I've had my 2005 Honda Rebel for exactly 96 hours (picked it up last Thursday and got it home around 8 PM – didn't ride it then – just put it in the garage) and I've put exactly 138 miles on it already.

I love riding!! I'm getting better and better every time I take it out. Tonight I rode up to the new National Cemetery (Tahoma) and rode around there. Got out, walked around and read some of the head stones. I want to honor my Dad with a marker there – I requested all of his military discharge information and by my assessment – he qualifies. Now I'll have to figure out how to get them to do it without a body as he was cremated by his wife at the time. I'll have to give this some thought.

After that peaceful visit, I rode to the gas station and put $4.17 worth of premium gas in and then rode to the school parking lot and practiced. Riding on the road is pretty easy – it's practicing the stuff on the exam that makes you a skilled rider.

Peter gave me some great advise – “Always pretend that you're invisible, always assume someone will blast through an intersection or cut out in front of you, always look ahead and have an escape route planned if an emergency develops, make sure your mirrors are adjusted correctly with no blind spots. Glance through the Biker Code book again.”

THANK YOU, PETER! He's right – I assume no one can see me and all are out to kill me. It's made me a much more aware driver too! Also – I love the 'sign' most riders give each other – makes me feel like I'm part of the 'family'! It's done with the left hand held down at your side with an open palm kind of thing. Or – as happened to me tonight – if I'm stopped at a light with the clutch held in – a nod will work too! I love it!

I have to admit I'm a little scared of riding the Road King. It weighs over twice as much ad the Rebel and I'll need to be very, very careful with respect to how I handle her. I'm going to give myself lots and lots of time. I may have to hire someone to ride her home after the new rear tire and 10,000 mile service are done when she arrives. I'll figure that out too when the time comes.

I do wish I had done this when I was a lot younger. But my motto is “It's never too late” so here I am at 51 learning how to ride a motorcycle and not just ANY motorcycle – a full size Harley.