cindik wrote:

Rhonda, Great to see you here again. I have missed your stories. You go, girl!

rondynowincomfort wrote:

Rhonda,
How wonderful that you took it upon yourself to take your HD out for a solo ride when you DH wasn't there to keep watch.

My friend turned 50 this year, and about 6 months ago she decided to take up riding a motorcycle. Not a Harley but still she took a Team Oregon course and has been practicing on weekends when her DH is home from his job. He is out of town most of the week. I know she looks forward to the day when she will take her test, pass and be able to ride off on her bike without someone to make sure she is doing it all right.

She has inspired me to learn to ride dirtbikes, and I will be learning as soon as my DH and son get the small one running that I can handle. Your story gives me even more confidence, that added with her insperation makes me know that at 47 I can learn to do something different that does not mean sitting in a chair. Who knows maybe someday I will give a street bike a chance.
Thanks for the story of your triumph. I hope you do not mind, but i'm going to forward your post to her.

Tammala

MartyAndPeg wrote:

That was a great story. I have always ridden (well, since I was about 12 years old), but after becoming full-timers back in 2001, I knew I could not take my beloved Harley with me on the road (we had a 5th wheel at the time). We stored it at a friends for the few first seasons, only riding it when we were back in FL for the winter. I did ride (solo, all two-lane roads) from FL to NY one year, but I had to keep it in a friends garage until I could come back with just the truck to bring it back to FL during the winter. Alas, it was my decision to sell my 1996 HD Wide Glide back in 2003. Yes, I missed it at first, but the dream eventually subsided. I kept telling myself that it was because we could not take it with us, and, after all, I was only riding it for a few months of the year.

Well, last year that all changed. During a trip back to NY for some visiting, and in about a months time, I found out that 4 of my close friends were back to riding. The dream and passion was back, and it was very, very strong. So, after lots of searching, I found my new baby, a 2007 Softail Custom, at a HD dealer in Honesdale, PA. While I was busy searching for the my new ride, my wife was busy getting ready to sell the car and looking for a truck. She sold the car, and had a local ford dealer locate a 2007 Ford Ranger with a 7' bed to hold the new bike....we will be taking this one with us. It was only a few short years without one, but it was always such a part of who I was.

Ride safe, and remember to keep the shiny side up.

Marty

PMRetired wrote:

Rhonda...I bought the Honda Rebel this spring, and it has been a great bike for starting out on. I am already looking to upgrade to an 1100cc. When I hit my mid 50s, I decided it was time to quit wrestling the horses around, or I was going to end up hurt. Now in my early 60s, I have taken up motorcycles! What fun!!!

The only problem is I haven't swung a golf club since the day I bought the bike.

Rhonda wrote:

Thank you and I would consider it an honor for you to forward my story to anyone that it would help. I just turned 48 and oddly, the older I get the more adventurous I become. I just couldn't sit at home around an empty nest, lol! Good luck with your riding. If you ever start on a street bike, a Honda Rebel is an excellent choice to start out with. It's small, not heavy, easy to handle and you can find them easy and cheap. I use to have one.