Help please! I'm a wuss on the open road!

[flat battery]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a few confidence issues riding on the open road and was hoping you might have some advice for me!

I'm a new rider, got my learners end of last year and was loving riding around town. But since then I've been out on a few slightly longer rides (2-3 hours) on the open road and I've just lost all my confidence! I feel really unsteady above 80kmph and any crosswind is enough to give me the willies! My boyfriend suggested I tuck my elbows in more and that helps a bit, but I'm still too nervous to enjoy the riding :( I haven't ridden for so long that the battery on my bike went flat!

I'm not sure if it's my bike (quite light and narrow) or my riding position, or if it's just in my head! I really want to get over it though so I can enjoy riding again. If anyone's got any ideas or tips I'd really appreciate them!!!

[Mr. Peanut]

It's in your head...

Position.

Keep your head up, don't look at the front wheel, look where you want to go.

The bike will take care of itself, those VTRs will take corners at speeds that'll do your head in, so relax!

[vifferman]

Relax - especially your grip on the handlebars. Like Fumeux said - look where you want to go, as far ahead as possible. You should be looking through the corner.
And above all - stop thinking/fretting so much! Just relax and enjoy the ride. You're doing a really, really fun thing!

[klingon]

Hello Flat Bat & Welcome :sunny:

First, good on you for getting out on the open road. Two or three hours at speeds you're not used to is a huge achievement! Also with some of the weather we've had recently, I've heard even experienced bikers complain how they felt like they were blowing all over the road.

Maybe you should consider 'rewarding' yourself by doing some of the things you used to enjoy before you started pushing so hard? How about meeting a bunch of fellow bikers at a cafe (somewhere where you can go all the way there in 50k zones!)? I'm sure you'll find a few biker angels on here who would jump at the chance for an excuse for a short ride to your favourite cafe, or along the waterfront, or to a park, or wherever takes your fancy.

Keep up the open road stuff, but don't let it spoil your enjoyment of the things you already enjoy, and don't let it put you off riding. Get out there and charge that battery!

As Buckbuck is fond of saying (I'm sure he'll be along soon) "Head up and enjoy!"

[kevfromcoro]

Relax..As above post. Mayebe get out with a few more riders. Dont be frightened to ask advice. Iam sure people will help...rember it isnt going to happen over night...But iam sure you will gain your confidence

[Duke girl]

Good on u 4 getting out there on the open rd but the more u get out there the quicker yr confidence will build up and then it wont feel as bad as it does to u at the moment. There r plenty of riders out there who r more than happy to ride with u and help u, all u have to do is ask ok?. We have all been in that same situation sometime in our riding life so yr not alone. Goodluck w3ith it and Happy riding.:scooter: :Punk: :rockon:

[Macktheknife]

Confidence only comes from achievement, that means you have to go out and get some!
Baby steps is fine, if that is what you need, take the bike out and do some 70 zones etc and build your confidence. Try the mentors nights too, learn and practice good skills in good company.

[Duke girl]

Good on u 4 getting out there on the open rd but the more u get out there the quicker yr confidence will build up and then it wont feel as bad as it does to u at the moment. There r plenty of riders out there who r more than happy to ride with u and help u, all u have to do is ask ok?. We have all been in that same situation sometime in our riding life so yr not alone. Goodluck with it and Happy riding.:scooter: :Punk: :rockon:

[janno]

My husband and I have taken quite a few nervous beginners out and we've got a great system going. (I've only been riding three years, he's been riding 35 plus).

This may work for you.

Firstly, find someone whose riding you admire and trust - cool, calm, smooth and chooses when and where to peel it back. The ones that boast the most about how great they are, generally aren't. (Don't be surprised if this isn't your boyfriend. Sometimes that's not a great mix - sometimes it's fine. If he fits the bill, then that's handy for you.)

Get this person to go over with your slow speed work in the empty carpark. You can never get enough of this, and they can see where you are at.

Then on the open road, rope in another person, so you follow Great Leader, all you have to do is follow this person's lines and trust they are going the speed you are capable of, in conditions you can ride in and that you are going over roads suitable for your level. It's their job to do this.

The other person rides sweep, protects your tail, and keeps cars from hassling you or trying to overtake and landing on your butt.

Don't be afraid to wear your nana vest (hi vis jacket or vest). I wear mine at night or when taking newbies out and it bloody well works in alerting others that A) a motorcycle is here and/or B) training is in progress.

Make sure you have a ride brief before, sorting out signals, what to expect, and where you are going.

