This weekend I didn't accomplish my usual list of crafting, socializing, and thrifting - instead, I spent pretty much the whole weekend on a motorcycle. Yup, you read that correctly! In order to ride our Vespa as safely as possible, Nate and I decided soon after buying it to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course this spring. We had the option of riding our scooter (well, one of us at least!), but both decided to ride the traditional motorcycles offered by the class so that we could learn how to shift a bike.
I'll admit it freely, it was a little touch and go for me at times. I had never operated a clutch before in my life (yes, I'm one of those people who has never driven standard), and there were moments when I was stalling out OVER and OVER and OVER (and over) and really wanting to go home. There were even a few tears - I was quite thankful for my full face helmet. In the end though, I passed my riding exam without a problem and walked away with a motorcycle license!
If I had made a list a year ago of things I thought I would accomplish in my life, learning to ride a motorcycle almost certainly wouldn't have appeared. This isn't the type of skill that comes naturally to me, and I'm a fairly timid person when it comes to things that don't come naturally. I think I'm most proud of the fact that I didn't feel afraid of the bike a single time the entire weekend - that's big for me!
Don't worry, I won't be trading in our scooter for a motorcycle anytime soon (although I have learned to love the roar of revving a real motorcycle engine!), but now that I've mastered the clutch, I'm a step closer to owning my dream vintage Vespa. Maybe someday!
Have you tried anything new and challenging lately? How did it go?
12 comments:
I'm about to make an ottoman... but that's not half as scary as learning to ride a motorcycle! Love that photo!
I've had my MC's since I was about 18 andI have never regretted it. While I don't own a motorcycle anymore, it means that I always have the ability to help a friend if they need it for whatever reason.
good for you! i'm definitely prone to intimidation of anything that starts to take me out of my comfort zone -- i tried to drive standard once and lasted about 10 minutes before getting stressed and giving up.
Chic on the Cheap
i rode a motorcycle with a friend back in college and loved it. i wanna get on one again one day!!
vespas are sweet too :)
Ah, well done! I love new challenges, though my one big success recently was hemming curtains - a bit less dramatic than riding motorbikes!
Good for you! I'm the same way. Things that are unknown or the least bit scary are usually a No-Go for me. So way to go!
Well done! I took my CBT (basic bike test in the UK) about 7 years ago, it didn't go very well it was pouring down with rain and i ended up skidding sideways and coming off :( luckily i was going so slowly i only had bruises...i just couldn't get the hang of the clutch xxx
Did you need to have the motorcycle license to use the Vespa?
Thanks, everyone!
Alexandra, that sounds so scary! I'm glad you were okay. We had a little bit of rain this weekend, but luckily nothing too bad.
Meghan, you can also ride on a motorcycle permit, but there are restrictions (you're not supposed to ride at night, with a passenger, or on "congested" roads - although what that means is unclear), and it has to be renewed every year with a written test at the DMV.
I went to my very first Scooter Rally, 2 days of riding around in a pack of 150 assorted scooters.
It was super exciting and I was not expecting to love it as much as I did.
Rois - aren't scooters addictive? When we got ours, it was mostly a practical decision - it was cheaper and more reliable than a car (plus much cuter!). I never expected to love riding as much as I do.
Oh wow, thats awesome. Well I don't have my licence but I would like to get it one day :) I used to ride a push bike when I lived in the city and it was just so nice being outside. I have arthritis so find it hard to ride a push bike now but a motorbike or scooter would be good for getting the fresh air but not putting stress on my joints....hmm food for thought.
Something challenging that I am thinking of doing at the moment is recovering a retro foot stool that I've had for a few years. The vinyl is all cracking so I want to cover it with something that won't crack and will be more comfy on my toes :) I will have to post it on my blog :)
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