Welcome to think bike, the podcast about all things motorcycle and the voice of motorcycle safety and awareness in Alberta. Your host is Liane Langlois.

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of think bike. This week, I am joined by friend of the pod, previous guest, Chris Barnes, and his daughter, Maya. Welcome to the show, you two.

Thank you.

Thanks for having us. It's good to be back.

Yeah, it's nice to have you here. I mean, we've talked with you Chris in the past about various subjects, but this one was one I think that we need to have a good talk about because there is an appropriate way to get your kids into riding outside of perhaps the Honda Junior Red Riders camp, which of course you can people can go back and find that episode to learn more about that wonderful program. But you have a history of being an instructor, so that kinda helps a little bit. But let's remind our listeners, who is Chris Barnes and what got you into writing?

Wow. So I have been writing now for almost thirty years and believe it or not, it was a Triumph and Arthur Fonzarelli that got me to fall in love with motorcycles. There was something about that bike and jumping over sharks and all the other things he did on that bike. But no, I've been fascinated by motorcycles. I took a course at Conestoga College in Ontario through the Canada Safety Council, I guess at that time.

When I moved to Alberta, I wanted to find a way to give back to the community. So I became an instructor in 02/2005. And with that, I'd been part of the Calgary Safety Council Fast Track, which was a motorcycle school for a while. And then my wife and I actually helped write and develop the course and program for SAIT when they ran the program for six or seven years.

That's awesome. It's a long history of a lot of students going through both you and Tara. So that's awesome.

Yeah, and then we had someone here who really didn't have much of a choice. I mean, did.

Well, I know and that was gonna be my question. It's like, who is miss Maya Barnes and were you forced into this?

Well, I wouldn't say I was forced into it. It's just something I've always grown up around. Like, we have this ongoing joke that I was a passenger on dad's bike as soon as my feet could touch the pegs. Like, I've always been riding, so it wasn't really I was forced into it. It's just I knew it would be a part of my life once I was of age.

So just kind of happened that way. Of course, like with them teaching and everything, I knew the rules and I knew, oh, this is how you pick up a fallen bike by the age of like six. So it's just wonderful. I've been around it my entire life.

So couple of things on that. One first, Chris for you. So the importance of making sure that your child can fit on your bike and touch the pegs. Why is that important?

Well, again, if we could look at Alberta transport, I believe the only requirement for a, you know, I guess a child on the back of the bike is that their feet can touch the foot pegs and that they have a proper helmet. With Maya being around the course all the time, we taught her at a very young age that she wouldn't even sit on the bike unless she was in full gear from head to toe. Even if she just wanted to show her friends, you know, dad or mom's bike or anything like that, she would be fully dressed before she went to go and and hop on the bike or or anything like that. You know, being around the course too, she probably saw the good and the bad and the ugly of what can happen on a motorcycle and how quickly can happen. And at slow speeds or higher speeds that, you know, those incidents, the chances is pretty great that it can happen.

So I think just her awareness of some of the concerns that we have as riders.

It's a very unique opportunity, but there was something that you had said that just kind of popped in my head. So you've learned Maya, how to pick up a bike by the age of six. Now what were you picking up at six years old?

So at that time, I don't think we had SAIT running yet, but at the safety council, obviously I wasn't doing it by myself, but like my parents taught like every single step of how you pick this bike up. So at that time it was probably just a little like dirt bike or something like that. But when people went down and my parents were somewhere else, I would go run, make sure they're okay and just like wait, like if I could do anything, try to move the bike and or just wait for someone else to come and help because like, it's kind of probably what led me to my profession of wanting to be a nurse is being around all these incidents at such a young age being like, okay, don't move, I got you, all that kind of stuff.

But that would dispel the myth of, sorry, there's a whole stereotypical thing of guys out there because riding has always been really male dominated until recent years and there's tons of lady riders out there, which is amazing. That would dispel the myth from these, all these men out there saying, well that bike's too big for you and you will never be able to pick it up you know, if you put it down. Maya, what do you have to say about that?

