My First Driving Lesson
It was my first driving lesson. I stopped breathing for 20 seconds. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. How did a 154cm (5ft1), 42kg (95lbs) weighing, tiny person like me decide to learn to ride a 200kg beast of a motorbike? Was it even possible?
The Wait
I started my first driving lesson, in an old meat packaging parking lot. I stood patiently waiting for it to start. André, my instructor was a German, medium-sized guy, with white hair and glasses. He had a friendly, relaxed vibe. As he approached, I started getting more nervous. He briefed me about the safety points and walked me through the basics of the bike. Then I started the bike.
Starting the Engine
The bike was loud and heavy, and I could feel the heat from the Engine. My first mission was releasing the clutch slowly, allowing the bike to roll, then stopping. I thought ‘this isn’t so bad’, but eventually my thoughts changed to ‘no I definitely cannot do this, have I lost my mind, I’m going to fall. This bike is huge! I am going to drop it!
It was 30 degrees, and my small-sized motorbike gear, (Finding gear – article coming soon), was already full of sweat. My oversized gloves became slippery as I shakily pulled and released the clutch. I was pleased I had managed to move this enormous bike 4 cm (1.5 inches). My instructor André was less amused. He was walking faster than I was rolling. 15 mins of me doing this, I heard him say, ‘ok, now try and pick up the speed’. ‘Really André?’, this was challenging enough. I followed instructions and attempted to speed up.
About to give up
“I’m exhausted. I’m not a biker person, I’m not doing this anymore, I quit, it’s not for me.” Said all the voices in my head
Panic Over
After I stopped panicking I focused on all the obstacles I faced to be able to do this lesson. All the reasons I wanted to bike in the first place, the open air, the flexibility, the enjoyment of riding. I also wanted to prove myself wrong, for many years I believed as a smaller person, I couldn’t do things like motorbiking. With that in mind, quitting was not an option. So I stuck through.
Fast Forward
Even though the first driving lesson was a disaster, and maybe the following 4 were too, I’m glad I didn’t give up. Now I absolutely love riding my motorcycle and trust me when I say, you will too.
Just took the Harley Davidson course and felt the exact same way! I had purchased myself a Ninja 400 and then mounted the much larger, heavier HD bike that they had provided. Best decision I could’ve made! Had a blast in a class of 5, 4 guys and one girl. I felt like Snow White and the 4 dwarfs! I am currently taking things slowly and am making my way to the road tomorrow morning!
Hello Tania, so great to hear that! 🙂 Its much easier to focus on driving when the bike is your size! I’m glad you’re having fun. I would love to know how it all goes, keep me posted!
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