WHEELS OF FEAR

I have a fever. Spring fever, that is. This time of the year grasps my heart like no other season. I gaze at the bare, dry pavement and my pulse quickens as the thunderous noise of the first motorcycle roars pass my house on a crisp March morning. At last it's time, MOTORCYCLE time! This is my one true love and passion in life. From the time I was able to speak, I'm sure that MOTORBIKE was the first word out of my mouth, even before dada. I've often wondered what drew me to this love of bikes. Was it the open road, the cool wind hurdling at my body, or the thrilling twists and turns around each corner? While all of these exhilarating experiences engage me as a rider, I believe the feeling of absolute FREEDOM is the true reason I ride. As I ride for hours, I leave my cares and troubles of the day behind, and for that period of time I focus on the road of freedom.

HAVE FEAR, WILL TRAVEL

When people find out I ride a motorcycle, the most frequent question asked is, “Aren’t you afraid?” Yup! Who wouldn’t be? You’re traveling at intense speeds, on a machine with only two wheels, on a road with hundreds of inattentive drivers all rushing to specific destinations. Not to mention the dirt, gravel and other particles on the road that may disrupt your tranquil journey. With all these factors in mind, motorcycling is all about conquering fear. Most of my blogs are dedicated to fighting fears, but this is one post where I put down my fists and suggest that FEAR can actually be, in the words of Martha, “a good thing.” Without a little fear of riding a motorcycle, the road traveled could be a dangerous and precarious path to take. You must have respect for the type of vehicle you are touring on, as well as the roads you are about to embark upon.

GEAR TO GO

Fear is conquered with knowledge, and with a better understanding of the phobias we may have, we can overcome anything. With motorcycle riding, the knowledge of motorcycles in general, the gear used to protect you, and the risks of the road, will ensure you a safe voyage.

There are many brands of motorcycles out there, each offering the consumer their safety features, benefits, and certain characteristics of each model they carry. The most prominent brands are:

• Harley Davidson
• Yamaha
• Suzuki
• Kawasaki
• BMW
• Victory

My Honda Custom 250

And my personal favorite,

• Honda
  
  

After choosing the bike that best suits your needs and desires while eliminating some of your riding fears, you must then grab the gear to combat the terror of cycling. This may include:

• A leather jacket
• Leather gloves
• Boots or appropriate footwear
• Leather chaps

But the most important safety device on a motorcycle is between the rider’s ears. To protect this, you must wear a helmet that has been approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

RISKS OF THE ROAD

Once you have become educated, and you’ve developed your skills as a rider, you should assess, understand and take appropriate measures to alleviate the risks involved on the road as you experience the joy of riding.

When I see a highway sign that illustrates a windy road or indicates gravel up ahead, I become a bit fearful and slow down, to or below the sign speed. A little fear in this situation is good so as to use greater care when riding. These highway signs also remind me of the windy roads life may bring. With my own disabling disease, I am sometimes consumed by the thoughts of becoming confined to a wheelchair at a young age. The fear of not being able to ride a motorcycle overwhelms me, and the image of riding a wheelchair is disheartening.

Vs.

Recently I strolled through a motorcycle shop and fell in love with an orange, Honda CBR 600. This bike electrifies my soul and symbolizes to me that I may not know what the ROAD of life has in store, but I will not fear the ride I may have to take. So, whether a CBR 600 or a fancy wheelchair, I’m going to make every minute count on the open road with this wonderful life given to me.