Heather Herr: TEAM Arizona Rider of the Month August 2014!
Last Updated: March 4th, 2024
We’ve all heard the saying, “Ya have to start somewhere.” When we’re children and a person we trust tells us these words, they are essentially giving us permission to make as many mistakes necessary as part of the learning process because we lack experience. What a great way to remove the pressure of failing!
What does the expression mean when you’re 30? 40? 60? 70? Something completely different because we drag along expectations. We “have to” be perfect because we now have time and experience on our side. This kind of restrictive thinking stops many people from fulfilling their dreams and realizing their potential. Not Heather Herr. She abandoned restrictive thinking and started a journey towards being, among many other things, a motorcyclist. For her act of courage and bravery, we are happy to share our TEAM Arizona Rider of the Month honor.
We all know that motorcycling is challenging; the first few thousand miles are especially difficult for a rider learning the sport. We think Heather captures the new rider experience brilliantly:
It feels like learning how to drive all over again. I learned on a manual transmission, and others who also learned on a manual might empathize – a lot of things happen all at once and it’s a lot to remember! Learning how to time the clutch and the gas for smooth acceleration… At some point, all of that becomes muscle memory. I don’t have that muscle memory on Gonzo (ed: name of her motorcycle) yet. And I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stalled because I forgot to open the fuel supply line.
Of course stalling isn’t reserved for only newbie riders–experienced riders do it too. As a newbie, though, we tend to have a disconnect between the image and meaning others apply to us and what we’re actually feeling on the inside. This kind of incongruence is kindly referred to by Heather as an “Imposter Complex”. She explains more:
Since I started riding the bike, I get the feeling that some people think I’m a bad ass. I almost feel like telling them, ‘Wait, wait, I’m new at this. I go slow!’
As riders, we all understand this and come to grips with assumptions made by others in our own way. Heather has decided to meet these assumptions on her own terms. With the strength and confidence of a more experienced rider, she defines her own ride:
Friends and others who ride will be eager to welcome you into the fold, and eager to ride with you. That eagerness might come across as impatience, but ultimately, they can wait for you to be ready. It’s your journey. You’re at the controls and you get to pick your speed.
So much of learning how to ride is about earning a sense of accomplishment. She loves the moments when her solo riding pays off with better control and refined skills.
I’m conscious that my skills are undeveloped. Whenever I am on Gonzo, I am constantly evaluating how I am riding – what am I doing well and what do I need to improve on. I am probably in my head too much. But every once in awhile, I catch myself doing something really well. I love the surprise and delight I feel in these moments.
We’re excited to have Heather as part of the TEAM Arizona family. We appreciate the way she articulates and gets to the core of her burgeoning riding experience. We think Heather and her “Imposter Complex” will fit right in with this sordid crew of misfits! We wouldn’t have it any other way….
Riders, we want to honor YOU! Do you know someone who should be TEAM Arizona’s Rider of the Month? Entering their name is SIMPLE.
- Email Bill (bill@motorcycletraining.com )
- In the subject line, type “Rider of the Month”
- In one paragraph, tell us why this rider deserves 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 yourselves!
