Motorcycle mama: Riding with your offspring

September 18, 6:14 PMFort Collins Motorcycle Travel ExaminerAbby Clabough

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 Mother and child overlooking Horsetooth Resevoir

One would think that when you carry a child on a rigid frame Panhead for 8 1/2 months, he'd probably leave the womb riding his own bike. Somehow my son, Dan, managed to make it over 24 years before getting his motorcycle endorsement on his license.

Dan just moved to Colorado from the East Coast, and because I was teaching a Basic Rider Course with ABATE at Arapahoe Community College the following weekend, I suggested he sign up and come with me. I made sure he wasn't in the class I was teaching. I know my limitations as a mother. I've also seen how perfectly capable beginning riders fall apart when their spouses come to watch, and I didn't want that to happen. Both of the classes were 100% successful.  Dan received his completion card, which he promptly showed to the DMV in return for a Colorado license with an "M" on it.

I was very excited about it until I realized that he might actually start riding a motorcycle somewhere other than a parking lot under the supervision of an experienced rider. I suddenly understood what my own mother has gone through all these years. Despite my apprehension, I was eager for Dan to use his new skills before he forgot what he learned. Fortunately my friend who just bought the two dual sports (also named Dan), offered to let my son Dan ride the DR 650 to Bike Night at Full Throttle Coffee House in Fort Collins.

After getting Dan outfitted in all the gear, we headed out with (friend) Dan in the lead, (son) Dan in the middle, and me bringing up the rear. This is when I was struck by the question of what happens to new riders after they've left a Basic Rider Course with their completion cards. Are they really ready to ride outside the protective confines of a parking lot? On the other hand, I was grateful that the Basic Rider Course is available, because as scary as it is to see your kid on a motorcycle, it would be even scarier if he hadn't been given the best instruction available.

I was impressed with Dan's riding skills. I was elated when he started out from a stop, on a hill, and didn't stall the bike. I almost started crying when he gave his first wave to an oncoming motorcyclist. My face hurt after about 20 miles, but I'm not sure if it was from smiling or clenching my teeth. Clearly he learned a lot at the class. Maybe he even picked up some skills during those 8 1/2 months of riding on his head.

Related article:

Motorcycle Training 101: How does a minor get a motorcycle endorsement in Colorado?

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