Tuesday 1 October 2013

"They see me rolling..."

-Chamillionaire.


My loving husband has been riding a motorbike for the best part of 18 months now. When he first got the thing, I was so against it I felt as though he had gone off and bought it without me - he didn't really, but I wasn't there for the sales pitch etc. mainly because I would have been as difficult as I could be about it all. It was a huge deal for him to get it because apart from being a concerned wife, there are some serious family hang ups about the whole thing.

One definite change that came about after he started riding - I became a better driver where bikes are concerned. I wasn't awful before, but I'm better now than I used to be. Ultimately I knew that dispute his thrill seeking character, my loving husband would be sensible about riding. I must say, I can rather confidently confirm that he has been (whenever he's ridden somewhere whole I drive, or we happen to be on the same road and I spot him). As anyone who has a family member who rides or cycles will tell you, the worry is not necessarily that your beloved will be reckless, it's more about wether or not car drivers will be considerate to them. 

Well, there is now one more person to be considerate of... I spent the greater part of my Saturday doing my compulsory basic training (CBT) and even though I had to do it twice (seriously, look...) I got it, and I have to say, I felt disproportionately proud of what I had achieved. 

I have to say, it's tricky and obviously didn't come as naturally as I would have liked but it is a thrill. Immediately after passing my CBT, we went off and picked up my scooter 😊 . I can't lie, the ride back home from picking it up was filled with trepidation. It is a distance that you would usually cover in 25 minutes using any route, really. We stuck to the back roads with MLH driving the car and me doing my first solo ride behind him. It took us an hour to get back. This hour was punctuated by MLH pulling over, jumping out the car and screaming "Speed up! This is a 50 miles per hour road - you're doing f*****g 20! You're a hazard!" Lol 

He's always been a little bit impatient. He had a valid point though - but I wasn't about to start speeding up. This is one massive benefit of the scooter - I'm on it by myself, and I am the one who has to take the risks so I can damn well take as long as I damn well need to. It wasn't just about the speed, but it was a brand new bike so you can't be harsh with the throttle, the tyres are new, the brakes need breaking in and it was very windy. I was justified in taking it easy. 

When it comes down to it, I love Riding my scooter. I didn't think I would but I do. 

Yes, I will be careful and I will be sensible and make sure I'm fully geared up before getting on the ThingPlease don't tell me not to ride it - I have thought about the risks and I am now even more aware of the danger I could be in, how vulnerable I am, etc. telling me all of that is insulting my intelligence. 

Yes, I've thought about the heartache I could be causing my mother... I just need to tell her that is what I'm doing now... Yes, this is definitely the story of my life - grown, married, live in my own house, got my own company, but still afraid to tell my mother about something's he may not like.

I guess that is my mission for today then. 

I'm on two wheels!!


RE3