I know you think I’m this crazy risk taking daredevil because of all the adventures I go on, but I’m going to have to break it to you. I’m a big wuss.  Skydiving? Nope.  Not a chance. Riding in a convertible? No way. The only time I did, I wore a helmet. Motorcycle? Heck no, are you crazy?

I stepped out of my box this week. Big time.  My friend and I got our butts in gear the other day and went to the gym and got super swoll.  To reward ourselves (because that’s totally rational behavior after going to the gym for the first time in months), we walked up to this really cool patio at a local favorite hotel to eat salads and drink rose. (#basic)

The hotel is called “The Iron Horse” which is a beautiful hotel/bar/restaurant/patio in Milwaukee’s Walkers Point neighborhood. One of the things that make it unique is that it’s a biker hotel. A super classy biker hangout.  Right next to the Harley-Davidson Museum.  I also LOVE that they allow dogs inside and out, which allows me to bring Sushi, because girl loves her some patio people watching.

Whilst enjoying our rose, light salads and avocado toast, we made friends with a couple of WONDERFUL, very kind Canadian guys our age who were visiting Milwaukee on a bike ride from their hometown. (By bike, I mean Harley.  I’m becoming fluent in biker speak, so bear with me while I use my new vocabulary)

You know what’s coming.  They invited us to go riding with them the next day. I politely declined by stating that I didn’t have a helmet. My biker buddy magically had brought a second helmet with him. (Objection, denied.)

Couldn’t sleep the night before I was so stressed. Tried to wuss out again by saying we could cancel when they said they were going to be running a little late. Nope, objection denied.

The guys came to pick us up, and I was literally shaking I was so scared. I finally relaxed a little when my biker buddy got super bossy with me and said, “since this is your first time on a bike, I’m going to lay down the ground rules for both of our safety.” Rules? Yes. Now we’re talking. Structure. Give em to me.

1. Feet are always on the pegs. No exceptions.
2. I’m going to give the bike a little rev as a warning to you that we are about to leave a red light and that’s when you hold on tight.
3. When we turn, lean with me, don’t fight it.
4. I’m going to tap your leg as a warning if I’m going to pass a car.
5. Only get on the bike from the right side.

So off we went.  With me squeezing the living daylight out of my biker buddy from behind like a koala baby trying to kill their mother.

It. Was. Awesome.

Let me tell you, I give the same Milwaukee Tour to every out of town guest I entertain, but this one was amazing.

We started in the Historic 3rd ward, drove down Lincoln Memorial Drive to point out the Milwaukee Art Museum, McKinley Marina, Bradford Beach, then down Lake Drive to admire all the big houses, stopped at Atwater Beach (my favorite), then to end at Kopps for a burger. (Duh.)

They tried to talk me into the freeway on the way back, but I wussed out and asked to go back the same way. FOMO. Totally regret it and now wish I would have just embraced the exhilarating journey.

Got lost a little on the way back, found out bikes don’t have reverse when I balked on my directions in the middle of an intersection (whoops), but in general, our bike buddies also said they had a great experience with hotties on the back of their bikes giving them personalized tours of Milwaukee with custom directions.

I’m going to 100% recommend that everyone experience this.  It was a beautiful night, smooth ride, fresh air galore, power beneath you, and very freeing.  It will be hard to get into my confined iron box car today I’m sure.

They tell me I now qualify as an “ol lady”  (biker speak again, sorry, I’m just so hip on the language now, you know?)

Do it.

Lisa