
Originally Posted by
Donor
Today was a milestone, for several reasons.
1) I went on my LONGEST solo ride ever! (Pukekohe... it was scarey for me, OK?)
2) Hit and maintained 100km/h along SH22
3) Practiced my cornering using all the tips and lessons I have learned through KB and the 250 rides.
What a blast, I decided to shoot out to Puke from Takanini, as my brother was cage racing out there today. I seriously considered driving, but figured that as I was already pootling about on Daisy, that I might as well confront my fear of open roads and corners, and try to have fun.
I was a bit worried about the 100k section, so came across a working solution. Parked up on the GSR before the Drury overbridge and waited... waited... finally I saw in my mirror what I was waiting for... a car towing a trailer with a boat on, he was a good guy, sat on 80km/h all the way to Puke... MINT!
Hung out with my brother for a couple of hours, and finally decided to jet back. Bouyed by my low speed trot out, I set out for Papakura. I had been cornering well on the way TO Pukekohe, and decided to take it up a notch.
So, after a few moments of reflection, I set off, determined to ride like a "grown up". Using all the skills that I have picked up from various KB peeps and mentors, not only did I manage to maintain open road speed with safety and confidence, but my cornering didn't scare me once!
Not being afraid to lean the bike left or right, and even going so far as to deliberately exaggerate turning my head to look at the end of the corners, made it almost second nature after 10 minutes of riding, and I eventually found myself doing it without thinking.
I got home with a shitefaced grin, and were it not for the missus having that "do your chores or die ASSHOLE" look on her face, I'd have been off to the servo to gas up, and headed for parts unknown!
So big ups to the KB family, those who have given me wisdom, and helped me become a better rider. You guy rock.
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