Taming the OCD

My first bike was "Ned" the yellow horse - not quite a motor bike - and that was quite a long time ago.  I didn't even own South Africa's best selling little black bike.  What a deprived childhood!  So this year, aged 35 I took the plunge.  Other than stealing the girlfriend's scooter in Matric and piling 2 mates onboard, only to be caught by her dad, I have never ridden a bike.  So after careful research the OCD in me was confirmed and with the help of FreakSheep Carl and Kev a 250 Honda Twister was acquired in Joburg and brought to Durban.  In fact after Carl got a flat on his KLR, the Twister landed up being his 2 hour ride home from Bulwer!  

Duly delivered and with my Learners' Licence acquired on September 3rd, the roads had a new biking novice to contend with.  The words of endless biking articles were ringing in my ears on every outing: "most accidents happen within 4km of home, within the first 6 months of riding."  Of course the real question was whether or not I would enjoy biking afterall.  Seemingly half the bikes for sale on the internet are sold by those who lost their early enthusiasm.  Well, mine grew!

Despite the Twister being a great little bike, I found myself reading everything I could about dual purpose bikes and especially the KLR.  Carl's enthusiasm for his own bike knows no limits, or his generosity in educating me through my stupid questions.  And so the search began.  Finally Gumtree delivered the goods, and after 2 months of 'biking' I now own 2 bikes!  The Twister will be sold off shortly and a new challenge will begin.  

So whether I am FreakSheep material remains to be seen.  But the enjoyment levels are right up there, and the OCD shows no signs of abating...