As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more focused at chasing my proverbial bucket list. I think it’s only natural, the older you get, the more acutely aware you become of the finite nature of time. This is coupled with the fact that I feel myself moving into a new chapter of life, where the kids are moving towards their independence and I can see retirement more clearly on the horizon. So, it was time for this old dog to chase a long suppressed aspiration on the list….learning how to ride a motorbike!
This is a major step for me. I’ve always wanted my motorcycle licence, but never made it a priority, and I suspect that was in part due to an inherited fear that its a dangerous activity, where serious accidents and death were almost a foregone conclusion; but through my travels, I’ve visited a number of countries where motorbikes are the primary mode of transportation, and I’ve found myself thinking what a great time it would be to explore these areas by motorcycle. My only barriers is not having a license, and of course, no experience. Not only are both of these issues within my control to resolve, but I am fortunate that my travel buddy has had her license for longer than we’ve been together, so I’m half way there. It also doesn’t hurt that the Yukon may be the best place on earth to learn how to ride. Limited traffic, wide open spaces, and lots of backcountry to explore.
After researching all of our options, we decided to go with the Yamaha TW200 for my wife, and the Yamaha XT250 for me. These dual sport bikes have a great reputation for reliability and performance, and are suitably powered for me as a beginner. With my learners license in hand, we hit the trails and got in as much riding as we could before winter shut us down; but not before we got to take in some great fall scenery!
This has been a great way to explore off the beaten path. You can get into areas that would be challenging for traditional 4×4’s or even side by side ATV’s; and you can’t help but feel the rush of excitement that comes with off-roading. I instantly understood the sense of freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle, and the unique vantage point it gives you on the road and the trails.
For the first time, in a long time, it also made me rue the first snowfall. I’ll make the switch to snowmobile, but I can’t help feeling the anticipation of next spring. I’m already planning the trips I want to do next summer, and how I can start trying to incorporate motorbiking into a future overseas trips. For me, it’s not just the accomplishment of learning to ride, but rather the opportunities this will allow for exploring and adventuring in the future. Here’s to old dogs learning new tricks!
