Wondering if riding is for you?

[ally99]

This post is for any ladies (or gents for that matter) out there who are curious about motorcycling but afraid to try it. Loved ones and society will tell you not to do it. "It's dangerous", they say. And though, yes they can be right, danger can crash into you no matter where you are or what you're doing. Driving to work in your car, walking down a flight of stairs with your arms full, or hell, even wasting away on a sofa eating tater chips all day...life is full of danger. The question is, what will actually make you feel alive?

So if you've been thinking of going out on a limb, doing something society says women should not do, go against the grain. Make your own path. You'll be better and happier for it!

Riding skills are crucial to giving yourself the best chance of survival. USE THIS FORUM! Use the riding skills section often, ask questions you worry are "dumb" (they're not), pick the brains of experts here, read riding bibles such as "Twist of the Wrist" and "Proficient Motorcycling". Practice emergency maneuvers in empty parking lots. Take the MSF class. Wear lots o' gear. Learn slowly and thoroughly. Be defensive and ride like you're invisible (because on a bike, you are). Forever be a learner, or as I refer to myself, a "permanoob". If you're curious, try it! If it's not your thing, it's not your thing, but if you never try, you'll never know. I sure as hell didn't think it would be anything I'd actually be good at the first time I sat on a Ninja 250 in an empty high school parking lot at age 30, attempting to figure out how a manual tranny works. Check out the journey that happened as a result...

Ally99's story:

Eight years ago today, I earned my motorcycle riding permit. In a twist of irony, eight years later, today marks the first day since then that I have not owned a bike.

As a clueless beginner wanting to face a fear, even a manual transmission befuddled me as I began the journey that would change my life in so many ways. Slowly I researched, practiced, talked to experts, and over the years I progressed as a rider far more than I would have ever fathomed. From simple commutes to the elementary school where I taught to mind-clearing rides through our beautiful countryside to learning the art of racing and dragging knee on a twisty track, I have shaken hands with hundreds of new friends and experienced the world as most people could never comprehend. I've been driven by adrenaline never felt before, learned what zen actually feels like, pushed my skills to (and sometimes past) their limit, crashed and burned and learned determination to get back up and ride again, never to end on a lose. Motorcycle jaunts and camping trips in the some of the same mountains I would eventually end up walking across, relaxing rural Saturday morning rides and my favorite destination, Watson Mill Bridge State Park, brought peace and healing to my life over the past 8 years.

Two and a half years and 3000 miles after my most egregious crash on November 8, 2014 when I high-sided at Jennings Motorsports Park and broke my back and my thumb, riding has continued to bring unadulterated liberation and joy to my life, but it's never been quite the same. Today, I said goodbye to "Little Ninj". Life comes in seasons, and for now, it's time to end on a win, hang up the helmet, and ride life's new adventures wherever they take me.

Through it all, I have never regretted facing my fear. Going outside one's comfort zone brings peace and confidence unlike anything else. Thank you to those who have been part of my 2-wheeled journey. <3

I never would have become the rider I did without Ninjette.org. Thank ALL of you, especially those who have mentored me from the very beginning...Hernan, Snake, Chris, Alex...

[adouglas]

So sad to see you go! You've been a great member of the community. I wish you well in whatever adventure life puts in your path....

[Misti]

Great story and yes, sad to see you go. All the best in your new adventures! As long as you are testing the limits and really living each day

Enjoy!!!

[Snake]

Ally life and adventures are an inspiration to all those afraid to try something new. That goes for anything from riding motorcycles, parachuting, flying an airplane or even to life changes such as a new job or moving to another state/country. As you stated, the key is to do your homework and minimize the unknowns and the dangers.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by adouglas

So sad to see you go! You've been a great member of the community. I wish you well in whatever adventure life puts in your path....

Originally Posted by Misti

Great story and yes, sad to see you go. All the best in your new adventures! As long as you are testing the limits and really living each day

Enjoy!!!

