My first road ride

**Blondini** · 9th December 2006, 16:32

Hi all just a little late update...It has been one of those weeks all round.I thought it a little late but anyway.....Thursday morning I got a little brave and took my bike to my daughters athletics day at school...out of the road up the hill a little bit round the corner...there

Then I got a little braver and went tiki tour down to see if any local kb home

Not home ..oh well.. so I decided to tackle the local round a bout from different directions,I was a little aware of what may happen if I stall...But all good

Sooooo a little braver I went up the local birdwood slowly ,lots of road works and corners,back on to busy main road ,down the hill ,home.To my mate sitting here...So you a bikie chick now? Its still just me trying something I want to.I say to them ha ha 35 k up birdwood (100k area)then I got up to 60 k,You are not allowed to go that fast says he...Yeah

I can go 70 >>>> oops not in a 50k ooooooops thats right...I love my new venture and am aware to be cautious....keen to get on old north road now

Hey crashe where was it we were going?monday morning??????weather permit?????

**merv** · 9th December 2006, 16:35

Good on ya Julie. Start nice and easy as you are and build up as your confidence and skill increases, not before. Stay safe and enjoy.

**Ixion** · 9th December 2006, 16:37

Good on you.

**Indiana_Jones** · 9th December 2006, 16:41

Good on ya. It's scary when you 1st go out there!

But keep your head and you'll be fine

-Indy

**Blondini** · 9th December 2006, 19:06

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

Good on ya. It's scary when you 1st go out there!

But keep your head and you'll be fine

-Indy

Was I supposed to be scared cos I had no fear and I am not sure this is a good thing..I was very watchful but I was not scared at all ,just wanted more.Even had my first motorbike dream.

Said to my friends I am not sure what is happening and sorry not sure why I cant stop talking bikes....really not like me but .....just more of me

**Lissa** · 9th December 2006, 19:10

I think its awesome Julie.. esp what you have been through. Keep up the practice... at your own pace.

**Blondini** · 9th December 2006, 19:13

Originally Posted by Lissa

I think its awesome Julie.. esp what you have been through. Keep up the practice... at your own pace.

Thanks lissa Its just his way of telling me to enjoy life

What doesn't break us makes us stronger

**Lissa** · 9th December 2006, 19:16

Originally Posted by julie

Thanks lissa Its just his way of telling me to enjoy lifeb

What doesn't break us makes us stronger

So true! I wish you all the best with your biking Julie

Look forward to reading more of your posts.... and maybe one day you might make it down my way, or *gasps* I might get up your way. (need more practice though)

**Shaun** · 9th December 2006, 19:18

Hi Julie, A wee bit of advise if I may? do your self a big favour, go find a really big car park and practise your breaking, do it lots untill you really feel in control of your new baby

**Blondini** · 9th December 2006, 19:20

Originally Posted by Lissa

So true! I wish you all the best with your biking Julie

Look forward to reading more of your posts.... and maybe one day you might make it down my way, or *gasps* I might get up your way. (need more practice though)

Always in wanganui (Turakina) march 19 til 24 Partners anniversary

**Blondini** · 9th December 2006, 19:30

Originally Posted by Shaun

Hi Julie, A wee bit of advise if I may? do your self a big favour, go find a really big car park and practise your breaking, do it lots untill you really feel in control of your new baby

Thanks being going over and over this in my head but have to learn to stop safer on a bike.I consider myself to be a well skilled car rider but this bike challenge well...More alert more caution hmmmmm flashing light on top of helmet...Flashing LEDs...Towing Bright flag

Just thinking how the cages can see me so they dont kill me...I intend to be safe.

**Shaun** · 9th December 2006, 20:17

Originally Posted by julie

Thanks being going over and over this in my head but have to learn to stop safer on a bike.I consider myself to be a well skilled car rider but this bike challenge well...More alert more caution hmmmmm flashing light on top of helmet...Flashing LEDs...Towing Bright flag

Just thinking how the cages can see me so they dont kill me...I intend to be safe.

As a new rider, you may tend to ride to left hand side of the road so as to give the cars more room to pass you?

If you do this? Stop it! Stand your groung dead centre in your lane, it is up to them to pass you, not your problem.

Pretend tha are all going to try and kill you

Look at the drive way entrances they are trying to turn into to make sure there way is clear, before they slam on the brakes and you rear end because there path was not clear.

Always make eye contact with the driver of a car that can turn in front of you and take you out, at least that way you know they have seen you.

Have fun and hit the car park, take some thing so you mark the ground there, make a mark that will be guide for when to apply your brakes for braking practise, and come to a complete stop, get off your bike and make another mark, that way you have a reference as to whether you are or are not getting better at it

**Ixion** · 9th December 2006, 20:20

If noone has already told you, watch the front wheels of cars stopped at intersections and such. You will spot movement in the wheel well before you notice the car itself move (well, a fraction of a second, but that fraction may be life or death)

And DON'T HESITATE TO USE YOUR HORN. If anyone shows the slightest sign of pulling out in front of you, moving sideways on you etc, blast them.

**Fatjim** · 9th December 2006, 20:23

Good words Shaun. Avoid the centre of the lane in the wet though, it's not black in the middle because it's sticky.

Watch out for diesel, nice colourful spots. They will usuall occur in the same spot on the road so be mindful of this on corners.

Keep relaxed, hard as hell to get used to, but good tyres give plenty of grip in the wet. A rigid grip on the bars makes tiring work.