Have a debrief afterwards, let them know of any problems you have and what you noticed about their riding - ie should you be doing that too just yet?

The women we have taken out have really thrived on this system, and said being in the middle of a ride knowing they were guarded front and rear meant they could concentrate on handling the bike and reading the road without panicking about scary traffic or weather (by that I mean if their mentors thought they could do it, then it must be OK).

Bloody well be prepared to practice instead of whingeing! Not a swipe at you or your post, but we took one lady out - she was not prepared to listen, whinged the whole way, and now wonders why everyone who has tried to help her only does it once.

If you are really prepared to work at it and take things on board, you will have no trouble finding people to take you out, because plenty of people want to pass on the buzz they get from bikes, and enjoy teaching a keen newcomer.

I learned this way and it is really fast and quick if you put the time in and LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE BEING TOLD!!!

Hope this helps, it's miserable being afraid of your bike or the road. Been there, done that. I can tell you, once you're over it you'll be set for life.:yes:

Jan.

[Hanne]

Maybe you should consider 'rewarding' yourself by doing some of the things you used to enjoy before you started pushing so hard? How about meeting a bunch of fellow bikers at a cafe (somewhere where you can go all the way there in 50k zones!)? I'm sure you'll find a few biker angels on here who would jump at the chance for an excuse for a short ride to your favourite cafe, or along the waterfront, or to a park, or wherever takes your fancy.



Coffee? Yes please! :sunny:
Welcome to the site.

I haven't been riding for that long either (just got my own bike in January) but I have found it really useful to go out with people who have riding for a while to follow their lines on the road and hear what they have to say about improving my riding... As you can see, there are plenty of people willing to give you a hand right here.
If you think your partner is the right person to help you, that is definately handy!
(It was all good having Squiggles take me out for rides until he went and sold his bike... :P)

Hanne

PS if you do want to ride somewher for coffee, I am in :sunny:

[MSTRS]

.....LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE BEING TOLD!!!

...

I'm sure you didn't mean to shout:innocent: however, this advice is best when the listener is prepared to practice what they are told. The 2 greatest mistakes that new riders make is they tense up, and they do not look far enough ahead.
Ms FB - you have a perfect bike for learning the dark art on. Talk to The Stranger or Micro about doing a RRRS course

[janno]

Oh yes I bloody well did mean to shout!:gob:

Have you ever taken out a beginner who absolutely won't listen? And as a responsible rider you can't just leave them out there no matter how damn dangerous they are to yourself and others?

Done that once and once only. A person who has specifically asked for help then chose to ignore advice and actually endangered the lives of others in doing so deserves to be shouted at - though we didn't at the time, were so bloody shell shocked by what this chick was doing.

If you've never had this charming experience, you will think I'm being a bad tempered old cow. :angry: If you've had it happen to you, you'll probably know exactly what I'm talking about.

So my advice to a beginner or person asking for help is, choose your mentor wisely, someone you can relate to, and LISTEN!! It's the best way to stay alive and in my opinion can't be emphasised enough.

Plus, more importantly, be quite clear about what you are finding hard or don't understand so the other person can try to help you solve the problem, rather than trying to tough it out. People don't mind you not picking up something immediately, it's just a bad attitude that stops people trying to help you.

Jan.

[yungatart]

Ride Right, Ride Safe course! They are run on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Whenuapai Air base.
There is a sticky on here about the course. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=28643
It will be the best $50 you have invested in your riding, and trust me, you will be doing things after that course, that would have scared the bejesus out of you beforehand.

[Disco Dan]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a few confidence issues riding on the open road and was hoping you might have some advice for me!

I'm a new rider, got my learners end of last year and was loving riding around town. But since then I've been out on a few slightly longer rides (2-3 hours) on the open road and I've just lost all my confidence! I feel really unsteady above 80kmph and any crosswind is enough to give me the willies! My boyfriend suggested I tuck my elbows in more and that helps a bit, but I'm still too nervous to enjoy the riding :( I haven't ridden for so long that the battery on my bike went flat!

I'm not sure if it's my bike (quite light and narrow) or my riding position, or if it's just in my head! I really want to get over it though so I can enjoy riding again. If anyone's got any ideas or tips I'd really appreciate them!!!


Welcome! :yes: :yes:

Come along to the AWNMR and we will sort you out! :innocent: :Punk:

Also, RRRS is a great course to take.

Disco

[The Stranger]

Oh yes I bloody well did mean to shout!:gob:

Have you ever taken out a beginner who absolutely won't listen? And as a responsible rider you can't just leave them out there no matter how damn dangerous they are to yourself and others?



