Know thy limits

[dpex]

I got a good lesson in humility/sensibility tonight. I set out with the Thursday night ride group. The first major corner on the first country road was nearly my undoing, and from there, as the corners got tighter, things just got worse.

I realised my night-vision eyesight and lack of properly developed riding competence, collectively, weren't up to keeping up with riders way better than me. Going wide (over the yellow lines) on a tight left-hander finally put my ego in my pocket.

It was a damned good lesson. I figure that (perhaps) by this time next year, with maybe 30,000 more k under my bum, I might just be able to keep up. Meanwhile I shall wait for daylight saving before engaging on the next Thursday ride.

Another issue which was clearly highlighted tonight is my lack of trust in what my bike can and cannot do, although I did learn one interesting thing....through that first sweeping left corner. I believed I was going too fast (for me) but felt duty-bound to my ego to follow the guy in front.

In the micro-seconds during which I thought I'd blown it, I did everything back to front (for me) and wrapped on the throttle, pulled on the right bar instead of pushing the left in counter-steer and, bugger me, my bike dug in and actually cut the corner deep.

Woo! But I have soooo much to learn.

But tonight I got a great lesson as regards my current limits, and I was pretty bloody pleased with myself for kicking my ridiculous ego into touch. Good, eh?

[Katman]

It was a damned good lesson. I figure that (perhaps) by this time next year, with maybe 30,000 more k under my bum, I might just be able to keep up.

Hopefully, by then you may have figured out that you have the ability to override your ego's desire to "keep up".

[1vanvan1]

keeping up with riders way better than me.

First mistake :P

Don't worry. We have all done it I am sure. The more k's you do the better you will feel.

[piston broke]

ride your own ride

[Drew]

my bike dug in and actually cut the corner deep.

Duty bound or not, you had a better chance of getting round the corner by commiting to it, than trying to stand the bike up, or just half arsing your way round.

Way to keep your cool, well done.

[jrandom]

I got a good lesson in humility/sensibility tonight. I set out with the Thursday night ride group.

OK, well, that's not a pair of concepts that normally goes together.

The first major corner on the first country road was nearly my undoing...

The little uphill right hander after the roundabout with the slightly shitty surface?

...from there, as the corners got tighter, things just got worse.

Go cruise those roads on your own at your own pace, learn the lines and braking points, it'll be all good.

Going wide (over the yellow lines) on a tight left-hander...

Downhill, heading into the swoopy bit through the forestry?

It was a damned good lesson. I figure that (perhaps) by this time next year, with maybe 30,000 more k under my bum, I might just be able to keep up.

Nah bro, you just need to do a trackday or two.

Another issue which was clearly highlighted tonight is my lack of trust in what my bike can and cannot do...

www.motott.co.nz

[98tls]

I got a good lesson in humility/sensibility tonight. I set out with the Thursday night ride group. The first major corner on the first country road was nearly my undoing, and from there, as the corners got tighter, things just got worse.

I realised my night-vision eyesight and lack of properly developed riding competence, collectively, weren't up to keeping up with riders way better than me. Going wide (over the yellow lines) on a tight left-hander finally put my ego in my pocket.

It was a damned good lesson. I figure that (perhaps) by this time next year, with maybe 30,000 more k under my bum, I might just be able to keep up. Meanwhile I shall wait for daylight saving before engaging on the next Thursday ride.

Another issue which was clearly highlighted tonight is my lack of trust in what my bike can and cannot do, although I did learn one interesting thing....through that first sweeping left corner. I believed I was going too fast (for me) but felt duty-bound to my ego to follow the guy in front.

In the micro-seconds during which I thought I'd blown it, I did everything back to front (for me) and wrapped on the throttle, pulled on the right bar instead of pushing the left in counter-steer and, bugger me, my bike dug in and actually cut the corner deep.

Woo! But I have soooo much to learn.

But tonight I got a great lesson as regards my current limits, and I was pretty bloody pleased with myself for kicking my ridiculous ego into touch. Good, eh?

Refreshing,well said.For my money Jrandom hit the nail on the head with his 3rd reply.

[KiwiKat]

I've recently been in a similar situation, getting back into riding after a lot of quiet years. While it's supposedly safer to ride in groups the groups tend be predominantly experienced riders and they are quicker into and out of corners (superior). There is a tendency to want to keep up with group who think they are going at a slow pace. I'm still learning to fight the ego and still feel frustrated when the others are waiting for me. Also a lot of the roads are well known by these riders and even their tyres are better conditioned.

[rustycharm]

ride your own ride

wot he said.... best lesson I ever learned

[discotex]

Do I get a prize for guessing the correct road on the clues?

Riding that road (assuming it's the one I think it is) at pace at night would give me the shits even though I kinda know it in the daylight.

My biggest problem with open road night riding is the lack of forward visibility. Makes judging corners a and picking brake/apex points a lot harder.

Also because I can't see the road surface as well I don't automatically trust my tyres as much.

My solution. Slow down till I don't feel like I'm pushing it. Sounds like you got it sorted dpex.

If only bikes had high beam lights that turned according to lean angle.

[discotex]

In the micro-seconds during which I thought I'd blown it, I did everything back to front (for me) and wrapped on the throttle, pulled on the right bar instead of pushing the left in counter-steer and, bugger me, my bike dug in and actually cut the corner deep.

as much as it feels wrong it's totally the right way to handle that situation (aside from not getting in it in the first place as you also realised).

[jrandom]

Sometimes even slowing down until you're comfortable isn't enough. I did that a few months back when travelling down the line at night in the rain, but I still hit a diesel spill just after I happened to get on the front brake, and chucked the bike down the road.

So, ho hum. Do your best and leave the rest, it'll all come right some day or night.

And, yeah. Always ride your own race.

[Jacko2]

Good Post P.
I think I followed ya for a while tonite.
Glad you adjusted and as you say "parked the ego".
I remember well going through same space, trick is not to forget.
Well Done

[westie]

And, yeah. Always ride your own race.

Classic

Good on ya dpex. Sounds like you controled your safety responses well?

You will find a comfortable place to ride in the group. Most new people start near the back and then work forward through the group finding a place that suits. Hope that helps.

Was a good night for a ride. See you another time.

[jrandom]

Most new people start near the back and then work forward through the group finding a place that suits.

And some of us just turn up and GIVE EVERYONE THE LEARN, cos we're fuckin' awesome.