It has nothing to do with the weight of the bike. It's all about the technique and like obviously make sure you're okay first, but if you know the technique to pick up a bike, you can.

Do you think you could pick up a Goldwing?

Probably. Once all my rugby injuries heal, probably.

I mean, yeah, you're right. It's all the physics and the way you go at it. So Maya, when you were ready or getting ready for this, did you approach your parents about it's time or did they say, are you ready for this now? Like, which way did that go?

So, here in Calgary, we can ride mopeds, so under 50cc's, once you have your learner's licence. So, at SAIT, we had this lovely moped that I drove all the time And as soon as I turned 14, I'm like, k. This is my vehicle now. So we just kind of always knew for years that this was what I would have. And then, yeah, I believe it was just a couple years ago.

I'm like, I love my moped, but I can't really go many places. So then we started looking for bikes for me and put me in a course because as much as I love my parents, I would not have them instruct me on a course just because that would be chaos. And yeah, I was just, I knew it was time and it was, they were great. They were super helpful. I bought my first bike with the help of them.

We kinda went like, they came with me, make sure everything was good and it was safe to be on the road and then it was off.

What's your first bike?

I have a Honda CB two fifty r.

What a great starter bike. Yeah. And you're enjoying that. What's the next one?

I don't know yet. Unfortunately, I had two serious injuries this past year because of rugby, so I didn't get to ride as much as I would have loved. So I'm still gonna take some time on this bike. And then I don't know. There's this beautiful Triumph up in the showroom at Blackfoot that I love, but that's still a while away.

Well, we can talk about that. I mean, I'm I'm not Triumph biased or anything.

No, of course.

No, the 400, the first time Maya I think it's at the bike show, the first time that Maya threw her leg over, it was a perfect fit. So there was that. But when Maya got her learners, her focus was more on riding this you know, riding her scooter to school every day. And she actually pushed off driving a car for until basically in the riding season. It was the the focus was on just riding the scooter.

And it was a I mean, it's a ten minute walk maybe to school, but to, you know, to pull up to her elementary school, you know, on her own scooter, I mean, she was definitely the talk of the town. And again, you know, she's a great driver now, but I think it's just that awareness about being on two wheels and having that head on the swivel because, you know, we do share the roads with others and just being aware of what they do.

Yeah, at a young age, I just kind of like learned, oh, there's a bike. And it was kind of funny growing up in the motorcycle industry, we would just be like in the car, I'm like, oh, there's a Triumph, oh, there's a Yamaha, there's So I like, at a young age, I'm like, I was able to identify that there were other vehicles on the road, which definitely helps me now like driving.

Yeah, absolutely. I remember when I did my course, of course I was much older than you. And when I did my course, I had realized I thought I was a really good driver before and then I did the course and I realized how much more attentive I was after learning all of those skills on top of it. Just to clarify for anybody listening in Alberta, a learner's is a class seven license and there's so much confusion out there about a motorcycle learners, which does not exist in our province. Technically your learners for a motorcycle is a class seven, five, four, three, two or one.

We only have a class six or that written permit is not your learners, it is just to do the road test. Chris, as a parent, what were the most important things? Like for the parents out there who maybe aren't instructors, weren't a big part of this or even ones who ride that again aren't instructors, what would you say is the most important thing to get your kids into writing properly? Because you've done it since she was a baby really, but most parents don't do that.

Yeah, taking a course was probably one of the most important things. And of course, Trevor with Too Cool was one of the many options that we had in Calgary. Even though both Tara and I were licensed instructors, we just felt that it was more important to actually put her into school and that she could get the instruction from people that were not her parents. And maybe people that didn't have biases, whether they were good or not. Again, letting her go at her own pace.

Even now when we go out and ride, it's kind of to when Maya says, you know, can we go out for a ride as opposed to, making her feel, sorry, the cat, making her feel, pressured to go out. And it's a big step going from her scooter and then going to her Honda has been an adjustment. We've gone out a few times and we start small. We go around the block, we go around, you know, and when we do stop, it's just okay, how are you feeling? Do you wanna go a little bit further?

