Let the fun begin...

[reemit]

yeeeha...'tis my lucky day.

Life is a journey of learning and I love learning.

Yep Genie, sound like you learnt another lesson there in a hurry. I think pilots refer to it as "just fly the fkn plane". When distraction sets in, like when one is fretting about a pack of pervs on your tail then the mind isnt fully on the job and crashing comes easy, as you found out. Its only normal, and until you can fang without thinking then your gonna need to make yourself keep focussed.
Fact of life, hairy bikers are always gonna politely study ones posterior luv, , so just forget about that (easy for me to say I suppose) dont worry, and enjoy the ride. Same for anything else that could take your mind off the task at hand.

[Genie]

yes, you would be correct. all muscles within me came to the party. thankfully.

I have read many threads concerning 'group rides' so i did know that this behaviour is common. OMG, that makes me common, here was me thinking i'm a princess and above all that. nice to be humbled.

Have had spa and am feeling somewhat 'stunned' by this afternoons events. actually the whole day had been interesting.

I'm now off to not one but two parties, outfit is superb now for makeup. I shall go out this evening and celebrate not only the birth of two special people but also that I walk, I breath, I live. I do sound over the top with it all, but hell, it really could have been so different.

I have much to learn.

[FJRider]

I have read many threads concerning 'group rides' so i did know that this behaviour is common. OMG, that makes me common, here was me thinking i'm a princess and above all that. nice to be humbled.

Have had spa and am feeling somewhat 'stunned' by this afternoons events. actually the whole day had been interesting.

I do sound over the top with it all, but hell, it really could have been so different.

I have much to learn.

I myself would not say common ... just human.

Your reactions/feelings are normal ... and if the only hurt is to your pride ... all is well. Because your pride will not let you forget ...

You do have much to learn ... but you already have learned much

[Hypobru]

You got lucky that time genie, well done just the same. Maybe it's partly your fault for wearing leathers but those boy's should not have put a 'newbie' at the front. it takes a bit of experience before that feeling of holding everyone up goes away & you can be fully focused on what's happening in front & not concerned about the bikes behind you. Anyway if you thought all they were doing was checking you out you could have gone at 5kph & they probably still wouldn't have taken the lead off you. Don't give up on the group rides tho cause that's where you tend to learn these hard lessons, & don't be afraid to sit & wait til someone else takes the lead, mid pack is probably the best spot to ride anyway.
Good story, keep it up. Take care of yourself.

[R-Soul]

I need to leave the bullshit at home, my brain needs to be focused on my ride not some asshole bullshit that I can't control.

Yup, riding is not a place for ego. You have to be thinking about the NOW. You have to let the ingrained training and muscle memory take over, to get into the zen and be focussed on nothing but the corner. You should have been focussing on the perfecton of your technique. Not your bum (nice as it may well be). Or else you will end up kissing it good bye. (And ditto for the riders behind you).

Any pics of the halterneck catsuit?

[caseye]

Bloody glad you kept it upright and got home safe and completely together.
You take your best game with you everytime you go out on your bike.If you can't, then take the Cage!
Simple as that Genie.
Group rides are best when the newest members are invited to "ride their OWN RIDE" and put just in front of the TEC who 's only concern is making sure that they stay in front of him and on the road at whatever safe speed they are doing.
Don't be put off, my wifey went out on her little bike last night with the South Auckland Street Skills Mob, her first time on her own with a group of unknown riders(who looked after her very well) and the first time riding at night since she was brought down by those scum bags and their entire trailer load of car parts strewn throughout the Hunua Gorge.( I have not forgotten them, God won't help them when i cathc em up)
She came home happy as a pig in shit and told me me wanted a Harley!@#$%
Apparently some bugger had let her sit on a 1600cc Jobby and now i can't get em out of her head.
Point is though, take care out there, don't ever push the envelope too far, even if you know how, it's just not worth the risk.
Hope the parties were a blast and that you had a great time.
Get out for a ride soon and clear the cob webs and make sure you and your bike are still one.
Big safe Hugs mate.

[Grubber]

yeeeha...'tis my lucky day.

