Woohoo - first solo ride!

[TW200_CA]

I hope I'm not boring you all too much here, but just had to share my excitement. I made faster-than-expected progress on something for work today, and since I'm working from home and had a little bit of extra time, decided to go out for a little ride around the neighborhood :kcd: - my first outing all by myself. It went really well! :yahoo::ecstasy:

I rode all around our neighborhood, and practiced my smooth up- and down-shifting, uphill starts (we live in a super hilly area, but I didn't stall a single time!! :yahoo:), and even managed a slow speed u-turn on a really small dead-end side street. There was a guy out in the street playing with his kid watching me on the u-turn, and I could tell he was impressed - he gave me the "way to go" head gesture on my way back out of the side street :D:

Important learnings and things to work on: have to get faster and more consistent at getting up to 4th gear (the TW isn't the fastest bike around...) and up to a higher speed between stop signs. Which means building more confidence and skill on my smooth and quick downshifting. Also could stand to get smoother on my starts, although not stalling on the hills is definitely an improvement.

I was definitely a little nervous, but not scared, and I think the nerves helped me stay aware and alert and kept me cautious which is a good thing.

I can't believe that just 6 weeks ago I was "that girl" that everyone doesn't want to be in our MSF course - dropped the bike 5 (yes 5!) times, covered in bruises, completely humiliated. Now I'm actually looking forward to going back and taking the class again, and I feel a million times more confident. I know there is still a lot to work on, but I feel like I'm finally on the steep part of this learning curve and I can see the path to becoming a competent and happy rider :D:

I hope for those also starting out this is encouraging - there really is that light at the end of the tunnel, and if someone as seemingly hopeless at first as me can get to this point, I have to believe anyone can :lol:

[Follow]

:wootrock:Great Deal! Practice makes perfect...keep it up and enjoy the ride.:):

[TW200_CA]

:wootrock:Great Deal! Practice makes perfect...keep it up and enjoy the ride.:):

Thanks! Definitely easier to enjoy now that I'm not constantly falling off/dumping the bike :roflmao:

[Astir]

:thumbsup: How exciting! I just love hearing progress like that... see. The beginnings do not make the entire story. :D:

So proud of you! :clapping:

[KellyVA]

Congrats TW!! That first solo ride is so exciting and freeing!!! Here's to many more fund days on your two wheels!! :cheers:

[TW200_CA]

:thumbsup: How exciting! I just love hearing progress like that... see. The beginnings do not make the entire story. :D:

So proud of you! :clapping:
Aww...thank you!! I can't properly express how amazing the support on this site is - I really hope to be able to meet some of you ladies in person someday to observe your skills and say thank you :D:

[TW200_CA]

Congrats TW!! That first solo ride is so exciting and freeing!!! Here's to many more fund days on your two wheels!! :cheers:
Thanks Kelly - it was a pretty amazing feeling - sort of like this: :ecstasy:
With a little of this: :yahoo:

Definitely looking forward to many more fun days - I'm hoping to work up to riding out to the beach in the next week or so - we are only about 3-4 miles away, and it would be a beautiful ride out there, plus there is a beautiful road that runs right along the ocean that I think would be awesome to ride on a nice day :D:

[ImaSoftT]

Patience Grasshopper and soon you will be free. (?... just google it)

All kidding aside, Glad you had a great day, believe me the next one will be even better http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/TwoThumbs%20Up.gif

[msyzf2u]

I hope I'm not boring you all too much here, but just had to share my excitement. I made faster-than-expected progress on something for work today, and since I'm working from home and had a little bit of extra time, decided to go out for a little ride around the neighborhood :kcd: - my first outing all by myself. It went really well! :yahoo::ecstasy:

I rode all around our neighborhood, and practiced my smooth up- and down-shifting, uphill starts (we live in a super hilly area, but I didn't stall a single time!! :yahoo:), and even managed a slow speed u-turn on a really small dead-end side street. There was a guy out in the street playing with his kid watching me on the u-turn, and I could tell he was impressed - he gave me the "way to go" head gesture on my way back out of the side street :D:

Important learnings and things to work on: have to get faster and more consistent at getting up to 4th gear (the TW isn't the fastest bike around...) and up to a higher speed between stop signs. Which means building more confidence and skill on my smooth and quick downshifting. Also could stand to get smoother on my starts, although not stalling on the hills is definitely an improvement.

