Friday, July 07, 2006

Practice makes perfect

My days have been spent on the bike and I have been doing a lot of practicing. Jimmy is a blessing, as he sits behind me and encourages me to continue on, even when the going gets tough. I would never be as far along as I am without his tender loving care and guidance. He’s helping me make one of my dreams come true.

Yesterday I drove for almost 200 miles…or at least it seemed that long. We didn’t set the thingy that tells you how many miles you’ve actually traveled.

In the last couple of days I’ve made the plunge into driving in city traffic and yesterday I drove from city to city. I had been staying only on the less traveled 2-lane highways, for everyone’s safety. I know this doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment for some of you, but for me, at almost 62, it’s a great feat getting over the hurdles of being scared to death of cars approaching from side streets and driveways. You see, it was on this motorcycle that a person ran a red light and hit us, on the side…and this was the first time I ever got to ride in an ambulance. It took a year to recover the use of my left arm fully…but the fear of cars approaching from the sides has remained.

About my injury…it wasn’t that bad. I loss consciousness, but didn’t even know it…I just couldn’t understand why my vision was so blurry and I only broke something in my rotary cuff that held things together in my arm and had to have surgery to correct it and lots and lots of Physical Therapy. The only reason the ambulance came was because I couldn’t get up off the road, and some nice lady wouldn’t allow anyone to move me. One thing I do know is that ambulances need better shocks…you can feel every bump in the road…it’s not a ride I would care to take again. Jimmy managed to escape with only cuts on his arms, but to this day his shoulder hurts him. He refused any treatment at the time.

Getting back to my ride yesterday….
Cucoo went along and almost fell out of his cup-holder seat only once….I told him to hold on, but you know Cucoo…he has a mind of his own.

I try to drive on as many new roads as I can find and on the new road to Lancaster (Hwy 52), I stopped in the shoulder of the road to rest and Jimmy found some nylon string used to mark the edges of the blacktop. So being the frugal person that he is…he found a stick to wind the long string on and take it home. You just never know when old string might come in handy. *S*

My drive yesterday was pretty uneventful…no one pulled out in front of me or followed too closely. I did give Jimmy the reigns once when we were approaching a steep hill with a stop…I haven’t quite mastered not rolling back a little and I sure didn’t want to roll back and hit some car behind me…How embarrassing would that be!?! As soon as he took it passed the hill, I took the bike over again.

On my way home, as I was approaching Renfro Valley, Kentucky I got a Charlie horse in my right calf and thought it wise to let Jimmy take over the last few miles home. That’s my braking leg and I really needed to have that leg working perfectly. This road is not a road that always has a nice shoulder where I could safely stop if needed, so I pulled into the Shell Station at Renfro Valley and Jimmy took over. My back, between my shoulder blades also had a burning feeling, which was relieved by some sports cream, when we got home.

Well, my arms are still flabby, but at least they are getting some muscles in there, and maybe I’ll eventually build some upper body strength. I’ve also noticed that the wonderful seat they provide the driver doesn’t put my bum to sleep…and that’s a real blessing.

24 comments:

TJ said...

Loved cucoo's hair blowing in the wind!!
I've never been to Renfro valley but heard good things about it.
Glad you made it alright.
:-D

Carole Burant said...

What an accomplishment that ride was for you!!! It's no wonder you have some fear left in you after that accident...it takes a lot of courage to get back on the bike and ride it! I'm very impressed at how well you're doing...you're putting this 48 year old to shame! lol Great going Sandy!!!!

Susie said...

Sounds like a fun ride! You're very adventurous to get back on after that accident. Glad it was not too serious...

Granny said...

You're braver than I. I rode a little when I was much younger but now I just look at the big bikes wistfully.

The Four Bears in the Woods said...

Good job! You are doing great! We were impressed when we rode with you. Sounds like you have been training hard and have such a good teacher.

Finn said...

Hi sandy, I'm proud of you and your effort!! It's no small feat to be able to handle a Harley!!
That one pretty big open ended machine there...LOL. I'm so glad to have Jimmy to help and the courage and desire to learn to ride. Good for you girl!!!!!

About the string? I've got a big smile on my face..it's totally something my dad or father in law would have done. Partly being thrifty, but then there is the chance it might get tangled into some moving part of a machine, so better to pick it up and remove the hazard. I remember what binder twine can do to gears..*VBG* Hugs, Finn

Rachel said...

What fun!! Having the former accident I can understand why you'd be nervous. It's bad enough in a car!

Nice drive you took too! I like how Jimmy saved the string you found! He's right. You never know when it will come in handy.

tomlaureld@yahoo.com said...

I am happy you had a great day with the big red bike. Kentucky is a good state to ride a bike in. It has a thousand unknown great places to stop and feel good about life at and the people are very friendly.
Good going sis take care

Susan Tidwell said...

Great job, keep up the good work! We saw some 3-wheeler motorcycles (not sure of the official term) last weekend, and I told DH about my blogging friend who just had her bike converted and was learning to drive it again.

doubleknot said...

Great job Sandy. If I had managed the bike like you I would be puffed up like a rooster and let out a crow or two - you deserve it.

Kerri said...

Good for you Sandy! You really are very brave to do that, especially after that accident.
My hubby was very impressed with Jimmy saving the string. He says Jimmy can come and pick through his junk pile anytime...and Ross would like to come and pick through his :) Ross says Jimmy is a man after his own heart LOL!
He sure is a good and patient man. You're lucky to have such an excellent teacher.
That Cucoo never misses an event, does he? Thanks for sharing your trip with us...it was fun :) Loved your pictures, as usual.

HORIZON said...

I think it's great that your back on the horse/bike again! I can appreciate that after the accident that would have been hard for you so well done!
Jimmy sounds like the best and l liked the way he saved that string- we take too much for granted these days and he did the right thing!
Cucoo- the wind in his hair- what a sight!
So glad you enjoyed that ride- keep your motor running lady!
Bests

Tanya said...

Congratulations on the ride. It sounds like a lot of fun and you're doing well to overcome your fears. I think you should treat yourself to a massage to relax all those aching muscles :)

Judypatooote said...

I hope you wear a helmet Sandy.... I see so many couples flying by on the motorcycle with no helments, and thats just plain NUTS....

My friend lost her son on a motorcycle, when a person pulled out of their drive in front of him....of course being a young 23 year old, he had on his swimming trunks and no shoes....

And another friend who was having a birthday always wanted to ride on the back of a harley.....so for her 70th her daughter called up the harley davidson club and they took her for a ride....her daughter too.....and a whole long line of harley guys with tattoos... she was a hot mama that day.....LOL

Ava said...

Oh my gosh! I didn't know you had been in an accident while on your bike! I'm very proud of you for over coming your fears and getting out there ... and DRIVING! You are totally cool!!!!

TUFFENUF said...

You should be so proud of yourself. No wonder your shoulder hurts from riding that long! Keep up the good work, the confidence will come soon. Maybe you will go on a long ride - to Florida. Get Cucoo a helmet!

Val said...

How adventurous you are. Don't you love the rumble of a Harley?

Merle said...

Hello Sandy ~~ Congratulations on how well you are doing with your riding and
you are so lucky to have such a patient and loving teacher. I know you appreciate him. Your accdent sounded
awful, but put it out of your mind. Think positive thoughts. Thanks for your comments. We could all improve a bit
I guess. Take care, Merle.

Peter said...

Hi Sandy, sounds like the riding is progressing well.

... Paige said...

You go girl! I love that you are doing this. I'm such a chicken.

Gary said...

Great post. I never trust anybody to stop at a red light anymore. I ahave seen too many people run them.

bornfool said...

I'm so proud of you Sandy. Way to go!

Jamie Dawn said...

Thanks for popping by my blog for a visit.

Congratulations on working to get your nerve back about riding the bike. You are facing your fear and conquering it little by little.
I'm still cracking up over him collecting the string.
Now, THAT'S frugal!!!

somershade said...

Good job mom! and you never can have enough string around.
Looks like Cucoo is enjoying the ride,we must find him some leathers.