chickie
05-10-2010, 12:09 AM
I used to ride motorcycles a LOT. Like, miles and miles and miles. I got sick in 2002 and then had major surgery in 2003 and wasn't well enough to ride for a while. Then for some reason, I would get minor anxiety when I'd think about riding again so I have let it all languish for almost 8 years.
Well, this weekend I started to put things in motion to start riding again. I took a 2-day motorcycle safety class where we were taught basic skills and put a lot of practice in on loaner bikes (I first took the class in 1998 when I originally was learning to ride). Except for one particular exercise that I am very weak on (even when I was riding tons, I couldn't manage it), I did very well and boosted my confidence quite a bit. I not only passed with flying colours (not that I needed to, since I already have a motorcycle license, etc), I got 100% on the written exam and tied for first place in the riding skills portion. The person who I tied for first with has far more motorcycling experience than I, but I enjoyed watching and learning from him so I never felt like I was in a lesser position than him.
My next step is to buy a friend's motorcycle and surprise my boyfriend with my entry back into the hobby. It's a bigger bike than I've owned before but I spoke with my instructor today and he said I am more than ready for the bike I want to buy (he knows a lot about bikes). Additionally, they asked if I would be interested in training to become an instructor like them (2 per class). Not only would I continue to learn and develop my skills and improve my confidence in my riding skills, I would also make a little extra money if it worked out.
Well, this weekend I started to put things in motion to start riding again. I took a 2-day motorcycle safety class where we were taught basic skills and put a lot of practice in on loaner bikes (I first took the class in 1998 when I originally was learning to ride). Except for one particular exercise that I am very weak on (even when I was riding tons, I couldn't manage it), I did very well and boosted my confidence quite a bit. I not only passed with flying colours (not that I needed to, since I already have a motorcycle license, etc), I got 100% on the written exam and tied for first place in the riding skills portion. The person who I tied for first with has far more motorcycling experience than I, but I enjoyed watching and learning from him so I never felt like I was in a lesser position than him.
My next step is to buy a friend's motorcycle and surprise my boyfriend with my entry back into the hobby. It's a bigger bike than I've owned before but I spoke with my instructor today and he said I am more than ready for the bike I want to buy (he knows a lot about bikes). Additionally, they asked if I would be interested in training to become an instructor like them (2 per class). Not only would I continue to learn and develop my skills and improve my confidence in my riding skills, I would also make a little extra money if it worked out.