Getting back up after a drop

[phoenix63]

Yes, I dropped my bike today. My brand new baby. sigh! I was practicing in the parking lot, and grabbed my brakes, instead of squeezing them... lost my balance and toppled over. At least I know what I did wrong.

Not hurt (ATGATT) ... well, my PRIDE is hurt a little bit.. but, the bike's not hurt either.

I felt so stupid because I couldn't pick the bike up by myself (even though I've watched Skert's videos on how to do it, a gazillion times). A very nice guy helped me pick it back up. UGH! I hated not being able to pick up my bike.

Anyway, I got back on the bike (it's not a horse, but the same principle applies, right?)... and kept riding for another 45 minutes. I admit I was a bit shaken, and my confidence has taken a little dip. Good thing I wasn't at an intersection when this happened. Good thing I'm practicing in parking lots before braving a lot of traffic.

I WILL master these skills. I WILL conquer newbie fear. I WILL become a safe, proficient rider. (right?)

I need to relax. :meditation:

[ridingAK]

Congratulations. Dropping your bike and getting back on is part of the learning process. Just look at today's incident as one more hurdle conquered. Now you know you can go down and the world doesn't end. You don't need to hold on to that fear any more. Let it go, and you will find that your confidence comes back stronger than ever, and your riding will improve quickly. :hug2:

[msyzf2u]

RIGHT!



:iagree: Well said rAK :)



we have all been there :hug2:



:)

[ImaSoftT]

If there was an exclusive club for only those that had dropped their bikes, then there would only be about 3 riders not in membership, and 2 of those would be lying and the other one would be riding a mo-ped. So welcome to the club.

[phoenix63]

If there was an exclusive club for only those that had dropped their bikes, then there would only be about 3 riders not in membership, and 2 of those would be lying and the other one would be riding a mo-ped. So welcome to the club.

:lol: Oh, that's funny! (and likely very true)... I'm honored to be part of the club because it means I'm RIDING! Not that I want to drop the bike again, mind you... Never give up. Never. Never. Never give up. I'll keep getting back on the bike and practicing.

Seriously, guys, thanks for the encouragement and the hugs. You're the best! :wootrock:

[chienjouet]

Yes, I dropped my bike today. My brand new baby. sigh! I was practicing in the parking lot, and grabbed my brakes, instead of squeezing them... lost my balance and toppled over. At least I know what I did wrong.

Not hurt (ATGATT) ... well, my PRIDE is hurt a little bit.. but, the bike's not hurt either.

I felt so stupid because I couldn't pick the bike up by myself (even though I've watched Skert's videos on how to do it, a gazillion times). A very nice guy helped me pick it back up. UGH! I hated not being able to pick up my bike.

Anyway, I got back on the bike (it's not a horse, but the same principle applies, right?)... and kept riding for another 45 minutes. I admit I was a bit shaken, and my confidence has taken a little dip. Good thing I wasn't at an intersection when this happened. Good thing I'm practicing in parking lots before braving a lot of traffic.

I WILL master these skills. I WILL conquer newbie fear. I WILL become a safe, proficient rider. (right?)

I need to relax. :meditation:

Yes you will!!!

[Luna Tique]

http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/smilies/tip-over/1100430538_SThAe-O.gif (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/smilies/6394670_NAmsS#1100430538_SThAe) And now you know what grabbing a hand full of brakes can do fortunately it was at low speed in the safety of a parking lot.:hug2:


:perfect10: For dusting yourself off and climbing back on.:riding::wootrock:
I am glad to hear you and your bike came through without a scratch:pompom:

Your ego will heal :thumbup:

It's ok to ask for help I would and have done so. :D:

[Chem Chick]

I dropped mine yesterday for the first time too :hug2: I WAS at an intersection, though. Tell ya what, the adrenaline of "OMG I'm blocking traffic!" really helps in getting the bike back up. Also, being in traffic with bigger things to worry about helped with the nerves/shakes (couldn't afford to loose my confidence, too much to Search-Evaluate-Execute).

Its better that it happened somewhere where the situation was under your control. Wish I could give more advice but, well, I'm just a learner too.

