License (Plate) to Drive

Two big things on the road to legality...

#1: I FINALLY PUT MY LICENSE PLATE ON
So, at last, Julep could leagally hit the pavement... From now on, it's no more grass for her. I took her out on Thursday and Friday. I rode the square block around the HS football field... a fairly quiet area just off the street where she's garaged. I stalled a couple times that first day out, and got honked at by an impatient person when I took too long to take off from a corner. Oh, well. But, there was some attention paid that was not negative... I met Salvatore, Nereida's Italian neighbor, who said he saw them a lot in the old country – he never had one, but his brother had... : ) A pizza guy also stopped to ask me about it... And of course, there are always the little dogs that get strangely excited at the sight of the scooter. Luckily, they were all on leashes this time! Things to work on: getting my speed up more quickly, and matching my gears to road speed (especially when downshifting). Then, I can venture beyond the safe-zone.

#2: I PASSED MY MOTORCYCLE TEST TODAY!!!
I re-took the second session of the rider course this morning. I was so nervous when I first arrived. I was sitting in the car practically shaking. Then I said to myself, "So WHAT if I fail? REALLY?" After that, I went out to meet Dan and Beth. I can't believe how much better this session went. I think it was because of my cumulative knowledge from the previous classes, the experience of riding Julep a bit, and finally getting the friction zone. I think I was scared to use the throttle before, that was why I kept stalling out. I was generous with it from the start this time. I think I may have stalled once (ok, maybe twice). Dan and Beth and I chatted it up between exercises and cheered eachother on and just had a lot of fun. And yay! We all passed!!!

Triumph of the Will

I was out of town all weekend... and it's been raining so far all week. So, my getting out on the road has been delayed... But a highlight of late was my ride on the back of Kirk's Triumph Bonneville, Pistol Pete. It's a nice bike and a was a really nice, smooth (and, not to mention, quiet) ride. Thanks Kirk. Can't wait for a ride in the side car of the Ural!

Other motorcycle news... I had known for awhile that my dad had owned a motorcycle when he was young, but I never knew it was a cool (albeit small) bike. All I know at this point, is that it was a Ducati 350. Based on my internet research, I'm figuring it was a 350 Mark 3 D. I don't know what color it was, but it would have been similar to this:


I think it would be cool to get one at some point. I think it would be a good size for me, even if Kirk thinks I'd be better off with a 750cc Triumph... But I think he's a little biased.

50,000,000 Stella Fans Can't Be Wrong

I went out on the field again yesterday.
Nereida's entire family rode their bikes down to watch me practice. I had to redeem myself in the eyes of the kids, since I had met with the schoolyard fence under their little watchful eyes. And they wouldn't let me forget it.
The family with the two dogs and boys playing soccer was there again. I was not intimidated this time, though. I zipped around the field once, and when I came back, one by one, everyone took a ride with me – from little Jacob, who was scared at first, but who once we got going, picked his head up and exclaimed, "This is awesome!!!"... all the way up to mom. When Tim arrived a little later, I also gave him a spin around the field.

I tested the limits of third gear. With Lani on back, I hit 20 mph (twice!) on the straightaway. And third gear pep allowed us to escape the jaws of the fiesty little terrier who broke free from his owner and ran straight at us... I zoomed away and left that puppy in the dust.

Back in the Saddle (Julep Rides Again)

(Yes, that is, in fact, me, captured on camera phone)

The past two Tuesdays and Saturdays I took the Motorcycle Safety Course. Pete took the class with me in hopes that Nereida will let him get a bike someday (soon!). Tuesday evenings are in the classroom, culminating in a 50-question multiple choice test. Saturdays are on the riding range, and end with the riding skills test. If you pass both tests, you earn your motorcycle endorsement.

I have mixed emotions about the course. I thought the pace was a little fast for someone who has never been on a motocycle before. I went away from the first Saturday of riding pretty discouraged... not to mention, tired, hot and with a throbbing headache. Five hours in 90-degree weather fully covered from head to toe with helmet, long sleeves, jeans, full-fingered gloves, and boots, can do that to ya. But by the end of the second riding class (after not passing the skills test – those dang figure eights!), I actually felt more confident about riding. I was certainly not a pro, but I was learning.

Which brings me to today. After work, Pete and I walked Julep down to a local grass (read:weeds) playing field (Well, really, Pete pushed her, and I just followed leisurely behind). Now, every time we have passed this field, it has been COMPLETELY empty. Of course, not tonight. First, there was someone walking their dog... Then came a family with two unleashed little dogs and two boys kicking a soccer ball around... Needless to say, this got me nervous, because I didn't want to have to try out the book method for averting an attacking dog. (And no, the proper method is NOT to kick it!)

Finally, Pete got tired of my doe-in-the-head-lights stance, and got on the back and made me turn the throttle. And we slowly traveled across the field. After this, I was a little more comfortable with the throttle, and went back and forth a few times stopping at each end of the field. I was going so slowly, that the speedometer didn't even move. Then, I got nervy, and tried my hands at turning (which was where I had my incident the first time I rode). It was fine! Next, I tried shifting into second. After a little nervousness, it was easy. I rode around a while shifting into first and second, stopping, weaving in and out between cans and bottles, and doing crazy eigthts and circles. Then for my last hoorah of the evening, I decided to try out third gear. I rode across the field, shifting into second, looped around, shifted into third, gained some speed, then down shifted before coming to a stop. All in all, I don't think I even hit 15mph.

I have to say, I think the Stella is easier to ride than the motorcycle (I rode a Suzuki GZ 250). I think I already prefer shifting with the left hand rather than the foot. Turning seems easier (possibly because of the lower center of gravity), and overall, it doesn't seem as physically demanding. I feel so much better after tonight. Thanks for pushing me Pete.

To quote Albert Einstein, from the great film, I.Q.,
"Wahooooooo!"