coping mechanisms

[Former-Member]

I haven’t any readership experience with Scientific American @Appleblossom , although it sounds like it was the bees knees back in the day. 
Being in the arts sounds fascinating..my grandmother lived her life in the arts, and I have some of her paintings she did when she was in her late 80’s, and had lost the majority of her sight..she painted from memory mostly, and it was beautiful watching her and my grandfather together as she held the palette while he gently blobbed different coloured paint per her clock-face instructions. Was lovely. 
Science lectures always seem to be illuminating, imho; there’s always something new. 
Mechanical ability does go somewhat hand in hand with bikes… 

I’ve had classic Triumphs (note to self: rear brake is on left, gears on right lol), often rode the family Indian Chief with hand shift on the left of the tank (I was about 9 years old back when I learned to ride that), had many a different dirt bike (both 2 and 4 stroke), had Kawasaki’s, a Suzuki Katana (kinda rare), Suzuki Bandit 1200, two Suzuki SV650s’s, Suzuki DL650 vStrom (same engine as the SV) a Hyosung GT650S, and I used to test ride new bike models to give reviews to customers for a couple of local bike shops when I lived in the Shire/St George area, giving them a workout through the Royal National Park, or on weekend trips touring the snowy in summer, so I could write a little blurb to hang on their bikes. 
I rode new models of pretty much everything from little mozzies (Honda CBR125R’s - I was totally too big for it being 179cm and having to make space for my knees which were up almost by the front forks haha), to Ducati’s of all breeds, to cars on two wheels (Honda Goldwings and Victory tourers). 
The only bikes I didn’t ride were Harley Davidson’s. 

I rode the first DL650 to hit the east coast after much promise of its delivery to Australia, all those years ago, as a test for the bike shop company who got  it first, then it went to the Bike Show at the convention centre I think it was held at. 
I used to do track days on my SV’s, destroying a new set of tyres in one sitting 🤭

the last bike was a new DL650, which I had to sell, barely run in. 
I’m hoping to get a Can-Am Spyder one day, with the bigger boot, which will fit my crutches (or at least a pair of walking sticks). 🙂

If you’d like to share, what were your fav wheels? 😀

[Appleblossom]

Wow! That’s some serious all round riding experience @Former-Member and not too snooty to throw in some ... thumpers did you say? Those Big single cylinder Suzies with no option but to Kick start.  Bomp bomp bomp .... was talking about them just the other day.

my CB 250 was not quite a mozzie.. lol... but my house mates 125... may have been...lol However his big bro... also a housemate ...had a Ducati 860 and the 3 of us sat on the road doing what needed to be done. We went on a trip to Mildura. The duke out front and me in the middle. I may have had my RD400 by then. Zippy 2 strokes.  

Did a trip up to Goulburn races on back of 1100. Reckon it was like sitting on a couch but sounded like a sewing machine...lol

My experience much much smaller. Really only rode for a few years. 

You have done a ton of riding tho. I heark back to it probably for nostalgia I guess. 

Nice story about your grandmother doing her painting. Very touching. Huh .. clock face on the palette...lol... a bit like Beethoven on piano.  The soul strives in its habits..... I actually did music but still interest in visual arts. 

[Appleblossom]

1. @Former-Member 9 years old is young. Guess you were real country!

[Former-Member]

@Appleblossom  thank you kindly🙂🌺 yeah I rode lots  - can’t remember them all (especially the dirt bikes, they don’t have easy to remember names!). 
I started riding mc’s when I was 4, and driving manual cars from 7 (as soon as I was big enough to reach everything with a few cushions behind & beneath)..we had a veritable car yard to choose from, and all the older relatives wanted to be chauffeured! 

We lived in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney back then, and so most of the roads were sealed🙂

I rode a few motorbikes in England and France - those guys are pretty fearless hehe! My friend had a Honda CBR600 and a Suzuki GSXR1000, so I always took the GSXR as it was like riding lightning ⚡️ 😀🙌🏻

The rides you went on sounded fun! I haven’t been doubled much, I’ve often wondered what it’s like to enjoy the long trips on the back. I used to double my youngest bro from Canberra to Sydney for visits (taking the long way on the winding roads for fun), on the Bandit 1200, which he loved, so I bought an SR250 Yamaha and taught him to ride it. He got his bike licence shortly after he was old enough. 

