About 30 seconds ago, I ordered a motorcycle helmet to my "soon to be" first motorcycle. I have taken measures over the past several months to ensure that I would be able to carry on a family tradition of riding motorcycles. My father has been riding motorcycles since before he was able to walk (well, okay, maybe not that long, but he has been riding motorcycles since his teenage years). He's been riding on the steel steed for the better part of his life, and while I used to ride with him often on long trips to the beach for some quality "papa-son" bonding, it has been a few years since one motorcycle has been able to carry two giants upon its back - one of which is still growing (ME - IF I NEED TO MAKE IT MORE OBVIOUS, lol). I have a good amount of confidence that my father's old BMW Windjammer II would have a tougher time now than 8+ years ago when I wasn't quite as sizable.
Good times, though. I enjoyed the ride on the back of the motorcycle, although the first time I was passenger was quite terrifying. Back then, when I was 14,15, I never expected to find myself in the position I am now. I found motorcycles interesting enough, on the surface, but I was never that invested. Recently, I've found myself thinking about having my own ride and joining my dad on those same lengthy journeys, but this time, side by side, not hunkered down on one two-wheeler. I'm not looking to go blazing speeds, although that is part of the thrill, but rather experience a sensation of freedom that I always felt on the back of the bike. This time, however, I look forward to having my own set of controls and enjoyment at my disposal.
I chose to take a leap and take the motorcycle course, which was a highly educational, informative, useful, and terrifying experience (especially since 40% of the class failed out). I went from not knowing jack- to being proficient enough to ride safely. Do I feel confident enough to ride at length and bask in the comfort of my own expertise? Absolutely not, but I have to charge onward and take the next leap at polishing the skill, just as with anything (except, of course, with this one if you're an idiot, you could die). I am excited to do so and eventually feel comfortable enough to put myself in more challenging situations.
By my understanding, the motorcycle community is quite vast and once you've found your niche, it is quite close knit - I also look forward to seeing the truth to those claims. Admittedly, I didn't decide to do this for the community (the reasoning being far more intrinsic), but maybe with time I will come to embrace the 2 wheel community as I have with the exercise community. I am nervous about my green status, but the only way to get past that is to move at one's own pace and progress.
I'm just expressing unorganized thoughts today, but to know that my life is going to take a small change for the "even better", along with the opening of my business shortly, this will prove to be a very thrilling, progressive summer this year - I am waiting with bated breath for everything to get underway.
Listening to: Halo 4 Soundtrack "Haven"
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