How do you do it?

Was at my cousins last night and as we turned up on the bikes there were a lot of questions for me. Again, not my other half just for me.

To look at me I’m not a typical motorcyclist. Female for a start haha but also mid 40’s, overweight and works in an investment bank. I guess that’s how I’ve always been, what I appear to be on the outside is not what I am on the inside. This is something I like about myself, it’s easy to impress or surprise people when they have preconceived ideas about you.

The subject gets to how dangerous motorcycle riding is. No argument from me. The other side is, even though I know at some point I will crash into something or someone will crash into me … it’s not going to stop me enjoying and loving riding as much as I do.

There is danger everywhere. Workplace health and safety will have a huge manual on it for a simple office, let alone things like a construction site or a seafaring vessel. Motorcyclists statistics (2016 report here) look a bit grim. I won’t get enthusiastic about the percentage of male riders vs female riders that is probably because woman make up a much lower percentage of the total number of riders.

In short, I don’t know how I do it. It looks fun, I get on and do it same as anyone would, what is so weird about that? I have had a couple of minor scrapes including my mirror getting stuck in a trucks rear cage when he moved too close to me, dragging me along at low speed. I have to steel myself to get back on sure. The alternative is not riding and I’m not prepared to give it up!

My cousins husband rides a Harley and has for 30 years. We had a great chat and he kept saying how awesome it was that I rode a bike and that is something I hear a heck of a lot. It never gets old 😁. He kept saying “until you crash” and that is not something I will think about too much because once I do, that niggling voice at the back of my mind will take away all the things I love about riding.

The fact every time you ride could be your last is something I can afford not to get overly stressed about. I have adult children and my family, while they would miss me a lot, would be ok. I have a decent life insurance policy 😂😂😂 and a Will so I have made provisions for them. If you haven’t made a Will yet, it’s one thing you should do. Today.