Dreaming, Harley Style

[Raidho]

I believe that life is a journey.

I also believe that life is what one makes it.

Which is why I am, after a little over a decade, am returning to school to finish my degree so that I can teach.

What does this have to do with Harley Davidsons, you may ask.

I've decided that, when I finish my degree (and most likely not until I actually land a teaching job), I'm going to buy one.

I've always thought they were beautiful, but lately, it's like they're calling me. I've read the site damn near religiously : the history of the company, the riders' stories, and I've been inspired.

At first I thought, hell, I'm a 32 year old chick, returning to school late in life to be an English teacher. What business do I have wanting a bike?

And then I realized, it's my dream. What business DON'T I have with a bike? They're magnificent; they represent freedom and independence and beauty and so many more things all tied together.

But I'm not going to just BUY one. I'm going to earn it. Not just by finishing college, although that may prove challenging enough.

I have a severely underactive thyroid, and for years I've used that as an excuse not to take care of myself. It's time for personal accountability. While I may not be able to shed weight that easily, there is no excuse for me not to exercise.

I have an exercise bike. I've decided that, for every mile that I ride, .20 goes into a bank account towards that down payment. I'm doing other things such using water (which I'm horrible at drinking) and setting pretty high goals (for me) as incentives for a little extra money in the kitty, but the majority of the funds will come from riding.

It's a long way off -- I have about 60 credits til I graduate. I'm a fan of "Show me what you've done, not what you're going to do," but I figure everyone's gotta start somewhere. I'm hoping that this thread (assuming it survives) will document my undoubted frustration, milestones, stories that people who ride will share (hint, hint!) maybe some books to read (I try to limit my pleasure reading for bike time) and quite possibly advice on gear, etc.

My "big goal" is 5000 miles, which will put $1000.00 in my account.

So far I have 233. (Actually 233.5, but Ticker Factory jumbled it all up). I update my riding log every Saturday.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll be writing one of those "Why I ride" stories that inspires other people

I have a sticker on my daily riding journal ... HD: The Best Days of Your Life Are Ahead.

Here's hoping.

Edited to add the official "Books that I've Read on the Bike" List :

Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt
'Tis, Frank McCourt
The Husband, Dean Koontz
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, Tom Robbins
The Tricky Part by Martin Moran
Dreamcatcher by Stephen King
Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates Tom Robbins
Hamlet Shakespeare


Currently Reading:
Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain

 

[mortalwombat]

This is a fantastic idea-not only do you improve yourself but you get rewarded! Might have to do something similar myself-and claim the idea as my own of course!
Good luck to you raidho-i'll pop in from time to time and see how it's going!

 

[denali]

Raidho

That's an excellent idea - and doing it so publicly may well be the kind of thing that will sustain you during the times when you feel less motivated.

I wish you well - I loved my Harley, a black Road King - loved the ride, the sound, the look, the history.

With my typical bad timing we were driving from Seattle to Helena, MT when it seemed everyone else in the world was going the opposite way returning from Sturgis. My head was a swivel checking out all the bikes as they passed.
I have also been lucky enough to be in Laconia, NH for Bike Week there.

It's a whole other world.

Sadly my back and my Harley didn't get on well together - but I'm still on 2 wheels, now riding a BMW GS1150 Adventure .

Good luck Raidho, fingers crossed for ya.

 

[Raidho]

Thanks, Batty.

Oddly enough, it was your weightloss thread that inspired me to make it public.

 

[Raidho]

Raidho

That's an excellent idea - and doing it so publicly may well be the kind of thing that will sustain you during the times when you feel less motivated.

I wish you well - I loved my Harley, a black Road King - loved the ride, the sound, the look, the history.

With my typical bad timing we were driving from Seattle to Helena, MT when it seemed everyone else in the world was going the opposite way returning from Sturgis. My head was a swivel checking out all the bikes as they passed.
I have also been lucky enough to be in Laconia, NH for Bike Week there.

It's a whole other world.

Sadly my back and my Harley didn't get on well together - but I'm still on 2 wheels, now riding a BMW GS1150 Adventure .

Good luck Raidho, fingers crossed for ya.

Thanks, Denali. I'm hoping for the added accountability of posting pubically. I started off dreaming of a "cheap" little Sportster ... but I went to the dealership last week for the first time alone, and I'm already dreaming bigger.

We just had the Memorial Day Blowout here on the Coast...not as many this year after Katrina, but damn if it didn't sound like thunder when they all rode by.

