Know Your limitations, Take Your Own Path But…

A person who has since become a great friend of mine was introduced to me by a mutual friend some years ago. The reason for this introduction was, I ride a motorcycle as a hobby and so I have an interest in people who also have an interest in motorcycles or who want to learn to ride a motorcycle.

Okay this lady who just happened to work in the national health service was introduced to me because she wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. The comments and reactions from other people did nothing to dissuade her from her goal. Should we take advice from well meaning friends ”Internet Marketing is a fools game” Only you can decide!

At the time, the first thing one had to do was to go on a short training course and take a CBT test, this was normally a one-day course and at the end of the course you gained a certificate to say that you were competent enough to go on the public highway with learner plates.

So having got that small hurdle out of the way the lady in question decided she wanted to buy a bike. Now at the time the law stated to learn to ride a motorcycle the bike had to be no bigger than 33 brake horsepower. That said most bigger bikes could be restricted to allow a learner to ride on the public roads.

So we started to look around and visit a few bike shops with the intention of purchasing a bike that would be suitable for the purpose. After visiting a few shops we came upon one particular bike, and I think the statement love at first sight would be appropriate. There was nothing on this planet that would dissuade my friend from buying this particular bike. The fact that this bike was a little bit too tall perhaps a little on the heavy side was totally disregarded.

So to cut a very long story short the bike was purchased and restricted to 33 brake horse power. Numerous bike rides around the countryside were undertaken and enjoyed and the lady in question duly passed her test with flying colours. Some months later I received a phone call from this lady, and she was in a great deal of distress, she had been for a ride on her bike and returned home, but in the process of putting the bike away she had overbalanced and the bike had fallen on top of her.

Luckily a neighbour had heard her cries for help and had managed to lift the bike sufficiently for her to get out from underneath it. In this particular case the lady was not seriously hurt she sustained a burn and a bruise on her leg.

Now try as I might I could not get the lady to get on the bike again and ride it! The bike was sold and a car was purchased.

I found out last week that my friend has a new man in her life and he has persuaded her to try motorcycling again. They have purchased a smaller bike, a bike that is lighter and easier to control, and the lady in question is absolutely delighted. Fantastic news!!

So the point of this story, we all have to make our own decision. We all have to follow our own path, but having said that we should bear in mind advice that is given with good intention. We should bear in mind advice given from more experienced people. Don’t think you always know better. Don’t reinvent the wheel look at what works and replicate it.

To your success.
Regards Steve.