I’m a firm believe that our Creator gave us thumbs so we could ride motorcycles (well, not really, but it sure sounds good!) Or why, as some believe, we humans were evolved from primates (yes, they have thumbs too!).
Riding a bike is a very inexpensive, exhilarating way to get around. Whether you’re out for a quick trip to the store or traveling from state to state for a rally or just to visit relatives, riding is the way to go.
As I’ve mentioned in prior articles, safety and training are number one. Nothing comes before that. From managing different terrains, such as dirt roads or wet roads, to riding with all of those formidable cars on the highway, proper training is a must. Anything worth doing takes time. If you believe that riding a bike is important, then the training needed to make it a safe hobby for you will take time.
Not all of us own our own bike when we take lessons. If you don’t own yours when you take lessons, try to do the lessons on a bike that will be similar to the one you want to get for yourself. Not always easy to do, but if you can manage that, you will get the most out of your training that way. Don’t use a bike that is too heavy for you or not manageable for your size/height. You’re wasting your time and could potentially hurt yourself or others. Wait until you have access to an acceptable bike before you try lessons or practice.
Find a reputable place to take your lessons. The investment this requires, to get appropriate training for riding a motorcycle, more than pays off in the end when you encounter a quick-thinking situation that could mean catastrophe if you handle it the wrong way.
Once you have your endorsement, practice – a lot! We get good at things as we do them. In the very beginning, find a parking lot or dead-end street with minimal interference to practice. As you get more comfortable, go somewhere a little busier that has a few more obstacles to maneuver, different terrains, more curves and turns. Keep working your way out there as you get comfortable. Don’t overdo it, but try not to stay in your ‘comfort zone’ if you are certain that you can do more.
When it is raining, take your bike out as much as you can and ride it – in a very safe area with slow speed – get the feel for how that wet pavement feels under those tires – over and over. That way, when you are caught one day in the rain (and you will be) and can’t find a place to pull off until it subsides, you won’t have to endure that ‘wet pavement under your tires’ feeling for the first time when you are away from home.
What it comes down to is the time you take to put yourself in ‘uncomfortable’ situations in a ‘comfortable’ area, like near your home, will prepare you for when you do get caught in a sticky situation. Spend a ridiculous amount of time doing this – please! The only result can be that you are a better, safer rider. And you, your loved-ones, as well as the loved-ones of someone else on the road will be very thankful for your efforts!
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