I am a Noob.

I am a Noob.

For those of you who aren't familiar with that vernacular, it's an oft-used gaming reference to a "Newbie" or a person who is new to a game or, in general, lacks skill. In my case, it's most certainly both.

I started riding right around the start of July 2016 (about 4 months ago now), and even in saying that, I have to stop and shake my head... has it only been four months? The amount of enjoyment I've gotten out of my humble, yet reliable 2002 Honda Shadow American Classic Edition has given me years of pleasure on the past 160 days.

I'm a 40-something IT Director, so you may jump to the conclusion that I'm going through my mid-life crisis. I know most of my friends did, but to this day, I still reject that premise on its face. A mid-life crisis is where you're making decisions based on regret in your past. I regret nothing in my life... it's gotten me to where I am now, and I'm relatively happy I'm here.

What I will say is that I know I want to live the rest of my life. Getting a bike has always been on my bucket list, and I didn't know just how amazing it would be when it happened. But, in a decision made in a moment, I found a bike I wanted to buy, and I bought it.

Within a week I was riding every day -- small amounts at first to get used to the bike. It was amazing how hyperaware you become on the bike... Not just of traffic and dangers, but of sights, sounds and smells of the environment around you. As cliche as it may sound, there is a "call of the road", and I hear that call quite often.

Within a month I went on my first ride. I escorted "The Wall That Heals" from Dover, Delaware to Georgetown, Delaware. That, in and of itself, was an amazing experience -- complete with police escort.

Now, as the few biker friends I've made have predicted, I'm looking to upgrade. My 750cc commuter cruiser no longer offers me the power I desire, and I've started my journey to find her replacement.

One this is for sure... I'm still a Noob when it comes to riding and knowing what I need to know in order to know what I want, but I'm really looking forward to the experience.

I'm starting up my motovlog channel very soon. Follow me to follow my journey!

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