[ridingAK]

I'm glad you also came through a drop without injury Chem Chick! Congratulations for getting your bike up on your own and for being calm enough to continue riding. Great job!

[msyzf2u]

Chem Chick, glad your ok!

[Chem Chick]

Thanks you guys. I'd actually stalled out and couldn't restart so I was pushing to the shoulder when I dropped it. Surprisingly, bike and I were unscathed. A few extra tries had her started again.

[phoenix63]

I dropped mine yesterday for the first time too :hug2: I WAS at an intersection, though. Tell ya what, the adrenaline of "OMG I'm blocking traffic!" really helps in getting the bike back up. Also, being in traffic with bigger things to worry about helped with the nerves/shakes (couldn't afford to loose my confidence, too much to Search-Evaluate-Execute).

Its better that it happened somewhere where the situation was under your control. Wish I could give more advice but, well, I'm just a learner too.

Wow! Good on you for staying calm and remembering your training (SEE). Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm really glad you're ok and everything turned out ok. :hug2:

[LittleRedRider]

Glad you're both OK. Lots & lots of practice.
I don't have anywhere near the experience or miles some folks on here do, but found out how quickly skills can get rusty. Hadn't ridden in a couple of weeks and went out this weekend. Didn't have a drop, but the flow just wasn't there - crappy cornering, missed a couple shifts, just stuff that showed me how quick the rhythm can disappear when not used.

[Flight49]

P63 - been there, done that. Dropped my brand new bike the second day I had it. Was out on the street, went to turn left, thought I had given it too much throttle, pulled the clutch in all the way and....down we went. Broke my clutch lever but that was all. I was too shook up to even try to lift it, mostly because I was sure I was going to see all kinds of damage when it came back up. A nice man helped me get it back up. It was in some gravel and a little downhill so don't think I could have done it anyway.

The worst damage was to my confidence. I had ridden it home from the dealer the day before with total confidence. Got back on it after the drop and really had to fight my head to make the next few turns. I did what you did and stayed out for awhile to force myself through it.

I just kept practicing and riding - and installed the highway bars! Anyway, 3000 miles later I am feeling much better but still working on skills like u turns - still haven't mastered that one :eek:, but, I loooove riding and smile constantly when I am on my Rose.

I am 61, just learned to ride at 60, and was scared spitless to ride at all. Soooooo - if I can do it, I know you can :thumbsup: Keep going and have fun.

[calico1062]

All of you are such inspirations and Flight49, I think it's awesome that you started riding at 60. I'm 47 and just got my license and some of my friends think I'm nuts. I'm waiting for that first drop and I know it's not an "if" but a "when". Hoping I'll have as much courage and determination as you all have shown. Reading posts like these is extremely helpful though! Thank you.:thumbup:

[phoenix63]

P63 - been there, done that. Dropped my brand new bike the second day I had it. Was out on the street, went to turn left, thought I had given it too much throttle, pulled the clutch in all the way and....down we went. Broke my clutch lever but that was all. I was too shook up to even try to lift it, mostly because I was sure I was going to see all kinds of damage when it came back up. A nice man helped me get it back up. It was in some gravel and a little downhill so don't think I could have done it anyway.

The worst damage was to my confidence. I had ridden it home from the dealer the day before with total confidence. Got back on it after the drop and really had to fight my head to make the next few turns. I did what you did and stayed out for awhile to force myself through it.

I just kept practicing and riding - and installed the highway bars! Anyway, 3000 miles later I am feeling much better but still working on skills like u turns - still haven't mastered that one :eek:, but, I loooove riding and smile constantly when I am on my Rose.

I am 61, just learned to ride at 60, and was scared spitless to ride at all. Soooooo - if I can do it, I know you can :thumbsup: Keep going and have fun.

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy: WOW! Flight49, YOU are my hero (heroine?)... I am so inspired by you. And, age is just a thing... mind over matter... if you don't mind, it doesn't matter. :-) Thank you so much for the encouragement.

I'm 47 (like Calico) and I got A LOT of comments from family and friends when I told them I was learning to ride. