7 steps of Biker-To-Be

I am 5 foot tall.

Petite in size, many friends and family have doubted if I can manage a big bike that is 4 times heavier than me.

To be honest, I have the doubt too!

I hesitated if I should go for this adventure and did not made any decision for months.

The general impression Malaysian has on bikers, usually associate bikers with crime, reckless road users, dangerous activity and fatal accident.

I was inspired by a friend who ride a Harley. He shared with me the riding journey at Thailand, China, Cambodia and Europe. I love traveling and was so attracted to travel the world in motorcycle.

I started to follow Harley lady bikers in Instagram. They were riding in group, into the wild, up at the Himalaya, camping in the woods. The more I see the photos, the greater motivation I had.

In September 2016, I decided to begin my motorcycle adventure.

STEP 1: DECIDE AND SET A GOAL

Cynical mind was disturbing me.

What if I fall? What if I hurt myself?

Can I handle the bike?

How do I start?

Where can I find riding friends?

It was a day during a visit to friend’s house and saw a cute little automatic transmission bike, took the courage to do my very first ride and it turned out to be super nervous, panic, screaming out loud but extremely exciting and lots of laughter!

A life changing decision was made.

YES, I am going to get a motorcycle license!

YES, I will ride a HARLEY next year!

STEP 2: GETTING A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

I did not have any riding experience before, I chose a driving school which offer longer hours of practical session. Many students in school were already competent riders, they attended classes just to fulfill the hours required to qualify.

But I was not! I was the only one who came without any skill and have to start from scratch. Instructors were amazed when they first saw me, as they could not believe a tiny girl like me were going for a superbike license. On my first day, claiming a free helmet from the counter, the officer with his surprise look reconfirming if I am going for a superbike license.

“Yes I am getting a full B”

“Wow you such a small size, you can become a motivation to lots of women out there! All the best!”

My first riding class started with great boost of confidence!

Since then, instructors patiently guided me with basic skills, closely monitored my progress, starting from a small cc bike and upgraded to a superbike 2 months later.

At the beginning, I lose balance and fell a lot, scratches and bruises were all over my legs, I broke the brake and clutch, terrified of countless falls, the more I fell, the more I felt it is impossible to achieve, and I felt like a failure.

My last fall in class was just few days before my test. Right in front of the roundabout the bike broke down and I lose balance. In just split second, I fell heavily on the road together with the 220kg Kawasaki ER6 and the next thing I realized my right leg was twisted.

My classmate Donald rushed to help me and pulled the bike straight up. He told me I was riding steadily and will definitely pass my test. It was very motivating and it calmed my terrified heart that moment.

I was blessed to have fellow classmates and instructors who supported me all the way. Every time I fall, I got back up and rode on. I fell, got back up and rode on! Again, I fell, got back up and rode on! Could not count how many times I fell but one thing for sure, I am not giving up!

It took me 7 times longer to complete the course and obtain my license where my classmates were only spending a month to get it.

I could not sleep the night before the test, could not eat well during breakfast, my heart was beating nervously while waiting for my turn. 7 was the lucky number assigned to me, the last candidate for test. There were candidates who retake the test, I could not stop thinking if I would be one of them. There were 2 guys before me, they failed the bridge test where candidates fear the most and one of them fell badly from the bridge. I lose focus, so worry that I would fall too.

After saving a short prayer, I hopped on the bike and accelerated the throttle. Completed all manoeuvres strong and steady, the examiners were both impressed.

“Ah moi you kecil tapi kuat!”

(Girl you are tiny but tough!)

With a successful finishing of last manoeuvre, I was extremely excited and could not wait to scream out loud!

All the early weekends morning attending classes, the falls, the blue black on my legs, the dehydration under burning sun, the muscle pain resulted by long hours of practice, for this moment, they were all worth it!

STEP 3: BUYING MY FIRST BIKE AND GEARS

I knew I can’t rely on the riding class to pass the test. I need to practice at home to be more familiar in handling the bike.

My neighbour Deric was so kind to offer me his bike for practice, before handing over to me, he washed, checked and serviced the bike to ensure it is in good condition. I was really touched that night when he showed up with his bike at my doorstep.

After a month of riding my neighbour’s bike, my handling and synchronization improved. It was the time to move on to a manual bike and seriously consider of buying a bike.

There were many considerations when choosing my first bike. The advice was not to buy a bike which I can’t handle. As a beginner, my focus should be gaining confidence to ride.

I always wanted a Harley, however it was not the right time to buy one. Referring to riders’ recommendation, I bought my first bike, a Honda RS150 with manual transmission, and I named him ‘Pretty Boy’.

Pretty Boy is light and handy, sexy in red and has all that I need. I pasted the “L” sticker on him and off we go for our adventure!

Now I have a bike to ride on, next is to gear up with some essential gears!

I don’t have a huge budget, but I know for sure a good helmet is a must. The first gear invested was a Nolan full face helmet.

Why Nolan?

A friend recommended Nolan N44, a two-way helmet, it is full face when the chin bar is attached, and convert into an open face when chin bar is removed.

But I bought Nolan N64 instead, simply because I look cool and stylo in it. Woman….always wanted to look good…

The second gear invested is a pair of riding gloves. Gloves are important as they protect our hands from injury during falls. I love my Komine gloves, they fit perfectly on my hands and it is not easy to find a fitting gloves, especially for Asian women, as our sizes tend to be small but many brands out there are designed to fit Europe and US sizes.

