Going Too Fast for the Curve

I’ve been riding motorcycles with my husband for four years, and I LOVE it! I get to sit close to him, arms around his middle, our helmets nearly touching.  

I cherish how Norm, my husband, and I ride in total harmony. During a ride, we got caught in a light rain. The wet road was slippery, especially on a motorcycle. We approached a sharp curve.  

I trust my husband like I trust my gut. As we neared the curve, at that moment, I knew we were going too fast to take the curve safely. In my mind, I was screaming, “Too fast!”

Norm hit the brakes. I felt the back tire begin to slide, seeming to move faster than the front tire. Norm turned the handlebars to navigate the corner, and seconds later we hit the grassy berm. The guardrail loomed close, and I imagined my leg crushing against the metal. 

We threw our bodies away from the guard rail and stabilized the bike. We were barely in control, approaching a narrow asphalt edge that could send us over the handlebars. We shifted our bodies again and maneuvered onto a narrow grass strip between the road and a deep ditch. 

The deep ditch could have sent us over the handlebars or sliding underneath the motorcycle and across the asphalt.

Navigating over the four-inch asphalt edge required a bit more speed and strength. 

We made it back onto the road safely. Those ten seconds felt like an eternity. 

In crazy times and circumstances that can change seemingly by the second, you must rely on your intuition and quick reflexes to keep moving forward. This is true whether you’re riding a motorcycle or running a business.

When you feel yourself sliding, stop, take a breath, and ground yourself. Remember who you are and your purpose. Tap into your vision. Trust your instincts, check the data, and stay true to yourself.

That is leadership: trusting your intuition, taking calculated risks, and making a difference.