I was definitely a little nervous, but not scared, and I think the nerves helped me stay aware and alert and kept me cautious which is a good thing.

I can't believe that just 6 weeks ago I was "that girl" that everyone doesn't want to be in our MSF course - dropped the bike 5 (yes 5!) times, covered in bruises, completely humiliated. Now I'm actually looking forward to going back and taking the class again, and I feel a million times more confident. I know there is still a lot to work on, but I feel like I'm finally on the steep part of this learning curve and I can see the path to becoming a competent and happy rider :D:

I hope for those also starting out this is encouraging - there really is that light at the end of the tunnel, and if someone as seemingly hopeless at first as me can get to this point, I have to believe anyone can :lol:




Congrats!

Saw this at www.maryanneradmacher.com (http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/www.maryanneradmacher.com) and thought it was perfect for you....



"may this be the place from which you launch your dreams. may this be the castle from which you go forth and conquer and return to celebrate and rest. may this be the dance at which you learn to craft a confidence and ease."


:thumbsup:

[TW200_CA]

Patience Grasshopper and soon you will be free. (?... just google it)

All kidding aside, Glad you had a great day, believe me the next one will be even better http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/TwoThumbs%20Up.gif

Haha (too funny on the grasshopper reference!) great to hear - definitely looking forward to the next one, and thanks for the encouraging thoughts!!:D:

[TW200_CA]

Congrats!

Saw this at www.maryanneradmacher.com (http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/www.maryanneradmacher.com) and thought it was perfect for you....



"may this be the place from which you launch your dreams. may this be the castle from which you go forth and conquer and return to celebrate and rest. may this be the dance at which you learn to craft a confidence and ease."


:thumbsup:

So sweet - thank you! Definitely an appropriate quote for my new riding experience so far :D::thumbup:

[VStar]

Terrific TW, the excited nervousness is a great feeling. I spent lots of hours on the large network of quiet side streets last summer learning to ride, mostly Saturday mornings, but I had to do a couple of blocks of a busier street and a traffic light to get there. On the first few times my Honey escorted me down the street and followed me around but he is not en early riser, this was a real effort that he made with good grace and following me for an hour or more was boring, I stalled so often he was afraid I'd wear out the starter. On the first time out to the busy street on my own, I just went, 8am, no traffic, no people, I concentrated on everything I did, extra attention on the friction zone, remembered to be in neutral to start after stalling, no pressure, just me getting to know the bike, shifting up and down, practicing quick stops and smooth breaking. It was a big milestone for me, the extra boost I got in confidence couldn't be bought with money.
Isn't learning FUN?!

[Luna Tique]

That is great news TW:hug2:

I love reading stories of new accomplishments.:thumbsup:
As I read your post it makes me smile to know you ARE making progress:pompom:


:wootrock: Congrats on making a perfect tight U turn with an audience watching you get extra points .:perfect10:
They are not always executed so smoothly even for an experienced rider. :riding:

and doesn't just make you want to shout out :yahoo: when you get it right? :D:

I am proud and very happy for you. :cheers:

[ridingAK]

Congratulations TW! I can feel your excitement just jumping off my computer screen! That is the kind of infectious happiness I love about new riders.

