Travel bloggers mode of travel depends on their destinations. If you are traveling the next state over a car would do the trick. However, if you are traveling overseas an airplane is the way to travel. What about being a biker chick? Can you get to your destination on time or is it more convenient using 4 wheels instead of 2.
I decided to start a new segment on my blog called Biker Chick Chronicles. This section will tackle all my adventures with my new bike “Black Beauty” A 2009 Honda Shadow Aero. Oh, she is a dream. She weighs in at a little over 500 lbs and with all the accessories I add-on can bring her in at about 550 lbs.
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My Story as a Biker Chick
I am a short woman coming in at 5’1” not shorter, not taller. That is my actual height on a good day in sneakers. Being short can have challenges and rising a motorcycle is one of them. Late August I signed my husband and myself up to take Harley Davidson motorcycle training course. This was after months of repeated torture from my husband wanting to buy a motorcycle.
After watching a few videos and stunned by a few female bikers out there I decided why the hell not. This would be a great way to spend time with my husband. Plus I like a challenge and anything I feel I can do better than him. I am 100% game. So Harley here we come.
We finished the course the last day of August and we were set the following Monday to head to the DMV and make it official with our endorsement. Ladies I am here to tell you. I failed the test the first time and had to take it the following day. I passed thank my lucky stars. Four days later my husband purchased his bike and a week later I purchased mine. We have been riding every day since.
The Feel
I love road trips in my car with my family. Spending time with my family in a small box is such a great way to connect. However, getting on a motorcycle gives me a whole new feeling. I can feel the wind on my body. It can get really windy and sometimes too windy where I have to use all my muscles to keep from drifting. Then there are the smells. I can smell mother nature. With that being said I can smell mother nature and sometimes it is not all that pleasant. Take such as my drive 10 miles away from my home is a landfill for garbage waste. Not the best smell even in your car let alone on two wheels. The view on two wheels vs four is completely different. Yes, that means I see everything through a new.
Not so Kind
Riding a bike is such a thrill and gives me an adrenaline boost every time I start Black Beauty up. However, there is a drawback to riding. Sometimes insects and rocks can come your way. However, having a windshield helps. The nasty odors are far in between. I can smell Burger King and the charboiled burgers. I can smell fresh pine. That to me is the best. The little drawbacks are so worth the feeling of the wind in my hair and the independence that I feel when riding a huge machine. Then there is the biker community. I have met female bikers and male bikers that on given day would not speak to. But as long as I have my bike I belong.
“Marriage that plays together, stays together”
The Travel
So far I have not left out the state of Louisiana yet. However, I am making preparations in the next coming months to do so as long as the weather permits. I have been a few places, however, which includes a quick trip to Baton Rouge which is about 80 miles from my house. I also went to St, Franceville where we went to Angola Prison Rodeo. That trip was about 120 miles away. This coming week a few people including my husband will be taking a trip to Shreveport. Therefore, this will be my longest trip coming in about 350 miles away. Each trip is a new adventure and new open highway. As my skill level and experience increases. I will soon be able to travel longer and have more experiences to share.
The Cost
The cost to fuel Black Beauty is around $5 to $6 on empty. She is a 3-gallon tank and I fill her up every 100 miles. Therefore, this gives me a chance to stretch out my legs and arms as Black Beauty does not have cruise control which means my right hand is always engaged on the throttle. Then there is my full face helmet that makes it difficult for me to drink or eat anything while I am riding. So stopping is a must. The trip to Angola cost me a whopping $6.42 using premium gas. So I really can’t complain about the economic aspects of riding my bike.
I hope you enjoyed my first in I hope many more of Biker Chick Chronicles. If you are a female rider, know any female riders share with me. Interested in riding a bike? Comment below and I will answer any questions that I know and if not I can lead you to the right place.
Want more of my travel adventures check out my other post below:
How To Have An Emergency Preparedness Plan
Federal Id: What You Need To Know
16 Comments
I have actually never been on a bike! Sounds like a fun and different way to travel!
October 3, 2017 at 10:05 amI just started myself and I have been riding every chance I get. It is so fun and I really didn’t think I was going to like it. I was so wrong.
