June 26, 27, 28...2008.

I finally decided that if I'm gonna ride a big, new bike, I should learn how to ride it correctly.  So The FABB and I signed up...I'm starting to think she's tired of being a back seat rider.

I found that I had developed a few bad habits along the way, so I'm working on them.  But I'm most proud of The FABB. 

She was so nervous it was clearly showing in her face.  Friday night was no big deal, it was classroom time, where she knew she was going to shine and she did.  Saturday morning, she was really riding me about being late.  We had to take the StarCruiser in for it's 4000 mike service, even though it had 5300 miles on it.

Every few minutes I heard...'We're gonna be late...hurry your fat ass up.'  Not really, she was just nervous because most of the day was to be spent riding...and she hates to be late.

We got there on time only to find out that security had not unlocked the gate as promised. So we go to the other side and I hold up the chain as she drives the car under it.  We get on the range with plenty of time to spare. 

She did really well.   I remember the familiarzation part where she had no problems and it eased her a bit.  Then came the start up process.  When that hugely powerful 125cc  Intruder fired up between her legs she almost looked disappointed.  I think she was expecting a similar throbbing that she always gets when she rides the Star Cruiser.

Then there was the rocking section, getting a feel for the friction zone.  Those instructors teased her more than I do.  She just kept wanting to get it started and they just kept taking little baby steps.  She did good walking the bike around.  I was concerned that it might hurt her back but it didn't.

Finally the moment of truth...she takes off across the parki....um...range.  Slowly putting along at just over idle....you can imagine how slow that was on the Intruder.   Then the slow stop..then the turn and another slow pass back across the range.  I could see her heart pounding just in the smile on her face.  She was on the verge on an experience no one could ever give her, she had to take it herself. 

I've never seen her smile so big, not even when I asked her to marry me.  Hhmmm....that's ok, I understand.  She was starting to get it.  She was beginning to understand why I wanted a bike so bad.  She was getting the itch pretty bad herself.

The next two days she was so happy and proud of herself.  It showed.  There was no way to hide it.  After we finished the course we called her brother because he just happened to have a bike he wanted to sell...a Virago 535, silver and burgundy.  I liked it but we haven't ridden it yet. It's sitting in his shed, but it sure looks clean and he says it runs good.

So Tuesday she goes to the DMV and takes the test.  There were three questions about the same thing worded differently that she missed.  She was very upset about it because she gave the answer that we had been taught in class..but the DMV said it was wrong.  I knew what was coming next, she immediately said she called Kevin, one of our instructors.

She wasn't mean with him but she did let him know about the problem.  All he can do is teach the next classes to answer what the DMV wants to hear.  The class taught that you never apply front brakes in a curve, the DMV differs and says that you never use one brake, always use both. I kinda have to worry about a government that suggests you do something that is not safe at the beginner's level...