What Does "Experienced " Mean?

by Barb
(The Pacific Northwest)

Hi Ladies,

Is experience simply the passing of years and miles? If so, I have a ton of experience.....except: I've never raced on a track. I've never competed in a Hare and Hounds, or any organized dirt event. I've never taken the MSF---they didn't have it when I began riding, back when horses still contested the use of roads with those new-fangled automobiles and such....

OK, not quite that bad, but I've been riding around building miles since 1963, quite a long time. There were dry spells, like right after my son was born, but generally I've had a bike or two around for about 40 years.

I've experienced one nearly fatal crash--a two-party affair: me, and the party before the crash. I went through a barbed-wire fence at 80 mph, splitting the wire with my boot, my knee, my elbow and my forehead. I was extremely lucky and came away with only scars from the stitches, and a horrific headache then next day. That was in 1980, and since then there has been no more drinking and riding for Barb! It may take awhile, but I can be taught!

I still ride the same bike, a 1977 Yamaha XS 650 twin named Jaelith, and she tows my 1965 Spirit of America sidecar. I have a strand of the barbed wire taped to her handlebars, just as a reminder.

So I suppose I have some road experience, and some building experience, but no racing or specialty experience at all. So what does it really mean? I've never intentionally done a wheelie or a stoppie, but I've "flown" the sidecar a couple of times (that's fun!!).

Just curious: how would you define "experienced"?

Barb