How I did it: I ride a Harley, which comes with a set of stereotypes and stigma, especially having started out so young, and coming from my profession: Teaching College English. 
I am not, as of this writing, in my 40's-70's, I don't have a beer gut, I'm not a "red neck," although I would be proud if I were one, and I'm not into that whole bad-ass biker image you see any time you see Sturgis, Daytona, Laconia, or myriad other rallies.  I'm not a Rich Urban Biker (RUB) either.  I have earned my place in life, coming up from a life on welfare, working my way through college and around the world, learning the hard way that there are no free lunches and to rely on no one but yourself.  I don't fit the mold of the "Harley Rider" and yet I ride a Harley - quite happily. 
How I did it was to learn what the hell I was doing on a bike first, practice cautiously, make some mistakes but thankfully never any too serious, learn, learn, learn, and just keep getting out there on the road.
I may not have any "biker" friends, I may not ride in groups, I may not have been to many rallies, but I am still out there, a motorcycle rider in love with the open road!!

Lessons & tips: Learn everything you can about how to ride a motorcycle.  Learn low and highspeed cornering.  Learn how to stop safely in an emergency.  Learn how to ride at night.  Learn how to ride in the rain.  Ride in the cold!  Take a passenger once and a while!  Ride in groups now and again.  And finally, realize that no matter how long you have been riding, there is always more to learn!

Resources: Ride Like a Pro video series.
Youtube videos on riding motorcycles.
Clem Salvadori's 101 Road Tales
The Long Way Round video series.

Aug 24, 01:38PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer