Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Laura Goes to Motorcycle Class: Day Two--Injured Dignity


Here's a picture of me in my motorcycle gear on a happier day.





Today was not a particularly happy day--though it happened to be the day I first got to drive/ride a motorcycle all by myself. (Except for the time Clark Combs sent me careening down the street on his bike. I think I got about 100 ft before I laid it down. But that was in 1979.)

It started off reasonably well. We all got there early and suited up and stood in a line for review as though we were going off to battle. The bikes were all ready, waiting in neat rows. We walked them to where we learned to turn them on and off, rock them back and forth, power walk them across the lot, and, finally, to pick our feet up and go.

I admit it was quite thrilling when I realized I wasn't going to stall out on my first trip across the lot with my feet up. I rode up and back, up and back, trying hard to keep from wandering out of my lane or running over our group's coach. He had to keep reminding me to cover the throttle, not the brake, with my right hand. And I tend to pick my feet up before I quite get my balance (how's that for a metaphor?). Thank God I know how to drive a car with a standard transmission--I would've been truly lost because that whole clutch thing is very complicated.


Then they started with the driving exercises. Follow the leader and all that. Stop at the cone. Shift into second. Downshift. Oh My God we had to learn to TURN the bikes while they were moving/running. And we only got about a five foot start before we had to make the turn.

I was hot. Dripping hot. And thirsty. But the program is demanding. You don't stop for anything or you'll miss out and then you have to go home.

I thought I was getting the hang of it all--I was nervous, yes, but I was doing okay. Then around 10:00, I saw THIS rising quickly up to meet me:




Now, technically, I didn't see a whole lot of asphalt, except around the edges of the bike as it shuddered its way out from under me. All I can remember is CHAOS in my head. It strongly resembled those cartoon word images that float above Elmer Fudd just after he's been whacked with a shovel.

***CLUTCH***

****THROTTLE***

####BRAKE########

#%#%#%OTHER BRAKE!!!!%&%&%&%&%&%&

The only thing I didn't think of was KILL SWITCH. So the pretty blue bike sputtered and fell, gently, of course, because my right leg was there to keep it from scraping against the asphalt. I was certain it was going to keep running and spin around like some 350 lb, demented, angry top, but it just coughed embarrassingly. A nice athletic young man--a coach--trotted over saying calming things like, "It's okay. Shut it off. Shut it off."

My mind was a blank. I had no idea what to do. He quickly found the kill switch, bless him.

"That was quite the wipeout," he said. "I would be very proud." Oh, and he asked me if I was okay. I was standing. Mostly. My body suddenly felt stiff from the adrenaline that had spiked when I was certain that I was going to die in a whirring, spinning soup of oil, metal, and denim. But I remembered to breathe. And I was okay. Really okay. My right inner thigh feels a little bruised--that's about it.

I forgot to look around to see if anyone was watching. Seriously, I did not care at all. It was part of the learning process for me. It doesn't matter that I was the ONLY person out of 37 who laid down a bike today. Nobody mentioned it later. I wonder if they were embarrassed for me--or just incredibly relieved it hadn't happened to them.

Did I mention that the past two days have given me a very healthy respect for motorcycles?

I got back on the thing and continued the exercise. I'm nothing if not stubborn. Plus it's pretty fun, despite the brief moments of terror. Or maybe because of the brief moments of terror.

Yesterday I was convinced I could pass the driving test as well as the written test on Friday. Today I'm not so sure. All I know is that I'll go back tomorrow and try again.


7 comments:

CarrieMarie said...

so glad you're okay - and still having FUN! : )

Laura Benedict said...

Thanks, CM! I am having a good time. But it is waaaay out of my comfort zone--which can always use expanding, btw. I'm so glad you're along on my (slightly crazy) journey!

Coolkayaker1 said...

I met a fellow that is a long time cyclist from the sixties. He's older now, but fit and young. He told me that he totally gave up motorcycles five years ago. I asked why. "Poor drivers, distracted drivers, overcrowded roads...all tenfold worse than it was even a decade ago," he said.

I pray this course is for personal accomplishment, Laura, and not for commuting on the road. You have a lovely family and far too much ahead in life. --Steve.

Cin said...

Just think, you got the mishap out of the way early! All those other suckers, er, classmates, will be far more experienced (and therefore more able to spectaularly fail) when it's their turns.

Chin up. You can get that license Friday!

Laura Benedict said...

Miss Cindy, you'll be delighted to know that I didn't lay the bike down today. Not once! I will be happily surprised if I can pass the riding test on Friday. Let's just say I'm very glad the cones are teeny-tiny things that once can just bump over. ; )

Steve, I totally understand where you're coming from. I haven't made a decision about riding out on the roads. If I do, it will be very limited--no interstates or long, tiring trips. I'm a very good, defensive car driver, but I promise I have the fear of God in me when it comes to two-wheeled vehicles.

Monica said...

I'm sorry to hear about your wipeout but hang in there.

Btw, you are working the hell out of that helmet.

Laura Benedict said...

Thanks, Monica, you made me laugh! My cheeks get so squeezed in that helmet that I feel like a chipmunk in a vice. : )