I am a very curious person. Once an idea awakens in my mind, I find it difficult to let it go until I give the idea a try. During my art career, ideas were paramount to my success as an artist. Ideas allowed me to push my limits, work with different materials, and ultimately discover new ways of art making. Not all of my ideas worked out. A majority ended up as just ideas but the motivation to unpack curious ideas has never left me. So, when I decided to give off roading a try for the first time, it was an idea I had long held onto since I purchased my 2023 Moto Morini 650cc Scrambler.
It was a cool, sunny, Tuesday afternoon; New Year’s Eve 2024. Having finished a quick lunch, I knew a location of two large fields and some dirt roads to give my idea of off roading a try. I arrived at the first field and paused. Ahead of me of just open space. No road markers. No street signs. Just a field. “This is NOT street riding Rolf” I said to myself. I cracked open the throttle and powered my way through the field. The liberating feeling of just riding without restrictions but within my ability was amazing. I had never felt this sensation before on my motorcycle. It was true freedom.
Leaving the first field, with adrenaline pumping, I cracked the throttle open down a dirt road and felt my rear tire slide under me. I slowed on the throttle and felt the bike come back to center. What a rush! Turning around on the dirt road I entered the second large field and really gave it the beans. Plowing my way through and open field. The amount of energy I spent standing and maneuvering my bike was exhausting. My inner voice told me to stop and take a break. I ignored this voice and decided to follow a path next to a fence. I made my first past through this path and stopped. Again, my inner voice spoke to me to stop. And again, I ignored it. BIG MISTAKE.
Tried but full of adrenaline, I turned around and attempted to follow the path again next to the fence. I didn’t make it 5 feet when my front tire got stuck and I snapped hard on the throttle which sent me crashing into the fence. DAMN! Crashing is part of motorcycling, but it really is more than that. Not only do you have the physical damage (bike repairs, injuries, etc.) but there is the emotional damage that comes from a crash. Untangling my Moto Morini from the fence and getting her on the side stand was a huge effort. I took inventory of me first. Damaged helmet. A brushed right pinky finger and some soreness to my shoulder. What a great way to start my off roading career!
As the picture above shows, my bent my gear shifter was the only damage I received to my bike. I have since arranged for my bike to get fixed. Ordered a new helmet and let my poor little right pinky finger heal. Yet, again, the emotional impact of the crash still lingers. Yet, I am strong and confident I will get back on my bike. I am positive once I am riding again, I will trust my training, and MOST importantly, LISTEN to my inner voice.
Rolf