New Rider!

It’s been MONTHS since we’ve blogged – not because we haven’t been super busy with all things moto, and coffee-related – but between us both working two jobs, and having THIS awesome hobby, we haven’t had a moment to sit down and write.  But we finally have something extra-ordinary to celebrate.

Our dear friend Lilly’s fiancé, Makenzie, is finally riding her own motorcycle!  Her journey began on the back of Lilly’s bike but through much encouragement, she decided to try riding a motorcycle on her own.  We offered her my own little Sportster which she took around our cul-de-sac back in the fall of last year just to get the feel of everything.  Having her own Jeep with a manual transmission, she was a quick learner regarding the concept of the clutch, gears, etc.

---

Fast forward to this summer, she took the plunge and bought herself a Kawisaki Z400 – the perfect starter bike for Makenzie!  It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and very forgiving on all fronts.  This Sunday, she geared-up and we took her out for her first jaunt around the North Fork.  We stopped frequently at all the beautiful beaches to check-in with her, give her a few pointers, and most importantly, share some laughs along the way.  She took her first trip to the gas station, and even felt confident enough to make it to her favorite restaurant – Jerry and the Mermaid for a celebratory dinner to end the evening. 

One of the most useful pieces of gear was by far our Cardo communication devices.  Because we were all linked up in a group and able to communicate while we were riding, Makenzie was able to get advice “in real time”.  Clay paved the way in the front, keeping her aware of the road conditions and how to handle the bike, while I stayed close behind, coaching her on her technique.  As noted above, she was a fast learner, honest with her capabilities, open to constructive criticism, and most importantly, able to laugh at herself, and kept a smile on her face through it all – even during a small mishap with the bike that would have left most “newbies” in tears.  We’re so honored to have such a great person accompany us on our rides.  For a quick video of all the fun, below.