My First Solo Ride

by Love To Ride

I spend ten years (35-45) feeling depressed and hopeless. I went to countless counselors and psychologists to no avail. One day, at age 45, a friend invited me to ride with him to a Harley-Davidson rally. One rally is all it took, and I was hooked. I rode with him as a passenger on his Road King for the next four years before deciding I wanted the view from the front seat. In May, 2002, I purchased my own Sportster 883.

When the salesman told me to start the bike, I was too embarrassed to tell him I did not know how. I had to haul her home, as I did not know how to ride. The first week, she stayed parked in my garage, as I was too afraid to ride, nor did I know how. The second week, I had the courage to sit on the seat and lift the bike. The third week, I rode it one mile down the street, turned around and came back. I did this for a week, all the while going 30 MPH. By the end of the second week, I was riding at 40 MPH and feeling more and more comfortable. Friends kept assuring me I would one day take off on my own. That day came one Sunday morning in July at 7:00 AM and after motorcycle safety school.

It was not an especially beautiful day and the West-Texas scenery was still barren and dry. The temperature was a hot 90 degrees. However, on that Sunday morning, as I cruised down the road on my first solo-ride, on my own bike, all feelings of depression, hopelessness, panic, anxiety, fear, and despair left me and were replaced with an excitement for life I have never felt. At 49 years of age I became a motorcycle mama and life is only getting better. Rather than a life of loneliness, I now look forward to every weekend when I know I will be able to cruise the highway. After spending thousands of dollars in useless psychology sessions, I found what I was looking for on the seat of a Harley-Davidson.

Friends have jokingly accused me of trading in my MBA for a HOG. You can have your country club, and diamonds. Just give me $4.00 for gas and my motorcycle. A day’s ride on my Sportster beats any psychology session. Learning how to ride my own motorcycle was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

There was a time you would had to explain. No need to explain anymore. I now understand. The road starts in my driveway, and it never ends.

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