Do you wanna repeat the same route? So I'm trying to be very mindful that I'm not pushing Maya beyond her skills and abilities or her comfort zone. One of the things we're gonna try this year is again, having Tara follow in a vehicle and I will lead, in front so that Maya can kind of follow my lines when I'm on the road, just so she can kind of see, okay, I see that you're in this part of the lane when we're on deer foot or you're in this part of the lane. And just so that she can try to see and understand things through my eyes. Having a communication set is probably one of the best things, because I can just let her know some of the things.

If it's just the two of us when I'm following, just some of the things that I'm noticing. Maybe you're too far over to the left third of your lane, or you're too close to that vehicle in front of you, maybe slow down a little bit, or now it's a good time, you know what, maybe you can accelerate just a little bit quicker when you're coming off of that off ramp or something like that. So there's a lot of coaching that goes with it, but I think it's at Maya's pace as opposed to the pace that I've got settled in my mind and where I think she should be. It's gotta be her comfort zone.

And I mean, you obviously have an immense amount of respect for your parents, Maya, and the world that you were brought up in. Do you ever, as a kid, do you ever get that dad, just shut up, you know, type of thing? Or is or is all that constructive criticism like, do you take that in a really positive way all the time? Do you get annoyed is what I'm asking.

I there's definitely times. Especially when I was first starting out, it's not so much I was getting annoyed with him. I was more getting annoyed with myself because I'm like, I've grown up in this industry. Why am I struggling or why am I stalling or all this stuff? And when he's like, it's okay, like, take your time, I'm like, just shut up, okay?

Like, I should be able to do this, but it's taken time to realize that even just because I've been around this industry doesn't mean I'm just gonna be able to do it right away. Like, have I changed broken bikes and broken clutches and all that stuff, but I've never driven that kind of, like I've never ridden that kind of stuff. So it's just taking that time. Sometimes you just need to step back, turn off our communication systems for a little bit and then we're good to go.

The comm systems are a game changer. I went so long without having one, being very anti calms. And then I got a calms system, but I didn't tell anybody because then the Showy GT Air helmets, they're integrated. And so nobody knew I had one. So I was like, oh no, no, I can't connect, you know?

Until I went on one bike trip with a girlfriend of mine and she was pretty new into riding a couple of years in, had been a passenger for a long time. That comm system was absolute genius for communication. As you said, Chris, about positioning lines like this corner's really sharp coming up, be wary of that. And because she was following me and learnt lines from me. It's a Maya, that's a really good way to really pick up from, you know, more seasoned riders is learning those lines.

Are you looking forward to more of that?

Yeah, I am. And it's really nice. Like both my brother and my dad ride. So it's wonderful to learn from riders who I can trust that are safe riders because there unfortunately are many riders out there that think they're more skilled than they are unfortunately and I'd rather learn from people that I know know the rules of the road are safe riders than those that think they look cool speeding or swerving or that kind of stuff.

Or that pushing you too quickly thing, right? Like as Chris, you were saying, it's at Maya's pace and we see that a lot with seasoned and I'm using that term in my quotie fingers, seasoned riders who, you know, almost force people too far out of their comfort zone too quickly. What are some of the negatives that could come of that, Chris?

If I go back even to my teaching days, like we always talked about group rides, you know, like pick the people you ride with really, really carefully and let them know that you're new or just remind them I'm brand new, you know? So maybe my comfort level or my skill level isn't as much or as good as yours and things like that. And just kind of watch out for me. And if you don't have that con system, maybe when you do stop for gas or stop for a break, maybe have those conversations about things that are good. Group riding, there's a lot of benefits and a lot of great things.