With these 2 basic essentials gears, I am ready to ride on!

STEP 4: FIND A MENTOR AND BUDDIES TO RIDE WITH

One of my concern when I started my journey was that I do not have friends who ride. I often ask myself who shall I ride with, who shall I consult when I have issues.

It seems I am overthinking.

Once I took action, all the doors and windows opened and bikers walked into my life from all directions. I always have people to guide me and I have never short of buddies to ride with.

I was invited to ride with 4 gentlemen with big bikes from KL to Cameron Highland. Prior to meeting them, panic button on, I was the only lady biker who was riding 150cc bike!

Again all the worries popped in my mind,

“What if I can’t catch up”

“What if I am clumsy again”

“What if I need to keep stopping for fuel”

“Don’t worry, we will look after you, you are in good hands”

This were the first thing the gentlemen reassured me when we met.

All my worries are gone and I laid 100% trust on these gentlemen who will share the coming adventure together.

They have not failed me.

I was escorted from the very beginning until the end. They accommodated to my speed limit and patiently rode with me.

The most memorable and touching moment was the highway ride back to KL, the gentlemen were clearing the highway for me to ride safely. I was literally a super VIP where there were body guards and special force who escorted me all the way!

How honoured and lucky I am!

My buddies not only taught me how to ride through the curves and corners, not only cleaned the chain, checked engine oil, pumped the tyre for me, not only always have me protected, but also showed me what a true biker is, to always have each other’s back, see each other’s need and immediately come to rescue when one is in trouble.

Thank you buddies!

STEP 5: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! CLOCKING IN EXTRA MILES

One way to practice more is to ride to work.

Overcoming my fear of traffic, uphill slope, traffic light stops, roundabouts and many road conditions, I took on the challenge to ride to work everyday~

I set a challenge of my very first official road riding on my birthday.

It was a great challenge. Too much fear and worries.

The preparation was started one month ahead, planned the route, marked all the traffic lights, roundabouts, uphill slope, different road conditions and heavy traffic roads and rehearsed it many times in my mind to familiar with all the possible obstacles.

It was more a mental preparation than a physical one!

Finally, it was my birthday!

I put on the helmet, gloves and jacket, oh and my ‘Stay Calm and Let Cecilia Handle It’ lucky T shirt, lifting the stand, accelerating the throttle and off I go!

I was slow and steady, many bikes overtook me, engine went off few times while trying to take off from stopping at traffic light. It was embarrassing, especially when the car behind was horning impatiently. Buy hey, I was riding with ‘L’, so I took it easy and rode safe!

The 20km ride was really nervous but unforgettable!

However, it was the best birthday celebration, I concurred my fear and did an AWESOME breakthrough that day!

Thumbs up to myself!

STEP 6: BREAKTHROUGH! MY FIRST LONG DISTANCE RIDE

One week right after getting the superbike license, I went on a 3 days 2 nights ride to Betong, Thailand.

What motivated me? Who gave me this courage?

It’s my 3 riding buddies! And one of them is a lady Harley rider!

It was really exciting right from the start. We were discussing which bike to ride, obviously I can only ride with Pretty Boy, as he is the only bike I have. Some of my buddies have Harley, some of them have adventure bike, all came to a conclusion to ride a small cc bike as it was stress free for long journey, also not to create more stress to me.

The adventure started as early as 5am, we were unfortunate as the rain started pouring when we began the journey. I was not well prepared with a good quality rain coat, the rain got into my pants and it felt so cold. Lucky enough the rain stopped before I got all wet. I learned that it is so important to have all the riding gear well equipped.

During our journey, we bumped into many riders who rode from Malaysia to Thailand, majority of them were riding superbikes.

When they realised we were riding cross country with small bikes, we usually see unbelievable expression on their faces and followed by thumb up.

When they noticed there were 2 lady bikers riding along, we were greeted with surprisingly amazed look and both thumbs up!

The journey was exhausting but it has always been my reason to ride, so I can see the world with 2 wheels.

Completing this journey has strengthen my believe that one day I can accomplish my dream ride across Himalaya.

STEP 7: YOLO! I AM NOW A BIKER!

I have created a new identity for myself. I am now a motorcycle rider!

2 posters are up on my bedroom wall, representing two biker dreams, own a Harley and ride at Himalaya.

Every morning, days begin with great motivation as I wake up seeing the 2 posters, they are the drive of my daily routine.

I am not yet a Harley rider, but it is close. Wish this dream come true as the GREATEST birthday gift for myself this year. Counting down, 3 months to go!

Looking back this riding journey, it is more than just learning how to ride, I gained priceless friendships, built confidence in achieving goal that seems impossible, appreciate life that are challenging all the time, dare to be different and stay true and consistent to pursue my passion.

I love to share this passion with you, this is the reason this book is written, hoping this AWESOME life transforming journey would inspire you in pursuing your dream and passion, despite all the challenges you face.

Last but not least, ending this book with my motto:

YOLO! Life is short, live every moment and live to the fullest!

UPDATE AS OF SEPTEMBER 2018:

I bought my dream bike Harley Davidson!