Getting Started with Karen Ramsay

This entry is part 11 of 22 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #2

Getting started – Words: Karen Ramsay

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a risk-taker. I’ll always choose to watch people on the roller coaster over actually getting on the ride. So I guess it must’ve come as a big shock to friends and family when I decided to get my bike licence.

In the beginning I mainly rode with a group of girls on sports bikes and cruisers. Apart from the obvious difference with me on my BMW, most of these girls rode hard and had usually finished their coffee by the time I’d pull up. As a general rule, it’s never worried me to be a bit different, but riding with these girls just didn’t feel as comfortable as I would’ve liked.

They’re all great girls, but I knew riding with them wasn’t where I belonged. They always looked cool, sitting around in their leathers, while I would just look hot – in a sweaty way. I very much needed to find my niche.

Meet the challenge

With my husband, Dave, we started riding more on our own, venturing from quiet country roads to gravel roads, then on to bush tracks. And we were getting more and more enjoyment from our riding.

For many of you, the first time you experienced a great ride through the bush may be a distant memory. For me, it wasn’t that long ago. Dave and I were out for a day ride in search of a camping area we’d stumbled across years before and hadn’t been able to find since. It was out the back of Kyogle, NSW, in Toonumbar National Park. We were both on tyres designed for 90 per cent road use, but we didn’t see that as an issue because, although the roads through there are a bit rough, you don’t need a 4WD. We didn’t worry about the “DRY WEATHER ROAD ONLY” sign as we entered the park; it hadn’t rained at home for a few weeks and we didn’t think about whether it may have rained anywhere else in the world.

The first section was terrific and I was feeling like an adventure rider as I toddled up the track. There was a 4WD behind us and I was very pleased to see it wasn’t gaining on me. It wasn’t until I rounded a bend and saw wet clay stretching along the track that I started to worry. I doubted I could turn the bike around on the side of a hill, so we stopped for a quick chat. Dave told me to just look ahead, don’t panic and keep going.

Great!

I was panicking with the thought of a slippery track in front and a vehicle coming up behind me. Dave headed off and made it look easy apart from the odd little slip. I set off slowly after him, heart in mouth, leaning forward and gripping the ’bars as tightly as I could. I kept looking in the mirror, expecting to see the 4WD right behind me, ready to push me off the road. I almost thought I should be at home doing housework instead of risking injury in the bush. Almost.

severely bent ’bars). I do know that making it up that track gave me a huge high. Any time I go for a ride and accomplish something that has me briefly thinking I should’ve bought a ’Cruiser instead gives me that same feeling of ecstasy. I don’t know whether people who have been riding for a long time continue to get that feeling…or is it only new riders? If you’re riding with a new rider, take the time to soak up and share their excitement when they have a success. Sections or obstacles that you mightn’t think twice about can be a huge challenge for a new rider and the feeling of accomplishment matches that.

The son comes up

We didn’t find the camping ground that day, but did manage a rather steep creek crossing (more joy!).

More recently we’ve found other adventure riders to go riding with. They’re all aware beforehand that there’ll be novice riders along for the ride. I think it’s a sign of the generosity of the experienced riders that know it will be slow going, yet still come along to help new people get benefit from their experience and enjoy a good ride. Usually they’re all males. Perhaps it makes it easier for them to give me advice because of my gender. I’m quite happy to ask for, and take on, any advice I can get to make my riding safer and more enjoyable. Without the encouragement and assistance from these riders, I wouldn’t have the confidence to try half the things I have done. I’d still be enjoying my riding, but I wouldn’t be improving.

We’ve also made some terrific friends. In return, I bring along homemade biscuits in memory of the first day we went riding with a group of adventure riders and Dave bought the last bag of biscuits from a roadside stall (much to some others’ disbelief).

In the meantime our son has got his bike licence, so it looks as though I may have two built-in riding companions. He’s been on two adventure-style rides and can finally see what we’ve been raving about. In no time at all, he was riding the tricky sections with the experienced riders, while I was sticking to the cut outs.

And he cooks rather good lamingtons.

Truths for this issue:

• It’s alright to briefly wish you were at home doing housework or mowing when you have your heart in your mouth – just don’t tell anyone
• Maps are optional. A good ride doesn’t mean you have to know where you are
• Very few people look cool in an adventure suit (apart from Ewan McGregor)
• Always measure how much rum is in the bottle before leaving the kids at home alone while you’re riding
• A batch of honey biscuits in the freezer means you’ll be prepared if an unexpected opportunity for a ride with friends presents itself

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