Thanks y'all. But I'm not necessarily going anywhere. Ninjette.org has been a home of mine for too long.

[akima]

Great post and beautiful pics.

I don't know you, but I find it hard to imagine that anyone could truly give up riding. I think you'll be drawn back in. Once a biker, always...

[snot]

I believe you will get back on two wheels in your life. You came a long way in a short time and you loved it.

However, keep us posted on your adventures.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by akima

Great post and beautiful pics.

I don't know you, but I find it hard to imagine that anyone could truly give up riding. I think you'll be drawn back in. Once a biker, always...

Forget about riding, it's overrated, I just like wearing the cool clothes. If you walk into a bar, store, church, whore house, and you are wearing ratty old leathers, they know you mean business.

[Kestrel]

Ally,

The combination of track riding at the limit, the backroad twisties, the long, solitary cross country trips.. the whole motorcycling experience... It takes you to that indescribable place. I ride to find my way back to that very "place", and that state of mind. Without riding, I don't know if I could find my way back there.

What replaces motorcycling for you? Was the mental block after crashing just too much to overcome?

I look at your photos, and can't help but feel sad to see somebody hanging it up after seemingly getting to that place.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Ally,

The combination of track riding at the limit, the backroad twisties, the long, solitary cross country trips.. the whole motorcycling experience... It takes you to that indescribable place. I ride to find my way back to that very "place", and that state of mind. Without riding, I don't know if I could find my way back there.

What replaces motorcycling for you? Was the mental block after crashing just too much to overcome?

I look at your photos, and can't help but feel sad to see somebody hanging it up after seemingly getting to that place.

Hi Patrick. Thanks for the reply.

After my crash, I did continue to ride another 2.5 years and still loved it, but I never could quite enjoy it the same way I did before. There was a bit of fear in me that I'd do something stupid again because what I made was a newbie mistake that I guess I never could 100% forgive myself for...after breaking my back and thumb, I realized breaking hurts!! I never had the trust in myself I'd once had to let loose and trust my skills or my bike.

Six months after my crash, I hiked the Appalachian Trail from GA to Maine. Since then, I've had a series of badass jobs that make work feel like play. I worked on the A.T. for a while, and now I've got a full-time job doing something I love that provides travel and adventures and a part-time gig managing a beer brewery...a dream of mine! All of that leaves very little time for joy rides, and I hated to see little Ninja depreciating in my garage, being ridden once every couple of months, if that.

Before my crash, I used to say if I died or got hurt on my bike, it would have been worth it to me and I would have chosen to ride anyway. For about the past year since returning from my thru-hike, I've never quite felt the same way, and to me, that's what tipped the scales in favor of selling her.

I have quite a few passions and I tend to find adventure in many ways other than motorcycling. Hell, every day is an adventure! Might I ride again one day? It's possible. But life comes in seasons...only time will tell.

[MikeCL]

I put off riding since 2001.. family nagging me about riding blah blah... you know the deal.. I've always had the love for the 250.. matter of fact it's even stronger now where my mom lives a person has a nice blue pre-gen 250.

It pretty much got my ass in gear I need to take the MSF course and I'm going to need to get the endorsement on my DL.. Funny so I only starting riding a scooter maybe 5 months ago.. I had a hard time with slow tight turns but now it's no issues..

Funny I have my CDL permit (I go for classes starting Monday) while it was pretty hard (Not as nerve racking riding with a DOT officer) I'm still wondering how I would do with the timing of shifts ( can I drive a stick) maybe I'm just overthinking.

As of right now looks like I can't enroll until next year but I'm going to end up getting a bike to work on when I have free time and in hopes having it ready and riding around the storage yard to get a little feel for it

[Triple Jim]

Good luck, Mike!

[MikeCL]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Good luck, Mike!

Thanks! it will be a fun adventure

[CaliGrrl]

When I took the riding class, they assumed we all knew nothing about riding or using a clutch and taught everything to get going.

I put off riding for a lot of years but this is the best thing I've done for myself, in years.