I took delivery of my trike last Saturday, The Trike Shop were good enough to deliver it for me so that my first ride wouldn't be from Cardiff to the Midlands! After delivery at my home Kurt offered to jump on the back for my first ride to ensure that all operations were good and to give me confidence with using re-sited controls and being on the road after ten years. Yeah, I stalled it a couple of times with getting used to a foot clutch but I think the main reason was having so much power under me and being over cautious.

Following a brachial plexus injury, (total paralysis to my left arm), while touring Australia on a 750 Yamaha V-twin, my Mum tells me that my first words coming out of a three month coma and learning that I'd lost the use of my left arm were that it wouldn't stop me riding. During the years since my accident I have constantly ridden 'in my head' and have been patient for a time when I could afford to realize my dream without cutting corners. It means that it has taken me this long but I am now in possession of a 2002 Harley-Davidson FatBoy with a trike conversion expertly managed by The Trike Shop.

Adaptations necessary to enable me to ride again, for which NABD generously contributed, include the clutch being taken to the right foot, which consequently meant that the rear brake had to be moved. Initially The Trike Shop put all the brakes proportionate through the front brake lever but being a girlie with small hands this was found to be way too weighty on my first time of riding her. So, the rear brakes were then moved to a brake pedal on the left of the gear shift lever, operated as standard by my left foot. To help ease my riding, I had said that I wanted a sissy bar to offer back support to give me more leverage for steering. This was fitted but had to be padded out by 5 inches as I am 'too small' for the bike. It now fits me perfect! Again because of my size and weight I needed a reverse gear to be fitted and have an electric one to enable me to maneuver when necessary.

Where there's a will there is a way! My first Harley, an 883cc Hugger, was as a result of compensation from someone riding into me and knocking me off a 100cc when I was 17, doing multiple breaks to my leg, pins, plates etc. This last, bigger and better Harley, is as a result of ten years of hard saving, a set Aussie fee for losing my arm, and a determination not to be stopped from doing one of the things that I enjoy best.

Never say Di!