Sorry to hear about your back, though. Was it the lack of back support? I'm not familiar with the BMW's.

 

[mortalwombat]

Thanks, Batty.

Oddly enough, it was your weightloss thread that inspired me to make it public.

glad i inspired you!

 

[denali]

Sorry to hear about your back, though. Was it the lack of back support? I'm not familiar with the BMW's.

Mostly the sitting position - seemed to strain my lower back, I know lots of guys think they're really comfy.
When I bought mine, my test ride was only for 2 hours.... not long enough to cause me real discomfort.
Completely different seating on the BMW - much more upright, weight seems to go through the centre of my body.
Here's a pic of my bike after a weekend away
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/Bigdenali/DSC00053.jpg

 

[Raidho]

glad i inspired you!

You never know how things you put in to motion today affect other people tomorrow It's hard not to be inspired around you

And you're good people, Wombat.

 

[Raidho]

Mostly the sitting position - seemed to strain my lower back, I know lots of guys think they're really comfy.
When I bought mine, my test ride was only for 2 hours.... not long enough to cause me real discomfort.
Completely different seating on the BMW - much more upright, weight seems to go through the centre of my body.
Here's a pic of my bike after a weekend awayhttp://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/gealachmor/6f61daa5.jpg

Nice pic There's nothing like a RIDDEN bike, IMO. An odd note : When I first started looking at HDs, I searched for used ones. (Which I still may do, I have plenty of time to decide), but I noticed all these bikes that were three and four years old that only had 200-500 miles on them. It may have just been ignorance on my part, but I didn't see the point of "collecting" FatBoys and the like just to have them sit up somewhere. They're meant to be ridden, right?

My back may prove a challenging point. I'm a bit "top-heavy" but plan on supplementing the exercise plan with walking when it cools off a bit. My mother had back surgery, and her surgeon told her that walking did wonders for strengthening her back.

On a school note : I schedule classes tomorrow. Exciting times

Thanks for the support, both of you.

 

[denali]

have you set a cycling schedule, such as xxx miles a week or are you just going to see how you get on?

My doc has told me I'm too fat and if I lost 45 - 50 lbs and did some proper exercise, my back would be a whole lot better. Maybe, I'll take inspiration from your plan and wombat's success and actually do something about it this year.

One thing you will notice with bikes as you search, is that some people buy them as an accessory. Put it in the garage, bring it out half a dozen times a year, ride it around town then put it back - or onto the back of a trailer, drive to Sturgis etc, ride bike around, then trailer it home.
They can be a good (hardly) used buy.Mine is 4 years old and has done 35 000 miles now. Not quite in as good condition as it should be.


Think you could make it to 250 miles by the end of Sunday?

 

[kycuriousity]

Hey girl. This thread is a terrific idea. I haven't been on a bike in years. It's ATV's for me theses days. I'm very excited about your return to school. It takes a lot of brass and hard work to go back at a later age. I did the same thing, but never quite finished. (I felt like I was shortchanging my children.) I've thought about returning, but I don't know. These days I'm so busy. I'm involved in several online classes right now, but nothing that would apply toward my degree.
Good luck to you, RH. This was a great idea!

 

[alisonwunderlnd]

Hell..I think its a great idea
and I love what that sticker said
The Best days of your life are ahead!

 

[Missingmeds]

Raidho, I am 47 and have my motorcycle temp license. I just got that about a month ago and in August am going to take the safety course to ride. I am still trying to decide what I want for a bike. I've ridden dirt bikes before, (okay so it was many years before),and for now I am the passenger on a Honda 1800 VTX that gets ridden every day unless the temperature drops below 20 above.

I don't have a underactive thyroid, but I do have a medical issue that is causing me not to be able to lose weight very easily. I am currently working on that issue. If I might suggest this, make sure that your cortisol levels are checked as well.

If there is anything that I can do to help just let me know.

 

[Raidho]

have you set a cycling schedule, such as xxx miles a week or are you just going to see how you get on?

My doc has told me I'm too fat and if I lost 45 - 50 lbs and did some proper exercise, my back would be a whole lot better. Maybe, I'll take inspiration from your plan and wombat's success and actually do something about it this year.

One thing you will notice with bikes as you search, is that some people buy them as an accessory. Put it in the garage, bring it out half a dozen times a year, ride it around town then put it back - or onto the back of a trailer, drive to Sturgis etc, ride bike around, then trailer it home.
They can be a good (hardly) used buy.Mine is 4 years old and has done 35 000 miles now. Not quite in as good condition as it should be.


Think you could make it to 250 miles by the end of Sunday?

It started off at 5 miles, 4 times a week, and now I've built up (as of last week) to about 50 miles a week. I have had weeks where I did nothing ... I actually started tracking my miles (though not for a HD at that time) in April. So 233 since April isn't really all that stellar. But now, with a focused goal, I'm hoping to be more consistent.

I was off on Sunday, and having nothing to do, ended up doing 15.5 miles. I think the fact that I had a really good book ('Tis, the sequel to Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt) that helped a lot too. Granted it was on for three, take a break, on for three more, take a break, etc. My ass -- and ladies parts-- get numb if I sit there too long!

I did do 10.5 today, with only one break in between, so I've definitely made past 250. I thought that 300 would be out of my reach, but with three days off in a row, I just may make it.

I had a funny conversation with my dad. My dad has never really been supportive of anything that I did (other than going back to college) -- he accuses me of being a firecracker, all bang and no last. The other day he asked me if I really wanted a HD, and I said yes. He told me he'd give me .05/mile payable at every 100 miles, starting when I hit the 300 mile mark. (Another incentive for hitting 300 this week!)

I was speechless, really. He didn't lecture me about how dangerous they were, how unfeminine they were or all of the other things that I would have expected from him.

He just kind of gave me a smile, and I knew we had come a long way. He kidded me, "You know you'll have to get a tattoo, right? All motorcycle people have tattoos."

I grinned and said "What do you think your .05 a mile will be paying for?"

When I know more about customization, etc., I'll start really comparing. I've noticed that used ones really seem to retain their market value, which is good for the owner but bad for me, the buyer-to-be.

Thanks again for posting, denali. I swear, with the responses to the thread so far, if I didn't have to get ready for work like 10 minutes ago, I swear, I'd be back on the bike again.

 

[Raidho]

Hey girl. This thread is a terrific idea. I haven't been on a bike in years. It's ATV's for me theses days. I'm very excited about your return to school. It takes a lot of brass and hard work to go back at a later age. I did the same thing, but never quite finished. (I felt like I was shortchanging my children.) I've thought about returning, but I don't know. These days I'm so busy. I'm involved in several online classes right now, but nothing that would apply toward my degree.
Good luck to you, RH. This was a great idea!

I'm looking at taking at least one of my classes online, but I've heard horror stories. Most of the classes I have left are lit ... I'll be basically reading and writing for the rest of program. Oh, darn, right?

Sooner or later, I'll remember to ask you about the ones you're taking now. I've heard that you can take herbalism, etc., online and was thinking about checking into it. One day. Sort of have a full plate at the moment.

How old are your kids? I don't think it'd be shortchanging them if you took one class at a time. I don't know you well enough to know your situation, but I know that the first class I took upon returning had me hooked. I was finally surrounded by people who had better things to talk about than hospital politics. Adult time was nice.

 

[Raidho]

Raidho, I am 47 and have my motorcycle temp license. I just got that about a month ago and in August am going to take the safety course to ride. I am still trying to decide what I want for a bike. I've ridden dirt bikes before, (okay so it was many years before),and for now I am the passenger on a Honda 1800 VTX that gets ridden every day unless the temperature drops below 20 above.

I don't have a underactive thyroid, but I do have a medical issue that is causing me not to be able to lose weight very easily. I am currently working on that issue. If I might suggest this, make sure that your cortisol levels are checked as well.

If there is anything that I can do to help just let me know.

Yay ! Good for you! Will you be taking the one that they teach on the Buell?

Please, please let me know how it goes. And if you don't mind, how much it costs. The HD website says "Between $195 and $395" which, considering it's five days and you're certified of a sort when you finish it, seems to be a very fair price and a good investment, especially for me, who has never "driven" a motorcycle...just ridden on one as a kid. I'm hoping once I finish it that I can convince (read: whine and beg) a couple of extended relatives to let me ride. The one "here" is actually over an hour away -- they don't offer a course at the local dealership. I'd have to plan it for summer, perhaps between semesters. I wanted to do it next summer, but wondered at the wisdom of it when getting an actual bike was so far away.

That, and I'm back to being a broke student again.

Please keep me updated. Sounds like you're on a journey too, and I'd love to hear your experiences.

 

[Raidho]

Hell..I think its a great idea
and I love what that sticker said
The Best days of your life are ahead!

Ali!

Ain't it grand? I love that sticker.

