I don’t have children. I am unmarried. But seeing my first motorcycle arrive to my home on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon in August, really felt like welcoming my first child home. The night before my first bike was delivered, I couldn’t sleep. The next day, I couldn’t eat. And thinking about all the money I spent, made me nauseous. Yet, each time a negative thought arrived in my brain, I quickly turned my attention to the test ride I took on my Moto Morini bike, and a big smiled grew on my face, like a kid on Christmas Day. I just said to myself, “Rolf, you are going to love your first bike. It will change your life”. Looking back on that day, I feel I made an important life decision that is changing my life for the better. As someone with a mental health illness, creating positive changes in my life feel me with hope, love, and excitement for the future. Just a few days removed from my first bike delivery day, I already feel a stronger sense of purpose and discovering the art of motorcycling is making me very happy.

As someone who takes medication, meets with a therapist a few times per month, does not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs, while learning to accept my mental disorder, motorcycling is quickly becoming an important part of my life. I will say, the art of motorcycling is not for everyone. And riding a motorcycle is scary as hell. Just look up the statistics especially for new riders like me. But as I learned in my Motorcycle Basic Rider course at Trident Technical College, you must learn to focus on what is happening in front of you so you can take the best evasive action to save your ass! I am so thankful for the time I spent preparing to become a motorcyclist. I will share that with y’all soon. Fun fact, about two weeks ago, I never rode a motorcycle before. It really is amazing what you can do when you put your mind to something.

Rolf