It Has Nothing To Do With Age

It Has Nothing To Do With Age

Tony, the man child- teen was primed for his maiden voyage on October 29, 2018 at the Mammoth Bar OHV Park. With his brand-newly built Yamaha TT 500 with

 its recently Armor

All polished seat [Tony polished the seat at home expecting that I would be looking for some visual flaw] was ready for launching.

This slick looking powerful machine had a 1976 engine, 1979 frame, high compression piston, bigger valves, longer front forks, with a larger carburetor so that this child-teen racer can go faster and jump higher. He embraced and love’s the roar of the engine with its power.

Back to reality,  Tony jumped on the kick starter, revved the engine and was off down the trail. Yes, he was wearing, reinforced Kevlar type shorts, leathers, other protective gear, gloves, helmet, etc..  His new matching equipment gear cost him a bundle as his outfit was perfect. After 10 to 15 minutes or so, Tony’s, 67-year-old body spoke to him and told him that he had to stop, slow down and rest. The man-child had difficulty staying on his slick slippery newly polished seat, along with his fingers tiring from the tight pressure of gripping the bars. Thank goodness, his trigger fingers did not lock up. His legs absorbed additional stress. He was tired. Where was all that muscle memory?

On a positive note, Tony didn’t crash and didn’t fall. So both he and his bike still looked new and unblemished. Then, his muscle memory returned. On his second loop, he rode longer and faster even getting into third gear. His anxiety lessened as he achieved “a little air” and he responded with relief saying, “I made it.” Anxiety was retreating and his bravado, increasing.

To Be Continued