[TW200_CA]

Terrific TW, the excited nervousness is a great feeling. I spent lots of hours on the large network of quiet side streets last summer learning to ride, mostly Saturday mornings, but I had to do a couple of blocks of a busier street and a traffic light to get there. On the first few times my Honey escorted me down the street and followed me around but he is not en early riser, this was a real effort that he made with good grace and following me for an hour or more was boring, I stalled so often he was afraid I'd wear out the starter. On the first time out to the busy street on my own, I just went, 8am, no traffic, no people, I concentrated on everything I did, extra attention on the friction zone, remembered to be in neutral to start after stalling, no pressure, just me getting to know the bike, shifting up and down, practicing quick stops and smooth breaking. It was a big milestone for me, the extra boost I got in confidence couldn't be bought with money.
Isn't learning FUN?!

Hey VStar - that will be me this Spring and Summer, riding around the neighborhood to practice. Fortunately, our neighborhood is very pretty. Unfortunately, it has a lot of very steep hills, so I need to keep practicing my uphill starts, especially on the steep ones... :scared:

My hubby is very patient as well, although he is learning to ride with me. At first he was much better and a much faster learner, but this last week or so I seem to have caught up and I think he may have *slightly* mixed feelings about that :chin: Oh well, I am sure soon we will be like you and your hubby - riding around together, hopefully to some of the beautiful places in our city and nearby :D:

[Murray211]

Congrats for not giving up even after all the bruising! That's really cool and I'm glad to hear you had a good day on your bike!

[TW200_CA]

That is great news TW:hug2:

I love reading stories of new accomplishments.:thumbsup:
As I read your post it makes me smile to know you ARE making progress:pompom:


:wootrock: Congrats on making a perfect tight U turn with an audience watching you get extra points .:perfect10:
They are not always executed so smoothly even for an experienced rider. :riding:

and doesn't just make you want to shout out :yahoo: when you get it right? :D:

I am proud and very happy for you. :cheers:

Thanks Luna - that u-turn was a pretty special moment for me. I was tempted to do something like this: :wootrock: on the bike, but realized then I really would fall :rofl: We had just worked on the offset cone weaves at low speed with my riding instructor on Sunday, so I think that helped a lot - it was the exact same feeling, I just had to remind myself what to do going in to the turn. Definitely a good motivator to keep up those parking lot practice sessions as well!

Thanks so much for the good thoughts and the nice words - in case you couldn't tell, I'm pretty excited, and looking forward to going out and doing it again today if I can slip away in the middle of the day while the traffic is light :D:

[TW200_CA]

Congratulations TW! I can feel your excitement just jumping off my computer screen! That is the kind of infectious happiness I love about new riders.

Thanks!!! I am ridiculously excited, even though I know a short ride around the neighborhood isn't a huge deal in the scheme of things, it still feels huge for me given where I started such a short time ago. I am very excited to keep building on this - can't wait for the day when I feel comfortable riding everywhere :D:

[TW200_CA]

Congrats for not giving up even after all the bruising! That's really cool and I'm glad to hear you had a good day on your bike!

Thank you Murray - I'm a stubborn one :lol: But it pays off in the end!! :ecstasy:

[Cyclone67]

I love springtime when all the excited new riders come out!

[TW200_CA]

I love springtime when all the excited new riders come out!

Thanks Cyclone :D:

I think one of the guys I saw out today didn't love new riders quite so much - I saw about half a dozen other riders, and some of them gave me the head nod or the thumbs-up, but one guy on a cruiser cut me off at a stop sign and then swerved around me when he missed a light because of a car. He seemed pretty annoyed by me even though I always try to move to the side to give others the chance to pass because I know I'm a bit on the slow side. Oh well, his problem, not mine - I enjoyed the gorgeous day and my short but pretty ride :cool::D:

[Astir]

Sounds to me like he was just an... :asshat:.



Good for you riding your own ride. :thumbsup:

[TW200_CA]

Sounds to me like he was just an... :asshat:.



Good for you riding your own ride. :thumbsup:

Haha - my thoughts exactly. Especially when I looked down at my speed and realized he was doing 45+ mph in a school zone...

I mean, I totally understand that sometimes you are in a hurry, but everybody started out sometime, and most experienced riders seem so supportive of us newbies (which has been one of the best parts of this whole experience!) I just don't expect the ones who aren't.