Have just put my trusty steed away in the garage....lucky!

Why you may ask...well as the post above mentions one of those corners came along for me. My brain just completely froze...way before the corner...way before i even would have started turning....i just knew i wasnt' going too!!

eeeeeek wet, grotty day....no sunshine, wet road and one of those corners and what happens....Genie's brain shuts down.
Far too much shit going through it and when I needed to use it...I stalled.

'twas a moment that went ever so slow, you know the ones.

I must start at the beginning.

Today I stepped out of my comfort zone. Decided I would join the local bike shop for their little group ride. Well fuck. I'm not the best in groups. never have been, but, i decided to bite the bullet and go make some new friends. It's not that easy you know. some just aren't open to it. Being the only chick amongst 10 fellas is intimidating on it's own, throw in some motorbikes and well, little Miss Genie was not comfortable.
After a wee gifting of spot prizes (I got a t-shirt), we started up our motorcycles. some rather nice ones too. I had me an audience, some little lads from school had shown up and wow, there was Karen and she has a motorbike, I was famous. not. off we rode with waves from the young school lads. Me, i'm trying to be last but some gentlemen decided to let me go first. Not good for me. Intimidation, plus i had the feeling they were watching my arse (as someone else I know has done this) so i was extremely self conscious. breathing....all good, not really.

the ride was familiar roads for me...the Moutere Highway then back through to Mapua, a ride i have done about 3 times a week for the last 4 months. nothing new there...but having 4 or 5 men sitting on my arse...fuck that....please overtake me. My lines were all out, i was so uncomfortble on my bike and i knew i should forget they were there and just ride my ride. I tried but obviously not hard enough.

the corner....i'm surprised i didn't get the shakes afterwards. I completely just did not turn and then there was gravel and a raging river (where did that come from). well, little Miss Genie really rode her bike!!! No freaking way was I going to scratch my bike, no way was I going to drop it, no way was I going to be hurt, I have a party tonight (new halterneck catsuit to wear), no way was I crashing. Hell, i'm a detemined wee lass when I need to be. Just the other day I was having a chat with a friend and we talked about my needing new tryes for my bike and we discussed the chances of me crashing, I answered that "no, i was not going to crash", he told me that was arrogant of me...maybe. But hell, if i can avoid it i will. I kept my bike steady, I kept both of us upright, guided gently through the wobbles, the slides, the flicking of the rear end and stopped safely. The man behind me could not believe I kept it up and he said I did good. No i didn't, i did really bad, that situation should never have happened. I need to be sharper, I need to be more aware, I need to leave the bullshit at home, my brain needs to be focused on my ride not some asshole bullshit that I can't control.

I can't wait until the next group ride....in fact i could go now if i didnt' have a party to go to....next time I won't let intimidation get to me. I need to find my comfort zone when around other riders, those lights in my mirror are ok. It was a moment and I'm thankful for my determination for I couldl be in a hospital bed right. My bike could be broken...I was going about 70k, it could have been nasty. It wasn't, I'm here, I'm fine and I'm thankful. Tomorrow I wil reflect more on this situation and on Monday I shall go ride that road again and I shall do it right.

For now I shall have a spa to warm up and then get ready to go and live.

Life is a journey of learning and I love learning.

Ok for a start....they WERE looking at your arse! Why wouldn't they, i've seen it and it is worth a look. Sounds to me like you got yourself out of trouble ok and that is a good thing. some people would have just ridin it to hell and ended up on their arse in the ditch. My guess is, your getting it all sorted nowadays.
I think i need to come down there for another tour and see how your doin these days. Sounds like all is going well to me. If it wasn't, this thread would read a whole lot different to this.
Keep at it Genie and test those boundaries every chance you get. Just do it within the required capacity to keep you alive!
Go hard my friend!

[Genie]

It's been ages since I've added some real fun. Tried the other day but damn site kept timing out and I lost my ramble twice. Needless to say I gave up!

Have been out having some fun with my wee Black Beast but feel like I'm stuck. I'm thinking of sorting myself to shoot down to Chch for the Prorider Track Day on Oct 4, just need to sort the children, duct tape???