Ah, music - sounds wonderful.. I think you’re right..the soul does strive in its habits ☺️

[Appleblossom]

Only did the one big pillion trip. I arrived with my RD400 with Melbourne group somewhere near Albury and the suggested I pillion rest of the way. Actually the mum did… the dude riding it was a big silent type. Decent. Did the right thing. Now that I think about it… sounds like a mum encouraging company for a lonely guy…lol..

@Former-Member 

only had a couple pillions on back of me. Harder on small bikes… one brother rode a kwaka so we could talk bikes together.  He got his after I stopped riding. I sold mine to travel and bought a bicycle when I returned.  He had an accident in QLD and I flew up to be with him… maybe mum blamed me for that. Idk.

But it was nowhere the family vibe you had.  

 Sadly most of my family judged me harshly for riding. My mother did not think it ladylike and held grudges til she died. It was only 17 to 21 years of age. I loved that it gave me a tribe.

I didn’t realise but was used to being judged no matter how hard I tried… and I tried hard. My little escape memories of riding nurture me in old age. I wasn’t a complete wuss. It is also easier for others to hear… they can’t cope with my grief stories. 

Anyway great to chat.

Had a trip to Springwood in Blue Mountains as a 9 yo kid with both parents. Another good memory… 

[Former-Member]

Hey there @Appleblossom 🌺Sounds like an excellent trip to Melbourne with your RD and group of riders. The person who doubled you sounded very much like his mum was encouraging some ‘out of shell’ communication for sure 🙂 

Yes I agree..doubling on a smaller bike is much harder. 
My ex husband was around 140kg and I was 72kg, almost same height, and I just couldn’t double him on the SV650 because the steering was just so unresponsive with the distribution of weight. My younger bro was only around 15kg heavier than me, so it was much easier going. I preferred to double my ex on the bandit 1200 - that felt like I could put a bear on the back and that bike wouldn’t notice! ☺️

It’s really nice you had your bro riding too, and it gave you guys something to talk and bond over, however I’m so sorry to hear he had an accident, and your mum was upset and held that. That’s a hard burden to carry 😔❤️‍🩹

I’m glad riding gave you a tribe, and fond memories 🌺🙂

Feeling and being judged is very difficult to live with.. and having something else to talk about when not feeling or being free to talk about other stuff I can relate to, and it’s a bit of a lonely place to be ❤️‍🩹🌺

The trip to Springwood sounded really nice, and I’m glad it’s a good memory 🙂🌺

Even though I had lots of experiences as a young person that I describe purely from the activity perspective, there was other elements (physical, mental, and emotional) which were also happening..these other elements were not so nice, so I tend to only describe a singular context to prevent causing distress in others - which I find a bit upsetting if I happen to distress someone by describing what I have experienced through life (I don’t want to hurt anyone 🌺🙂). 

I am thankful for the opportunity to learn how to drive and ride and do other things when I was young, however it was done with significant negative reinforcement, unfortunately❤️‍🩹

Not to worry, I have come to terms with these things, and I know none of it was my fault 🙂🙂🌺💜

I just thought to share that with you so you don’t feel so alone in holding back sometimes 🌺🙂

[Appleblossom]

Thank you for a deeper sharing @Former-Member 

@Yes we often hold back in sharing … for different reasons including care for other witnesses. However if we hold back too much… there is no substantive resonance. It is a funny path to tread irl and on here.

An old guy I was supporting just before he died last year. Husband of a friend… said… riding when young probably taught me so many skills… it probably saved my life. It was odd hearing that…. Yes he was biased… he was a rider…. But I really believe it was true. The honed instincts when driving and mechanical knowledge. Also it takes courage.  

Sorry you had negative reinforcement too.

People can jump into judgie budgie mode for all sorts of things…. 

take care

Apple

[Former-Member]

Thanks so much @Appleblossom 🙂🌺

that makes so much sense regarding the line we walk in terms of sharing 💜🙂

I feel those are true words spoken by the person you kindly supported; I felt the same way several times while on the road and faced with unpredictable occurrences and obstacles. I’m sorry they are no longer here ❤️‍🩹

Thank you kindly - that’s really nice of you 🌺🙂💜

I hope you’re having a nice evening and all is ok with you 🌺🙂