My first ride out of my neighborhood

[Brittaniann1]

I hadn't ridden in a month or so, but I decided to accompany my fiancee on our way to get some chinese food.. I took a short trip around the block to get the feel and then we headed out on the highway. I was very nervous. I got into the the throttle a bit and WOW. I wasn't going very fast, but it felt like it. There was one turn that I was worried about, but I went through it perfect. We stopped at the gas station for some air in his tires. I was waiting to pull out onto the highway and there was a slope going down onto the highway. I got a little flustered, but I did it. It was amazing being able to ride through town all by myself. We got into the turn lane and I stopped and waited for cars to pass, and I got a little flustered on take off, but all was great. I was so nervous about the drive back home that I couldn't even finish my food. I have a fear of right turns and I realized that there were about 3 on the way back. I was shaking and very anxious. We got back on the road and I took all 3 turns like nothing at all. I felt so crazy for worrying about them. Overall my first experience was great. I am so glad that I decided to get my own motorcycle. I really hate wearing my helmet and textile jacket, but if I don't want to wear them ,then I can't ride. I don't want to end up wrecking. You know what they say, "You don't dress for the ride, you dress for the fall."

[msyzf2u]

You did great.... :hug2: Just relax... :zen:



:clapping::pompom::thumbsup:

[Luna Tique]

As msyzf2u said you did great :wootrock:
The more you practice the more confident you will be :riding:
and I am happy to hear you will never go out without all your gear :thumbup:

[ridingAK]

Fantastic! The gear will get more comfortable as you break it in, and as you get used to it. And as you said, a little inconvenience from wearing gear is a whole lot more tolerable than the potential alternative.

[sweptwingnut]

You are doing great and making the right decisions for safety!

ATTGAT
All The Gear All The Time

[Abosit]

Congratulations!

when you look back next year you will laugh about all your worries. One step at the time that is all,...... and relax!
Looking forward to hear about your next steps!

[Astir]

Hey girl, you did great! :yahoo: I remember when I first learned to ride on the street. Thinking back I am surprised I didn't put a dent in the tank as hard as I was holding on. :lol: I had the same battle with the gear too way back when, but more than once it has saved my bacon. Like rAK said it not only breaks in but you do get use to it as well.

Keep on keeping on! :wootrock:

[Unforgiven]

Outstanding! Like mentioned, you will get more comfortable and those little things will become automatic before long. The challenge is not to become too relaxed.

[Brittaniann1]

Thanks for the support. I think my gear is broken in from riding on the back of fiancee's Hayabusa for the last few seasons. I was going to ride one town over today, but good thing I didn't, it started to rain about an hour after I first thought about it. I have no clue how to ride in the rain. Any tips?

[ridingAK]

1. Traction

Remember that during the first few minutes of rain the road will be at its slickest.
After it has been raining for a while the oil and surface debris will have mostly washed off. The center of the lane has more oil splattered on it than the edges, and roads drain to the sides, so the cleanest area will usually (not always) be the third of the lane closest to the center line.

Paint lines, manhole covers, railroad crossings etc all become slicker when it is wet, so use extra caution.

That small puddle of water could be hiding a large pothole.

2. Visibility

Rain makes it even harder to see motorcycles. Drive even more defensively than usual.

Wear brightly colored rain gear.

Use your high beams, running lights, and/or a modulator if you have them.

Your vision is impacted too, so keep your visor as clear as possible. (A lot of us here use Raincoat and Fogtech - link (http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1435&highlight=rain+tech))

3. Comfort

You have to be comfortable to you can focus all your attention to the road, so comfort is a safety concern.

Stay dry. Invest in good rain gear and use it before you get wet (if possible) so you don't get cold.

Riding in the rain is more fatiguing than riding in perfect weather, so stop more often to avoid getting too tired to focus properly. Use it as an excuse to get a warm cup of coffee.

Nut and I have done a lot of riding in rain, including some pretty heavy southern thunderstorm rains, and truth be told we enjoy it. We slow down and take all the extra precautions, then we enjoy it. There is nothing better than the smell of the air as you ride down the road after a good hard downpour!

[KCDakar]

There is nothing better than the smell of the air as you ride down the road after a good hard downpour!

:thumbsup: I love that part!

Remember it is ok to not ride in the rain if you don't want to. But be prepared if you have to. Sometimes you cant stop where you are for the day. You might have to ride a spell to get to a safe place to stop for the day. If you have the right gear you will be better prepared to handle the ride and not get lost in your head about how "bad" the ride in the rain is.

