Adventioneering

“Didn’t your mom ever tell you not to get on the back of one of those things?” Well, yes, actually I am sure she did at some point (Hi Mom!) but she’s pretty cool about these things. It’s been over a decade (yeesh!) since I can remember riding on a motorcycle for any extended riding. I will never forget the unmistakable sound of the bike coming down my street and pulling into my driveway to take me away. The exhilaration and undeniable ‘cool’ factor of putting on a helmet, hoping on the back of the bike, and holding on tight. The sound of a motorcycle, whether a throaty Harley or a high-pitched sport bike, always turns my head.

The wistful daydreams of riding miles and miles on curvy roads crept into my head some time last year, a time I cannot pinpoint exactly. I think it was around the time I knew we’d be moving back to the west coast. There is just something so romantic to me about the west coast and motorcycle riding. It’s such a good pairing, like peanut butter and chocolate… or sushi and Sapporo… or Sonny and Cher! You get the point. Whether it’s riding near the sea, on curvy roads through the mountains, or even long stretches on the flat lands in the desert, I could see myself on a bike in all these scenarios.

Once you say it out loud it’s true, so last fall I told everyone that I was interested in taking up motorcycling. A bold move for a girl who had never done more than gearing up and holding on. And away we go!

I’ve been looking off and on at bikes for months now. After looking at the Ducati Monster, the Buell Blast, the Honda Rebel, the Ninja 250, and a handful of others I have decided that the Rebel is the one for me. I soon realized I want a more upright stance, wider handlebars, and a lower seat height, so the Rebel and it’s Cruiser style fit all of my qualifications perfectly. I also read, and heard from you riders out there, that this is indeed a great starter bike.

Not to put the cart before the horse, I will be taking a rider safety course next month! I chose the 2-day weekend course. Today, in celebration and anticipation of the class I picked up a helmet and gloves. It just so happened I got the deal-of-the-day on an Arai Quantum-II helmet and some riding gloves. With a rider course discount and the sale helmet I saved $423 bucks! I have everything I need to complete the course for now.

Next up: shopping for real road-gear. I’ll be looking like a spaceman in no time!