FIU Magazine issue 1

‘A Birds Eye View’
For the love
of motorcycling
BY Mishka Moller
Lady Riders. Why do we ride? Is it the freedom, adventure,
adrenaline, spiritual experience, confidence, independence,
or the biking community? Perhaps a bit of everything? It does
not matter, because women are taking to motorcycles with an
increased voracity and I love it!
My motorcycling journey started 26 years ago with renowned,
now late, Dirk Du Plooy at his training yard in downtown Jozi. I
was so tense that my body ached two days after the weekend
riding course. In spite of stressing about learning how to coordinate
all this stuff: shifting gears, cornering, looking ahead
and all those other terrifying simultaneous things you have to
do when learning to ride – I passed my bike licence first time
round – personal challenge accomplished! I had finally embraced
my freedom, which also served as a catalyst for other incredible
life changes. I knew that I could do anything I set my mind to.
Actually, it was all about relinquishing the fear and embracing
that cliché called freedom.
To this day, when I get onto my motorcycle, I say a little prayer, I
embrace the fear and within minutes in the saddle, my confidence
is up and soon the magic soars within me – it’s an all embracing
feeling, the feeling of being whole and that I can accomplish
anything!
When I’m riding – I’m in my happy place. It’s
me-time in my helmet,