Biker Chic

After talking on the phone with a friend last night, about the things that have gone on in my life recently, it occurred to me that I left out a very interesting piece of new information from my life. Ladies and gentlemen, I now have my........motorcycle permit! I've been a biker girl for a while now, riding with Adam on our Harley or the various dirt bikes he's had over the years. He's been working on me for quite some time to get my permit, and for a long time I just wasn't interested, save for my experience with the 2 little dirt bikes I had a few years ago. The dirt bike Adam currently has, a Yamaha TW 200, happens to be the perfect size for me. Adam finally convinced me to try it out. Since I still had a good idea of how to ride from my own dirt-biking days, I hopped on, realized it really was my size, and rode it around the yard. I was sold. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to ride. The main reason I sold my last dirt bike was because I couldn't ride it even on the dirt roads without a permit, so there just didn't seem to be a point to it.

So I took the plunge; spent a morning reading through the online DMV motorcycle manual, and went in to take the test. For a Suma Cum Laude Bachelor's graduate, you wouldn't have known it that day. For a 25 question test, I had to get 20 right to pass, and thats what I got. I blame it on lack of understanding the questions. Oh well.

So far I've ridden a few times since getting my permit. I quickly realized my biggest challenges were starting smoothly and being comfortable leaning and weaving. I worked on that last night. Adam hopped on his Dad's TW, I on his, and off we went. He had me practice weaving around our pear trees. He originally wanted me to weave around the blueberry bushes, but since he could barely do it, I didn't feel too bad that I couldn't. I was happy to find that I felt a lot more comfortable by the end of the practice session. We then rode around the block, passing neighbors who looked on in wonder. It was a good ride. I think I'm slowly breaking Adam's fear that I'll be a poky motorcycle rider like I am on the snowmobile. I made it over 40 on the backroads. I'd say thats about as fast as I'll venture on dirt though. All in all it was a good experience. The best part about it is getting to ride with Adam. Its fun to be in control of my own bike, the leans, the speed. I'm still cautious, but am getting more comfortable.

The permit either has to be renewed or I have to take the skill test within 120 days. My goal is to practice enough so that I can take the skill test by my birthday, since I have to renew my license then anyway. I was planning on riding after Adam got home, but I think the rain is going to prevent that. There's always tomorrow..... Until more from this biker chic.... :)