Rewind a little over a year ago and ask me if I knew I would have found another passion in life…probably not. I can remember one of my good friends trying to convince me to get a motorcycle for months and I wouldn’t budge. Partially because of money and partially because I had never really ridden one before. I’ve done quads and a little bit of dirtbikes back in the day, but nothing long term.

I get the news that he joined the navy and I think…hmmmm…you’re going to be diving into this new life moving around to who knows where….why not sell me your bike?! It took some convincing, but eventually he caved. Two days before he left I forked over the cash and he put the keys in my hand.

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I hit an obstacle almost immediately upon taking the bike. They key got stuck in accessory mode meaning I couldn’t start the bike and the running lights were stuck on. I spent days spraying down the cylinder with WD-40 and trying to wiggle the key free. Eventually I took some vice grips and popped it out with a lot of cringing and praying that the key wouldn’t break off in the ignition. I wouldn’t say I got into riding smoothly. It was a slow and sometimes rough learning process in the beginning. I would ride down the street and practice in an abandoned mall’s parking lot for hours on end dreading when it would be time to hop back on the road to go home. Then one night the bike died on me in the middle of the road. I wasn’t out of gas and it wasn’t acting up on me at all during the ride so what gives? It was late, I called some friends and I eventually got a ride home and was able to go back to take a look at it in the morning. I come to find out that the killswitch on the kickstand had broken off making it impossible to put the bike in first gear without cutting off. So what do we do? What any biker would do…we zip tied the switch up and called it a day!

From that point forward riding became a little more easier as I got more seat time in and I couldn’t imagine how I used to dread hopping on the bike and getting in traffic. As it started to grow on me I started venturing out to meet new bikers and new friends. I hit up bike nights, met a new riding family, the Assfault Junkies, and had a hell of a good time. Honestly I think the motorcycle community is some of the best people out there in the world. They’re friendly, eager to help a new rider, and will make friends with you instantly.

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I for one am so thankful for my Assfault Junkie family. Before I really jumped into their ranks I spent a lot of time riding alone which is fine, but when you have people to ride 1011573_10201734517110869_1082241784_nwith it just gives you a different rush. I spent many of nights camping out at track days, taking photos and videos with them. Because of that I now have a burning desire to get on the track myself. My goal is to do at least one track day this year. I also have a lot of fun riding with them in the “backwoods” of KY. I actually wrecked my bike the first time I was down there, but they took me under their wing and helped me improve little by little. The real help arrived when I got the chance to follow some people this year that were way faster than me. I pushed myself harder than ever while staying within my limit and learned more than I had ever learned on two wheels following by buddy’s Kez and BC down there. My chicken strips were gone and my new tires were roasted from the heat….that’s a damn good feeling at the end of the day.

I’ve always been into photography and videography, but riding has allowed me to continue that passion in new ways. I’ve produced some awesome stuff that I’m always stoked to share with my fellow riders and now with Because Motorcycle working with Rob we have taken it to the next level!

Looking forward to the rest of the season I can see a lot of cool things happening and I can’t wait to take you all on my journey! I’ve learned a lot, but there is always so much more!

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Categories: Personal Blog

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