Legal and Independent

Finally, I am a legally licensed and insured motorcyclist.

I should be ecstatic -- I worked so hard for it. But there's also an element of letdown. I've been so focused on my goal for the past four months, and now that it's happened ... now what? This reminds me of the importance of having goals, because they motivate me and give me energy to keep striving.

There will be plenty of new goals ahead, I'm sure. And I still have a LOT more to share about things I learned in class.

But let me finish with licensing technicalities. Yesterday, I went to the Secretary of State as planned, had my picture taken (no, not with helmet hair!) and requested a new license with my "CY" endorsement on it. Since I'd already taken the written test and paid the $13 licensing fee for a temporary permit, I did not expect that when I returned with my blue rider course completion card I'd be asked to pay ANOTHER $9 for the change of status.

I wanted to be angry at first -- I failed to ask when I got my permit whether the state would soak me later for additional fees. But then I decided to take it in stride. After all, the two months of riding on the road was worth the nine bucks. It ensured that I would be steady on the bike and pass my test. Besides, I could easily have spent that much on a couple of venti mocha frappucinos at Starbucks.

When the woman at SOS handed back my license, stapled to the temporary CY endorsement, she said, "Your new license will be mailed to you. You're now free to ride independently."

Independently! That felt good!

An unlicensed rider cannot insure her bike, so I next had to get my name put on the motorcycle insurance I had arranged in my husband's name. I called Progressive. I forgot our account number, but the man on the phone (Darn! It wasn't Flo!) was very nice and patient. He added my name to the policy, asked a few questions and noted that I had passed a motorcycle safety course. He said that's good for a three-year discount on insurance. And he told me that rather than increasing the fee with two riders on the policy, we'll be getting a $14 refund. How about THAT?

Legal, insured and independent.

Tomorrow I plan to ride my bike to work -- by myself -- for the first time. That was my goal, too, to ride it to work by July. Unless I wake up dead tomorrow, you bet I will fulfill that goal.