First Steps

Two days later we were in our local bike shop (Freewheeling in Douglasville, GA: http://www.freewheeln.com/) looking at motorcycles, asking stupid questions, and trying to feel our way through what we would have to do to get the ball rolling. We went into the shop thinking we would be looking at 250cc bikes and I was convinced that I was getting a crotch rocket. THEN, I actually sat on one of the damn things and knew immediately that if I spent more than 10minutes in that position my back would be in agony! So, it was on the cruisers. Well, as it turns out, there really aren't many cruisers in the 250cc category. The closest you come is a Honda Rebel. Now, look at this thing: http://powersports.honda.com/2009/rebel.aspx Is it not the ugliest? Even as a total rookie, I was not going to be caught dead owning that! I mean, its all about the look right? So, we had to move up a bracket. Well, now you're into 750cc bikes **GASP**GULP**!! But, I instantly fell in love with the Honda Shadow Spirit http://powersports.honda.com/2009/shadow-spirit-750.aspx. I was worried that it was too much for me and I DID NOT want to be one of those chicks on a bike thats too big for her. But, the sales guy, who was actually really nice and didn't pressure us at all, said that its really all about finding a bike that fits and is comfortable for YOU. The Shadow Spirit is lowered and designed more for women riders (evidently an increasingly large section of the market). This was IT, this was the bike for me! Ok, now what?

Well, I had never ridden a bike myself and my husband had only ridden dirt bikes YEARS ago, so we had to learn how to even do this. My husband at least thought he could probably get one into gear, I didn't even know how to turn it on! So, after asking alot of silly questions, we finally ascertained that we could take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course through the Dept. of Driver Services (http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx).

And so it began... out of tradgedy springs resiliance.

I've always wanted a motorcycle; I don't even know when it began. But, it was something I supressed, like alot of other things in my life. Motorcycles are dangerous! Everyone knows that... my parents knew some people who had died on them. Riding a motorcycle requires coordination beyond my ability... I can barely drive a car with a manual transmission. I was too responsible and too clumsy to ever ride one.

In college I had ridden on the back of a crotch-rocket a few times with a boyfriend that I had at the time. I always fantasized that someday I would have my own sport-bike and we'd fly down the road side-by-side. But, even at the time I recognized it for the untouchable dream that it was. I was safe within my naive delusions.

Then a day came in April 2011 when I learned that my neighbor was seperating from her husband and contemplating divorce. I invited her over for some girl time. I had a bottle of white wine that I had been saving from a trip to Williamsburg, VA for several years and I figured this was as good an occassion as any to drink it! We popped the cork and started drinking and talking... I don't know how we even got onto the topic but we both admitted that we had always wanted our own motorcycle. We were also both drunk enough to think that it was a fantastic idea! As we were chattering about it excitedly my husband joined us and said that he'd always wanted one too (he doesn't have to be drunk to fall for crazy ideas like this). So, the planning began.