October 3, 2017 at 10:18 amI’m such a chicken, this looks amazing and so much fun but I’d never be brace enough to ride one!
October 4, 2017 at 6:40 amI could see why you might not be brave enough. I was the same way. I wasn’t always for riding motorcycles. However, I am the type of person that likes a challenge and do things outside my comfort zone. In a way, it helps me become stress-free. There is no other experience then wind in your hair and you controlling the speed of a machine. There is also the empowerment I get as a female that when a guy looks at me it is out of pure admiration and shock that such a tiny person like myself can control and handle a big bike. Then, of course, I get those looks like Hello. In a way, it is a self-esteem booster. Knowing I am a mother, wife, hard worker, and still can turn heads. Motorcycles are not for everyone. However, I encourage all drivers to take the course as it made me also a better driver in my car and more aware of my surroundings. Plus, it is still bad ass to say I am endorsed to ride.
October 4, 2017 at 7:03 amThis is awesome! Scary and exciting at the same time. Such a cool hobby…I am impressed, Way to go!! 🙂
October 4, 2017 at 11:42 amThank you it is and I am having so much fun doing it.
October 4, 2017 at 1:05 pmGreat read! I totally think that the windshield is a must! – LOL. Look forward to reading more of your adventures on Black Beauty!
October 4, 2017 at 11:47 amI am glad you enjoyed and look forward to sharing with you as well.
October 4, 2017 at 1:06 pmSo I think you are my new Shero!
October 11, 2017 at 8:32 pmAwww, Thank you!!!
October 11, 2017 at 8:57 pmNice to see you’re enjoying this type of transportation. Drivers here is risky enough in a car, much less for 2 wheels! I’d prefer going to another paragliding session. I may try biking in another country where bad driving is not so common. In the meantime, enjoy the ride for those who can’t! Be safe!
October 13, 2017 at 12:13 pmBelieve me, drivers here are no better. I have to be alert at all times on the road. I have not done paragliding yet and want to someday.
October 13, 2017 at 12:28 pmThat is so cool that you decided to write this post! I really enjoyed reading it, especially since I feel like I have a misunderstanding of bikes. I’ve always been super scared of getting on one. I had no idea there are training courses to take before you commit to buying a bike. I love that! I don’t think I will ever buy a motorcycle, but now I’m interested in taking a course so I can face my fear! How do you feel when you’re riding in a high traffic area, surrounded by a lot of cars? Does it make you nervous? I tend to give cyclists a lot of room, but I know other car drivers don’t have that same mentally.
October 14, 2017 at 7:28 amThank you for your comment. There are places to take training. We took ours through Harley Davidson because it was free for veterans and military. However, where we are located the sheriff department also does the same exact class to get endorsed and legal to ride which is $99. Which isn’t bad. This training made me a better driver in my car that is for sure. Now, to answer your question. It took time to ride in traffic. The training is only 4 days and only two of those days is you riding a motorcycle. Don’t let that scare you because believe me you will learn to ride in that short of time. SO with that being said, we practiced in parking lots such as the high school or Winn Dixie. Then we took to the bike around the neighborhood to stop and turn. From there we headed out to a long stretch of road for practice. We build our skills from there. There is tons of high bridges here in Louisiana that can be very windy so we also conquered those. But I will tell you I am nervous every time I get on my bike. I take a risk when I ride. But I get nervous riding in my car sometimes too. I think that little fear keeps me alert at all times as you have to be an aggressive driver on a bike and ride for everyone. But the wind you feel and that freedom outweighs the risk. It is so fun….By the way, I was not gung-ho on the whole motorcycle thing either. The class really helped…plus being one of only 2 girls in training bucks your ego!!!
October 15, 2017 at 7:08 pmI agree Amanda. Travelling is a fun experience, but travelling on my bike is a whole different thing that I can not describe with word. Thanks for the article!
April 6, 2018 at 4:22 amYes, riding is so fun. I can’t believe I didn’t do this a long time ago.
April 6, 2018 at 2:26 pm