My first ride without being high!

[openforhelp]

I went out yesterday for a ride. It was the first time I have ever ridden without being drunk, high or buzzed. It was great. I was at peace with myself. I had fun. I was a little scared at first because I kept thinking about hitting a number or picking up some Jack Daniels. I didn't and was really glad that I made it through. Now I have to convince myself that I can take a ride to the lake front without having to have a joint at the end of the ride to enjoy myself. This summer is going to be a challenge. Wish me luck!

By the way, I have a 2005 Suzuki M50( Marauder 800).

[tramp]

good luck and welcome to the club.....

[Rarly Harley]

Welcome Open! It's like having to learn how to ride all over again isn't it? The spectrum of sights, sounds and smells will broaden also. Sober riding is way cool.

[best]

You will see things you have never seen before.
A clear mind and open road, you will be taking it all in.

[recoveringnky]

Welcome to the group! Riding clean and sober is so amazing! Riding now for me is peaceful and lots of fun!!! I find that I need to ride almost as much as I need my meetings. I find peace in the rooms and on my bike! Actually, I rode my bike the other day and it was 38 degrees outside....couldn't take it anymore, so I leathered up and took off for about a 2 hour ride.....ahhhh, such peace!!!

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by recoveringnky

I find that I need to ride almost as much as I need my meetings.

Me, too. I get irritable and discontent if I'm too long out of the saddle. Was getting that way, too, before this past Sunday and Monday. The weather and my bad back finally agreed to give me a break at the same time, so I put a couple hundred miles on the Beemer, and about half that on the shovel. Dang, but that felt good!

Welcome to a brave new world, Open. You've already proven you can ride clean and sober. Now all you have to do is get up tomorrow and do it again!

[Jeano]

Congrats on the sober ride. Haven't done one yet and am looking forward to it! I too worry about pit stops and not picking up.

Now, having said that, I am soooo jealous you can ride right now! It's 30 degrees and rainy where I am. Going down to the 20's tonight. Can you say black ice?!

[openforhelp]

Well, I screwed up! I had a couple of beers yesterday. Then I picked up some Jack today. Not drunk, but I feel bad about it. I went 10 days without anything. I am not going to go back. I will start over. I am sorry I relapsed.

[Gooch]

Well you don't have to apologize to me .. i tried many times by myself to get it together, but after a little while I felt so good I would go try and do some controlled drinking or drugging, only to figure out that I wasn't any good at consistently predicting the outcome.

Finally 15 years ago tomorrow I went to jail for a predicate felony DWI and decided that since I had a nice ( albeit county assisted ) 6 month roll going, I'd give meetings a shot. I went to an NA meeting the day I got out of jail and havn't messed up since.

That just for today mentality took a little trying to figure out how to apply but it's worked pretty good for me.

You learned something hopefully, and any lessons that don't kill us help us get a better grip on the reality of our situation.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by openforhelp

Well, I screwed up! I had a couple of beers yesterday. Then I picked up some Jack today. Not drunk, but I feel bad about it. I went 10 days without anything. I am not going to go back. I will start over. I am sorry I relapsed.

How bad do you want it ?
Last meeting ?
Have you talked to your sponsor ?
Riding is great, and this forum is great, but it don't take the place of meetings.

[BillJ]

Open,

Damned few of us make it our first try. The fact that you're still here, still trying, means at least part of you wants sobriety. You just have to figure out how to get some.

I tried staying sober by osmosis the first year or so I was around AA, and it never worked. As Hurricane said, riding is great, and hanging with sober riders is great, but neither take the place of meetings, and in my experience meetings don't take the place of working the Twelve Steps.

It wasn't until I started doing what sober people do that I started getting what sober people have. Oddly enough, I've been clean and sober ever since.

Keep comin' back, Open. We're saving a seat for you.

[Rarly Harley]

Open: Don't sweat it. I hardly know anyone who stayed sober on the first run at it. I also found out that I couldn't stay sober, or moderate, on my own. Tried real hard for 5 years though... LOL. I finally gave in and started attending meetings. That's where I learned how to stay sober by working the 12 steps, under the guidance of a good sponsor.

[newlifeinchrist]

Glad to see you back openforhelp, like the rest I had to go back out there several times to prove to myself that I was powerless over my addictions, I like what Gooch says " I was'nt any good at consistantly predicting the outcome" since I was married in 89' my wife would'nt ride or let me ride when we were drinking, which ment on runs we would park the bike before drinking, so I haven't had much expirance riding at night. been sober 6 years now and at first it was really a trip crusing the town after AA meetings. now I love it!! never knew what I was missing. One thing we say around here is "meeting makers make it" hang in there bud.