And there's also some of the scariest moments I've ever had on two wheels is because of group rides and people that don't know how to ride in a group. But even with Maya, handful of times that we were the first time, like on the road and on Deerfoot, just her lane selection and where she was riding, just kind of like, okay, I've got to take a deep breath. And then when we stop or again, with the comm system, we could talk about it. But it was more when we got a chance to stop and have coffee or tea and just saying, this is why you want to be in this part of the lane or this is why you want to be over here. The subtle reminders of turning your head and looking where you want to go.

Again, Maya says it so often, right? Like she's been around bikes her entire life and something so simple that she's heard me say millions of times, it's easy to forget. When you're riding and you get distracted and everything else is going simple thing of turning your head, I think is really important too. So she hears that one a lot in the comm system.

Yes. Turn your head, look where you wanna go, don't look at the car in front of you, all that stuff.

Yeah. Well, they're important reminders. Those little things can be the difference between an enjoyable day and one that may not be so great. And then they're not rugby injuries and we don't want that. Chris, what would you have done if Maya had zero interest in motorcycles?

Know, again, I think it's one of those things because again, being from the teaching world, the number of times that Tara and I had students that took the course for all of the wrong reasons, they took the course because their dad forced them into it or their partner forced them into it. And when things didn't go well, just that compounded so much and it was so hard on them. And, you know, the enjoyment was gone. Like there are people that are happy on the back of, you know, in the pillion seat of a motorcycle. And you know what?

That's fabulous. That's why they put two seats on a bike. But, yeah, I think if Maya had to come to Tara and I and just said, you know what? This just isn't for me. Yeah, it would have been a tough pill to swallow, but we would have accepted it.

You know, Maya mentioned her brother. It took Colton a long time to fully get licensed and he took a break away from motorcycling and now he's, you know, now he can't wait until he can ride every day back to work again and things like that. So, you know, maybe it was just that pause of that break or just understanding that everyone doesn't have to be as passionate about bikes as you and I are, Leanne. So

I mean, that's true. I mean, I don't understand that, but it's

No. No. Yeah. They're different people altogether, but but yeah, you know, you've Yeah. I think you just have to realize that again, this is her life and her body and and everything else like that too.

So if she doesn't wanna ride today or she doesn't wanna go out or she doesn't wanna practice, then the worst thing I think I can do is force it or go out and do it. Because I don't wanna take that joy around. It's amazing when we go a little bit further. I remember that when we went from here to, you know, one of the motorcycle shops in the city and the grin on her face when she headed off because she did it. And I don't I don't wanna lose that.

Like, that's that's what I want. I want us to be able to go for rides together and, you know, maybe we'll go and and, you know, do the the rat race and the Kootenays and ride out together. I mean, that would be an amazing dream. If it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world, but maybe we'll just do smaller rides.

Even with all of the skills and all of the environment that Maya grew up in and like I guess this is a question for both of you, but I'll start with you Chris, because it's going to get answered differently. Are you still going to be super nervous when she goes out on her own?

Every day. Even when she was on her scooter going to school, every day, the first thing I'd have her do is when you take her helmet off, send me a text. Send me a text. So those nerves will always be there.

Maya, what about you? Do you think it's gonna be, are you gonna be more excited to be out on your own or are you gonna be a little like, oh, where's my dad?

Oh, I'm definitely gonna be nervous. It's just, I've unfortunately being in the industry, I've seen so much go wrong and especially like as a single writer, I've like heard so many horror stories, so I'll always have that fear. But yeah, I'll just start small. I'll always text my parents when I get there. It'll take time, but hopefully like I was still always nervous even with my scooter driving the maybe four minutes it took to go to school.

But once like I practiced and I rode almost every day for an entire like school year, I got more comfortable, I was able to go faster, more areas. So it'll take time.

I think from a much older lady to to you, the game plan is great. I do a lot of distance solo riding. I prefer it, but it's that game plan. Like somebody always knows my route. Someone always knows where I am.

I'm nearing 50 and I still check-in at every gas station with one or two people on each side, just so if something happens, they have an idea of where I am. And there's also those apps like the Find My Friend app on the Apple system. Someone always has my dot. So someone always knows where I am. And I think that's my comfort, still like, Oh, what if something happens?

