Have Fun

*Extensive parkinglot practice, as you have done.

*Joyrides/training rides on deserted/low traffic roads where I can choose my own speed, as slow as I want, without being rushed, honked/yelled at and possibly freaking out and panicking. If there is traffic coming through, they should have plenty of space to pass me without heavy opposing traffic.

*My usual bicycle route to and from work (in traffic, don’t use sidewalks unless there’s inconvenient road construction, hehe.) It is moderate to heavy in-town traffic, but avoids the main fairways most of the way. In the beginning I will ride mostly late evening, night time when there are less vehicles on the road just to get used to the stopping/starting/turning by stopsigns and lights.

*Longer rides with my friend who is an experienced motorcyclist and can mentor me on the way. You got that covered already.

Good luck to you, Lindsay.
Sverre

I took a Motorcycle Safety course a couple of years ago when my husband decided to return to motorcycle riding after his hiatus of almost 30 years. I took the course with him because I wanted to be an educated passenger and show my husband I am interested in what he loves to do. I had never driven a motorcycle prior to this class (was a passenger a few times, had a bicycle when a kid), but managed to pass both the written and practical tests and was granted my ‘M’ endorsement. Scary but fun weekend!

For the next two years, I was a passenger while wondering if I could actually ride the road instead of the parking lot as we did in class… I was exploring this possibility by sitting on numerous different types of bikes to see what actually fit me. I also researched trikes and trike kits to see if this would be a way for me to enter the world of motorcycling as I had doubts as to whether a middle-aged teacher could learn the skills necessary to stay safe on the road.

This past summer, I finally sat on a Honda Shadow Aero 750 with an Insta-trike kit at a local dealer’s. The bike was the fit I was looking for: I could touch the ground flat-footed while standing and sitting; the handle bars were at a comfortable height, distance, and spread; the controls were at the ‘right’ location for my feet to naturally and easily reach. I drove this machine and had a lot of fun. Believe it or not, I passed on this bike because I thought I wasn’t quite ready and couldn’t figure out how to include it in our budgeting.

Since that time I found myself thinking I was sorry I passed on that bike- that I missed an opportunity. A couple months ago, I was home sick with the flu (yes, that one!) and had lots of time to spend on my computer surfing- I mean researching- the web. I kept looking at motorcycles thinking about what might have been. One day I stumbled across a Honda dealer site that listed the same model bike that I rode and liked so well at a huge discount. “New bike, end of model year, clear the floor, we can’t sell any bikes” kind of discount. I jumped at it with my husband’s complete support. I once again considered going trike, but I decided I wanted to be able to ‘choose’ to trike instead of ‘having to’ trike.

So, here I am; a new owner of a 750 Aero, a beginning rider who is learning about slow speeds, turning, braking, shifting, accelerating, and all the combinations thereof… I used the exercises I learned in class to begin the learning and building my skills. I am at the place where I am starting to feel a little more comfortable, but am still well aware that I have a lot to learn.

We live in a pretty rural area so my patient husband rides my bike to various parking lots in the next town or so over while I follow him in his truck. As I practice, he sits in his truck and watches me or reads.

As described in this article, I find myself focusing on technique and constantly asking “Why…?” My husband is my coach and a pretty good one, but he spent so many years riding in his youth and returned to riding so easily and quickly, he doesn’t really remember what it is like being a beginner with beginner’s questions. He tells me I am handling my bike well, but can be “tentative” at times.

I feel as if I am on the verge of leaving the parking lots for the roads, but need some help. Do you have any suggestions for a newbie like me?

My thanks,

Lindsay