Scoot - Or the one about Olds Dogs and New Tricks

I've been scooter curious for a while. As much as I like the look of them, I hate them as well. They're a bloody nuisance on the roads. From what I hear, they're a big reason the accident and emergency numbers have been up. Then there's the convenience factor and the fun factor and the irritation factor and I think why bother?

But in Darwin, they're a good way to get from one end of town to another - especially at night, when you don't want to walk, but a scooter will get you there faster and with a bit more security. 

So, I've made it a bit of a mission to learn how to ride one? 

What could go wrong? (other than brain bleeds and broken bones)

As I said before, I'm a bit curious about this scootering thing. But rather than make a complete ass out of myself in Darwin, in The Wet, I've made it a bit of a mission to learn how to do this around here. 

And sure, the place where scooters go to bed is just around the corner and I could ask somebody to give me some lessons. 

Instead, I've enlisted my neighbour, Rocky, to give me a hand. He's letting me have a go on his scooter in the driveway, where all good people learn to ride things with wheels. I remember learning to ride a bike in the driveway at home when I was five. 

There are some differences to the scooter he's loaning me and the ones you rent on the street. Rocky's one is tethered to the banister downstairs. It doesn't cost anything to take it for a spin outside. It's a bit heavy, but allegedly so are the ones you rent on the street. And our driveway is long, but not that long, so you don't get to get up any speed. 

And Rocky doesn't have a helmet for me to use...

I gave the scooter a go over the weekend. I felt really unsteady, although I didn't fall off. I sort of wanted to go faster, but as I didn't have a helmet, part of me was asking what happened if I went head-first into the bins. 

After a few minutes, I put the scooter back under the stairs and thought better of the whole venture. 

Maybe I'll try in again in a few days. 

Or maybe I'll accept my limitations, the fact that I'm older, that my balance is a little dodgy and I'm generally risk averse when it comes to head and spinal injuries and give up on the whole lark. 

At least I've never left the driveway. 

Today's song: