Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Me

Today I’m going to tell you a little bit about myself. In September, I will be turning 62 years old and that is why the rush to learn how to ride a motorcycle…My age is against me. You know the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” well…I’m going to give it a try.
Here I am relaxing before the big ride… just waiting for my bike.

In the pictures above, my husband is getting the bike ready for me to ride: He never leaves the house with a dirty bike.

This is the first time in his life that Jimmy has ridden in the second seat, and not been in full control of the bike. He is so patient and a wonderful teacher as he sits back there and guides me along the way with pleasantly put suggestions. He’s not a person who yells or gets upset…he’s very easy going and very loving.
Brian, Reva & Brandon joined us on Sunday for a ride and for a short distance from Paint Lick to Lancaster, I got to drive and show off my driving skills to my son…he called me a “show off.” *VBS* I was doing my best and even reached speeds up to 55 mph.

I even played taxi and picked up my son Brian from a gas station store & gave him a ride, in a large parking lot, to his bike because his back was hurting. I didn’t want to scare him so I drove very slowly. *S*
We made an unscheduled stop at Wal-Mart to buy a new battery for Brian’s bike, after a needed Dairy Queen stop for ice cream cones...Stopping for ice cream is always a pleasant way to rest and stretch your legs and we always look forward to it.
Yesterday as we went to get the bike for another practice ride, who should be waiting for a ride but Cucoo and his cousins from California. They insisted on coming along and were already seated comfortably in the cup holder and ready to go…they wouldn’t take no for an answer…so off we went.

Jimmy did most of the driving through the crowded city streets, but I was able to take over once we got out of town. I drove for about 40 miles, at two separate times, because my arms get tired of the tugging, pushing & pulling it takes to hold that trike on the road and go around curves. I need to build up my muscles and stamina if I’m ever going to drive like the rest of them do...dream on. (grin)

There’s one drawback to driving it myself…I can’t take pictures or video…I have to stop the bike now, or get one of those helmets with the camera mounted on the top.

24 comments:

manababies said...

That is a beautiful bike you've got there! And I think it's so awesome you're learning to ride. I look forward to hearing about your adventures... well, much like this one you just blogged about. :)

Susie said...

Hi Sandi,
As I was reading this fun post, the Green Day song "Time of Your Life" was playing on my Yahoo music.
(My teenage grandson thought I'd like it and they lyrics are very appropriate)
Good for you for learning something new at this point of your life :-)

TJ said...

Wow...you are so very brave...just always be careful and don't forget your helmet...they don't wear them here in Ohio and that scares me to death...oh, and watch for dogs...my friend in Texas had a horrible wreck while driving a bike...she was swerving to miss a dog.
Oh, my goodness...you are so very brave!!!

Anonymous said...

You Rock!!! That's just awesome, Sandy.
I can see how it could get tiring on long distances. I have a friend that once rode from Kentucky to Ft. Lauderdale on his bike, and said it was the longest ride of his life. Guess he's more of a day trip kinda guy. lol

HORIZON said...

Your bike is amazing- all shiny and new looking!
Must be a beast to pull around the bends- well done.

Gary said...

Hey, that would be a fun bike to ride. I may get me a bike one of thes days. I had one when I was in my twenties.

The Four Bears in the Woods said...

You do a terrific job and we are ready to go again.. just give us a hollar. Papa Bearliked riding on back I think.... he said you did good. We are so glad you did this for yourself. Just take your time practicing and before you know you will be a pro. Now me on the other hand... will stay on the back seat of hubby's bike. *VBS* I think it is cool that you are doing this and so does Papa Bear and Baby Bear.

We had a great time Sunday!

Loved the post and glad to see you back, I was missing your posts.


Love you guys,

The 4 Bears

bornfool said...

Well done, Sandy! It's a shame about the pictures though. You sure take some good ones while motoring down the road.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

bornfool...I'm going to solve that picture problem somehow, but haven't quite figured it out yet.