Know, that nervousness is still there, but the game plan has been put in place. So those safety nets, that's a good one, Chris, to teach her right from the get go of text me when you get to school, like it's four minutes, but still something can happen at four minutes.

Yeah, it's worked for us, but even when she takes the C train to U of C, I still get her to text me. It's just one of those things because

You're a parent.

I'm a parent and yeah, and I do care. And I'm the same with my son. You know, when I know that my son's going to work or I know he's coming home, it's just a quick text before, you know, he gets home to, you know, to his better half. So just to just to yeah. It's it is being that parent and just be, you know, always worrying just that little bit.

Last question before I let you guys go, because this has been an amazing conversation. How many family trips are being planned and where do you think you're gonna go?

We have one planned for sure for me and my brother's birthdays. I think we're going to Invermere possibly. I think possibly me, my brother and my dad will ride and then my mom and my brother's girlfriend will be in the car behind us with all the pets. But yeah, that's one for sure. I know my dad and my brother have some more sooner trips going.

Yeah, just again from Calgary doing Highway 40 and just all the back roads that I found because I too, I love to ride alone. I love just to hop on the bike and go. And sometimes I'll let Maya's mom know that I'm going for a loaf of bread and three hours later, I come home and without permit. I find all those back roads and all those twisty roads and all those places that I've never been before. So I like doing those, you know, calling up my son or potentially now calling up Maya and say, you know what, let's just go for a couple of hours and forget about everything else and just worry about riding and enjoying the space and stopping along the way.

Well, I hope that you guys make it out to the raid at some point in time. I I would say surprise me, but you'd have to register her so I'd know she was coming. But I would know she's coming on her own bike and people have done that to me, which is pretty cool. Again, I want to thank you both for your time today. I think it's really important to educate parents on how to properly get their kids into riding if that's what they want to do.

So again, thank you both so much for joining me today.

Thank you for having us. Thank you. And Leanne,

if you want to extend and let people know how to get ahold of me if they have more questions as a parent for new riders, I am more than willing to share any advice that I have or even experiences I've had with Maya.

Absolutely, we'll put your email in the show notes so that will be available to any parents who might want to reach out and thank you for that because that's always great to have that person to bounce stuff off of. In the meantime, for the rest of you, let's stay tuned for the mixed bag.

Hey, this is Leeroy with another helpful tip from Moto Instincts. Fluid execution is the third component of the Apex Safety System. It is an operating term that relates to mechanical flows of energy and is derived from the smooth characteristics of flowing water. Despite differences among types of motorcycles, there is an aspect of operation that remains constant for them all. That is the way the controls are ideally manipulated by the operator.

Top tier motorcyclists have learned to control their bike in a smooth fashion. The rider is so in tune with their machine that motorcycle motions are free from abrupt or jerky movements. Changes in bike operation reflect transfers of energy. Practice smooth transfers of of energy with gradual linear control application as well as using the least amount of control input for the desired result. By being smooth and avoiding over inputs, the motions of your machine will begin to flow.

Fluid execution generates steady motorcycle operation, which increases stability. Higher levels of stability will plant the bike into its suspension, increasing traction as more weight is pressed onto the road. Ultimately, fluid execution is a chain reaction of positive effects by the rider learning to be smooth with control inputs. That's it for this week. Make sure you visit us at MotoInstincts.com for more information.

Ride smart. Ride safe.

And that's our show for today. To make sure that you don't miss out on any of our upcoming podcasts or listen to previous ones, make sure you click on subscribe or follow wherever you get yours. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover or a guest you think would be great on the show or even a question for the mailbag, let us know. You can connect with us on all the socials. Email us at info@ab-amss.org or reach out through the website at a b dash amss dot org.

Thanks for listening to Think Bike. From us, always remember to ride smart, ride safe, and Think Bike. See you out on the road.