I May Be Dead Soon
02 June 2006

Well, yesterday I did it. I picked-up my first motorcycle! You may ask, “Why?” I’m not quite sure. It may have something to do with turning 30 in a few weeks, being able to ride with my dad, joining in with other guys in the church who ride, or that Andrea took a spin on one the other night with my dad and her eyes lit up with excitement and said, “You need to get one of those!” Now, I don’t know about you, but when your wife tells you something like that you better act while the sun is still up, and act I did.

I’ve never driven a motorcycle before in my life. I’ve only ridden on one a few times. So last night as the bike sat in my driveway I mounted it with great fear and thoughts of bodily harm and property damage. I sat on it and started it, shifted it into first gear, hit the gas, released the clutch…stalled. Take that sequence and repeat over a dozen times. Then the magic happened as I struck upon the right ration of gas and releasing of the clutch and off I went down the road. I got to the end of the street and was starting to turn around, but decided to keep going around the neighborhood. OK, I couldn’t turn it around, so I kept going As I opened the gas up and rode down the street, the fun of it all hit me. The wind was blowing by, and I, yes me, was driving a motorcycle. I had been around these streets countless times on walks, runs, and driving home, but they felt brand new to me as I covered them with nothing between me and the asphalt.

It will be a long time before I take my wife or boys for a spin. I’m going to be taking a 3-day safety course soon. In the meantime, keep me in prayer. The beauty of it is you can pray either way, depending on how you feel about me. You can pray that I learn how to drive this thing and live, or that I become one with the pavement.

Here’s a picture of the same type of bike I got, a Yamaha V Star Silverado:

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Permalink  |  4 Comment  |  Technorati This

Donella Gallo 02 June 2006 - 9:50:59AM

Looks like I can begin to tell people when I invite them to church that our Pastors are “Bikers” - they may come just out of curiosity! Does this mean leather outfits in you and Andrea’s future? 30 years old is strange age to begin your rebellion but I guess it is never too late. I look forward to your taking me out for a spin around the church parking lot, who knows, I may want one too! Have fun with it, I think it is a great way to enjoy life. Jim and I would love to buy a couple of bikes to travel around the country - just a dream for now!

Sharon & Darren DiGiacinto 02 June 2006 - 11:11:38AM

Wow! I can’t believe you actually did it! Turning 30 must be hitting you hard!!  Well just be safe and have fun....remember what Andrea said --- She is not wheeling you around in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, so watch it!!  Congrats on the bike!!  Can’t wait to see it!!  OH and Donella I love the idea of them both in Leather outfits!! 

Danny & Tammy Hopkins 05 June 2006 - 7:15:09PM

Congratulations on the new bike.  Don’t let Danny see it though, I don’t want him to start wanting another one. =)

The Wheelman 25 August 2006 - 1:24:28PM

That is a really nice looking bike.  If it were me I would have taken the 3 day safety course first.

But that is just me.

Have fun and be careful.