I'm not an imposter any more

[klingon]

It suddenly occurred to me today that I finally feel like a 'real' biker. I hadn't really been aware that until now I had felt like I was pretending to be a biker. To untrained observers I looked like a biker - I had all the gear and rode a bike! But inside I still felt like I was just putting on an act.

But over the last few weeks something has shifted. I think it has been a combination of several things.... getting my 6R license, commuting on the motorway, riding out of town... even being able to have a sensible conversation about bikes with someone I met at a party!

I wonder if this 'imposter syndrome' is common among new bikers. I didn't consciously know I had it, but now it's gone I feel quite different.

Hmmm... After a year of riding almost every day, I think I've finally grown up. :baby:

[merv]

Good on ya girl, all growed up now!!:devil2:

[Maha]

even being able to have a sensible conversation about bikes with someone I met at a party!

I wonder if this 'imposter syndrome' is common among new bikers. I didn't consciously know I had it, but now it's gone I feel quite different.


'imposter syndrome'.....never used that term...i used the La' Kwant Syndrome...La' Kwant tm = Like A Kid With A New Toy....:yes:...still use it from time to time...oh and at parties?... i just rant and rave, but i wont anymore, its worth nothing...:gob:

[Lteejay]

Thats pretty cool. Next you'll be getting tats :eek:

[Trudes]

I can see where you're coming from, I kind of felt a bit that way until I got a bigger bike and did a few trips out of town. Good on ya for joining us truly!

[Knottie]

I actually feel the same way I'm still feeling like I'm posing on the bike, but i just love my new baby so much i think it's just the honeymoon phase thing, once the novelty wares off I'll feel different I'm sure.
Still it's a bit like having a new man, cant wait to ride it when ya get home!:lol:

[Mystery]

I wonder if this 'imposter syndrome' is common among new bikers.

As a relatively new biker, I definitely suffer from "imposter syndrome". I think it has a lot to do with lack of confidence! I know that is definitely my problem:baby:, I just cant imagine riding as well as others I have seen/met.
I'm very pleased to hear that you have overcome it !:ride:

[007XX]

Yipee...:Punk:

i know exactly what you mean. Felt like that a few times over a few months, then did a couple of really big rides that people thought I was crazy to do...then came this really great newfound confidence that just made me feel that I belobged as a serious rider...like a coming of age!

Very cool Klingon!!

[NighthawkNZ]

Hmmm... After a year of riding almost every day, I think I've finally grown up. :baby:

Yup youd alled growed up... told it only gets better... ;) Have fun

[Phil W]

Hey Nighthawk, you got something with the music. Grew up with Hawkwind/Gong etc etc. Liked some of the tracks.
:banana:

[heyjoe]

It's called confidence and its nice to have. Welcome to the next level but hey - it looks just the same as the previous one. It's all how you feel and its a nice feeling. Enjoy.

[The Stranger]

Hmmm... After a year of riding almost every day, I think I've finally grown up. :baby:

real biker != grown up

[Neon]

Oh hell yes I'm just a cage driver impersonating a bike rider. I imagine it will be a while yet before I feel like a 'real' biker!

[FROSTY]

I think new bikers are like new converts to cristianity.(or to amway as a funny observation) They wear their bikerdom on their sleeves.
It takes a little while to get comfortable as a biker -maybee even relaxed into it is the right phrase

[deanohit]

i know exactly what you mean. Felt like that a few times over a few months, then did a couple of really big rides that people thought I was crazy to do...

Same here, for me, I only did the odd run into town or around the local back roads here, then I decided to ride home to Picton from Tauranga. My mum told me I was crazy to do it on a 200cc trail bike, but I was so keen. Did it and had a ball even though it rained the whole way down. Came back up on a mates truck just cause I had too much gear for the bike.
Then when I did the Corro Loop ride with EJ, suddenly I felt like a Biker when EJ started asking for advice on how to ride on gravel, I was like 'hey, thats right, I'm the experianced on here!' :banana: Was great!

Congratulations Klingon on becoming a real HARDCORE BIKER!!! :niceone:

[Curious_AJ]

It suddenly occurred to me today that I finally feel like a 'real' biker. I hadn't really been aware that until now I had felt like I was pretending to be a biker. To untrained observers I looked like a biker - I had all the gear and rode a bike! But inside I still felt like I was just putting on an act.

But over the last few weeks something has shifted. I think it has been a combination of several things.... getting my 6R license, commuting on the motorway, riding out of town... even being able to have a sensible conversation about bikes with someone I met at a party!

I wonder if this 'imposter syndrome' is common among new bikers. I didn't consciously know I had it, but now it's gone I feel quite different.

Hmmm... After a year of riding almost every day, I think I've finally grown up. :baby:


well, some pwoplw would probably say I was an imposter... I feel like one too because of some unfair comments... but really, I'm getting there.. my funds are getting up there and soon I'll be upgrading from pillion to rider!

I wonder if I'd still feel like one... I don't know.. but we'll see... most people I know (friends and family outside this site) are completely shocked about how much I'm actually looking forward to the transition...

hmm imposter syndrome.. I recokon it could be quite common for newbies at first...

[jrandom]

I feel like one too because of some unfair comments...

You think it was unfair for me to say that a large number of people on this forum think you're a vapid fool (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1286386#post1286386)?

I wonder if we should be blaming the public school system for spitting out kids who think that life isn't fair unless the world loves them...

[ziggy]

imposter on a volty!

not even a GN FFS!!!!!!!!!

[vifferman]

Well, despite having ridden bikes since 1973ish, having had my full licence since 1974, and having owned a few bikes since then, I still feel like an imposter.


At least when I'm with other bikers. :confused:

When I'm at work, where I'm the only one who rides, it's easier to pretend that I'm the bona fide article.

[klingon]

imposter on a volty!

not even a GN FFS!!!!!!!!!

:bash: Oi! The Volty Police know where you live and we'll be coming over to scare you soon.


Well, despite having ridden bikes since 1973ish, having had my full licence since 1974, and having owned a few bikes since then, I still feel like an imposter.


At least when I'm with other bikers. :confused:

When I'm at work, where I'm the only one who rides, it's easier to pretend that I'm the bona fide article.

LOL! Well maybe after I've been riding for 30-something years I'll go back to feeling like an imposter because I'll realise how much I still don't know about bikes! Maybe I'm just going through a stage of being blissfully ignorant and it will eventually pass. :Oops:

By the way I was lying about having a sensible conversation about bikes at a party. When was the last time anybody talked sensibly about bikes? Maybe that's what makes me a real biker - I suddenly stopped being sensible :yes:

[Curious_AJ]

You think it was unfair for me to say that a large number of people on this forum think you're a vapid fool (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1286386#post1286386)?

I wonder if we should be blaming the public school system for spitting out kids who think that life isn't fair unless the world loves them...

no, not because of that... Its because of you accusing me of not being interested in bikes...you just dont do that...

ps, i know I'm a vapid fool... I dont care... it adds a different perspective into life.

[Jantar]

When was the last time anybody talked sensibly about bikes?

Well, there was this one time, at band camp, when..... :innocent:

Uh sorry, wrong story. :nono:

But I do remember a sensible converstaion about bikes. Unfortunately it was a short converstaion and very one sided. The person trying to have this conversation with me was an almost deaf old codger, and I was a 10 foot tall bullet proof teenager. The old codger had some claim about setting a speed record at a place called Bonneville if that could be believed. :gob:

[McDuck]

1
I see what you mean. For me it was after i arived in wellington for the CC ride..... (after the BBQ)