You didn't per chance teach Justsomeguy to ride did you.
Nah, he was worse, he would listen, nod appropriately, agree then just carry on as normal.
His ability to resist the teaching efforts of so many accomplished and well respected riders forever forms part of KB folk lore. Generations to come will hear of his heroic resistance to logic, respect and knowledge.

[MSTRS]

Oh yes I bloody well did mean to shout!

Softly softly catchee monkey.
If the trainee doesn't listen etc then yes, by all means give them a rarkup.
But if you are doing the same to a newbie that has asked for help in good faith then perhaps you are not the right person to be teaching them?
"Is this the right room for an argument?" - "No, sorry. This is abuse"

[Squiggles]

you're welcome to come along on the learners rides organised by the Auckland Uni Bike Club,we have a fair few learners that come along to get used to open road riding

[janno]

[QUOTE=The Stranger;1097104]You didn't per chance teach Justsomeguy to ride did you.
Nah, he was worse, he would listen, nod appropriately, agree then just carry on as normal.


No, this was a woman in Bris, who I found out later was famous for doing the hard luck story about how she couldn't get help, then behaved in such an outrageous manner that no one wanted to help her. Really took advantage of people's good nature. Luckily I've never come across another like her though. Most motorcyclists are the best, IMHO!!:rockon:

Jan.

[flat battery]

Hi again,

Wow thanks for all your advice! I think relaxing is something I definitely need to do, but perhaps this will be a lot easier once I've done a couple courses and have a bit of confidence in my riding again. I'm definitely keen to do the RRRS course (I didn't realise you could do this with such little experience!) - have PM'ed the stranger.

AWNMR sounds good too - when's the next one? I live on the shore so it might be easier to meet you in Albany if that's where you go.

Janno - your plan sounds good, I have a rider in mind for this but he just sold his bike! I'm sure this can be sorted though. The plan makes a lot of sense, in fact we do the same thing when we take out a newbie mountain biker (although we don't need the tail person for that! but its great to follow someone elses speed and lines though).

Hanne - might have to take you up on the coffee offer. And klingon if you're keen! I'll be in touch :)

Anyway, I'm feeling a lot more positive so thanks. Will let you know how I get on! And if I have any more questions. Also, for the record, I'm a good listener :P

[Mom]

I'm feeling a lot more positive so thanks. Will let you know how I get on! And if I have any more questions. Also, for the record, I'm a good listener :P

As the learned on here have already said, relax, it is all about fun, whether doing 50kph or xxxkph, trust your bike to do what it can do, just get out there and do it. Dont grip the bars as if your life depends on them, look ahead of where you want to go, and ride lots and lots! Watch out on the calender on the home page, for rides happening close to you, read the body of the post as some dont say "learner friendly" in their titles, but are more than happy for, and cater for learners to join in.

[sunhuntin]

if the wind picks up more than you are used to, try increasing your speed. ignore the 70k open road rule imposed on learners, as in strong wind, it could be the death of you.

i reguarly ride above 80k... 110k max. while down south, i was doing 110k just to keep in a straight line, as the side wind was very strong.

if you dont feel safe going faster, find a safe spot and pull over. preferrably somewhere like a gas station, where you can leave the bike and get your nerve back.

best of luck... before you know it, youll be wondering what you were worried about!

[Rashika]

Even after years of riding there are times when I still get a bit nervy on the road.. it could be due to conditions (e.g. wind or traffic) or just not being in the right frame of mind (and that can have a LOT to do with your riding).
You need to be comfortable (which means no death grips on the bars, and relax your shoulders etc), relaxed (as much as you can in 100kms hour winds) and confident. By confident I dont mean able to go 300kms an hour without a qualm, just confident that yes i can take the corner right at a modest speed and not go over the centre line.
Confidence comes with experience, which you will gain by just doing lots of riding... I mean HOURS in the saddle... of all types. If you can get a mentor to help you all the better, you will learn quickly and safely, and be able to learn from feedback about what is good and not so good.

You have really only been learning for a short time, so dont expect to know everything and be supergirl in that time ;)
...and others shouldn't be expecting you too either!

If I was to jump on a mountainbike and head off with some people I know, I know sure as anything I would be behind pretty quickly, but thats okay, cos i dont have their balls ;) or experience, BUT I will get there eventually and will probably have a ball improving along the way.
And you aint alone, lots of people feel nervy on the open road. Altho nowadays i usually feel more nervy in town with all the traffic.
Good luck and stick with it...talk to us again in a year about how you feel about your riding. :Punk:

[scumdog]

Top hintss:
Look away ahead at where you want to go - not at a patch of road about 20 metres on front.

