a lot of coffee, has chats with randoms, and he rides a custom Triumph Bonneville T120.

the wait screen from @HarveyRidesBikes twitch

I really enjoy his shortform content on the book of face and Instagram, so when he started streaming his rides on Twitch a few months ago, I started watching.  Being in the UK, they were often on late into the morning in Aus, so I didn’t bother subscribing, or even commenting much because I just couldn’t consistently watch.  I enjoy watching the banter with strangers and watching the familiar scenery flying by as Harvey (yes, that is his name, no pseudonyms here) filters through London like a boss.

At the start of this year he came to Australia so he could stream throughout the UK Winter in the sunshine.  He started in Sydney, and now he’s in Melbourne.  As I write this he’s zooming along the Great Ocean Road with an Aussie #biketok creator, Zealot.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, I have found a community that I didn’t know was there for me and each other.  A community that is spread across the world.  Finland, Canada, UK, Philippines, South Africa.  We have at least a few things in common: a passion for wet patches, Broccolini, coffee, story time, and Haribo sweets/lollies/candy.

screen shot of filtering in Melbourne on Twitch

mardy_jim from the UK says “I've been using twitch for over 10 years, been part of many communities, watched hundreds of streamers and this is without a doubt the most wholesome community I've EVER come across!” He added,  “As I've said before a creator attracts like-minded people, so yeah wholesome streamer = wholesome community.  Susan CLEARLY did a great job raising [Harvey] you!”

I’d have to agree.  The community has welcomed the bonnelass (that’s me) into the fold by including me on the in-jokes, explaining the lore, listening to me bang on about wildlife, and chat about eggs benedict in the stream chat.

While it’s possible that’ll some of us will never meet there is a unique connection that comes from following and supporting the same creators and similar interests.  Wizzygirl902 says, “I feel uplifted with these streams compared to the dreaded doom scrolling of other socials. This feels like connection. The other activities feel like separation.”

GrimnelGargoyle from the UK, who happily helps out by donating subscriptions (they make the ads go away) to other users, and bits (twitch cash) so Harvey can put money behind the counter in coffee shops had this to say about why they do this, “I've only experienced HRB streams and from what I hear, they're not all created equal.  The HRB community brightens my day and has brought so much positivity towards people where I would normally shy away from interacting”.

Everyone saying Hi to Darren on Twitch

Personally what I get from the stream chats is that I’m not alone in my desire to fact check and help with info (looking at you FlowCharge) and it being well received when I choose to share.  The big cheers from everyone in the chat when a new character (wait staff, friend or stranger) appears on screen. When someone is doing an exam or test, everyone wishes the luck, congratulations, or commiserations, the same when someone is sick or has been away for a while without a “see ya later”.

In late January I rode to Sydney to attend what’s called a ‘Ride Out’.  This is where a load of folks come together on bikes to go for a ride together.  It was a long day for me, but I needed to pass to Harvey (and his travel buddy Will) some sunscreen and a snake bandage after they went for a short bush walk in the Blue Mountains (I spy) without either and only about 500ml of water between them. I had a great day because I got to meet some of the people I’d been talking to on chats and put faces to names and connect on Instagram.

Harvey, Will, me and #LizzietheTherapyDog in Mogo on 31st January

Faradeii, real name Bean, when talking about the benefits she has gained from the stream and chat connections, “how we all learn little things about each other and try to keep them in mind” We’ve shared our real names and we also chat in the Discord (think chat board) and have shared pet photos, recipes and other little titbits about ourselves.  Meeting new people that I may never meet is fun.  Harvey’s passion for riding is being felt by her too, “I’m thinking of getting a bike because of how awesome all of you are when I’ve literally never thought of it before haha”.

I confess that I’m back riding because of Harvey’s influence.  After an eight years hiatus of not riding because of my hip needing replaced (done in late 2023) I bought myself my dream bike in August last year.  A Triumph Bonneville T100.  Seeing the classic motorbike lines of Harvey’s Bonne in the shadows on the road inspired my inner bike b*tch to get back on, which has led me to his chat and a new community of folks that support each other with big ups (W) and love.

I never thought I would find myself enjoying watching someone else have fun while I sat in cuddling the dog…although as a Canberra resident, and the area having one of the highest rates of animal collision in Australia, I very much enjoy the vicarious pleasure of night rides.

Especially considering on my first night ride I lost half my front wheel arch to a roo tail, ironically, while I was wearing my Wildlife Rescue hi-vis.

In these testing times, find a community that speaks to you, it can make all the difference.

Me and my Bonne on Christmas Day 2025. Say Hi if you see me riding around town.

#connections #socialmedia #international #mentalhealth #support