Why I Am Passionate About Riding

May 19, 2008


I’m going to assume that since you have taken the time to visit my site and to read this article, you are at least curious about learning to ride.

Riding your own motorcycle and freeing your inner spirit can be very rewarding. Even though I have ridden and owned bikes off and on over the years, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I knew I needed to get back my sense of adventure and feel the wind in my hair again.

Working in the corporate world for so many years and traveling nearly 3 weeks out of every month took its toll on me. I mean, I’m not 20 anymore! I or should I say, my husband and I were also the caregivers for my mother. Mom struggled with Alzheimer’s . She was also a paraplegic due to contracting polio in 1949. She was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet, until the Alzheimer’s ravaged her mind. Anyway, the pressures of work and home took away my zest for life. The only joy I felt was when I was with my grandchildren. While I love my family dearly, I needed something just for me. I know that there are many women out there that are wearing numerous hats and trying to be all things to their families and their jobs. It’s not possible. If you don’t look after you, you will eventually crash and burn.

I hadn’t ridden a bike in many years let alone own one. I remember the day that I made a decision to buy my first brand new bike. It was one of those rare days that I was at my desk in the corporate office. I had two 3 hour meetings, 3 conference calls and a host of fires that needed to be put out. Out of nowhere came this urgency to ride. For a brief moment, I remembered what it felt like to get on a motorcycle and think about nothing but the ride. That was it. I was hell bent on getting back up on the horse again!

I bought a Honda Shadow Aero 750. It was Red and I was elated. Texas requires a motorcycle license and I didn’t have one. I asked a friend to ride it home for me and I vowed not to ride until I had taken the beginners course and got my license. I lied! I rode it around the neighborhood and down the road a little ways. I WAS BACK!

The Biker Chick in me was pushing her way out and I was so happy to see her. It was like running into an old friend that you haven’t seen in years. I was actually EXCITED about the prospect of shopping, which is so not me. I was going shopping for boots, jeans, gloves and a helmet. The leather jacket and chaps could wait until colder weather….. after all, this is Texas so there was no hurry.

I signed up for the Beginners Class. Since it had been so long since I had ridden, I felt a refresher was due. What big fun! We had a group of about 10 men and women. Some were novices and some were veteran riders. The class was 2 ½ days of classroom and riding instruction. The instructors were great and vowed that everyone would pass the test. I passed but I don’t ever want to have to re-visit “the box” again.

I rode my 750 for about a year. I just needed to get reacquainted with a motorcycle and regain my confidence before I moved up to a bigger bike. I have long lusted after the Goldwing. This is in my opinion is the Cadillac of all motorcycles. I can see the Harley riders cringing as I type! (YOU MUST CLICK ON THIS HYPERLINK – FUNNY AS HELL - WHO SAYS HONDA OWNERS DON’T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR??) The Goldwing is powerful, comfortable and dependable. The best touring bike on the road, again, in my opinion.

Learning to ride a motorcycle is like any other thing you do in life. If you really want to do it, you will. It is what I do for me. I love it. If it is something that you have always wanted to do, then put your fears and the naysayers aside and just do it. My children were speechless for about a minute when I told them I was getting a bike. My son thought it was unfair that I was getting one and he wasn’t. My daughter just laughed and made some comment about middle age crazy. My grandchildren think I’m about the coolest “Jammaw” in the world. My husband? He was sure I had lost my mind but the truth is, I ended up finding it instead.

I’m more of a Biker Grandma than a Biker Chick now and that works for me. It’s good to be my age and feel comfortable in my skin and know that my grandchildren think I’m cool!

Judy Davis