Look ahead at where you want to go - not at the edge of the seal as you go around a right-hand bend.

As a rough rule - on left hand bends look to the left side of the road, on right-hand bends look towards the centreline BUT look away ahead where you want to go.

Wind problem? Eat less beans.

Seriously, in strong side winds LET your bike 'wobble' around a bit (assuming you're not on a motorway with cars hemming you in tightly or something like that) and keep your speed up - even though you feel really slow=really safe.

[Coyote]

Go as fast as possible (probably around 160 on your VTR) for a fair while. Do this several times. This should desensitize you to going 100

[ceebie13]

... and negative as it may sound, be prepared for - not scared of - the fact that one day you will drop your bike. Then maybe you won't. Above all, enjoy the buzz. Good luck.

[Stella]

Hello :)
I got my learners 1.5 months ago and most of my riding has been on the open road. Apart from it being damned fun and far fewer intersections and cars, it gives me a chance to just get used to the movement of my bike. Obviously you feel a bit different....

My advice would be:
IF SPEED SCARES YOU SLOW DOWN:
My first ride I stuck to the 70kmph rule, as did my 'escort' friends in front and behind me. I felt very safe between them, and they knew I wanted to stick to 70 for my first ride and respected that. Since then I have mostly been going 80kmph but playing at going faster. If the road scares me I slow down. I HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE!!! :) I am just learning and want to do so safely and comfortably.

DO FREQUENT SHORT RIDES:
The more often I get out the better I feel. And by the end of a long ride I start to feel pretty shattered, not good for your concentration. Also each scary bit builds on top of the last one (for me this is around town!) and I can be quite rattled by the end of it. If you get out more frequently and for easier, shorter rides your confidence will build each time. Look on a map for short easy straight roads. Even just do a 20 minute loop.

HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR GEAR?
I wear armoured textile jacket AND pants, plus Doc boot and the gloves and helmet every time I go out. Even if it is just around to block to my friends house. When riding pillion I didn't have the right gear and often my ankles or knees were screaming in terror the whole way! I decided right at the start of getting my learners that I was going to wear the proper gear EVERY trip. Even if it is a hassle. I am just as likely to come off on a short trip. I feel nice and safe in it and don't have to worry about skin grafts while I am riding!!
(My friends wear jeans, no thanks. I dont care if they think I am being over-paranoid and girly.)

Get out there :)

Stella

[McJim]

Just a wee note to some about the VTR she's riding - she's got the fully faired VTR250 from the late eighties. Dunno how that compares to the 1998-2002 VTR but the 2003 onwards had upgraded suspension.

I used to find it daunting with cross winds and riding on the open road.

Practice and repeat and you will build your confidence gradually - only time will give you the confidence - you know best your own learning style but try to take on board advice from anyone experienced who offers it.

I have had loads of very useful advice and I've had advice that I quite simply didn't understand leading the tutor to believe I wasn't listening and I've had advice that contradicted advice from another.

I still listen to what others have to say but there's only one rider I regularly listen to and never question his advice.

Well done for getting out there and welocme to KB.

you are not a wuss - maybe you just think a bit too much. :)

[MSTRS]

.... I HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE!!! ...

Excellent. This little gem will help you to relax.

[granma2]

I found that when I started racing a pocketbike, I gained a heap of confidence on my big bike.

I have graduated from pocketbike to Bucket racing, and to trackdays at Taupo. Yes each progression scared the hell out of me.

My road bikes have gone from a Yamaha 250cc to a Honda CBR600.

I can read corners, cambers, other riders, cages, much better and my reaction time has improved heaps.

It has taken time, we have been racing for three years now.
Dont be pressured into riding too fast too soon.

You have a nice bike too, the VTR is a good bike.
Good Luck and DONT GIVE UP.

[Cr1MiNaL]

what they all said. dont look at the scary gravel on the side of the bend just kno its there DONT LOOK. bikes have this funny tendancy to go where u r looking. some physics mambo jambo who cares... even if its cages u riding in between dont look at them or u will start nearing them... this is especially true around tight corners (when u get there, look at the meeting point of the corner and the bend where u can see.) always look up and always pay attention. go to the AWNMR some good riders there some of them who gave me A+++ tips The Stranger(knows his shit), BigDog(likes givin people pillon lessons esp ladies ;), McdaKnife (likes lecturing n askin u to slow down n not pop stoppies) et al.
Good Luck
Raj.

