Riding a Motorcycle

I need your help.

I am working on my novel's revision, but there is one part I simply cannot describe. The sixteen-year-old girl, the novel's protagonist, must learn to ride a motorcycle. I had intended as part of this revision to speak with several people about riding, and even ride with the husband of a friend (who owned a motorcycle), getting over my own fear of being shoved off onto the pavement and having both arms ripped off.

I know my fear is likely irrational, but I was willing to overcome it for my novel in the same way I wanted my protagonist to face the fear and learn to ride the motorcycle. She faces a lot of fear in this novel, and with each test she becomes stronger and more self-reliant. I could describe her fear and her experience in almost exactly the same way I experienced it (and much of her fear I've faced and defeated in my own life).

Only I never got around to riding on a motorcycle. And my friend's husband sold the bike.

I still intend to take that motorcycle ride as soon as I can, before I start sending out this novel to actual agents and publishers, but I need some help right now so that I can complete this version and submit it to the Amazon.com contest. I will be calling my brother in Houston, since he has a bike and has definitely ridden it, so that I can get some details (where is the ignition, etc.), but I want most of all to know what it felt like to ride a motorcycle the first few times, especially the first.

I swear to heaven that I will experience it myself, and not just rely on your observations, but I have no way to do so now except through a Craiglist posting with a stranger (scarier than the motorcycle ride itself). Can you help? I welcome any description you might lend to me (I emphasize lend, though I also promise to put you in the acknowledgments).

So, what is it like to ride a motorcycle?

The Five Senses of Christmas

Now that the remains of my daughter's cookie party are almost gone (can you sense my relief?), the Christmas cards have all been sent, the shopping is done, and only five presents have not yet been wrapped and put under the tree, I can sit back and just enjoy the season.

Actually, I've been enjoying the season all along, with all of my senses. I've written several entries on description, but Christmas has unique elements all its own. My "Five Senses" list:

Sight: 

  The lit-up Christmas tree. I use all white lights, and my ornaments 

are pretty much cream, gold, and red. Velvet and brocade ribbons, 

gold chains of bells, and gold beads. Of course, I love almost every 

Christmas tree--I just love my own most of all.

Sound: 

  Christmas music. I have everything from grunge rock versions 

to Vienna Choir Boys, John Denver to Nelson Eddy (thanks to my 

sis, who's a big fan of his). I love it all. Only the Chipmunks one 

gets on my nerves.

Taste: Gingerbread is number one, especially with white icing.

Touch: 

  The smoothness of a wrapped package. I try to box everything, 

even clothing, so that the corners are all crisp and the sides smooth. 

And, yes, I stroke them. 

Smell: 

  Scotch tape. Yes, I love the smell of a wood fire, too, but scotch 

  tape reminds me of Christmas in the middle of July. I wrapped 

  presents with my mother when I was a very young kid, and wrapping 

  presents is still one of my favorite activities. That pleases my hubby 

  to no end, too, since it means he doesn't have to.

What are your favorite five sensations of Christmas? Don't be afraid to share!