Comments on: Present

By: Keri W.

Keri W. — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:25:13 +0000

Contemplating getting a bike this summer. What scares me the most are other idiot drivers. You blog is echoing in my head that I have to just jump in. Thanks.

By: Stef

Stef — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:55:22 +0000

When I ride, I am in my body, which is rare. I am never in my body, having been chased out at an early age, but here, as part of this glorious mechanism and gyroscopic wonder, I am the proverbial ghost in the machine, and if I don’t stay in my body I will be separated from it, seriously. so I stay. I have to stay.

What a beautiful set of sentences; gorgeous writing.

I spent the better part of 40 years not in my body which I have reclaimed with vigor in hiking, cycling, and dancing in the aisles at TJs. I have not yet mastered body awareness, so I think a motorized bike may be out of the question for the time being.

Have fun and be safe.

By: Louise

Louise — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:11:47 +0000

Your writing takes me on an adventure. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration, especially for Asian Americans.

By: Doc

Doc — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:14:47 +0000

As a Harley rider for 25 plus years I have to say… Margaret gets it…This is perfect and a must read for anyone that rides and for those just starting the adventure…very cool and spot on!

By: Jacinda

Jacinda — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:31:05 +0000

Well put, Margaret! As a new rider myself, I can relate to both your fears and your joys of riding. I have been (and sometimes still am) that inattentive cage driver, but strive to do better. Its true, riding a motorcycle makes you one with the bike and totally “present”. Glad you took the leap and joined the growing community of women motorcyclists! I haven’t met a biker I didn’t like! You, me, Sturgis, and lotsa handsome bikers – whaddya say?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:11:40 +0000

OMG YES! I can’t leave a longer comment since I must go but I whole-heartedly agree with you on your distracted driver musings. Everyone is so distracted nowadays that whenever I see someone on a motorbike I hope I don’t see an accident. As much as I would love to learn how to ride one of them, it never fails that one or two people die in my area because of a distracted driver in a car. AND I live in a farming community in California where the roads aren’t ever that congested. On that note, if you ever do ride again be careful. And definitely keep on writing

By: Nancy I

Nancy I — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:32:22 +0000

Loved your blog… thanks Ms. Cho!! Last June, I started riding again with a guy I had just met. He had two bikes and let me get re-accustomed to riding after a 30 year period where I hadn’t ridden (raising a family, then a divorce and becoming a single mom, riding wasn’t in the cards). This March, I’ll turn 62, and I ended up buying one of the motorcycles from my new friend. I don’t ride a Harley, but I do appreciate their sound. I’ve always been a good driver, and now I find myself an even BETTER driver….. more aware of everything around me, whether in my truck or on my Honda Magna 750. I’m not in the best of health, but when I get on my bike, I’m just like everyone else! Being in charge of that power under me, is very much the equalizer!!! I loved reading all the comments here….. thanks! Can’t wait for the weather here in Oregon to improve, so I can get back out there…. in the wind!!

By: Trouble

Trouble — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:00:24 +0000

Riding makes us better drivers. Riding makes us STRONG Women – we will not take any crap – from anyone.

I carry a titanium collapsable police baton to slap the crap of any cager who decides to brush up against me. My old man uses his steel toed boots, but he rides a Street Glide – me, I’m on a little 883 Hugger, quick and agile, but provides a small profile.

I am a mother, a wife and a war veteran, riding has healed me like nothing else.

Stay Strong Sister!

By: Ray A

Ray A — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:45:48 +0000

I’m a new rider myself. I graduated from my basic motorcycle course back in August and the day I finished the course, I bought myself a similar bike you have now, a 2011 Superlow in merlot. It was a good bike and I was scared shitless to lay it down because of all the chrome it had. Luckily I didn’t. At first I was so afraid to ride, especially when I rode by myself. Downshifting was for some reason my biggest issue. I just couldn’t remember what gear I was on. But eventually with more practice and with some riding time with friends, I got more proficient and more importantly, more confident. I looooooveeee to ride! I ride as much as I can. I live on the East Coast which means perfect riding weather is at a premium. But if the road is dry, has no snow and temperature is above 50 degrees, I’m riding baby! There’s just no feeling that comes close to it. The freedom, the feeling of danger, exhiliration….. and the fact that you know the passengers of the cars you pass by are looking at you with envy. Love it! And the best part is the camaraderie of fellow riders. No matter what you’re riding, every rider acknowledges each other when they pass each other. What other community does that? BTW, last November, I traded my superlow in for a Forty Eight and my smile grew even bigger. Thanks for sharing and hope to see you out on the road one of these days!

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:25:55 +0000

Welcome to the wonderful world of 2 wheels! I LOVED how you put into words everything that we as riders have to look out for and how we are one with our bikes. I always say my Jezebel (2008 HD Fatbob) is just an extension of me when we ride. She and I are one and you can feel that when you ride. I said one day on a particular frustrating ride, (I just couldn’t turn, take a curve, and anything over a straight line was foreign to me) that she and I were not in sync and I never should have ridden that day. I’ve been riding my own for over a year, but ridden bitch for many years, it’s in my blood and I’ll probably never give it up unless for some reason I can never ride again. Until then, I hope I’m in my 80′s and still tooling down the road in leathers with bugs in my teeth. Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!