Last week in the email I sent to subscribers of jodiloves, I mentioned that I was taking the Basic Riders Skill test to learn to ride a motorcycle. I took the written test last week, attended the classroom training and felt pretty good about getting on an actual bike over the weekend. To my surprise, once I got on the bike I was nervous and totally overwhelmed. My only experience with a motorized bike was the Stella that my Mom owned. I wrecked it on my second attempt and scared the crap out of myself. Also, I hit my head (I was not wearing a helmet) and I had gravel stuck in my knee.

Here is a little background into why I am sharing this and why I wanted to learn to ride in the first place. My husband started watching Formula 1 racing a few years ago (when it was still slightly interesting). Greg and I share an interest in cars and I love the movie Grand Prix with James Garner (I have a poster of him in my office). Formula 1 is nerdy in it’s attention to tire wear and the mechanics of the cars. Also, most of the drivers are not bad to look at (Kevin Magnussen, am I right ladies)! Soon after Greg got into F1, he started watching movies about the Isle of Mann TT, which is a motorcycle road race in the UK. Often referred to as “the most dangerous racing event in the world” to date 258 riders have died while racing in the TT. We watched Closer to the Edge, which is an amazing documentary about why the riders risk their lives every year to participate in the race. We also watch Road, which is about the Dunlap family who have been a part of this racing community, with tragic results, for years. I remember saying to Greg, “if you start watching races like this all the time, I will have a heart-attack!” Unlike F1, the consequences of making a mistake in road racing are life altering, if not deadly. I live my life so differently to the riders at the TT and have learned to respect their desire to risk everything, for the sport they are most passionate about.

How many times as adults do we put ourselves out there and take a risk, I mean really put everything we have on the line. I am not saying that I wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle because I want to go dangerously fast. I guess I see taking this risk as a metaphor for all the things that hold us back in life. What makes us scared to try something new, is it discomfort? Is it the fear of getting hurt? How do we over come these fears?

Last weekend after two hours in the motorcycle class, I was frustrated and not picking up how to work the controls on the bike as quickly as the class was progressing. I started to tear-up in my helmet because I felt so out of my element. I had a choice to make. I wish I could tell you that I choked back my tears and pressed on. That I now have my motorcycle license and rode to the office today. I let the fear of failing completely shut me down. I also recognized that riding a motorcycle may not be for me. I had to take a hard look at why I wanted to learn in the first place. Are there other things besides riding a motorcycle that allow me to take risks and push me out of my comfort zone?

The conclusion I have arrived at is that every time I write a blog entry, every email I send to the jodiloves mailing list, and every photo shoot is me pushing the limits of my comfort. Writing about myself is not easy, sharing the details of my personal struggles is not something I ever thought I could do. I appreciate you taking the time to read my words. It is liberating to finally share my thoughts and stories without holding back. I may not have accomplished one of my goals, but I will continue to put everything I have into making this blog the best it can possibly be.

The TT starts this weekend and it is Memorial Day on Monday, so I have put together a Potato and Broccoli Salad recipe to share. I have added the broccoli to make the salad WW friendly. This recipe is inspired by the absolutely amazing potato salad from Portia’s Cafe!

Potatoes, mayonnaise, dill and small pickles on a rustic blue background.

Cubed potatoes, celery, broccoli stems, dill, cucumber, mustard, chive and pickles on a rustic blue wooded background. Navy napkin.

Ingredients for the sauce in a orange and tan bowl on rustic white wooded background.

Mixture of dressing ingredients in a orange bowl being help above rustic white wooden background. Female hands.

What are you making this weekend? Please share in the comments!

Potato and Broccoli Salad with Dill Pickles

Author: Jodi Boatman Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook time: 12 Minutes
Total Time: 32 Minutes Yields: 10 Servings

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

Pinch of salt
5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
6 broccoli crown stalks, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (about 2 cups)
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/3 medium cucumber
1 C light mayonnaise
1 TBSP yellow mustard
1 C dill pickles, drained and chopped
1/2 C pickle juice
2 TBSP fresh dill, chopped
1 TBSP fresh chives, chopped

Instructions:

Heat water with a pinch of salt in a large sauce pan until boiling. Add potatoes and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes. Add broccoli stalks and continue to cook for about 2 minutes until broccoli is just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Meanwhile, add celery, cucumber, mayo, mustard, pickles, pickle juice, dill and chives to a large serving bowl and combine.
Once the potatoes and broccoli have cooled and drained, add to the mayo mixture and combine. Salt to taste.
Chill in the fridge for one hour. Stir again and add a pinch of dill and chive to the top for a garnish and serve.