Second solo ride

[<G>]

Had a great ride - did 30kms did a tour around Buckland Beach then headed down to Botany Junction and home again. Weather beautiful i.e. not raining, no wind. Very little traffic. No "OH SHIT" moments. It's good to have a ride like this because I gain confidence. Practiced using both brakes to stop, found the stop more controlled and was easier putting left foot down (have a tendency to put right foot down and have a wobble). Also practiced not yanking on front brake, that is a recipe for disaster as I well know!

Had a huge "Oh Shit" moment on Thursday night, took a turn too fast, went way wide and was heading for a lamp post. Fortunately the "look where you want to go" rule came to me and I turned away with an inch to spare. Had palpitations which didn't go away until Friday morning. Made me think about riding a bike but then decided not to dwell on what might have been but learn from it. Lesson: slow down properly when taking corners and making turns. And look where you want to go!!!!

Going to Whenuapai tomorrow for the BRONZ RRRS course, I know it will do wonders for my confidence and bike handling. That's why I'm even more glad that this morning's ride went so well, it means I have regained some of the confidence that I lost on Thursday!

[Dodgyiti]

Well done on holding it together and not crashing.
I expect you will have a lot more skill after Sunday. I am taking my lady there to boost her skills so you will not be the only noobie lady on the day.

[bell]

Pay attention to the small voice that you hear quietly proclaiming in your ear: "That was close! Don't do that again..." and "Ooooh, you were a bit lucky to get away with that matey!".

That little voice is telling you to back off a few or 20km/h when you take that next corner.

If you haven't already check out www.rideforever.co.nz or some of the links on this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...survival+links

Take care out there.

[Scorpygirl]

Hi there

Hope the RRRS course went well. Good on you. I was hoping to do it in April but that may have to be put on hold. I did my first real emergency braking on Friday!!! That's another story you will find on KB. Keep at it you are doing really well.

[Dodgyiti]

What a day for you to do the course, rain, gusty winds. Diane enjoyed herself and even joined KB when she got home- as Diane.
She took about 10 pages of notes (what a nerd, ) and learned heaps.
A full on day. That bike of yours looks trick, I have not seen that model before, cool for a 2fiddy.

[<G>]

If you haven't already check out www.rideforever.co.nz or some of the links on this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...survival+links

Take care out there.[/QUOTE]

Thank you, Bell, for the links. Have been on the rideforever site, it builds on the info that I learnt on the RRRS course on Sunday.

[<G>]

Thank you Scorpygirl, so sorry to hear about your crash but glad that you are ok - bruises and broken bones are very sore, but they do mend. The RRRS was very informative but being a newbie I haven't done a lot of riding so a lot of it was new. BUT what I did learn was to practice things like emergency braking, cornering, scanning ahead for any potential problems and I finally got what countersteering meant this morning!
All the best

[<G>]

It was a full on day but really made me aware of having to think whilst out riding. Been practicing emergency braking and countersteering this morning.
Good luck to Diane.