Edd and Juanita: TEAM Arizona Riders of the Month April 2014!
Last Updated: November 30th, 2020
Do you think you’re tough? We’re thinking of changing the word tough to “Juanita”. What she overcame to achieve her dream of riding a motorcycle is nothing short of astounding. We’ll let you read it in her own words:
I took the 4 hour Introductory Motorcycle class and I used TEAM Arizona’s gear. I had no idea how to drive a motorcycle or what I was getting myself into. I had fun and I had sore thighs for the next couple of days from power walking the bike, but I thoroughly enjoyed the class and I was hooked. So, my husband Edd signed both of us up to take the 15 hour Basic RiderCourse in May. That course was the beginning of a new life for both of us.
When it came to actual riding time Edd and I were in different groups. Everything was going really well until the final practice run prior to the test. We were to get up to speed and then perform an obstacle swerve followed by a stop. We were told several times throughout the class not to slam on the brakes in a swerve. Having never ridden a motorcycle before, this maneuver made me a little nervous, but I got up to speed made the swerve and then I thought I was going too fast and was going to hit the wall so I slammed on the brakes. Wrong, wrong, wrong!!!
In a split second I was slammed to the ground. I was so very thankful I had ALL my gear on. I know for a fact my helmet bounced three times on the pavement and my eyes were wide open wondering what the heck was going on. When everything finally stopped I had people standing over me asking me if I was OK. I performed a quick self evaluation. My husband stood over me saying “You are OK, get up.” I was helped up and went to the restroom to see if anything was broken. The rest of the class took a break prior to the final driving test. I thought I was OK even though my foot really hurt. The instructor told me I didn’t have to take the driving portion of the test that day; I could come back later. I told him I would take the test provided they gave me a different bike (the bike I was on was totally un-rideable) and if I failed then I would come back. Needless to say both my husband and I passed both the driving and written portion of the test and we both left that day with our motorcycle endorsements. We were both very happy!
When I got out to our car, I took off my boot and my foot began to swell. The next day, walking on my injured foot caused me great pain. I left work early, going to Urgent Care. I was told by the doctor I had an avulsion fracture in my ankle. I was in a “walking boot” for the next 6 weeks. If I hadn’t worn my motorcycle jacket I know I would have suffered a broken arm too. After everything healed I was right back on my motorcycle.
My husband and I ride our motorcycles almost every weekend. We started out on a Honda 250 until we felt comfortable. In May 2011, Edd bought a Yamaha Stratoliner, in July 2011, I bought a Yamaha V Star 950 Touring Bike. Edd has driven his motorcycle more than 20,000 miles and I have driven more than 18,000 miles since Valentine’s Day 2010. We’ve seen more of Arizona in the four years we’ve been riding than we ever would in a car. After trading our Honda 250 for our Yamahas, we took a three hour one-on-one class with TEAM Arizona. In addition, we have been to several free seminars including TEAM Arizona’s “2 Up Riding” course. We believe the more education we get the safer we’ll be.
Three weeks ago we traded both of our bikes in for a Honda Goldwing. Soon we will be taking the Confident RiderCourse “2 Up”. We believe in the value of continued training; helps to break bad habits. We know firsthand the value of “All The Gear All The Time” (ATGATT) wear everything Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.
We are so proud of both Juanita and Edd. We appreciate the fearlessness and desire to experience new things. We are truly happy to have them as part of the TEAM Arizona family!
Riders, we want to honor YOU! If you want to become a TEAM Arizona’s Rider of the Month, entering is SIMPLE.
- Email Bill (bill@motorcycletraining.com )
- In the subject line, type “Rider of the Month”
- In one paragraph, tell us why you deserve the title TEAM Arizona Rider of the Month!
Let’s have some serious FUN with this gang! There are some great stories out there and we don’t want to miss them, so tell us about YOU!
For the Entire TEAM Arizona Newsletter Content, CLICK HERE
