I could truly relate to the Guest Column article written by Cathy Seckman in the March issue. I have been riding motorcycles for 51 years. I learned in a field on a 250cc Harley Sprint. Then I went right to road bikes.

When I was 17, I rode a Triumph Tiger 650cc that had an extended front end with a hard tail. I bought a 1970 Triumph Bonneville 650cc with a kick start when I was 19. That was in 1974. Not too many girls on the road back then.

I am now 65 and own a 1986 Yamaha Vmax and a 1999 Yamaha R1. Yes, I do ride them. I get asked if I ride them frequently when I tell guys what I have. Sheesh, as Cathy Seckman, would say in her article. The many guys who are familiar with me don’t ask, and tell the other riders, “She could probably out ride you.” Not that I can, but they are impressed.

The Yamaha bikes that I own are the first that shift on the left, for me. Even my 1974 Harley Sportster 1000cc shifts on the right, as well as my Ossa dirt bike.

I love two wheel’s. I enjoy the speed. I have a 21-year-old grandson who rides with me now on my R1. He is a very good rider and good at keeping up.

I had a bad accident 10 years ago when a car ran a stop sign and I hit it on my R1. The doctor said I was tough. It is a miracle I am in one piece.

I got back on that next summer. It was two years before I would go over 55 mph, and when something on the right moved, my stomach did a back flip.

I love my two wheels. It is getting harder to ride and be safe with more cars on the road and people texting and not paying attention.

Road rage plays a factor in riding. I have had guys try to run me off the road in front of other bikers. If I did not have a bike that could move fast, I might not be here.

I have ridden a Honda Goldwing trike — a friend told me to take it and try it out. I loved it. It felt like a motorcycle, and I do not see accidents in this area with trikes. They are bigger and can be seen better than a motorcycle.I hear the attitudes when other guys and gals are on trikes. I hear the jokes and the put downs. I believe in the future there will be more three-wheeled vehicles. I see more Spyders on the road and people enjoying them. To each his own. I would definitely ride a trike and enjoy it.

Penny McKay | Newark Valley, N.Y.

Plan To Have A Plan B

A hearty “Hear, hear!” to Robert Johnson for his excellent article as a guest columnist in the April issue.

While I haven’t been riding quite as long as he (only 40-plus years), nor as extensively, I very much agree with his riding philosophy, both on the bike and behind the wheel.

I always assume that drivers do not see me.

I watch them keenly; front, sides and behind.

Many times, I have avoided an accident by anticipating the possibilities in a situation and having a “Plan B.”

Even in my truck (a diminutive Toyota 1-ton), I have prevented others from making an Oreo out of me by paying close attention to what is behind me.

Another time, I was driving my truck with my mother in the passenger seat.

I had to suddenly switch to Plan B, because a motorcycle suddenly dashed into my lane, oncoming, speeding, passing the traffic in front of him, from around a blind curve!

I don’t know what he was thinking, and I probably don’t want to know.

I did, however, have to apologize to my mother for the expletive that erupted from my lips as I leapt into Plan B.

Always be responsible for your own wellbeing.

As a motorcycle rider, an exquisitely vulnerable member of the traffic population, it pays to develop that “sixth sense”—an awareness of who is around you, who is not aware of you, or who is simply doing [something] stupid.

Every time I learn of an accident, particularly one involving a motorcycle, I analyze the situation.

How could I have prevented it had I been a participant?

How could I compensate for other’s errors?

Each such situation adds to my repertoire of “Plans B” and shapes my riding instinct.

Peg Churchman | Sultan, Wash.

More Instructor Information

I read with much anticipation April’s “Ask the MSF” column answering the question “How do I become a motorcycle riding instructor?”

Unfortunately, the answer was incomplete.

The picture was not of an MSF RiderCoach, as captioned, but one of a Total Control Training California Motorcyclist Safety Program instructor.

While many states use MSF curriculum for learn-to-ride programs, the current trend has been to move to more state-centric curricula.

For readers who live in those states that offer other options, I wanted to make sure they had the opportunity to enter the challenging, but incredibly satisfying, occupation of motorcycle education.

The states that offer or have approved alternatives to MSF include: California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona, Washington—Total Control Training; Ohio—Motorcycle Ohio training; Indiana—ABATE of Indiana training; Oregon—TEAM Oregon training; Idaho—Idaho STAR training; and South Dakota—South Dakota Rider Training.

For a continuously updated list of state motorcycle training programs, check out the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators’ website (www.smsa.org).

No matter which state you live in, if you’re an experienced enthusiast, I would urge you to consider a full- or part-time career in motorcycle education.

It’s the most fun way many of us have found to give back to an industry that has given so much in return.

Lee Parks

Apple Valley, Calif.

President

Total Control Training

AMA Life Member #276447