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Lady Riders - Living Life to the Fullest!
“You’re going to do what? Why?” – The comment people made when I mentioned I wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. My thoughts? Anyone who says this to you is too afraid to live their lives and wish they were as courageous, outgoing and free!
Day 1 – Friday, 4:00p.m. When I arrived at the Santa Monica Community Center anticipating my first day of motorcycle training, I didn’t know what to expect. I looked around and saw no one who looked like me. Out of approximately 50 people, I was the only African American and by far, the only “over 40” one in the bunch. “Don’t trip Charisse,” I tell myself as I wonder if I am crazy for being here. Ten minutes pass by and all of the “new students” are now settling in. I watch the front door to view the students come in one by one and at last, a small-framed sista’ walks through the door, I give her a pleasant smile and let out a sigh of relief. Then another young sista’ comes in and takes a seat next to me. We exchanged that very familiar smile to one another that clearly speaks, “really glad to see you too!” I begin to feel more comfortable thinking, “Okay, this is going to be cool! I am so happy other African Americans, especially women, are as interested in learning about motorcycling as I am!”
After five hours of watching short film clips and reading our training manual on motorcycling 101, the instructor says, “close your books, take out a pencil, and get ready for your exam on what you just learned.”
Forty minutes later, I look up at the clock and realize over half of the class is gone. They completed their test, had it graded and left for the evening. I look over my test one more time and proceed to the line for grading. Check, check, check, I stare at her as she makes red markings on the test. She looks up at me and says, “You get two stickers, Charisse, since you got one-hundred percent!” I felt like a kid in the candy store! I had just completed the first of three parts of the motorcycle safety and training course.
Day 2 – Saturday, 5:45 a.m. The temperature is thirty-three degrees and I’m trying to keep warm. I’m instructed to get on this really cool looking red motorcycle. It’s not a Harley-Davidson Road King Classic (my motorcycle of choice), but this will do for now. I jump on the motorcycle with sheer excitement, yet I’m somewhat reserved and unsure too. “I’m really doing this,” I thought. “I’m actually on a motorcycle!” After five hours of extensive hands-on motorcycle training learning about clutching, braking and “FINE-C” (riders are taught that to get ready to ride, we should initially go through a process called "FINE-C" – checking the Fuel, Ignition, Neutral, Engine, and sometimes Choke), it’s time to park our motorcycles and end our first riding session. I’m not ready to get off of the motorcycle; I’m having way too much fun!
Day 3 – Sunday, 5:45a.m. Today we will learn how to maneuver a curve, go over obstacles, come to a quick stop and finally, take our riding test.
Everything seems to come with ease. I am unusually comfortable on this motorcycle although the air is very chilly. “This is going to be great,” I think to myself. I can’t wait to get out on the road with my riding buddies! Everyone in the class is doing well. It’s only 12 of us out there since we were broken up into four sessions so that everyone can have individualized training.
Four hours have gone by and it is now time to take the driving test. Once again, I start to question my abilities but then have to quickly catch myself and say, “If my daughter could swim in an outdoor unheated pool in the winter, if my son can take a hit on the football field, and if I had the strength to give birth to two kids, then I can do this!”
One by one, we each take turns on the various test courses. “Charisse you’re up,” the instructor yells. “Okay, accelerate, ease off the clutch, look ahead and concentrate! After completing my first test course, I’m signaled to go again because I wasn’t going fast enough my instructor advised. Thirty minutes have passed and I completed all of the test courses. The instructor looks at us and says, “You all passed!” I am now a licensed motorcycle rider!
Some months ago, I watched two sista’s on Harleys laughing with each other as they passed me by. I admired them so much and wanted to be just like them, free as a bird in the wind. At that moment, I realized it was time for me to do me. But then I thought, “What is doing me?” I think I found out. It’s jumping on my Harley to see what’s happening around the city, touring the countryside or simply enjoying the breeze on my face.
Having the freedom and courage to “do me” has been exhilarating. My weekends no longer consist of hours of always doing things for others. I wake up early in the morning, put on my T-shirt, jacket and gloves, slip on my boots with helmet in tow, and ride my Harley-Davidson all day long! I finally understand the meaning of “live life to the fullest.” I do it every time I ride my Harley - Road King Classic, of course!
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