I've got a ticket to ride

After four classes, a bit of hurrying, and an extra ten dollars, I have my motorcycle license. We arrived late for our first class. They say they are very strict about not letting late comers in, but they took our information and let us in anyway. I put my permit in my pocket since they said we would need it later. That was a Thursday. Friday I did laundry. Yes, I forgot to remove the paper permit and washed my jeans. What was left of my permit when the washer stopped would have fit in a thimble, with room to spare. I tried getting a new one, but the driver's license center was closed during the hours of operation.

So I went to our first riding class without a permit. They didn't ask for it, I didn't bring it up. I did go to the driving center again the next week and paid for a new one. The riding class was excellent at teaching beginners about motorcycles. First you just stand next to it and look at the bike. Then you sit on it. Move the levers and buttons. Next you turn it on. You practice rocking back and forth, recognizing the friction zone - the place where the engine starts to engage and move the bike. Then you move across the range in first gear, both feet still on the ground walking with the bike. Then you move a little faster, picking your feet up. And so on practicing basic techniques. It was fun. I had a blast.

At our next classroom class, I was nervous about the written test. Gary knew I'd do fine. We both passed.

At our final riding class (at which God answered my prayer to stop the rain,) we would be doing finer skills, like u-turns and such. We practiced, received some advice, then came the test. Gary was in front of me. On the second skill of the first part of the test, Gary dumped the bike. I wanted to shut off my bike and run over to him, but you can't go running across the range. He didn't even realize what he did wrong, until later when an instructor talked to him. He had braked while swerving, which is a big no-no for a motorcycle. His was the fourth mishap that day, but since his was during the test, he didn't pass. I wasn't sure how I'd do after having watched my husband land on the ground. Although I was armed with the advice on how to do slow u-turns, I hadn't gotten to use it yet. I did fine. The rest of the test went well, also, and I passed.

If there is room, Gary can be a walk-in at another class this weekend and try again.

Now, I just need to find a motorcycle to practice on and a way to get it to the school parking lot.