Last weekend nearly beat me to the ground, it was so packed! But I came out of it with a totally new and adventurous skill!
Friday night I went in for the first of three motorcycle classes. I walked into the classroom and everyone became silent, assessing why this young girl had just walked into the room. More confusion seemed to appear on their faces when the teacher asked who hadn't ever ridden a motorcycle, and I was one of two to raise their hand. After that first class I walked out feeling very self-concious. Excited about what I was about to learn, but out-of-place, none-the-less. Would I slow everyone else down? Would I make a fool of myself? Would I fall? Would I even pass the class?
The next morning, after a mere 4 hours of sleep, I rose at 5 am and went to the riding range behind the old strip mall on campbell ln. The bikes were set and ready, and when asked to choose one, I just walked to the one closest to me (all but 2 were standard) which ended up being a kawasaki standard. That was the beginning of a whirlwind relationship.
I dreaded the time when we would actually get on the bikes and ride, for I was sure I would fall or just not be able to go. And what with all the gear shifting and clutch and throttle...it was so much to remember! We started by walking with our bikes in the friction zone of 1st gear, and then riding slowly in the friction zone of 1st gear while giving a little throttle. I stalled out quite a few times, but eventually rolled on that bit of throttle, released the clutch, picked my feet up, and before I knew it, was riding!
The rest of the day built on each previous exercise, and I quickly learned how to shift gears, make sharp turns, come to quick stops, weave, and heaps more. It was grueling, though, since we spent hours at a time on the hot hot blacktop in 95+ heat. We broke for lunch at 11, rode for another 1.5 hrs, and then the one other woman who hadn't ever ridden fell on a turn and asked if we could go back to continue the classroom activities.
We finished the day at around 3:30 and afterwards I immediately went to visit Dare, who I hadn't seen since right before I left for New Zealand! From there I rushed home to get ready to see the screening of Beasts of the Southern Wild in Nashville. Alison, Kate, and I drove there and enjoyed the film and were able to meet Dwight Henry, who plays Wink. We made it back home at around 11, at which point I jumped into bed and immediately zonked.
The next morning I forced myself up at 5:30. It was a long battle of "no, I'm not going in today, I've already learned a lot." But I got back on that bike and attempted to do an S turn inside of a rectangular perimeter. I failed pretty miserably every time. I no longer felt comfortable on the bike and even giving it throttle was difficult. Although I was thoroughly frustrated with myself, I continued on, and eventually got warmed up. The bike and I again became one. If you've seen avatar, when they choose an animal and attach themselves to it and the two become one––I'm positive they got that idea from motorcycles.
Around 10:30 evaluation time came and the final evaluation exercise was the S turn in the rectangular box. Oh that dreaded enemy. I tried it once and put my foot down to keep myself from falling. I tried it again and went out of the box on the beginning of the S, I tried it a third time and went too quickly getting back to my starter position and went out of the box. I kept the joke in my head that I just wasn't meant to be kept in a box. And on the fourth try I made the first U turn successfully, and the second I just barely touched the line, but succeeded in staying within my perimeter!
That day ended at around 12:30 after a written test and a few congratulations for everyone had passed, including me!
I'm extremely glad I put myself through that experience, for now I have a new, extremely fun skill! I just need a bike so I can ride!
