Some History about My riding experience, or lack thereof
Entry posted by AcesNEights
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Hi and welcome to my CMC Blog
My goal is to consistently provide my readers with an informative, and entertaining perspective on motorcycles & motorcycle riding.
Let me start off with a little background about myself.
I was born and raised in Toronto Ontario, and I now reside in Brampton Ontario with my wife and two children.
Prior to taking the Motorcycle Safety Course, my only experience riding a motorcycle was when I was 13. Two weekends one summer I rode my cousins Kawasaki KE100 Enduro at a small dirt track just outside of Acton Ontario. I was so unskilled at the time that whenever it was my turn to ride my cousins bike, I had him meet me at a low hill 2 feet high with a flat spot, reason being I wasn’t able to use the clutch properly and needed a rolling start to prevent stalling the bike, pathetic I know. But hey I grew up in downtown Toronto, and there really wasn’t much in the way of places to ride a motorbike for a 13 year old.
Jump ahead to July 27th 2013, the day before my 45th birthday I decided to go take my M1 written test. I passed the written test and now had 90 days to prove myself and procure my M2 license. I enrolled in the Gearing Up Motorcycle Safety course offered at Humber College. Unlike most of the people there I didn’t even own a motorcycle, but everyone was going to be riding the same bikes regardless. It was a Honda CBR125 with a whopping 13 HP engine, ok you can stop laughing now.
Anyway the course and test were pretty difficult for a “first time rider”. I’m proud to say that out of 26 people that enrolled in the course only 7 people passed, and knock on wood, I was one of them. Then the issue became … how and where am I going to get a motorcycle to ride. I started scouring the local AutoTrader.ca and Kijiji.ca looking for a cheap first ride. I didn’t want a sport bike like the one I had used for the safety course, I was drawn to the Cruiser style of motorcycles, lets face it I’m 45 and have no interest in wheelies or stoppies or burn outs or any of that silly stuff (don't get me wrong watching some of that stuff on Youtube is cool), I just want to get out on the road and cruise.
So with a very limited budget in mind I set out looking for an older Japanese Motorcycle, either a standard or cruiser style. I looked over a few used bikes at various Dealerships, and a few private sales. I finally pulled the trigger and purchased my first motorcycle January 31st 2014.
I’m now the proud owner of a 1985 Honda Shadow VT500C, the reason I picked up this particular bike was due to it’s condition. For a 29 year old bike this thing is in great shape, wish I could say the same 
So here it is March 7, 2014 and Old Man Winter is playing a nasty game of “lets see how long before Aces goes nuts”. I really only have myself to blame for all the snow, seeing as how I sold my snowblower back in October. You know, Karma has a way of biting you in the ass.
Anyway
My readers are being offered something unique here.
The opportunity to ride with me on a journey as I go from virtually zero experience to a confident safe and defensive rider.
As the riding season progresses I will concentrate on 5 key factors to ensure that you are not wasting your time here. I will post new blogs at least 1 per week to keep the content fresh.
1. Interesting Topics related to riding Motorcycles
2. Scenic Rides throughout southern Ontario
3. Fun Stories & Anecdotes
4. Product Reviews and some “how-to” & DIY type stuff
5. Helpful hints & tips, as well as answer any & all questions as best I can.
So feel free to "follow" my Blog, If you dare .
Cheers
Aces out
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