Let me know if you see any inspiring ones out on the road ... I used to have a "great saying" collection and love to see other folks' takes.

 

[Missingmeds]

Actually the course that we will be taken, ( the man that I live with and ride as a passenger with is taking it too, for several different reason), uses many different bikes and is $25.00 thru the Department of Motor Vehicles here. It is called an Safety and Skills course.

This might all be just Ohio but if you are in the states anywhere they do the courses all over. It is one 4 hour class one evening of a week and then 6 hours the following Saturday and Sunday. If one passes the course here then we don't have to take the skills test to get our license endorsement for motorcycles.

 

[zschachwitz]

go go go

you have my support

 

[Raidho]

Actually the course that we will be taken, ( the man that I live with and ride as a passenger with is taking it too, for several different reason), uses many different bikes and is $25.00 thru the Department of Motor Vehicles here. It is called an Safety and Skills course.

This might all be just Ohio but if you are in the states anywhere they do the courses all over. It is one 4 hour class one evening of a week and then 6 hours the following Saturday and Sunday. If one passes the course here then we don't have to take the skills test to get our license endorsement for motorcycles.

I never even thought about checking with the DMV.

Putting that on my "look into" list.

 

[Raidho]

go go go

you have my support

Aww, it's my favorite Lit title

My Elvis impersonation stinks, so I pretend I'm from Bartles & James.

Thank you for your support.

 

[mortalwombat]

It started off at 5 miles, 4 times a week, and now I've built up (as of last week) to about 50 miles a week. I have had weeks where I did nothing ... I actually started tracking my miles (though not for a HD at that time) in April. So 233 since April isn't really all that stellar. But now, with a focused goal, I'm hoping to be more consistent.

I was off on Sunday, and having nothing to do, ended up doing 15.5 miles. I think the fact that I had a really good book ('Tis, the sequel to Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt) that helped a lot too. Granted it was on for three, take a break, on for three more, take a break, etc. My ass -- and ladies parts-- get numb if I sit there too long!

I did do 10.5 today, with only one break in between, so I've definitely made past 250. I thought that 300 would be out of my reach, but with three days off in a row, I just may make it.

Very proud at how you're going-and good to see you getting a support base so soon! Good to see your dad supporting you as well-i bet that means alot to you. But tell him you need 10 cents a mile as you have to get a leather jacket as well!
As for your "ass and ladies parts" getting numb, i'm sure there would be lots of volunteers here offering to help massage them better. they are all lined up behind me! Although while your butts numb would be a good time to get a tatt if thats a place you'd like one!

 

[Missingmeds]

I never even thought about checking with the DMV.

Putting that on my "look into" list.

I know here they call it an MOCourse. You can also check with the American Motorcycle Association and see if they can point you in the right direction.

When you are ready to start looking into your riding gear, let me know because I have several places online that I use and they are very reasonable.

 

[Raidho]

Very proud at how you're going-and good to see you getting a support base so soon! Good to see your dad supporting you as well-i bet that means alot to you. But tell him you need 10 cents a mile as you have to get a leather jacket as well!
As for your "ass and ladies parts" getting numb, i'm sure there would be lots of volunteers here offering to help massage them better. they are all lined up behind me! Although while your butts numb would be a good time to get a tatt if thats a place you'd like one!

Yes, actually, that whole dad thing does mean a lot to me. Funny how it's the money, but it's not about the money.

I think when I hit 1000 miles, I'll re-negotiate my contract. I'll have to figure out something to do (cheaply) to celebrate. That'll be a major milestone for me.

I can just see it. We have a tattoo place that's sort of famous around here : Jack and Diane's. I can just see it : Dragging the exercise bike into the shop with a brassy "Jack, don't mind me (huff, puff) I'm just riding while you finish up with Bob there so I can be numb when it's time for me." It'd be a hoot!

Was looking at leather stuff too, not just jackets. I think I can see how fetishes are born.

Four days left in the week -- 34.5 miles to hit 300. Holy crap. That'll make it 66.5 for the week if I hit it.

I'm gonna be hurting next week, I think. I'm already a bit sore.

 

[Raidho]

I know here they call it an MOCourse. You can also check with the American Motorcycle Association and see if they can point you in the right direction.

When you are ready to start looking into your riding gear, let me know because I have several places online that I use and they are very reasonable.

If you don't mind, go ahead and shoot me the links.

It'll give me something else to look at ... all part of the journey, right?

AMA -- something else for me to check out.

Thanks for all your info so far, Missingmeds!