It sounds like you are getting it and as you ride more you will get more confidence in what you can do on your ride. :thumbup:

[KansasKawboy]

:wootrock:

[kari-star]

hey, good job on your first time out! I'm pretty new to it as well, and I was awfully nervous to be on the street for the first MANY times I went riding, even though I had seriously mastered the parking lot. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now!

if your textile jacket isn't comfortable after breaking in, it might be worth it to go jacket shopping again! different stuff fits/weighs differently, you might be happier to wear something that you are more comfortable in!

[badbunny]

congrat's on a great ride - I remember my first ride in the rain! man did i freak out but with a supportive hubby i did all right. More fun rides ahead.

[Brittaniann1]

I took my second ride today. I was a lot more comfortable and confident. I actually finished my food this time. Taco Bell was too good to waste...lol! I was still shaking like a leaf after we got to Taco Bell. I think with time, I will be less nervous. I took my right hand turns a bit faster and I even leaned a little more. My take offs are a lot smoother. I did a pretty good launch/take off, my fiancee even complimented me on it. I had a truck ahead of me roll down their back window to stare at me. Crazy people, they act like they've never seen a female on a sport bike before. Oh wait, they probably haven't, very few women ride sport bikes in my town. My fiancee says that it's because I'm "hot", but who am I trying to kid? I know that's why...lol. I am loving the attention and I absolutely love riding. Tomorrow we are planning to ride to the next town and back. The more seat time I get the better.

[ridingAK]

Have fun today! Ride safe and report back what you learn. :D:

[LiLiBug]

I took my second ride today. I was a lot more comfortable and confident. I actually finished my food this time. Taco Bell was too good to waste...lol! I was still shaking like a leaf after we got to Taco Bell. I think with time, I will be less nervous. I took my right hand turns a bit faster and I even leaned a little more. My take offs are a lot smoother. I did a pretty good launch/take off, my fiancee even complimented me on it. I had a truck ahead of me roll down their back window to stare at me. Crazy people, they act like they've never seen a female on a sport bike before. Oh wait, they probably haven't, very few women ride sport bikes in my town. My fiancee says that it's because I'm "hot", but who am I trying to kid? I know that's why...lol. I am loving the attention and I absolutely love riding. Tomorrow we are planning to ride to the next town and back. The more seat time I get the better.

I have to tell you that I laugh every time get off my Ducati. People stop and stare as if I had three heads.

I have to say that overall there are not a lot of women riders by me either. I was getting desperate for female companionship and forced my friend to get her license! (I even took the beginners course with her for encouragement) She is now a proud owner of an adorable Honda Rebel and has easily put 200 miles in the last two weeks. Our hubbys call us the MILFY Biker Gang (of two- we are looking for new members!)

I wish there was more of us on the road but for now I settle for a merry band of misfits that we are! :girlpower:

[Maleficent]

MILFY gang!! I love it. :roflmao: Be encouraged. You'll relax with time. Wish you were down our way, I would join your MILFY gang!

[LiLiBug]

MILFY gang!! I love it. :roflmao: Be encouraged. You'll relax with time. Wish you were down our way, I would join your MILFY gang!

Well anytime you find yourself in beautiful NH (in the summer anyway) give a holler :howdy:! Always looking for people to ride with!

[Brittaniann1]

I rode by myself earlier this evening. I took my hubby some lunch at 9PM. I was pretty comfortable and confident. The sun went down and I rode back in the dark for the first time. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Those bugs were the worst part. My wrists started to bother me, but I think the more I ride, the better they will get. Not to mention that I have a cable clutch and it is kind of tough to pull. I would love to ride more, but it's been 85-90 degrees everyday. I think that's too hot to be wearing gear and jeans.

Oh, my Dad found out that I got a sport bike. It's not like I was hiding it or anything, He came over to our house unsuspected. I was sleeping at the time, but my brother told me that he asked if I "even knew how to ride" and my brother told him, "yes." I'll never hear the end of this one. Oh well, I'm enjoying it and I am riding safe and sane. Wish me luck on my next ride!

[Luna Tique]

I rode by myself earlier this evening. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Those bugs were the worst part.

Bugs at night Wait till you have a firefly hit your shield.
It is weird seeing that little glow out of the corner of your eye



Wish me luck on my next ride!


:zen: :riding: Always :wootrock:

[ridingAK]

I've only seen fireflies once or twice. I never thought about hitting one. How strange that would be!

[KCDakar]

We have a lot of fireflies here in Kansas. LD had never seen them and would spend time in the dark just watching them buzz around.

Brittaniann1, We all wish you luck for sure! :wootrock: