FEARLESS FRIDAY
At the age of 22 I
left the suburbs of Long Island and struck out for Los Angeles. I’d gone there
on vacation six months prior and decided that was the place for me. Within a
week of arrival, I’d landed a job on the Paramount Studios lot. Alas, it was a
secretarial gig in an obscure financial department—but I was on the lot!
I’ve always embraced
change and crave new experiences. So, at the age of 51, I found myself happily
divorced and ready to choose my mid-life crisis. I wanted to ride on a
motorcycle. A friend of a friend volunteered and after only one ride I was
hooked. Fast-forward a year later and the deal-breaker, when I met my current
husband online, was I had to be comfortable on a motorcycle—either my own or
the back of his. Our first date was on his Harley, and we’ve been together for
seven years.
People have asked if I
ever wanted to ride my own. It took me a couple years to get there, but four
years ago I braved the weekend course at the local college. We rode cute little
250 CC’s to learn and test on. Having long legs my knees were up to my ears!
On the third day we tested. I immediately messaged my boyfriend (now hubby) saying I failed. My hero assured me he’d get something for me to practice on, and I could take the class again. After mentioning I’d dropped the bike twice during practice, he revised that to say we’d find a little beater bike. The instructors gave us the results after lunch. To my absolute amazement I passed! While I blew through the quick stop, I could make a U-turn and weave through cones. Guess I’m good at confusion and misplaced directions.
My nemesis became the
clutch—a slim piece of demonic metal that determined whether my bike was worthy
of moving forward or stopping without stalling. I’d never driven anything with
a manual shift. It was embarrassing enough learning to drive in a green Gremlin
as a teenager.
We practiced riding
early on Saturday and Sunday mornings through the roads of an RV resort. There
I’d be in full gear tooling along, with my tutor following behind dressed in
flip flops, a tank top, and no helmet on his Victory. Trying to settle into the
clutch, I managed to lurch to a halt and tip over. Sandy was equipped with
engine guards, but not handle guards. There’s no way I was stopping five
hundred pounds of bike from going over. And it did. Twice.
The first time I
snapped the clutch handle, I was frustrated. The second time, I believe my
exact words were, “Let’s sell the darn thing!” (I’m sure there were expletives
involved as well.) I think the stubby piece of metal gave me an evil leer as it
did a victory dance. My boyfriend ordered a replacement both times. The second
time I suggested practicing with the broken handle before investing in more. He
wouldn’t hear of it—then told me he had ordered three. While not exactly a vote
of confidence, I can appreciate the humor (and reduced lag until practice
time).
In the end, I had to
admit defeat as I never got comfortable using a clutch. But I’ll always have
the ‘M’ endorsement on my driver’s license. Let’s hope I never have to take
over on the husband’s motorcycle, as it weighs in at 1,000 pounds. Not getting
that puppy off the kickstand!
Meanwhile, I’m happy to be a backseat rider. From there I can travel for miles as my mind wanders creating plot lines and chapters for my next book.
PRECIOUS TREASURE by Terry Segan
Eight years ago her husband disappeared. Does a hundred and fifty-year-old journal hold the answer as to why?
Amazon book link: www.amazon.com/dp/B09PJXMD9Z
Barnes &
Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/precious-treasure-terry-segan/1140834503
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/precious-treasure
Terry Segan resides in Nevada. The beach is her happy place, but any opportunity to travel soothes her gypsy soul. The stories conjured by her imagination while riding backseat on her husband’s motorcycle can be found throughout the pages of her paranormal mysteries.
Author Website: https://terrysegan.com/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerrySegan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrysegan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeganTerry
Terry, your book sounds wonderful--on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteMy dad had a scooter when I was in high school and while not a motorcycle, I still couldn't hold it up when I stopped--I was too short to touch the ground when stopping. But he did make me learn a manual transmission in his truck before I got my license. Knowing about a foot clutch helped when hubby and I drove an 18-wheeler!
Wow, an 18-wheeler! My hat is off to you! My husband has offered to teach me to drive his 350 diesel pick-up, which has 6 gears, and I liken to the size of an aircraft carrier. I've declined his kind offer. Thanks for stopping by and putting Precious Treasure on your reading list!
DeleteI SO relate to this post, Terry. I married my first husband simply because he had a Harley. :) Don't know what that says about my character, but it's the truth. I love riding behind. I've never had any desire to drive one. And I miss it. It's now been years since I've gotten to feel the wind rushing through me. Thanks for sharing! Congrats on the new book and thank you, Brenda, for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jan! We'd be lost if we didn't get to ride. When hubby gets too old to get the bike off the kickstand, we'll move to three wheels.
DeleteTerry, I salute you! I'm too cowardly to ride a big bike and way too klutzy to try drive one myself. Congratulations on the new book and best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind words and for stopping by, Barbara. It was a real accomplishment for me just to pass the course, and I'll always treasure that memory.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Terry!
ReplyDelete"Precious Treasure" sounds like great fun!
Thank you! I had fun writing it, especially since it takes place on Long Island, which is where I grew up.
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