I have to get rid of the jitters. I don't have them really badly, and I don't have them all the time, but I have to get rid of them when there is no reason for them to be there.
As I've said, I've realized how very "mental" it is riding the scooter. Having flashbacks of my previous scooter wipe-out (and the accident I was in as a motorcycle passenger) while I'm cruising down the road is not contributing to keeping me—or anyone else—safe and sound.
To that end, I've decided to go through a treatment that I've had before, called, cleverly enough, Prolonged Exposure. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy developed at the University of Pennsyvania for sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder. The technique is designed to help people process traumatic events and reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances in their normal lives, so when they are faced with new experiences which they would have previously associated with their trauma, they won't be triggered by those new experiences.
I received the treatment before to try to diminish the after-effects of having been in the ICU and the medically induced coma experience (which I talk about here), as well as for trauma from sexual abuse that happened when I was 19. To say that the treatment is extremely unpleasant would be an understatement. Nevertheless, I called the psychiatrist that helped me before, and we scheduled three appointments to work on my past upsets. After the treatment, I don't expect to be picturing myself wiping out while cruising.
Next, it is my plan to go back up to Kalamazoo where I took my motorcycle safety class from Pastor Freak at Michigan's Safest Riders and see if I can't get some pointers on cornering with this funny little three-wheeled dealio.
Steve E. Bensinger, a.k.a. Freak.
Owner, Program Manager, Rider, Coach,
Senior Pastor for Come As You Are Church
(with friend)
Image courtesy of Michigan's Safest Riders
I know my hesitation, and therefore wide corners, are a problem. I think once I shake the jitters, Pastor Freak should be able to help me figure out how to corner with a great tilt and still be plenty safe, because that is what this 3-wheeler is all about. I will finally be in good shape to explore the limits of this gorgeous, unnamed creature—without panicking for no good reason.
Brilliant! Astounding what can be accomplished with a little ingenuity and engineering. Quite the impressive technical feat, and quite an impressive explanation, Michael :) Can't wait to hear how it performs out in the world!
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