Page 24 of Cocky Secrets

I dart a glance to Bear that asks,You’re serious about selling it to us?

He nods.

I take a deep breath and swing my leg over the seat, settling into the saddle. The bike feels powerful beneath me, and I feel a thrill wash over everything that I am. “This feels good,” I grin, and receive a piercing stare from Bear, unnoticed by my father who is too busy playing coach.

“Make sure to keep your boots on the ground for now,” Dad instructs, standing next to me, his back to Bear. “You’ll want to get a feel for the weight of the bike.”

I plant them firmly on the ground. “Got it.”

“Now let’s start it up.”

My hands tremble slightly as I touch the key to turn it. The engine roars to life, sending vibrations throughout my body. It’s a deep, throaty sound that makes my heart soar, because this could bemine. I glance to Bear with the same questions in my eyes, and receive silence.

“Feel that? That’s power,” Dad grins, enthusiasm infectious. “Now, squeeze the clutch and shift into first gear.”

Remembering the old lessons cerebrally is one thing, being on the bike is a visceral reality I’m not sure I’m ready for.

But I follow his instructions, fingers gripping the clutch on the left handlebar as I shift into first gear with my left boot, pressing down. “Like this?” I ask, glancing to Dad for confirmation.

“Exactly! The saying goes:‘First down, rest up.’That means for first gear, your boot taps down. All the rest, your boot’s toe pulls up. You’ll feel the machine when it needs to shift. It gets angry. When you need to slow down, you just pull in the clutchwith your left hand and tap tap tap all the way down to first, one gear at a timeas you’re slowing down. Pullupfor high gears. Tapdownfor lower. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Now, slowly let out the clutch while giving it a little throttle. Remember, smooth is key.”

I take a deep breath, focusing on all he just said. Truth is, if I hadn’t learned all of this once before, albeit long ago, he would’ve just overwhelmed me, but as this is a refresher course, the details come flooding back like they want me to remember them. Back then I was too young and way too different a person to care about motorcycles. But that was then and this is now. This Harley could be my first true taste of freedom.

As I slowly release the clutch and twist the throttle, the bike lurches forward slightly, and I let out a surprised squeal, “Whoa!” but still feel like I’ve got a good leash on the beast, boots landing strong.

“Easy, easy!” Dad laughs, steadying the bike with a hand on the back. “Just remember to ease into it. Let me show you.”

He slides onto his beaten-up, well-loved, black Harley, verbally guiding me, “Just a little more throttle, and let the bike roll. You got this.”

With his encouragement, I find my rhythm, and soon I’m gliding smoothly up the street a few houses, with him at my side.

“Now, let’s practice stopping,” Dad instructs. “Squeeze the brakes gently until you come to a complete stop.”

I nod, helmet firmly in place, heart racing with excitement as I squeeze the brakes, feeling the bike respond beneath me. The sensation is exhilarating, and I can’t help but laugh out loud, joy bubbling up from the place in me that has felt far, far,fartoo sheltered.

I easily come to a stop.

No jolts.

Zero awkward.

“How does it feel?”

“Unbelievable!”

“Let’s head up the street and practice some turns.” He shouts to Bear. “We’re gonna take her into town!”

I look over my shoulder and see Bear give a friendly raise of his right arm. “Sounds good.”

As my father and I ride, slowly and with lots of instruction, I feel the strength of the bike beneath me, the power of the engine roaring to meet the challenge as I accelerate. The sleepiness of the world we live in blurs around us, and I can’t help but grin from ear to ear. “Why didn’t I love this when I was a teenager, Dad? Was I crazy?”

He grins, “Must’ve been!” and instructs, “When you turn, remember to lean into it but not too much. It’s all about balancing your weight and the bikes, with gravity.”

I nod, focusing on the road ahead as I approach a not-so-gentle turn. As I lean into it, the bike responds effortlessly, gliding around the corner with ease. I shout, “This is amazing!”

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