I had the opportunity to lead a motorcycle ride for my club on Sunday. I was delightfully surprised by the large turn-out. 17 people and 14 bikes showed up. These rides are listed on a website, and people decide if they want to come as they have time and availability.
This was a great ride for me, and let me live up to a self-challenge. I admit, I have problems with…
…several matters related to being responsible for leading motorcycle rides.
First, I am “directionally-challenged.” No matter how often I ride on the same roads, leave it to me, I will make a wrong turn. That’s why I rode this ride on a practice run on Friday (photo here of me last Friday, while wearing perforated leather jeans. Quite comfy!) When I do a practice ride, it makes it so much easier for me to lead the “real ride” later.
Second, sometimes I take things much too seriously. I worry about adjusting the ride to accommodate the rider in the group with the least skills, so he can keep up and not feel intimidated.
Third, I have ongoing trouble handling the weight of my large motorcycle when making tight turns.
Fourth — this ride, in particular, was one to overcome past feelings of inadequacy. That is, I led this same ride five years ago during my training as a Road Captain. I was nervous and “white-knuckled” the grips on my bike so hard that my hands went numb. When we arrived, two more experienced road captains gave me constructive criticism, but I felt awful. They were trying to help me, but I took it way too hard. It upset me so much, I took a wrong turn and got lost on the way back.
So it was my personal challenge to do this ride again, to get there on the planned route, not get lost, maintain speed, relax and have fun. And I did! I had a great ride. My friends were all smiles (though for their privacy, I have blurred their faces in this group photo with me in the middle wearing my Chippewa Firefighter boots.)
Did anybody care that this ride was led by a gay biker? Nope. I am an experienced motorcyclist, road captain, and leader in this club. The fact that I live in a monogamous relationship with one man — that I am gay — never was discussed, mentioned, or even thought about. I didn’t lead this ride to make some point that gay men can do this, too. I led it because I enjoy leading rides within my comfort zone, and to overcome a personal challenge.
By the way my Facebook page lit up after this ride, I can say that all of my fellow riders had a great time. Some good-natured ribbing, including a comment from another road captain who said, “and I was all ready to do a water rescue! thanks for the nice ride, dry boots and all.”
This came from a situation where I was learning to use a new GPS on my bike, and it directed me while leading a group on a road that crosses a stream at a ford. I tried to get across the ford, and my friend saved my butt by running into the stream and holding me up while I got through. His boots got soaked. This story is one that we will re-live forever, in a good-natured manner.
Where will I lead rides next? In early August, I’m going to a corn roast festival and in mid-August, my birthday ride will take us to get Maryland Blue Crabs on the West River in Galesville. (My regular Shady Side visitor should write to me and perhaps we can visit while I’m in his neck of the woods.)
Life is short: ride and have fun!
Congratulations on your successful ride. There is a photo of you in the middle of stream on a motorcycle elsewhere on your site. That photo references your wrong turn, right? Kudos to you for wearing the boots you said you really enjoyed wearing for cycle rides and also kudos to your fellow riders for not wearing flip-flops, crocs or riding barefoot – which I have seen more frequently these days as temps climb.
As for blurring your fellow riders’ faces, is privacy really the main reason? Could it be that they’re so beautiful that in comparison the rest of us would be too demoralized to show our faces each day? Or is it the opposite? The great philosopher (Nipsey Russell) once said: “Beauty may only be skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone.” So which is it?
Bill, you’re funny. Thanks for your comment.
My fellow riders are not seeking a nomination for the next Darwin Award. All of us wear proper motorcycle boots and appropriate gear (including helmets) when we ride.
You’re right, as well, for remembering the image of me riding through a stream. That was the ride to which I was referring in this post. It was all the GPS’s fault!
I blur the faces because I’m not sure all of my fellow riders would appreciate having their face appear on a gay man’s blog without permission. It’s a matter of courtesy for them.