[Amphoteric]

I mean, I totally understand that sometimes you are in a hurry, but everybody started out sometime, and most experienced riders seem so supportive of us newbies (which has been one of the best parts of this whole experience!) I just don't expect the ones who aren't.

I have to agree with you here. A lot of the experienced riders have been supportive whether I know them or whether they're complete strangers. It's baffling to meet riders who act superior to other riders. If that ever happens, just let it go and focus on your own journey!

EDIT: By the way, I'm really proud of you TW! Take your own time learning! Better safe than sorry, right?

[TW200_CA]

I have to agree with you here. A lot of the experienced riders have been supportive whether I know them or whether they're complete strangers. It's baffling to meet riders who act superior to other riders. If that ever happens, just let it go and focus on your own journey!

EDIT: By the way, I'm really proud of you TW! Take your own time learning! Better safe than sorry, right?

Thanks amphoteric!! Have gone out again several times since and it just keeps getting better - I even made it out to the beach this past weekend, and met a really sweet older gentleman who had a garage full of BMW bikes at home :drool: Definitely better safe than sorry - hence the TW as a first bike, I figure I can really push myself to develop my skills and I'm unlikely to get in too much trouble :lol:

In fact, husband and I are both having so much fun that we started to fight over who got to ride our (one) bike, so we are going and getting another one this weekend so we can ride together - I'm so excited I can hardly wait :yahoo::ecstasy:

[Amphoteric]

Lol, what bike are you guys going to buy? Haha, I am excited for you both!

[TW200_CA]

Lol, what bike are you guys going to buy? Haha, I am excited for you both!

We're ridiculously excited. Hubby decided he wants another t-dub - we talked about maybe getting something else, either a similar feeling but just to have something a little different (e.g. an XT250 or maybe a Kawi KLX250), and also talked about getting something completely different, like a Ninja or CBR250 or even a cruiser since hubby likes them.

But in the end he decided a second t-dub is the way to go. This way we can develop our skills on something we won't get into much trouble on but still ride together. Then the plan is to think about adding and/or upgrading around the end of the year. We pick up our new family member this Saturday :D:

[LiLiBug]

That it so awesome!!! :ecstasy:

I bet you can't wait for the course now!

:wootrock:

Practice, practice, practice! It will pay off come class time!!!!

[Dualsport Chic]

Congrats TW - happy trails to you both on your twin rides!

Best,

DC

:kcd:

[TW200_CA]

That it so awesome!!! :ecstasy:

I bet you can't wait for the course now!

:wootrock:

Practice, practice, practice! It will pay off come class time!!!!

We are really excited about the class. I'm still a bit nervous given my first experience, but cautiously optimistic since I've managed to do all of the skills they cover at some point except the jumping over the 2x4, and I'm sure we can find a way to practice that in the coming weeks!

Practice is definitely the plan - we are planning on taking them out Saturday and Sunday this weekend, and then probably the same the weekend after, and I'm sure some of that will involve some parking lot skills practicing :D:

[TW200_CA]

Congrats TW - happy trails to you both on your twin rides!

Best,

DC

:kcd:

Thanks DC - we are thrilled :D:

Now we just need to paint them so we can tell them apart :lol: - hubby wants to paint his black, I'm torn between burgundy and dark grey metallic...Plan is to paint them on a Sunday afternoon/evening, since we can't ride during the week anyway - maximizes riding time :thumbup:

[VStar]

TW, another bike, you two will have so much fun riding together. I ride about half the time by myself but really enjoy when Hubby and I get out together, riding next to him helps me to develop different skills.
Don't be too nervous about your class, you'll do great. I took the second class 4 months after the first one, but with real excitement, (ok, I was a a little nervous) and had a good time since I had so much more experience. Will you be going to the same place and have the same instructors?

[TW200_CA]

TW, another bike, you two will have so much fun riding together. I ride about half the time by myself but really enjoy when Hubby and I get out together, riding next to him helps me to develop different skills.
Don't be too nervous about your class, you'll do great. I took the second class 4 months after the first one, but with real excitement, (ok, I was a a little nervous) and had a good time since I had so much more experience. Will you be going to the same place and have the same instructors?

