Pambliss's Words

I posted on the Conga II forum for words on what the Conga means to you, this is my first response.
I just started riding a motorcycle last December. Took the MSF course and was as green as they come: didn’t know how to start the bike and had never operated a clutch. Caught the bug and bought my first bike in December 2008 for my 41st birthday. Spent 6 weeks cursing that pretty little V Star 650 and whatever fates had made me decide to do this on my own. Everything I read said to get it to a parking lot. Well, I found it difficult to ride the bike to a parking lot to learn to ride the bike. If anyone has figured out how to do that, would love to know the secret. I then found a forum of lady riders, Women Who Ride, and posted my introduction on January 19, 2009. I soon learned all about this Conga II ride everyone was buzzing about.
When I heard that this was going to be a ride for Breast Cancer Awareness, it brought tears to my eyes. The morning of January 9, 2007, while showering, I felt something that wasn’t supposed to be there. I was lucky and it turned out to be benign and did not require surgery. But between finding it and hearing the official diagnosis, my mind tumbled over much fear as I went through a battery of tests over a short period of time. I learned much about this insidious disease that affects women and men. I have not felt that small and scared since my dad died of lung cancer in 1987.
I emailed DocDonna, reminded her how new of a rider I was and asked how I would know if I was ready for a group ride. By the time we had emailed a few times, I was on the list as a Conga Rider! Only three months after buying my bike and not knowing anyone who rode, I had beautiful friends locally and online as well as a support system that stretches across the North American continent. I was planning for a riding adventure that was completely outside my realm 12 weeks earlier.
I have read where the Conga line officially is a carnival march in a long procession line that includes some shuffle steps and a kick. Well, I do not know about the shuffling part but I know we are a long line of friends who are taking turns dropping in and out of this Conga ride; some will dance longer than others. We will embrace the carnival spirit by sharing lots of laughs, hugs and good cheer. And together we are going to kick breast cancer’s ass.. Let’s Ride!
Pam Kaby
Niceville, FL