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 All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)

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Belt Mountain
matt_leit
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matt_leit

matt_leit



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptySat Apr 05, 2014 12:14 pm

It all started in the early Spring of 2012. I had somehow found my way into a motorcycle dealer, and was instantly drawn to the allure of the WRR. I had never owned a motorcycle, short of having ridden a few dirtbikes when I was a kid, and didn't know much when it came to maintenance and the technicalities of riding one of these beauties on the street. Somehow though, I knew I NEEDED to get a bike, more specifically THAT bike. I had (and have a great job as a CNC aerospace laser machinist,) and the money to spare. On June of 2012, after perusing the internet for hours and hours, seeing the posts from BigDog, and drooling at the bike in the shop once a week,  I found myself the proud new owner of a 2011 WR250R from Hinshaw's Motorcycle Dealer in Auburn, WA. Upon taking it home (in a truck mind you, I didn't have my endorsement at that time, but just a "permit" that the state of Washington will give you that allows you to ride between sunset and sunrise, for six months,) in the back of my truck I realized I suddenly wasn't ok with leaving it out overnight in the rainstorm and had a friend in Olympia, WA who would let me keep it in the garage. I picked it up from her the next day, and then made my first ride on the street a 40 mile ride back home. (Stupid, Yes!  amazon  )

All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) 2i8ddw6

It was at that point, my life had changed. It was like that line from The Matrix..  "This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. " Well, I had taken red the pill.  Within 3 months I had over 6000 miles down, my MSF course completed with a freshly minted "M" on my license, and countless new friends and stories that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I continued riding year round, in the rain, the cold mornings, light snow, and everything in between. Although like many of us who ride I had "close" calls, but never felt too unnerved or afraid of being injured or killed.

Then, at 8600 Miles, and 20 years old, I decided I wanted to make the commitment and follow in my father's footsteps and try my best at earning a career in the Fire Service. I found one of the few volunteer fire departments that was taking applicants, was accepted, and started volunteering on a regular basis. (Sidenote: The fire service is SUPER competitive, and volunteering is a great way to get experience, get connections, and training for free to make yourself more competitive when paid departments are hiring.)

All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) S4bcih

Shortly after though, I began hearing stories of fatalities on one of the main strips of road in our fire district, as well as (thankfully) missing a fatal accident on one of my days off from the fire department. Along with this, being the "Probie," whenever there were drill nights, I was the victim. I remember sitting on the ground playing the victim of a motorcycle accident. My crew came up, evaluated me, removed my helmet, put on a pelvic wrap (pretending I had a crushed/broken pelvis,) and more medical and splinting devices. The thought dawned on me as I was faking my injuries and being treated that this could be a reality. I COULD be laying here, dying painfully, cold, and alone on the pavement.

From here on out, I opted more and more to take my truck places and rode the bike less and less. Before I knew it, my bike had become a weekly chore. I would start it up once a week, ride it up and down my road a few times, and played with the idea of even selling it. On days that I forced myself to take it to work or the Fire Department, I found myself regretting the decision and having anxiety about the ride home.

Flash forward to a month ago.

One of my coworkers and I decided we would hangout one day after work, and we were thinking of what we would do. Grab a beer? Maybe. Have him help me fix my wood stove? Sure. But then suddenly I remembered he had been wanting to learn to ride a motorcycle, and here sitting in my garage there was the perfect bike to learn on. I ran the idea by him, and he was amped!

Then the day had finally come. We left work, he followed me to my place, and we were in the garage. I had a flashback to that feeling. The red pill, or the blue pill?.... I told him his life would change. Many people want to learn to ride, shoot the shit and talk about getting a bike someday, but that this is his first step to making that real. He took the "red" pill and was riding up and down the street later that day. He learned fast.

All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Wqotbk

It's hard to describe that feeling when you first begin riding. The excitement, the wonder, the adrenaline, the fun. He had an unmistakable happiness that all of us are very familiar with. Now, daily at work we talk bikes, and today in fact we are going to Hinshaw's Motorcycle Dealer and the BMW dealer to look at some bikes for fun, as well as checking out Cycle Gear so he can start getting some of his own gear.

Seeing my buddy so passionate and excited about getting into riding has really struck a chord in me, and I find myself being drawn back into it. The excitement and energy of a newbie, as well as remembering myself being just as wide eyed and bushy tailed has begun to remind me of a time when I could hop on the bike and explore. The memories, the friends, the adventures.

Now, my bike is beginning to get ridden more. I'd be lying if I said I NEVER think about crashing. But I'm getting back on the maintenance that I've learned, reconnecting with old friends and this community, and excited to see what adventures, friends, and stories I'll have after this summer, all thanks to a newbie...


All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Mmrf4m
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Belt Mountain





All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptySat Apr 05, 2014 3:35 pm

Great story!
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matt_leit

matt_leit



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptySat Apr 05, 2014 3:36 pm

Thanks Belt Mountain!

I never thought the fear would get to me, but it did! Getting better though, day by day :)
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Jäger
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Jäger



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptySat Apr 05, 2014 9:38 pm

That was an interesting view of the metamorphosis of a rider.  And I have to say you're pretty accomplished at your age as well - a laser machinist by 20 and now well on your way to firefighter at 21.

I never thought about crashing much, although there were certainly enough of my cohort killing themselves in muscle cars and motorcyles when I was your age back in the early '70s.  Maybe because I crashed lots on the track and always was able to get up thinking of nothing other than how much this one was going to cost in repairs.

I had to get a lot older before I started smartening up instead of being just another moron on a bike.  God protects young children and fools growing out of childhood - sometimes.

Anyways, concern about the odds has never changed my interest in riding, although I ride a lot smarter now and generally with an attitude that every vehicle around me is thinking of trying to kill me.  One part of that is you can also be run over in a crosswalk and killed by somebody that didn't see the pedestrian walk sign, or killed by a drunk driver, etc. Don't have to be on a motorcycle to die on a highway, and I've never thought of parking the truck or my bicycle.

Gear is big.  I wear a neon yellow dual sport jacket and I'm never seen in jeans on a motorcycle, much less just a shirt.

Like a lot of other things in life, you manage the risk. Keeping the idea of crashing in mind doesn't hurt when it comes to staying alert.
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matt_leit

matt_leit



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Agreed Jagr   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptySun Apr 06, 2014 9:53 pm

Thanks for reading Jagr! It may seem I have accomplished a lot at my age, but I just was fortunate enough to know the right people to get my foot into CNC machining.

It's funny how easy it is for us to take for granted what we are doing squealing around on these machines. Granted, wouldn't change any of it for the world! The support on this forum keeps me positive.

Also, I remember a wise man who had at least a million miles under his belt told me this, (when I was filling up to get gas.)

"If you're not scared, it's about time you hang up your helmet. This bike has a lot more in it than you are willing to get out of it."

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dmmcd

dmmcd



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptyMon Apr 07, 2014 11:56 am

Good story. We all come from different places. Mine is a bit different. It has always been a passion for me. I remember my first dirt bike as a kid. I would spend hours and days fixing it up getting it to run, and probably much less time actually riding. My first street bike was a wedding present to myself (SV650S).

I STILL get that nervous excited feeling when I suit up, and I've been riding for over 10 years and done probably over 50k miles through all sorts of weather and even some track riding. The SV started to become a chore, as you put it, when all I could do is commute on it. My shoulders got sore. My back was sore. It was time for a change. So I sold it and bought the WRx. Now I feel like a kid again!

I am an accident reconstruction expert, and I specialize in motorcycle crashes. So I have seen lots of bad. I try to learn from it. I don't really have the fear of death when I ride, but I am aware of what can happen. I think it makes me a better rider. But it does not deter me. Because I also see lots of horrific car crashes, pedestrian impacts, and the like. Bad stuff happens, but you have to live your life.

Having someone to teach and ride with is a huge motivator. I used to have a good friend that taught me a lot about riding, but he moved away and I have been wishing to find someone else to cruise around with. My brother got a bike and I thought we would do a lot of riding, but then his wife got pregnant and the bike went up for sale. Take another MSF course with your friend. I've taken several (of course they are free in PA...) with different people and I always seem to learn something, or refresh what I already knew.

Most importantly, have fun. That's what life is all about.
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GusinCA

GusinCA



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptyWed Apr 09, 2014 6:00 pm

Great story. I rode street for 30 years, never had a crash.
That said, now I only ride off road, and not very fast. At 43 my ability to heal isn't what it was 30 years ago, and riding off road you're far less likely to get hit by a truck after you fall down. Eaten by a bear maybe.

Ride on.
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matt_leit

matt_leit



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptyMon Apr 14, 2014 11:28 am

Thanks for all of your input! Happy to know there are others who have similar concerns. Lately I've been making the 30 mile commute (each way) to my EMT school 2-3 times a week. I always find once I'm on the road, I feel generally fairly safe by using common sense and not riding above my abilities....off road is certainly safer though...

And very interesting input as an accident investigator! I find it very cool that you're able to put your job into perspective and still ride! Not sure if I'd be able to do the same.
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gatorfan

gatorfan



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptyMon Apr 14, 2014 5:35 pm

As far as I'm concerned ... as long as my fate is in my own hands (for the most part) then I'm riding.

That's why I ride MX, trails and limit street to the Post Apocalyptic landscape which is North Central Florida. Plus the occasional Harley rental in the gobsmackingly beautiful American Southwest - which is pretty desolate as well.
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matt_leit

matt_leit



All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) Empty
PostSubject: Re: All thanks to a newbie...(Long story)   All thanks to a newbie...(Long story) EmptyWed May 07, 2014 6:42 pm

Hey Gatorfan! Sounds like the right idea :)

Other than leaking oil...on the Harley... ;) haha
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