Hello, my name is Slobi and I received the Most Improved Rider award, for 2022 riding season!!

This is very special award for me, and I am very proud of it.  Since I joined the group, in 2021, I was hopeful that one day I will be worthy of getting this award. Riding a motorcycle become a huge thing in my life and the award brought so much happiness to me, and a desire to improve my riding abilities even more!.

Riding was introduced to me 7 years ago when I was riding on the back of my friend’s bike. I loved it but right away I knew that I didn’t want to be a passenger. The following summer I took a motorcycle course and got my class 6 in 2018. My first bike was a Suzuki Marauder 125. I was driving it for a couple of months and realized that I need a bigger bike. Soon after, I bought a Honda Shadow 750 and was much happier with that bike. Of course, life then got busy, and I didn’t ride as much as I wanted to.

In 2020 I visited Cycle Works Edmonton, and after meeting Jay, who showed me the amazing Indian Scout 60, I didn’t take much time to come back and order one!!  After my Scout arrived, I was connected with IMRG 1904, by Jay, and that was the best thing ever! So much so that in 2022, I upgraded my Scout 60 to an Indian Chieftain, to give me the power and comfort I wanted, after getting some kms under me. I love my Chieftain so much!

I joined IMRG 1904 riders’ group as an inexperienced rider. During the last two season my riding has improved a lot. Riders in the group have contributed to that a lot! They have really supported me, given me invaluable feedback on my riding, and encouraged me to have fun and trust myself. The group members were always patient with me on our group rides and I was always felt safe and secure riding with them.

Riding in the group is a special feeling. You have a strong sense of belonging, to be riding with a group of riders that are great riders and people. Riding in the group requires specialized knowledge of group riding rules, how to be safe, and ultimately carries a big responsibility to be mindful of my own riding and care for other riders as well.

Riding in the group has many other benefits as well! There is a lot of fun and socializing during our rides.  Making new friends, developing a strong sense of connections with your group members and heading out on new adventures that you may not seek out on your own!.

My advice for a new rider is to be a patient, practice a lot, ride whenever you have a chance, don’t give up, be open to suggestions and advice from other riders and ask questions about anything you are not sure about. It’s ok to be scared as well, I am still scared at times! The best result will come with practicing repeatedly.

My favorite riding experience, to date, is hard to single out because we have had so many awesome rides this last season and every single one is special on a different way!! But… I would share my WCIC  2022 Revelstoke ride.

The night before leaving Edmonton to travel to Revelstoke to ride, I was still deciding whether I would ride my Scout or Chieftain… which I was still a little scared to ride. After reaching out to other group members, I made my decision- Chieftain will be. I knew I would be supported by my riders’ group. I rode 700 km in one day and with that huge bike… it was an amazing experience!! Our Road Captains helped with my riding position, in the group, and made sure that I was safe all times. I can honestly say that without support from all our IMRG 1904 group riders, I don’t know if I would have made it, on my new, much bigger bike. After we arrived, I felt so proud of myself and extremely thankful to my rider’s family for helping make that moment possible!