Lucy Carrera; Chronic Fixer, Motorcycle Repair Shop Owner

16 years old, on a first date with What’s His Name and he has a bike and I’m giddy that he has an extra helmet because I haven’t ever been on a bike before. I rode a three-wheeler once when I was 10 and loved it, riding all day long in the field behind the horse stables and I even lived to tell the tale without flipping the death machine once. What’s His Name hands me the oversized helmet and I climb on his bike (current knowledge informs me that it was was probably a GSXR600 or similar sport bike) wearing my white jeans and penny loafers. I think I’m an excellent passenger and I’m loving the speed and the intimacy, holding on to him and giving over completely. I think he probably was going too fast and showing off when someone pulled out left in front of us. In an instant we’re sliding sideways, both of us keeping the bike up using our left legs to prevent the lowside. Current experience informs me that this was an incredible feat. He regains control and we pull off over to the side of the road. I have rubbed the soles of my penny loafers almost through and he begins to cry and I can see he’s pissed his pants so I kiss his neck. 

Undaunted, now some 30 years later I find myself having devoted almost every facet of my life to motorcycles. They are my career, my friend diviner, my passion, my escape, my challenge, my joy.