For some reason, unknown to me, I have felt inclined to make this post this week. If it helps someone, I'm thrilled, if it entertains you for half a second, well, what else would you have been doing? If you actually read it & think of things to add, please do. I have typed it up numerous times & not posted it, or been sidetracked & not finished it and each time it changed, so dunno what drivel you're in for now.
When I first started riding, I was so-so about it, not really interested, but not uninterested either. I bought a bike for $50 & put a few more $ into it. After a while, I wanted a real bike and through bizarre circumstances, ended up with a YZ80, ported & polished to suit the NZ #2 rider of the time. I'd been riding for a few months (probably about 5x) and really wanted a little bike & not a four stroke. The day after I'd bought it, I met the first female dirtbike rider I'd ever met & we rode together every week for about 6 months, till she gave up.
I rode by myself for another few months, then became friends with a female on a quad. We rode together for about a year and then her husband decided it was time to get rid of her training wheels, so we would toddle off together & I didn't have to think about if she'd like a trail on the quad or not (stumps). She got down about how slow she was compared to on 4 wheels. I pointed out how much more experience she was getting on 2. She's over it now, but it's taken her a long time. She doesn't really ride in summer, so I'd have months being lonely again.
The time I spent riding alone seemed to dominate my life (riding life I mean) and I'd get pretty down about it all. After a couple of operations (not ride related), I really seemed about to give up. What was the point in having this bike I wasn't really using? I'd just spend more time helping out at rides or something, so Henk (my husband) could still ride.
Out of the blue, I got asked to come over to the States. Things seemed to be falling into place, but then I figured it wasn't feasible after all. I spoke to Henk & he told me to grab the opportunity (not believing it would happen). I came over with high expectations (Henk was worried as he was sure I was due for a fall), but those expectations (which were really high) were so far exceeded, I am blown away by it.
I like people (sometimes), but am also a loner & both sides of me come through often. If I feel I don't have enough contact for whatever reason, I get down. I share my ride reports as I can't tell Henk things (he's too busy telling me his own lol - believe me, you can't get a word in edgewise once he's on a roll) and whether people respond or not, read it or not, I'm happy I've had some contact, or told someone hehehe
When I've gone quiet, it's not I'm not riding, or don't have anything to say, it's more of I don't know what to say without sounding upset or feeling I've let the side down.
There's a hell of a lot more I could say, but I'm determined to post this tonight. Whatever you're going through, though, you are not alone. There is an awesome group of women here, but you need to reach out first. We can't even try to help you if we don't know what is the problem. We may not have the answers, but whoever you are, wherever you are - we'll try to help. You just have to take the first step. The one thing to remember - you're not alone at any time.
Why I've been determined to post this, I'll never know, but I try to follow my instincts. And to those wonderful people who've helped me get through my dark stage - THANK YOU!!!!! You may not know you've helped, but you have.
When I first started riding, I was so-so about it, not really interested, but not uninterested either. I bought a bike for $50 & put a few more $ into it. After a while, I wanted a real bike and through bizarre circumstances, ended up with a YZ80, ported & polished to suit the NZ #2 rider of the time. I'd been riding for a few months (probably about 5x) and really wanted a little bike & not a four stroke. The day after I'd bought it, I met the first female dirtbike rider I'd ever met & we rode together every week for about 6 months, till she gave up.
I rode by myself for another few months, then became friends with a female on a quad. We rode together for about a year and then her husband decided it was time to get rid of her training wheels, so we would toddle off together & I didn't have to think about if she'd like a trail on the quad or not (stumps). She got down about how slow she was compared to on 4 wheels. I pointed out how much more experience she was getting on 2. She's over it now, but it's taken her a long time. She doesn't really ride in summer, so I'd have months being lonely again.
The time I spent riding alone seemed to dominate my life (riding life I mean) and I'd get pretty down about it all. After a couple of operations (not ride related), I really seemed about to give up. What was the point in having this bike I wasn't really using? I'd just spend more time helping out at rides or something, so Henk (my husband) could still ride.
Out of the blue, I got asked to come over to the States. Things seemed to be falling into place, but then I figured it wasn't feasible after all. I spoke to Henk & he told me to grab the opportunity (not believing it would happen). I came over with high expectations (Henk was worried as he was sure I was due for a fall), but those expectations (which were really high) were so far exceeded, I am blown away by it.
I like people (sometimes), but am also a loner & both sides of me come through often. If I feel I don't have enough contact for whatever reason, I get down. I share my ride reports as I can't tell Henk things (he's too busy telling me his own lol - believe me, you can't get a word in edgewise once he's on a roll) and whether people respond or not, read it or not, I'm happy I've had some contact, or told someone hehehe
When I've gone quiet, it's not I'm not riding, or don't have anything to say, it's more of I don't know what to say without sounding upset or feeling I've let the side down.
There's a hell of a lot more I could say, but I'm determined to post this tonight. Whatever you're going through, though, you are not alone. There is an awesome group of women here, but you need to reach out first. We can't even try to help you if we don't know what is the problem. We may not have the answers, but whoever you are, wherever you are - we'll try to help. You just have to take the first step. The one thing to remember - you're not alone at any time.
Why I've been determined to post this, I'll never know, but I try to follow my instincts. And to those wonderful people who've helped me get through my dark stage - THANK YOU!!!!! You may not know you've helped, but you have.