A Wheeling Good Time

Are You a Wheeler?

Do you own a four-wheeler? If so, how often do you use it? My husband Gary has one and he uses it once a year. He goes on a ride with others honoring his nephew who passed away from cancer. Scottie was his name. A young man who left us way too soon. The fastest machine I have is a go-cart; which I use to water my flowers around the yard. It works for me as Gary put a watering tank on the back of it. He is brilliant.

Gary is Part Machine

Gary grew up on machines. He raced motorcycles, had dirt bikes, etc. He is comfortable with speed. Me, not so much. I am a runner so that is my speed. Gary purchased me a scooter. I’ve never been on one before but thought it looked easy enough to operate. So, on my first ride I went out onto the road and into the cemetery next to us and promptly ran into a gravestone. Gary watched the entire thing and came running over. He said, “What happened?” I told him the stupid scooter wouldn’t turn and I panicked. This is something I do often, panic. He said, “You have to take your hand off the throttle.” My left thigh was completely bruised. I landed on the gravestone with my thigh between the gravestone and the bike. It wasn’t my finest moment. After that I did get right back on and ride it but never felt comfortable, especially if I had a thought about going on the road. No way, I felt totally exposed and told Gary I’d most likely get hit by a car. So much for our riding together because he had a scooter also. He wound up selling one of them. Scooter riding is not for me.

Let's Go for a Ride

Four wheelers are more stable because of the four wheels. My son had left his at our house so Gary could look at it because he thought something was wrong with it. Gary couldn’t find anything wrong, so we now have two wheelers at the house. One day Gary asked me if I wanted to go on a four- wheeler ride. I’d drive Jeremy’s and of course Gary has his own.  I’ve never been on a four-wheeler ride but put my uneasy thoughts on hold and told him I would go with him. He let me practice on Jeremy’s before we left for the ride. When I first saw the wheeler I told Gary, it’s too big for me. My confidence was withering the more I looked at it. Gary started it and I hopped on. He showed me where the gas throttle was and the brakes. I took it for a spin around the yard. It didn’t scare me as much as the scooter because of the four wheels. So, Gary loaded them up in his trailer and away we went to a place nearby our place called Hamilton Falls. They have ATV trails there. The closer we got, the more nervous I became. I peppered him with questions. Are there bears there? Yes, there are. It is wooded. How fast are you going to go? Don’t go fast. I went 8 miles an hour in the yard and that was fast enough for me. 

Am I Really Doing This

We arrived and Gary unloaded and got both machines started. We took off. Gary was in the lead. Before Gary and I took off he looked at me and said, nobody wears white when they ride. I had put on a white jacket before we left. I soon found out why no one wears white, riding behind Gary. I was filthy when we stopped by a bridge. My lips and mouth were full of dirt along with the rest of me. No part of me was not filthy. Who knew I was such a girly girl?

Don't Panic

We did meet some people heading the other direction while out riding. I panicked a little and slowed way down. It was fine, but better for me with just Gary and myself on the trail. My speed never went past 22 mph. That was fast enough. It was an enjoyable ride. For Gary I’m sure it was boring. Normally his speed is anywhere from 45 to 60 mph. No way am I ever going that fast.  We need to buy a side-by-side, so I’d just be along for the ride and not driving. Speed is not my thing. It makes me too nervous. 

We did have a nice afternoon though. Gary enjoys riding the trails, and I didn’t mind it. Although I kept looking and scanning the woods for bears. The only thing we saw was a hawk. Which suited me fine. Nature is amazing, the woods were thick and I’m sure alive with wild animals. I’m glad we didn’t run across any. Although I wouldn’t have minded seeing a few deer.

My first wheeler ride was a success. We made it back to the truck and Gary loaded us up and we headed home. We will see if it ever happens again. For me anyway. Not a doubt in my mind Gary will go again.

My need for speed only happens when I run a race. I can control how fast my feet will carry me. 

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The first thing I did when we returned home was hit the shower.

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