Have just come home via the bike shop and bought myself another piece of sexy Revit gear, this time it's the rain/wind coat thing, bought the pants the other week and WOW, they're awesome and they don't make my arse look big! How many chicks can say that!

While I was in there the lovley salesmen and I were chatting about the next group ride, I'm going. Have decided that even though my first was a disaster I can only improve. We also chattted about an after market pipe for my bike and guess what? They had this Ninja in there with this Screaming Demon pipe on it....wow it just looks so good. Made him start it up for me to hear and my bike is now going to get a present. Actually we both willl be as I'm about to go sit my 6R and when I pass the new pipe, oh and a thing that sits on where the pillian would sit, will be pressies for both of us.

I've learnt that there is so much fun to be had on and off my bike. I've loved all the retail therapy I've done lately, got some new Revit thermal gear as well.

I think that by next winter I'll have be some of those heated hand grips too!!!! For some reason my two on each hand go all white and numb??? But only those fingers do it

[Edbear]

The vibes through the bars do that, esp if you tend to grip a wee bit tighter with those fingers. Try experimenting on your next ride, changing your grip and position of your hands on the bars. My old GSX600F was bad for making my right hand go numb as the throttle was looser than the left grip and vibrated more. It's the fine, high-frequency vibes that do it and the wee Ninja's rev pretty high.

Glad you're enjoying the "therapy"...

[Gone Burger]

Hi Genie!

Oh you MUST go to the prorider training day down there. I have now done 2 of those, and about to book in for another one. Just the BEST day, and I learnt some very valuable skills that I use in my every day riding. Plus, a huge boost to the confidence. You'll love it! Awesome trainers, and a super fun day.

Sounds like you have been having some good fun though - And I can recommend gaffer tape for the kids

[tamarillo]

Gidday Genie, more retail therapy...you'll run out of stuff to buy. errrr what is a 6R?

[Genie]

Thanks Katie, I know Karel is amazing. Had a couple of private sessions with her only buggar about Chch is it's a 5 hour ride away - oh no - how will I survive? That ride down would be so good, I'd love every second!

Mr Tamarillo...the 6R is Restricted licence...I'm a learner at present.

There is always more to buy...

[Genie]

The vibes through the bars do that, esp if you tend to grip a wee bit tighter with those fingers. Try experimenting on your next ride, changing your grip and position of your hands on the bars. My old GSX600F was bad for making my right hand go numb as the throttle was looser than the left grip and vibrated more. It's the fine, high-frequency vibes that do it and the wee Ninja's rev pretty high.

Glad you're enjoying the "therapy"...

I thought it was a cold thing....I've changed my grip as I had been informed of the Noobs Grip of Death but I dont' suffer from that one. I'm quite sure it's the cold....cold hands, warm heart

Just sorted myself for my licence, as I've been saying for the last three weeks that I'm now eligible to sit it yet had none nothing!!!!

Next Thursday is the day, will take myself for a nice long ride before hand as I'm a sufferer of nerves under pressure ... may need to do some of that relaxing breathing stuff beforehand also.

Any bit of helpful advice and encourgement are more than welcome.

[Edbear]

I thought it was a cold thing....I've changed my grip as I had been informed of the Noobs Grip of Death but I dont' suffer from that one. I'm quite sure it's the cold....cold hands, warm heart

Just sorted myself for my licence, as I've been saying for the last three weeks that I'm now eligible to sit it yet had none nothing!!!!

Next Thursday is the day, will take myself for a nice long ride before hand as I'm a sufferer of nerves under pressure ... may need to do some of that relaxing breathing stuff beforehand also.

Any bit of helpful advice and encourgement are more than welcome.

Take yourself for a ride beforehand and do some of that breathing stuff... Oh....

Some swear by Arnica, too. I'm glad I don't have to go through that again...

[Quasi]

... may need to do some of that relaxing breathing stuff beforehand also.

Any bit of helpful advice and encourgement are more than welcome.

I could recommend some deep breathing activities that always relax me.....

Good luck chickie - not that you need it. You will do it just fine and looking forwrad to reading about it next Thursday