Horizon...it takes some muscle power to get it around the curves, but if you slow down, it's not so bad. You just can't ride with the big boys on two wheels.*LOL* My husband will just have to slow down and wait for me.*S*

Laura...we have traveled on our bike from Kentucky up thru the northern states to Oregon and down California and taken the southern states over to the Gulf of Mexico and onto the east coast and back home again...about 12,000 miles. Of course I was on the back of my husbands bike.

Sue...I like that song too.

Tammy...Kentucky has a NO helmet law too and most of the time we ride without helmets.

manababies...I used to hate this bike because this is the bike we were on when we were hit by a car that ran a red light. It has sat for 2 years, with my husband just taking it for an occasional spin by himself to keep it running.
It is a beautiful bike and when he threatened to sell it, I decided to put some more wheels on it and have a go at it. I have had a ball on it lately.
Cars coming from the side, out of drive ways or cross streets still scare the crap out of me, but it's something I'll just have to get over.

gary...It is a fun bike to ride: you never have to worry about falling over or the bike falling down...what a relief. And you can go as slow as you want and it turns on a dime (U-Turns are a breeze).

Four Bears...How about tomorrow or the next day?
I didn't get to practice today, but I want to try to ride in town tomorrow and get used to the traffic.

squire said...

Way to go gal.

Ava said...

Great shot of your shoes!!!!!! You need to get yourself into some of these pictures!!!!

Oh, I totally want one of those bikes!!!! Very cool!!!

I'm so glad that Cucoo and his cousins were able to go for a ride. The cup holder is simply genious!!!!

Ava

Kerri said...

I'm picturing you with a camera on your helmet :) At least you'd wear a helmet! You should do that girl!
I admire your gumption too...learning something new and rather difficult at this stage of your life.
My hubby saw a bike with training wheels for the first time (other than yours) the other day. He was amazed!
He likes to read your posts and LOVES your bike :)
That's quite a husband you've got there. Neat, clean, loving, and easygoing too. What more could you want? Nothing.
That Cucoo and his friends don't want to be left out of anything, do they?

Heidi Grether said...

Yea, a camera on your helmet, that would be great. I am so impressed, riding a motorcycle at 62. No miserable, moldy matronage for you. Wow!!!

Kerri said...

P.S. It was so nice to see a picture of YOU! Thanks for sharing that. I love putting faces with the names of my blog friends.

LZ Blogger said...

Sandy ~ Looks like fun. I actually used to have a bike (back in the DAY!) And thanks for stopping by and seeing my NEW Lazy Look! It is always nice to hear from you and that you enjoyed your visit! You were the first (and only) one that mentioned the "Mouse-Over" on Mt. Rushmore. Good eye! ~ jb///

Ava said...

Nope, I still don't know what Bloglines is. Do any of your friends know?

Ava

Rachel said...

That would be so much fun!! How nice that your husband is calm and can instruct you without making you want to hurt him! :)

Did Cucoo enjoy the ride? I think he was trying to show off for his cousins!!

Granny said...

I emailed Ava.

Hunter said...

I'm am so excited for you!

Age doesn't matter, it's the spirit that counts. I was older when I was 20 than I am now.

I'm so proud of you.

I rode bikes when I was in my 20s. I rode with a Triumph crowd. :)

Hugs.

Darilyn

Granny said...

And now I have emailed you more than you ever wanted to know about bloglines.

Carole Burant said...

Can I start calling you "Motorcycle Mama"?? lol It's awesome that you're riding this bike and not letting age be a factor...I know we're not as nimble and don't have the stamina of those young ones but hey, we can still TRY! lol As for a picture...sit on your bike and have hubby take a picture of you!! He sounds like a wonderful man and I can imagine the fun you all have when you go on rides!! Take care and be safe:-)

Susan Tidwell said...

Helmet cam! Great idea! Just like on NASCAR!

Keep up the good work, you will be cruising like the best of them soon.

Alipurr said...

Love the hammock shot! Dairy Queen is always good!

doubleknot said...

Like the hammock pic. Your hubby is great. Not many men would have the patience. Did you have to sooth some ruffled feathers after Cucoo and his cousins went for their ride lol.
A helment cam sounds good maybe one you can have a remote with and just take pics as you point your helment - carefully - don't want you running off the rode - then again you can always stop and the others will just have to wait for you - for those really interesting pics.