Dumping...

NOT what you think! Well, maybe...


There's been a small hiatus in preparations, since my son arrived a few days ago for what will now be an extended visit. Yes, I nagged him into joining our trek and I am looking forward to having an extra driver for the minivan. Since we are taking a break from prep, I decided to meander down memory lane.


One of my less-than-favorite memories was somewhat of a teachable moment for me. For those of you who do not ride,
"dumping" a bike is when you drop your motorcycle from a stand still or during very slow speed maneuvering. It rarely results in much more than wounded pride. You wouldn't believe how embarrassing it is for a bike to know that a newbie like you is riding it!


Motorcyclists learn one thing very quickly. There are 2 kinds of bikers: those who have dropped a bike, and those who will. It's just a fact and all you can hope for is that there are not witnesses. If you have not dropped one, you have not ridden enough. Another fact is that it usually happens in the most embarrassing way possible. So here is my tale of this rite of passage.

"Poser" Q-Link Legacy

I had just gotten my first "real" bike. At least it looked real. It was a CVT (automatic transmission) that was an embarrassment in and of itself but I was working my way up to a "grown up" bike. Of course, I was super proud of being on 2 wheels (even fantastic plastic) and wanted to go out with Dennis and show off a bit. 

The real deal: Yamaha V-Star

We decided to go to the movies.... "Wild Hogs".... Yes, it had to be that one. The theater: the one my teenage sons worked at, and where most of their friends knew me. Of course. Last, I wanted to park under the canopy of the theater near the ticket counter, ostensibly so no one would mess with my bike. Can you see where this is going?


We ride in, under the canopy. We park our bikes. I'm feeling all proud that I didn't mess up and, in full view of everyone, I set my kickstand and dismount, looking all cool (in my deluded mind, at least). Funny thing about kickstands.... you have to make sure they are all the way set before you dismount.


Gravity decided to exert its force and down went the bike... right into my husband's bike... with other patrons and my sons' friends (manager included) avidly watching. My husband's quick reflexes kept his bike from going down and it kept mine from making a full pavement kiss. It would have taken a long time for my ego to recover if I weren't so cheeky. But, let me tell ya, it took a lot of bravado to walk to the ticket counter and ask for tickets to "Wild Hogs." 


Today, I ride a true-blue real motorcycle, albeit a small one. And, no longer a weekend warrior/poser, I ride my Yamaha V-Star every chance I get (to the tune of 1,000+ per month), and I visit the same theater on occasion. Although it has been a few years since my "incident" and my sons no longer work there, the few witnesses to my inglorious moment that have not been disposed of still remember it quite vividly. We get a chuckle over it but I'll tell you one thing: I have never forgotten to double check my kickstand before swinging that leg over.