•Job: Motorcycle instructor, Rider's Edge

Photos by KARL W. RITZLER/Special (ENLARGE)

Sandy Lavelle models the smaller motorcycle used for students in her training classes at Rider's Edge.

(ENLARGE)

Sandy Lavelle shows off the fancier Harley-Davidson that she owns.

•What I do: Sandy Lavelle's job is risk management — on two wheels. She's a certified motorcycle instructor at Rider's Edge in Stone Mountain, which is affiliated with Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson. She also teaches for the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program.

"Riding a motorcycle is riskier than driving a car," said Lavelle, 51. "It's risk acceptance and risk management."

She teaches courses for beginners as well as advanced techniques for experienced riders, both in the classroom and on the road.

"I teach people how to ride," she said, including how to use a motorcycle's controls and tasks that may seem simple, such as riding in a straight line. The one thing she can't teach is balance. If you can't stay balanced on a bike — motorized or otherwise — a motorcycle isn't a good idea, she said.

She stresses vulnerability and stability.

"You have only two wheels and no steel cage around you," as you do in a car, she said. "You have to be always on guard and watch out for the other person."

The basic instruction course is two full days and two half-days; those who pass it can get motorcycle endorsements on their driver's licenses. The state doesn't require the course for an endorsement, but in just passing the state's written and riding test, "you don't learn anything," Lavelle said.

Always, though, she emphasizes safety. A motorcyclist has to be visible to other traffic and must have a strategy for dealing with the unexpected, such as a dog running in front of you or a stone popping up into your face guard.

"Once riders leave class, they're not ready to ride with the big dogs yet," Lavelle said; they're just ready to start practicing their riding.

Over seven years, Lavelle said she has taught thousands of people how to ride, including notables such as former Atlanta Braves outfielder Brian Jordan — after he left baseball — and WSB-TV anchorwoman Monica Pearson.

•What got me interested in this: Growing up in Miami, "I'd hear a motorcycle go by, and my heart would race," Lavelle said. Looking at the riders, she thought, "They don't have a care in the world."

When Lavelle was a teenager, her mother got a small street bike during a gasoline crisis, and Lavelle would ride that.

Her first bike was "too big and mechanically unsound, but it looked hot," she said. A year later she took her first safety course.

Over time, she volunteered for rallies, rides and events with chapters of the Harley Owners Group, called HOG. When a position as an instructor opened up, Lavelle said it was an easy decision to give up her job as a home-based medical transcriptionist. She had been a medical transcriptionist for about 20 years.

"I'm still involved in the [Harley-Davidson] community, and I get paid for it," she said.

•Best part of my job: "Seeing someone fulfill their dream — being part of that," Lavelle said. "I'm like a cheerleader out there," encouraging new riders.

•Most challenging part: "Trying to find out what a person's learning style is; trying to find out what works for them," she said. "What can I say or do to make you understand?"

•What people don't know about my job: "It's physically demanding being on your feet nine hours a day, walking backwards" as she guides novice riders on motorcycles. "Students are needy. I give out a lot of energy."

She also has to pick up 350-pound motorcycles.

•What keeps me going: "The riders. They come in with excitement, fear, anxiety and dreams. I take them through the process until they fulfill their dream."

•Preparation needed for this job: "You have to be able to ride a motorcycle," Lavelle said.

Getting certified as an instructor initially requires having a motorcycle license endorsement for at least two years and a good driving record. The certification process involves three to six months of studying and several weekends of training in the national Motorcycle Safety Foundation program. A college education is not required.

Lavelle technically works for both Rider's Edge and the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program. All state motorcycle instructors must be certified by the national organization.

Harley-Davidson requires additional training and an internship for its Rider's Edge instructors.

"You have to be a motorcycle nut and want to give back to the community," Lavelle said.

- By Karl W. Ritzler, for ajcjobs. Got an interesting job that you love? E-mail your story to jobseditor@ajc.com.