I Got A License To Ride....

"The greatest glory in life, lies not in never falling but rising everytime we fall." -- Nelson Mandela

Sunday, I earned my motorcycle license.

I have always been sorta impressed with motorcyclists. The prowess, the risk. Ok that's not entirely true, on one level I have been but mostly I've talked a lot of BS about those who choose to cycle. Pretty badly. I have been a passenger before on bikes in my youth and while I did not understand all the dynamics involved with riding, I liked it in general, but was acutely aware of my mortality most of the time. But a rider...noooooo. I did not have that bug. Aside from certain daydreams of wearing a hot racing outfit and riding in the wind (Hey, it was good daydream fodder). But really, not serious right?

Years pass I grow older and more conscious of the risks. My guy decides he wants a bike about a year and a half ago. We go back and forth with this desire he wanting me to be supportive, me expressing I'm nervous about it. He is yearning but I know with his history of riding, while never officially in an accident (he has a perfect driving record for bikes and cars) it still sets off warning lights as he is accident prone with bikes. But in the end...it's going to make him happy and happiness is worth pursuing. I support him. Reluctantly, but without guilt for his choice.

He's got a kick ass motorbike -- A blue Suzuki V-Strom 650 - A dualsport, solid and very nice performance. And he wanted me to ride with him places be a passenger. But inside I had the fear of riding. We go back and forth and with his encouragement, a few months back I told him I would take a Motorcycle Riding Class. At worst I'd learn more and become a better passenger...at best maybe I'd get "bitten" by the bug and want to ride. But not very darn likely.

So this weekend I went through Motorcycle Safety Foundation DMV approved, CHP sponsored beginner's motorcycle riding course. Three days intense learning (a weekend), they provide a motorcycle, helmet and work books (since aside from helmet I have no gear) in the field and class room instruction. Two tests at end one written and riding evaluation that are accepted by DMV as your riding test. You have by the end of the course, your license.

Friday evening was all classroom but Saturday was riding at day then classroom at night very intense. We learned about bikes, technique and maneuvers in baby steps during the day and by the end I was performing exercises and riding shakily, if not competently. Our in the field instructors while technically competent were pretty much assholes to everyone the first day that they didn't feel an immediate kinship to (i.e. anyone who wasn't a die hard enthusiast or flirting with them (they were obviously making fun of those who weren't picking up automatically). One kept calling me girl the other by another learner's name which considering we look NOTHING alike and both our names only have an R in common is pretty damn funny. As one of three "girls" in the class, conferring with them we agreed all of us who had never driven before felt part of the targets and pissed off. And I definitely did some LAME ass moves in my nervousness and excitement, some probably deserving ridicule. But it was just lame. We did tons of repetition for which I was grateful. Also not to be forgotten weather wise, it was also VERY cold and muscles were tired from holding up my bike. Finally, had a fast break and did classroom in the evening then took our written exams and I got 48/50. Hurdle one solved. I went home mentally and physically exhausted, angry and wondering what the hell am I doing. Those bastards kept yelling "it's fun people!" but damn if I could believe it. I just kept thinking did I pay these guys for abuse or was I just overly sensitive? No. They were being asses.

Sunday before class, my husband took me riding, and with different eyes I was his passenger and the things I learned started to gel together. It was early and very cold but it was fun. It was fun to feel the wind, to negotiate the curves. Fun to ride and just enjoy the road. We took back roads to a little french cafe and had breakfast. Talked about what kind of motorbike I might want as my starter. About the difference in experiences he had had these classes years ago and loved it had very cool instructors. By the time I left to go to the second part of class and for testing to get my license, I was feeling much more positive. I wore my beanie with flames joking I'd come home as a phoenix or in a blaze of glory for going down. If I didn't pass I'd come back as they offer retesting and I'd get it. Sooner or later. With a goodnight's rest, and my confidence and ego no longer dragging I went back to pass.

Praying the rain clouds wouldn't produce rain till after testing (they didn't!), the second part of our exercises were focused on more advanced riding techniques than yesterday with emphasis on fine control, fast stopping, swerves and curves. I was doing fine during practice until "The Box". The box is an exercise of controlling your bike and staying seated through a series of 2 very tight u-turns, in opposite directions all while staying contained inside painted lines on the ground, limited space like rectangle (I'm horrible at measurements was roughly about 3 car park spaces in length, and 2.5 across - not a lot of room!). You do this, in first gear basically making a figure 8 between the lines, learning to refine control of your bike. My first try and I go down bike falls on my knee. I'm so pissed at myself and shaking angry. The instructor...is cool, supportive and makes me get on the bike right away and practice again after making sure I'm ok ( skinned knee under my jeans I'm fine). And try as I might I can't get this figure 8. We move on and do other things. I can swerve very well apparently :). Someone must have told them they were acting like asses yesterday, cause today they were much more supportive and less yelling and cajoling all the way around.

We finally take the riding evaluation tests which are based on a cumulative score of points on all the advanced techniques we have learned. "The Box" is one part of four. I biff it. But it's ok. At this point, the three "girls" are cheering each other on we are laughing and encouraging. We are getting it done and pass or fail we finally are having some damn fun and excited the end is in sight. And to my amazement I nail the rest of my tests, not perfectly but enough. I passed. This is especially poignant since two of the more experienced beginners the instructors seem to take for granted would do well, didn't (toe touches during the box not allowed and one guy totally went down during the test which is an automatic fail). But somehow I did it. Made a new friend too and she and I will be riding partners as we both seek to improve. We waved good bye and good luck to those three who didn't they had another shot to try before the sun went down.


I have a lot of practice ahead of me (the box will be my bitch :)) and I need a bike of my own but...I'm a rider. As my confidence and knowledge grows, I hope to be less of the concerned and more a confident, safety conscious fun loving rider.

I would, despite my mixed experience passionately recommend that anyone who wants to ride and can take a course like this beforehand, do it. People in the course some of whom who were riders on permits for a long time, some returning lapsed riders all said they learned new things and got a lot out of it. I know I did. When I've been riding a while I think I'll go back for their advanced course too. In the end, I did learn an awful lot...I can drive a motorcycle.

I got my license to ride!!! :) Wow!! Considering comments that I have made...I'm going to have to eat a lot of crow for a while too...

:) Work tomorrow, reality returns. It was a good vacation.

Baja report to follow.

The First Post

I have a blog elsewhere but I'm thinking of using this one for something different. This actual post is later than the date listed but sine this is the date I stated this blog...I wanted to keep it posted.

This will be my motorcycling blog. Keeping track of my thoughts and experiences as I go from ridiculously novice rider to...more experienced rider. I'll place my thoughts here and as the experience grows so hopefully will I. And perhaps I'll meet a few other enthusiasts along the way...