Life is too short to spend it locked in a box

Hello Misses,

My story is a bit complicated, but I’ll try to summarize it briefly because I believe it could be helpful to many.

I never really “paid attention” to motorcycles; my life was always mainly dedicated to work and very little else. I always had nice clothes, perfumes, creams. Everything to please the company owners I worked for and the clients. During weekends, I’d stay in pajamas at home, with zero desire to go out, zero interest in meeting people, and especially not talking to them. No hobbies, except for watching Netflix for hours on end, lying on the couch, gorging on chips and chocolate. Then, the rest of the week, it was a strict diet, forcing myself to eat soups or salads.

I worked for the same company for 30 years. THIRTY! I think I spent more hours in the car than in the office.

As I approached 50, something changed. I came home one evening, late as always due to traffic, and I felt deeply alone. That loneliness made me cry. I pitied myself. For the first time, I realized something was wrong in my life. I didn’t have a partner, no friends, I didn’t even have a cat.

I took a week off, out of the blue – something I’d never done before.

After a couple of days, I remembered old friends I used to hang out with years ago, and I texted Chiara. She told me about being a mother to two girls, having a special husband, and having taken up motorcycling a few years ago.

“Motorcycling? Have you gone mad? Aren’t you scared?” These were the first things that came out of my mouth, and she burst out laughing! She told me that after her daughters, taking up motorcycling was the best thing she had done for herself.

I thought about it all night. I was curious but also scared. We agreed to meet for coffee the next day to see each other in person after all these years.

I sat in a bar, and I suddenly heard a roar. I turned around and saw a woman getting off a shiny, beautiful black motorcycle. Chiara was radiant, even rejuvenated. I remember that hours-long conversation vividly. She talked about motorcycle trips, the initial difficulties, sharing this passion with her husband. And then she told me about MissBiker, the community that inspired her and gave her the strength to try even though she was over fifty.

On my way home, I stopped at a Honda dealership and, for the first time, I actually looked at the window displays. I took a deep breath and walked in. Two hours later, I was the owner of a black Rebel! A rash decision, yes, especially since I had never ridden even a scooter!

I won’t go into the whole journey of learning to ride, the falls, and the moments of discouragement. I want to tell you how my life changed for the better.

I started riding with Chiara, her husband, and their friends. My self-confidence grew every day. On the bike, I didn’t wear makeup, I didn’t feel obligated to be different – I was just myself. I even met someone, and we’ve been seeing each other for a while. He’s a motorcyclist too, a gentleman who makes me feel good.

I learned to laugh wholeheartedly, let go, and speak freely without feeling judged. A few months ago, I even left my job! I realized that life is too short to spend it locked in a box, whether it’s a car or an office. My weekends are spent on the bike, with people I love. I see beautiful places, and I feel happy.

Motorcycling was my remedy to learn how to live! It’s a shame I didn’t discover it earlier.

Safe travels to all!

Giorgia