MotoSloth: Crotch rockets and Sloths go together like a coupla peas in a pod.

Motorcycle classes seemed like a great idea for the following reasons:

1. From all the movies and TV shows I've watched that had people riding motorcycles (the end of Easy Rider being an exception), it seemed like a tremendously fun thing to do.  Everyone seemed to have the following qualities:
• A burning desire to straddle a two wheeled vehicle of some sort and fly down tarmac with no particular direction in mind.
• A general trait of badassery enhanced by black leather attire and boots or colorful helmets.
• A disregard for any and all authority.
• A disregard for social norms and standards
• They generally knew how to have sexy-time on a bike with a member of the opposite sex...while riding the bike!  You know, like in Hot Shots!
2. In an effort to be a general, all-around, badass, I've managed to collect a couple of leather jackets, leather boots, and helmets that I periodically wear around the house while sitting on my couch watching Mad Men or on the rare occasion I go out to a bar where I'll order a Bud to go along with my attire.  So instead of continuing to be a poseur, I figure I could at least learn to ride a motorbike and put my clothes to use - not to mention the helmet... that I've been using for Go-Karting. 
3. But most importantly, if you've ever watched the movie, Deep Impact, you'll know that in the event of a catastrophic, meteor-the-size-of-Texas-hurtling-to-Earth, disaster, the roads will be congested with cars and everyone will be stuck in traffic and unable to escape for higher grounds and die...UNLESS... you're able to find yourself a motorbike that's capable of bypassing all traffic and chaos and zip itself right up a mountain, escaping imminent death and the end of the world; living another day to procreate with the other bikers to repopulate the earth.
4. Lastly, I had just watched Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's documentary series, The Long Way Round, where the two bff thespians decided it would be a brilliant idea to do a road trip that started in London and ended in New York and document the whole trip.  These two ding dongs managed to make riding a behemoth bike, through what seemed like at times the Devil's playground with potholes the size of Rhode Island in the middle of Siberia, an utter hoot.  I'm not sure why it struck me as something that would be "fun", cause they seemed to be having a miserable time through the tough parts of the trip, but I found it to be a thoroughly enticing idea. 
5. I lied, #4 was not the last point... my #5 reason for thinking it would be a good time for me to learn how to ride a motorbike: My brother currently works for SPARX Helmets and it occurs to me that I can obtain gear for very cheap or FREE.  If I have the gear, I might as well put it to good use...which includes using the helmets for Go-Karting.

There was also a blog about some pals who took a motorbike trip through Angola that stuck me as "fun" and interesting as well.  The blog is great and it inspired me to try to keep picture blogs of my future trips as well.  You can read it here: Angola Motorbike Trip ADVRIDER Blog Link


Also, I'm told Uneasy Rider is a good book to read for those of you who have similar romanticized ideas as I do of motorbike touring around the world.


Motorcycle classes begin Thursday, and both Wiseman and I will be attending the course at a Harley Davidson store close to us.  I have fantasies of riding a motorcycle (preferably something like this or this) cross country on small back country roads where there are very few cars and beautiful landscape surrounding me.


I'm already planning my trip... but knowing me, after the first class, I'll probably be terrified of riding a motorcycle and my fantasies will dissipate along with my excitement.  I certainly hope not, but I'll find out soon.




Stay tuned for MotoSLOTH adventures... It's very likely I'll just end up tooling around town on a Vespa.