[flat battery]

Hey,

Wow thanks heaps for all the advice, I'm blown away by all the support! :gob:

I did the RRRS course today and it was awesome, I felt 10 zillion times better on the ride home from the course than I did on the ride there. It's given me heaps to think about like position on the road, counter steering and practising emergency breaking, and maybe above all looking where you want to go! Did wonders for my throttle control too.

Thanks again for the comments, there are too many to reply to individually but have read them all multiple times and plan to put them into action! :scooter:

[yungatart]

That RRRS course is great for boosting your confidence eh? Now go out there and practice what you learned, and get yourself a mentor.
and have fun!!!

[Lteejay]

If you need anyone else to ride with, send me a PM. More than happy to come out and act as buffer to the traffic, as a few people have done for me. Your confidence will grow, but only with more time on the road and getting a better feel for what your bike can handle. Suggestion - ask an experienced rider who you trust to pillion you on your bike. This way you get a feel for what your bike can actually do, which will make you feel more confident in pushing things a little.

[j-bee]

Hi there, we have similar issues! The advice everyone gave me when I asked, quote: "what's the point in owning it if I ain't gonna ride it huh?" was.....just do it!
Man it's hard getting out there and doing it when you're terrified but hopefully your boyfriend will encourage you to continue. I have a card on my kitchen windowsill that says....courage is it's own reward. If you really, really want to ride, you will feel the fear and do it anyway...hey, I'm still trying to convince myself of that! Good luck

[Disco Dan]

Hi there, we have similar issues! The advice everyone gave me when I asked, quote: "what's the point in owning it if I ain't gonna ride it huh?" was.....just do it!
Man it's hard getting out there and doing it when you're terrified but hopefully your boyfriend will encourage you to continue. I have a card on my kitchen windowsill that says....courage is it's own reward. If you really, really want to ride, you will feel the fear and do it anyway...hey, I'm still trying to convince myself of that! Good luck

It wont take you long to reach the point of no return, when your confidence is sufficiant that you 'get the bug'. ....then the world will be your oyster!!!!! :Punk: :Punk: :Punk:

Just get out there and do it!

[flat battery]

Hi there, we have similar issues! The advice everyone gave me when I asked, quote: "what's the point in owning it if I ain't gonna ride it huh?" was.....just do it!
Man it's hard getting out there and doing it when you're terrified but hopefully your boyfriend will encourage you to continue. I have a card on my kitchen windowsill that says....courage is it's own reward. If you really, really want to ride, you will feel the fear and do it anyway...hey, I'm still trying to convince myself of that! Good luck

Hi j-bee, good to know it's not just me! I'm feeling heaps better about riding after the RRRS course I did on the weekend, have you done anything like that? If you haven't I'd totally recommend it. Now I'm looking forward to my next ride! Pity we're not in the same city to ride together!

[surfchick]

Go as fast as possible (probably around 160 on your VTR) for a fair while. Do this several times. This should desensitize you to going 100

te he um may-be not yet... it just wouln't be right to be jaded at so early a stage in riding!

riding more on the open road is prob the only way to get the confidence up
-ride the same, tasty, beautiful roads (sh16 etc) over and over to give yourself a chance to concentrate on techn., but then also add nu roads and routes as you feel confident
-ride with someone you trust to give you a smooth line to follow, but also listen to the feedback YOUR bike is giving you and stay within YOUR comort zone-as an experienced rider will nearly always be on a higher spec. bike than you, with a grippier wider rear tyre and better breaks.

good luck
don't give up -just do more and more and mooooooooooooooore:love:

[Coyote]

te he um may-be not yet... it just wouln't be right to be jaded at so early a stage in riding!

It's a perfectly legit learning technique. As soon as I got my learners I was doing 180

[Mystery]

Hi j-bee, good to know it's not just me! I'm feeling heaps better about riding after the RRRS course I did on the weekend, have you done anything like that? If you haven't I'd totally recommend it. Now I'm looking forward to my next ride! Pity we're not in the same city to ride together!
Hi flat battery, was great meeting you at the RRRS course on Sunday. You are more than welcome to come out riding with us when we go! Will PM you when we have riding plans. :scooter:

[buellbabe]

Ditto what everyone has said :yes:

Many years ago I went from a 175cc trailbike to a 900cc road bike and didn't know ANYone else that rode a road bike!

