First Time Riding

First day of the motorcycle course...

I'm fairly new to the motorcycle world.  After meeting Darcy I started as a passenger.  I never thought I would ever ride on my own, or that I would want to. 

The experience as a 'professional passenger' was great.  We went on so many long trips, and many more day rides looping around the north GA mountains.  The things that you see, smell and are a part of are so different than being in a car.

I really started to enjoy the leaves changing colors and the views from the highest mountains.  We always take 2-lane roads instead of the highway when we can and had a lot of fun in the twisties.  

Packing for our trips was a challenge.  I joked that I would have to get my own bike if I ever wanted to take an extra pair of shoes.  I did get very good at packing everything for a week in a tiny saddlebag (well the saddlebag wasn't tiny, just small in comparison I had ever packed in the past)!  

I joked when I registered for the Basic Rider's Course, that I needed to learn how to ride so that I could have more packing space.  That wasn't the real reason.  I wanted to see if I could do it.  I wasn't sure if I would like it, or if I would pass the test and get my license, but figured at the very least I would try and at the end I would be a better passenger.

The course I attended was at the Honda facility in Alpharetta, GA.  A group of 11 soon-to-be-hopeful- riders gathered in a training room and we were introduced to our instructors.  I was one of 3 women taking the course which did put me a little as ease.  I really wasn't nervous about riding..  or falling actually.  I was more nervous about what my husband would think if I failed.

After learning the basics inside the building, we were paired with our bikes outside.  I was lucky enough (I'm being sarcastic here) to get a Honda Rebel 250.  What a piece of shit that bike is!  It is so small and low to the ground.  After getting some feel for the clutch (and what it was there for), I managed to breeze through the exercises with only a couple of stalls.

The weather was beautiful and I had experienced something new..  Jury is still out if I'll be able to get through tomorrow!