Most of us have a bucket list; if you don’t, make one..and maybe your first item will be to learn to ride a motorcycle. Learning to ride was never on my bucket list. I’d never ridden on a motorcycle as a passenger. I couldn’t even put on a helmet.
A trip to Argentina earlier this year opened my eyes to many possibilities. As I rode around Patagonia in taxis and buses, I thought about what it would be like to see Patagonia and Los Glaciers National Park on a motorcycle. Why stop there? I could see the world on one. My mind raced. Could I ride one? Aren’t they dangerous I thought? Still, I couldn’t fight the urge to add it to my bucket list. I don’t know why the urge to ride came over me; it just did.
Back from South America I told my intention to my favorite motorcycle man and he immediately told me to take “the class” at the local community college. I investigated and found out I could mark this one off my bucket list without a lot of expense and time. The college offered a weekend class taught by The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). All I had to do was register and pay $120.00 or so for the class. Motorcycle and even a helmet would be provided; I just needed to wear long pants, over the ankle boots, gloves and a long sleeved shirt.
The first part of the class is on the computer and takes 3 hours to complete. Then you have 18 hours or so of riding time done in 2 days. The schedule depends on your college. My instructors were awesome and in less than 2 hours after going on the range I was riding! I can’t say enough about taking this class..anyone who rides or wants to ride should participate. The class emphasizes safe riding and defense riding. It also gets you to think about your risk tolerance and riding style because the way you drive a car does influence how you ride a motorcycle.
Here’s a major bonus for taking the class…if you pass the class, most states let you only take a written exam to get your motorcycle endorsement…that’s right, NO driving test on the street with a stranger!
Click below for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation where you can learn lots about riding and find classes near you.
Goals are important in life, but so is balance-I challenge you to make a fun bucket list and for every financial, fitness or work goal you set, add a fun and frivolous one too.
My motivation for learning to ride was Patagonia, Argentina so here’s one of my pictures that may inspire you too.
xoxo