PowerChair VS Scooter----Which is Your Ride-With-Pride?
Posted: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
I sat there at the top, looking down the long steep embankment. My heart pounding as I visualized a jagged slope of Mt. Everest---and this was my own driveway! Why was I so terrified of the familiar angle of our driveway? Don't be too judgmental just yet; let me back up a bit and add to the beginning of this story.
My husband and I had just come from the Honda dealer just a couple of miles from our home. We were now the proud owners of his and hers matching Yamaha Zumas. His, black with a red flame design on each fender---mine blue with a more floral design on each side; were the only distinguishing marks.
Be that as it may; here I sat, trying to work up the nerve to let off the brake and put the power to this two-wheeled monster that some facetiously have named a crotch rocket'!
Not really. I may feel that way, but my little scooter is a far cry from the crotch rocket on which the youngsters tear around the streets. My husband sits grinning at me---to give me encouragement? I'm not sure--I really think he is laughing at me.
Well, I don't have to sit there and take that! I let go of the brake and start down the hill to the street. With a quick glance both ways, I turn the gas up and roar off down our driveway and bounce joyfully onto the street. A quick turn to the right and I'm off at the breakneck speed of ten, then twenty, and before the end of the block, I have reached a whopping thirty mph! The wind in my hair, my heart pounding, my mouth stretched into a grin by the wind, a wonderful excitement fills me head to toe!
So, put that powerchair in the attic for another ten years and look out Jonesboro, Grannie and Papa are on the street with a vengeance! And if traffic lines up behind us, so be it; we pay our taxes, too, and as long as we can do the speed limit, we have the right of way.
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More commentsGreat article Sandra, and great pic - those things look fun! I want one now :)Thanks, Ben. They are lots of fun, but your style would be more like a Shadow or something low and sleek!!
I'm proud of you, Sandra! And your husband has that "get your motor runnin', head out on the highway," "Born to be Wild" look on his face!Awesome stuff!!Yeah, he doesn't look coool, doesn't he?
Lookin' stylish Sandra! I agree with Ken. You and the hubby have that "go and conquer" the road look! Fun article and great read. Blessings!Thanks, Edward. And blessings to you and yours.
Sandra, you always make me jealous. When I read your articles I start daydreaming. This should not be allowed. However, since it is you, I love it. Thanks for sharing. ...smile... ...Be careful...Thank you so much, revruc. Glad you enjoyed the article; wish you were along to enjoy the ride!
Great article!! I loved it...You guys look awesome! Now you just need to get you some leather chaps haha....Love ya very much!Oh, shucks! I knew I forgot something.Love you too, Freede.
I loved this! Last time I tried to ride by myself was a Honda (something like a 70?) I couldn't get the brakes to work and the garage door was coming fast (it was DOWN) I straddled the bike and and picked the front wheel off the ground to stop it just as it plowed into the closed garage door.... I can now drive an ATV with all FOUR wheels on the ground. What can I say? "Go Granny, Go!" GRIN MarijoThanks, Marijo. We always leave our garage door open til we get back, just for that reason!
You, GO! Sandra! You are much too cool a granny to tool around in a power chair! I would love to get a motorcycle someday. My husband asks where I'd put the groceries when I shopped. Leave it to a man to think about food when a woman is dreaming! Great article!Thanks, Lorrie. We have lots of storage space under the seat and you can get carrier cases to mount on the back. We're looking into those--although, they are a bit expensive.
Great! Sandra this was a wonderful idea, but be careful. Thirty miles per hour?I'm not in the best condition, I'm considering getting an elecric golf cart or electric trycicle for running up town (3-4 blocks). Our town is only about five or six blocks from edge to edge.Golf carts are great, too. We had one when we lived in the country and our place was too big to walk around. We had great fun with our golf cart and would pick up the kids each day when they got off the bus (at least when the weather permited). Thanks for reading and commenting, Joel.
I LOVE it!!! But I have to ask, I know the wind blowing through the hair thing must feel wonderful, but are helmuts required? If so Sandra, don't opt for one of those big round ones you sometimes see people wearing, get a cool, cutting edge helmut for you and your husband. I am going to show my mother-in-law your article, she would LOVE a scooter.In Arkansas helmets are not required for anyone over 21. However, I plan to get a helmet with a full face shield, as I worry about vehicles in front of me throwing rocks--which has damaged my car windshield on numerous occasions. Also, just because my granddaughters will be riding them and they will be required to wear helmets.Thanks for reading and commenting. The scooters are great fun and we take them out two to three times a day (they get 125 miles per gallon of gas!).
hi sandra,my kind of woman.dare to dream, and dare to live out those dreams.what a rush, huh? wind through your hair, nothing surrounding you but the elements.i wish you many happy and safe rides on your new toys,my best to you,sueThanks, Sue. We take it pretty easy and are staying close to home. We don't have much riding time left; it's starting to cool down at night now, so the days are cooler.
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