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BIKER BABE AT SIXTY-EIGHT

I never would have dreamed that I would be a biker babe, biker chick or motorcycle mama at my age. Of course, even in the fantasy of the most imaginative person around, I would not be considered a babe or chick at my age. Motorcycle Mama probably fits me best.

It all started when my husband came home with a motorcycle sales magazine and started thumbing through it and jotting down phone numbers. I figured it would pass so I said nothing. Then one day, he said he wanted me to ride over to Alabama with him and look at a bike someone had for sale. I figured it would be nice to do something together, a good way to spend a Saturday so I said I would go along. Well, we both fell in love with the bike and bought it on the spot. He had pulled a trailer behind our truck in anticipation of the purchase which I thought was a bit presumptuous on his part but it turned out to be a good idea.

He parked the bike in the garage and proceeded to sign up for a Biker Safety course which he passed. He had ridden years ago but wanted to take a refresher course. He got the proper license, tags, etc. I allowed him to ride by himself for a while and then I boarded it for only short trips until I felt comfortable, both with the bike and the driver/operator. My husband is a terrible sight-seer when he is driving so I have to keep my eyes peeled. He does not do that so much on the bike, though.

It didn't take us long to make a lot of new friends with bikes. We also learned that some old friends we hadn't seen in a while had gotten bikes. They had heard through the grapevine that we were now proud owners/riders, so we renewed our friendship with old friends as well. It's a hobby that is really catching on. I'm not sure hobby is the right word here but for lack of a better one at the moment, it will have to suffice.

Since then, we have taken a trip to the mountains and to the beach and have a lot of fun with it. We have our leathers but I refuse to ride when it is really cold. I have a jacket and helmet with Lady Rider painted on it (might as well go whole HOG) pun intended. Now, I know that there is a stigma about bikers and most people's opinions are not favorable but times have changed. We bought the bike from a man who owns his own construction company. We ride with doctors, factory workers, plumbers, nurses, lawyers and all types of professionals. We ride to raise money for charities. We cause trouble to no one. It is a hobby, a way to relax and nowadays, a way to save gas. We have shields on our helmets so no bugs in the teeth for us. I can't say that I love to feel the wind in my hair because with a helmet on, that's not possible. However, the helmet hair is something I had to get used to.

I also know that people think they are dangerous. Maybe so, but so are cars and airplanes. So is sitting in your house and having a tree fall on it. That is the purpose of the safety course; to learn to ride defensively. I guess it's not for everyone but this Mama is sure having fun.

Learn more about this author, Patty Padgett.
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