I was doing nightshift at the time and so everyday I would go for a ride out into the country on roads I was familiar with in the car.
I soon discovered the joys of open-road riding (and speeds ..oh yeah!)...

The point I am making is maybe you shouldn't force the issue...do some rides on roads you know and maybe choose rides that are shorter than 3hrs and in good weather conditions:sunny: :yes:

[fireliv]

Hey everyone

Just had a quick read through the tread, good advice. Am a learner myself, am ok doing 100K my thing is corners. Phoenix wants me to head on up the Porthills with him, and I have been working on getting the "balls" up to go with him, but now just when I'm ready to give it a go, phoenix goes and corners to hard and crashes out. So the ZX6R's in the garage, and my confidence has gone back a bit bit hope to get out there and do it sometime soon, on a nice hot day, no ice, maybe phoenix will have to tail me in the car instead!

[675trippy]

maybe a good next step now is a kb track day keep up the riding and i'm sure the confidence will keep on keeping on.

[DEATH_INC.]

Do you know what it is that makes you nervous? Try to identify the thing that affects your confidence most so you can work on it.
I have a suspicion that it's something like the bike moving around (could be wrong of course...) which it will do and is something you will just have to get used to.
One of the best things is believe it or not, dragracing. You'll get so caught up in getting to the other end quickly that you'll not even notice how fast you're going.....no corners or cars to worry about. Some of the sunday meets are pretty quiet.
It is as said previously desensitisation...

[justsomeguy]

Hi Flat Battery,

Welcome to the zoo. Lots of good advice here, especially from His High and Mighty Wheelieness DEATH_INC.

I guess time and experience wait for all talents to develop eh?

Enjoy your learning curve, soon you shall remember this thread with a charming sense of nostalgia and be helping others as they ask you for your advice.

Eh, since this is a biker angel thread and you live in Auckland, can I please mention two names? Keystone19 and Draco - Two marvelous little things those two and great sources of information reiterated with remarkable life experiences - please say hi to them, if you haven't already.


You didn't per chance teach Justsomeguy to ride did you.
Nah, he was worse, he would listen, nod appropriately, agree then just carry on as normal.
His ability to resist the teaching efforts of so many accomplished and well respected riders forever forms part of KB folk lore. Generations to come will hear of his heroic resistance to logic, respect and knowledge.

I'm sorry to have offended you Mr. Stranger. What can I say, I'm stupid and dumb. I also have great regret (or was it indifference, I wish I was smart enough to realize what such big words meant) to know that my pathetic inability to absorb logic, respect and knowledge has become such an item of lore for you folk.

I believe I've crashed at least once. Have written off a bike through a fence speeding on the road. Have been accused of dangerous or was it reckless riding by the police and gone to court for this. Ridden after having a few beers on several occasions with learner riders in my group. Have been overtaken by someone on the outside of the fastest corner of the Taupo race track by that person on a bike of a much smaller capacity on his very first track ride on a big bike. Oh wait come to think of it, it wasn't me, it was, it was... it was you :shit:.

I honestly don't mean to start anything or anything of that sort, just thought I should rightfully return the stone that shattered the roof of my glass house to it's rightful owner and speak no more of this matter to a living soul.

[FROSTY]

I think the advise offered here is all pretty darn good.
If I could addone little point-- 3 HOURS?? holey cow girl you must have been shattered.
The level of concentration needed by a novice rider to just do the basics is the same as I (or any racer) needs when racing at 200km/h plus
I don't have the energy to do 3 hours straight.
Keep it down to 30-45 minutes MAXIMUM per ride till you get more experienced and I PROMISE you will enjoy your riding heaps more

[SHELRACING]

maybe a good next step now is a kb track day keep up the riding and i'm sure the confidence will keep on keeping on.

I agree, Frosty's trackdays are the best.

I was quite nervous the first time on the track. But the beauty is....there
are no CARS......yee haa!

[Rashika]

I agree, Frosty's trackdays are the best.

I was quite nervous the first time on the track. But the beauty is....there
are no CARS......yee haa!

even better, there is absolutely nothing coming the other way! no cars turning infront of you, no trucks backing into you, no children running in front of you, no broken glass to give you a puncture... maybe just the odd unlucky motorcycle to avoid :yes:

[BMW]

Relax - especially your grip on the handlebars. Like Fumeux said - look where you want to go, as far ahead as possible. You should be looking through the corner.
And above all - stop thinking/fretting so much! Just relax and enjoy the ride. You're doing a really, really fun thing!

best thing is to go with someone that matches you. And just get out and ride. your confidence will get better in time.