Yin and Yang

Well, Saturday did not quite turn out the way I expected. If you follow my blog, I mentioned in the last two Weekend Coffee Share posts that we embarked on a relatively major (for us) construction project which involves replacing a section of plaster ceiling upstairs. Saturday, we were to continue with the mudding and sanding of said ceiling. The plan was go to Lowe’s after breakfast for more supplies, and Bill wanted to stop at a local bike shop on the way.

I had spoken to him previously about wanting a dirt bike. I’ve never ridden one, and always thought it looked really fun. I’ve ridden a street bike for 12 years, but trail riding on a motorcycle is new to me. Bill had been looking online for enduro bikes, ones that are both off road and street legal, but he could find none that were low enough for my 5′ 2″ frame.

We found two Apollo RFZs, the X14 (110cc) and the X18 (125cc), sitting outside of Moto-Man. After making several trips into the store with questions and back out, we also got permission to sit on them.

The X18 had a higher seat height than the X14, which I could manage, on my toes. I figured with proper boots it would be a better fit. It was like they were just waiting for us! His and hers.

To my surprise, Bill confessed he wanted to buy me the bike for my upcoming birthday, if I wanted it. OMG! I loved it! Happy, happy girl right here.

We went inside to take care of business. After all the formalities, the owner followed us out the front door to unchain our bikes and get them ready, which we affectionately already named Yin and Yang (they are from China, after all). Bill jokingly commented, “You’re about to disappoint someone!” as we saw a young boy sitting on my newly purchased bike. We walked around the back of the shop to our truck, as we were going to come back in a hour or so with the trailer. Moments later, the owner walked our bikes to the back of the shop and the rather sad looking boy came walking back with his mother. 🙁 Sorry, kid! They’ll order more now that these two are gone!

We came back with the trailer and the adoption was complete. We took Yin and Yang home to meet the rest of the family.

We were almost home and Bill noticed in his side view mirror, one of the trailer latches sticking out. We pulled over to investigate, and, in my excitement, I discovered this is what I had done. Whoops! We continued on home instead of redoing it, since we were only blocks away and Bill had properly locked the other side.

Once home we rolled them off the trailer and tried them out. I was hesitant at first, as I had a tough time kick starting it but finally got the hang of it. It’s also a bit different in that it’s a semi-automatic – there is no clutch, you just let off the throttle and shift. And, the shift pattern is different – neutral is all the way down, gears 1 through 4 are up. I rode up and down the sidewalk to get used to it before I took it down the street. Bill, in the meantime, pulled wheelie after wheelie. What a fun day. SO much more fun than mudding drywall! Hahaha.. We never even made it to Lowe’s on Saturday. My birthday gift derailed everything, to my delight.

So! I had recently finished drying my tears because snowmobile season ended but here I am with a whole new chapter to look forward to this summer. I’ve been researching off road parks and also campgrounds that are near ORV trails. Really excited to learn more about the sport and shop for gear. And, Sunday, we did in fact return to adulting and worked on the ceiling. It was a great weekend.

Vroom, vroom!