Trekkin'

It all started when we were kids. I'm not sure when Ace's affection for motorcyles started, exactly, but I know he was pretty young. For me, it was somewhere around the age my daughter is now (or maybe a little younger?). Anyway, it's been a LONG time that we've both had this craving...

A few years ago, we finally had the ability to buy a motorcycle. However, knowing what I know (my ex lost a family friend to a really bad accident back in 1996), I refused to let him even sit on one without taking the certification classes. He had to wait until summer, and make sure he had the days off (they're only offered Fri-Sun), but he passes with flying colors.

Next step, decide what size, etc we want. A 650 was our original choice, but after talking to T, we decided to go a bit bigger. We ended up with a Suzuki M50 (equivalent of just over 800), in a beautiful purple-blue. At the time, they had a "no payments/no interest for a year" deal, and since we had only 10 months left on another loan, we knew we could pay it off in full before the year was up (which we did). We then got him geared up -- Scorpion helmet, Tour Master jacket/pants/gloves, and a great pair of biker boots. He was ready to go.

Once we got the bike, I had two rules: (1) I would not ride on the bike with him until he'd been riding alone for at least 6 months. (2) I would be the FIRST person to ride with him. He agreed and off he went. That summer, he rode the bike everywhere he could; even taking it on back roads, hilly roads, curvy roads. He wanted the experience, plus it's FUN! The older kids bugged him to ride, thinking that since they're mother owns a bike and they ride with her, it wouldn't be a big deal. Sorry, kids, first ride is MINE.

However, I wouldn't ride until I was properly geared, too. I got a Scorpion helmet, but all the rest of my gear is also Scorpion, and (if I do say so myself) I look pretty hot in it (hahaha). Well, Ace approves, and I feel safer, so that's all I need. We took our first ride together in the Spring of 2008, and every chance we get, we're on it together. It's one of the ways we bond.

Yesterday, we both had the day off, and it was 81 degrees, so while my daughter was in school, we took a nice ride. Headed west, drove through areas where E used to live (that's the older brother) and made a huge circle. Drove through, among other things, farm country & timber areas, and saw horses, lots of trees, and big old homes & barns. We even stopped for ice cream. Took us a good 2 hours or so, and we were home in time to pick up the Princess from school.

Ace's ultimate goal is to get a bigger bike and give me this one... For, now, though, I am perfectly content riding "bitch", and looking good doing it.