Thanks VStar :D:

The plan is to go take the class together at the same time. We could theoretically split into different groups on the riding range, but I don't think we will - my hubby is actually super supportive and tends to cheer me on, rather than distracting me or making me nervous. I am excited about it, but also a little nervous. I *think* it is good nerves though - the kind that makes you do well.

I almost hope I have the same instructors, just so I can show them how far I've come since we last tried the class, but then again, I don't really want to get distracted by them giving conflicting advice again...

[skitta]

Hi!

Congratulations! I really enjoyed reading your post. When I took the motorcycle course, I actually wiped out on the bike! I thought for sure I was going to fail. But, I passed. My knees actually buckled when my name was called :)

This will be my second "season" of riding. I'm feeling a little hesistant. (It's been a long winter here in Canada). But, I know with practice, the confidence will return.

[TW200_CA]

Hi!

Congratulations! I really enjoyed reading your post. When I took the motorcycle course, I actually wiped out on the bike! I thought for sure I was going to fail. But, I passed. My knees actually buckled when my name was called :)

This will be my second "season" of riding. I'm feeling a little hesistant. (It's been a long winter here in Canada). But, I know with practice, the confidence will return.

Thanks skitta! I'm sure once you get back on the bike it will all come back sooner than you expect - I actually find a couple of days away helps me get better when I'm back on the bike, almost like it gives me time for everything I practiced to sink in or something.

I'm off to re-take the class tomorrow and Sunday - fingers crossed!! Will definitely post an update afterwards, especially if it goes well.

I've been practicing a lot, including some parking lot practice with hubby last weekend (figure 8's, quick stops, standing on the foot pegs over speed bumps, off set weaves, straight-line weaves, and swerves), so hopefully it goes well this time!!

Hope your riding season this year is amazing!!

[VStar]

Hey skitta, I droppped the bike on my first time through the MSF course, too, I wasn't the first one to do it though.

TW, good luck with the class, you'll fly through the course, do you think you'll have the same instructors? Will your Hubby be taking it too?

[Luna Tique]

TW another big advantage to have 2 of the same bikes is tools and parts .:thumbup:

Have fun with the class.

I think it is wonderful that this is something you and your husband share with equal enthusiasm and support for each other :thumbup:

[zee]

Have a great time today!!

[TW200_CA]

Thanks Luna, VStar, & Zee - this has really been a wonderful bonding hobby for me and hubby and we both are really enjoying it individually and together, which I think is great :D:

We will both be going for class today, and I don't know if it will be the same instructors.

Hubby says he hopes it is because he wants them to see "how good you've gotten" but I think I'd almost rather start fresh and have it be more about what else I can learn from them.

Either way though, my plan is to be zen - I know I can do everything they will be asking us to because I've done it all before on my own, I just have to stay calm, relaxed, and focused :D:

[ridingAK]

I'm sure you will do great! I'll be sending some :zen: your direction. :):

[TW200_CA]

I'm sure you will do great! I'll be sending some :zen: your direction. :):

Thanks - I could use it! So nervous (but in a good, alight-butterflies-but-its-a-beautiful-day, I-need-to-remember-this-is-just-another-ride kind of way LOL :lol:)

[Alcyone]

Waiting for the course report.....:popcorn1:

[Astir]

:ecstasy: I can't wait to hear how it went, she has been working so hard. :ecstasy:

:popcorn1:

[Abosit]

You will do just great, just relax and enjoy yourself!
Waiting for your report too.!!

[TW200_CA]

Thanks you guys - all the good thoughts must have helped, because I passed with flying colors (and I am so excited I started a thread about it separately :D::D:)

[zee]

Where's the "Like" button from Facebook? :thumbsup:

[TW200_CA]

Where's the "Like" button from Facebook? :thumbsup:

Haha - thanks zee! :D: