RE: A Serious Question (long)
Hi Brad,
Great questions and like the others have said you have the proper attitude (I personally think) to maximize the safety of your rides. Recognizing and mitigating the dangers of riding are half (or more?) of the battle. I've been riding on the street and trail for a long time and have had minimal mishaps, no major accidents or get offs. I always have safety on my mind when I ride, but I'm not uptight, just very aware, always anticipating, and almost always grinning like a fool when I'm on the bike. I think I'm a decent rider, no racer or expert that's for sure. And I've been lucky, I'm smart enough to realize that luck has been good to me.
If you've thought you would enjoy riding, I bet that you will find it more enjoyable then you imagined. My older sister at the age of 40 called me one day and told me she was thinking of buying a Harley Sportster. She wanted to know, since me and my brothers had been riding our whole lives if I thought it was a good idea. She was unsure, after a life of wanting to buy a bike, but never having the means, or circumstance to do so, if it was a good idea. I advised her to do it. Why not try it? If she decided she didn't like it, she could always sell the bike. She bought the bike and LOVED it. Been riding ever since.
You may try it and decide that you don't like it. Or that its too nerve racking, or its not worth the risk for you and your family. These are all valid decisions. Even deciding not to buy the bike for the same reasons is of course a valid decision. Whatever you decide, live with it, don't second guess. Personally, I fall on the "let me try it side", and that its better to live a life of limited risk then not to.
Good luck with your decision,
Ed
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2000 09:02:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: Brad Davis
Subject: A Serious Question
I am finding myself in a strange emotional state.
Please pardon my rambling while I explain my feelings.
I hope some of you will tell me if my feelings are
normal or not......