Riding motorcycles has been a life long adventure.  I can still remember the first time I heard the rumbling and saw my Uncle Dean and older half brother Woodie on their knucklehead Harley’s as they came around the bend while standing in front of my Grandmothers house in Kentucky. As they slowly swung into the driveway side by side, even at that young age I was struck by their deliberate and confident manner. Begging for a ride, I was hoisted up and allowed to sit on the seat.  Too small to go for a spin I cried in disappointment. The excitement of the moment while sitting on those bikes was etched in my memory forever.

As I grew older whenever I would meet someone with a motorcycle the excitement would always return. Being a girl, it was easy to get a ride but not always as easy to talk myself on a bike and be the rider.  When riding on the back, the passenger is at the mercy of the driver.  Early on I realized some riders are reckless with their speeds and take lots of chances. I finally got the chance to learn to ride when I was 16 years old on a Suzuki at the Palma Sola Causeway in Bradenton Florida.  Manuevering through the thick sand was tricky but taught me balance and self confidence. Not realizing it at the time, those lessons and encouragement helped in my continued quest.

Looking back, it seemed as though I aligned myself through life with bike owners.  Surely no one would have guessed eventually I would own a motorcycle.  When I finally bought my first bike it was a Harley Davidson.  I was then, and still am truly hooked on Harley’s. Sitting on my bike for the first time it was as though I had never ridden before.  My mind was overwhelmed with excitement as I felt the power and heard the sound of the motor as it rocked back and forth in cadence with the pistons. My gentleman friend Henry, who is now my significant other encouraged and taught me to become a defensive rider. While coaching he would remind me that motorcycling is about the wind in your face and the smell in the air.  While enjoying casual conversation we would talk about all of the dangers facing motorcyclist.  Automobiles are the biggest challenge but anything can happen.  The motorcyclist exchanges safety for freedom.  Animals darting out, falling objects from trees and children playing in the road are just a few of the dangers facing a motorcyclist.

Riding in circles, and in between parking lines on the weekends at a manufacturing warehouse gave me the confidence I needed to take my Harley on the road. One thing I learned pretty quickly, when straddling that much power, it becomes a test to settle back and just be in control. Henry knew I would discover without his help how easy it is to take off and just go. The edge is just a throttle turn away.  While idling at a red light or stop sign the desire to rocket forward and speed ahead of the traffic is always teasing the mind.  
Remembering my lessons learned and letting the defensive rider take control is not always easy. I have to continually remind myself that some automobile drivers do not realize how quickly my bike can accelerate.  While I still prefer my Harley, my mantra has always been it doesn’t matter what you ride “Just Ride”. Motorcyclist riding any make and model of bike can easily twist the throttle, take off like a rocket and speed away, but their chances of ending the ride on the ground increases significantly.  
The warning “Look Twice Save a Life – Motorcycles Are Everywhere” is not just because the automobile drivers have trouble seeing the slim silhouette of a motorcycle. A bike can accelerate from 0 to 50 in a matter of seconds.  Since I also drive a truck I know from experience it can be hard to judge the speed of a motorcycle.   
So this lady rider will ride and enjoy the wind in her face while being a defensive rider and still living a life long adventure.

Freedom To Be Cool Riders
www.cool-riders.com