Earlier in the week Jane and I were privileged to spend a couple of hours in the company of a couple of established professional authors…..
It was captivating, enlightening, inspiring and frequently very amusing.
One of the authors talked a lot about Australian Masculinity, and referenced typical Male behaviours in certain environments. There was a large number of references throughout the evening to what “Men are allowed, or supposed to say and do.” I picked up on the concept of expectations of strength and appropriate behaviour in traditional Male spaces.
It is precisely this kind of expectation that has led to me missing out on a couple of Motorcycle related events recently. I just wasn’t ready to present myself into such a hugely Male and incredibly Macho environment.
Today, I crossed that bridge. I joined a ride with around 400 other riders on Triumph motorcycles. It was spectacular, noisy and from my perspective, initially absolutely terrifying, despite a couple of close friends being on hand for support, I was nervous.
To be fair the group was on the whole very well behaved. There was a good degree of respect for both the other riders and their machines. This is not always the case at these kind of events. I was also very fortunate to meet some friendly and welcoming Female riders, and I spent some time chatting with them.
The ride was uplifting, to see so many people sharing such a common bond. Enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of so many motorcycles is intoxicating and I began to relax.
Check out the video of the event here….. 400 Triumphs If you look hard you will spot me a couple of times…
I hope this event heralds the start of some new friendships, and a renewed confidence to take part in events that make me happy. It would also be great if next time, I can be riding a certain 1956 Triumph called Penelope….
Oh and yesterday I heard the wonderful question “Why is that man wearing a dress Dad ?” I’m trying hard not to let this in, but its hard.
Amazingly the Dad in question tracked me down through Facebook (Truly Busselton must be a micro community) and sent me a message apologising.
I replied and suggested that one should never apologise for the curiosity of a child.
All I need to do now is rebuild the self esteem shattered by that same curiosity and make sure it is stronger next time. Buoyed by recent progress I have pulled out of my recent counselling appointments, I feel it may be time to make another one, and stick to it this time.
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