Livin’ The Life

My Story...

My story starts in May 2021. My boyfriend just bought a Harley and I needed a helmet to ride on the back with him. We go to a local dealership and I notice an Indian Scout sitting on the showroom floor. An Indian has always been my dream bike so, of course I go look...a 2019 with 92 miles on it. I sat on it and as cheesy as it sounds it was a found my soulmate moment. Everything fit me perfectly, but I walked away as I believed I could not get financed. I buy a helmet and on the way home my boyfriend talks me into applying for the bike, right before closing on a Saturday when they are closed Sunday and Monday. Fast forward to Tuesday, I am at the river with my daughter and dogs when the finance company calls and asks to set up a time to sign papers. Did I just impulse buy a Story and photos: motorcycle? I have ZERO idea how to Chrissy Rivers ride! I’ve only ever been on the back. So, Darrington, WA. I sign the papers, and my boyfriend has to ride it home for me but I’m grinning ear to ear! Then the reality sets in, now I HAVE to learn how to ride and get my endorsement. Here in Washington you have to take 4 tests to be endorsed, a permit skills and written and an endorsement skills and written. My permit class I felt very frustrated and nervous, and while I passed the written I bombed the skills. I called my boyfriend crying saying sell my bike I obviously can’t do this. He was so supportive and said no we will get this done. I reached out to a ladies group of mine and Donna Palladino was my angel. She helped me get some cones and talked me through how to practice (we live in different states). I spent a month practicing, and darn near aced my retake on my own bike. A couple weeks after that, I took the endorsement class and passed. I spent the summer racking up miles, experience, confidence and so many new friends! Fast forward exactly one year later, and I am now (June 2022) in the certification program to become an instructor for the same school I went to last year. I feel so blessed to give back what was given to me and to be a part of a new rider’s journey to love motorcycling as much as I do. I look forward to this new chapter and all the experience it will bring. I love this family I am now a part of, and I plan to ride until I physically can’t anymore. I hope my story can inspire others who may be struggling getting started to ride their own ride, no one says you have to master this in a weekend. The important part is to not give up, you are still a million miles ahead of those who never even try.

24 www.BehindBarz.com