Wild Motorcycle Tales Touched By A Hell's Angel Page 2 A few weeks later that fall I found myself in a classroom with several other similarly stupid individuals. We spent half our time indoors, learning the physics. The other half we did outdoors on bikes, applying the principles in the field. The instructors didn't sugar coat it: they described all the risks, broadcasting them in morbid living color via video. Then they taught us some ways to reduce the risks. Surprising info.For example, we practiced "countersteering." You see, when you want a motorcycle to turn right, you turn the handlebars left: weird, but a principle of Newtonian physics that really occurs (untrained bikers do it, but don't consciously realize it). We covered emergency braking. Motorcycles are different from bicycles: long story short, the cruiser's back brake takes your life; the front brake saves it. Enlightening stuff. I walked away from that experience with three thoughts: 1) I learned a whole lot, 2) Motorcycling is scary, and 3) I want to do it anyway. By spring I'd done my research, gone shopping and made my purchase. You might say it has changed my life! I am now a confirmed chromaholic, adding new parts on a strict seven day schedule. I'm a member of the Retreads (over-40 club), the local H.O.G. (Harley Owner's Group) and a top active participant with the Motorcycles.About.Com forum on the Internet. I have four helmets, two pairs of chaps, five riding jackets, a leather vest, half a dozen dew-rags and a plethora of accessories spilling over the shelves in the shed. Joanie says that when I suit up to go out on my rides I look like someone she's not sure she wants to be associated with. Well, we might look "bad," but my riding buddies are a retired state trooper, a school teacher, an insurance salesman, a civil engineer and a certified public accountant. Not exactly Pagans, would you say? What's with the Hell's Angels and the Pagans, you ask? Best I can tell is the old gangs have mellowed a bit. Yeah, there are some hard cases, but my limited experience has been: don't bother them - they don't bother you. Substance abuse has lost popularity, too. The profiles have changed a lot. Attitudes don't align with looks anymore. Education and safety training have become cool. And being a good brother (or sister) to your fellow rider is the code of the road. In fact, go to a motorcycle rally today and look past the attire: you'll meet the greatest, nicest, most regular folks you can imagine. Throughout my training and subsequent travels I've encountered nothing but pure help and moral support from fellow riders. Made some first-rate friends, too. Motorcycling is a kinship unlike any I've ever been involved with, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Times change. Things change. Why then, shouldn't you and I? Is there something you always wanted to do but held back? A different direction? A new style, a new way, a new idea? Could it be you've been an adult so long it's time you became a kid again? Or maybe you've spent your life acting like a big baby and you're considering the scary concept of growing up. Maybe it's that secret thing you always wanted but feared wouldn't line up with others' expectations. What is it you wish for, just before you blow out those birthday candles? You had better do it. Or go to your grave regretting you never tried. My friend, the world re-writes itself every day. What's the big crime if you or I veer onto a fresh new road? Now is a great time to start. Will some accuse you of being stupid? Of course! But once you've done as many stupid things as I have, you get used to it. -- R. Denny Blew P.S. So far I've managed to keep the rubber side down and my family is grateful I didn't get that skinhead tattoo. But, the other day I saw this really groovy belly-button ring and...
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2007 Walter F. Kern. All rights reserved.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You CAN Ride a Bike |
| 10 Ways to Be Safe |
| Latest Pictures |
 |
| Pictures of the Week |
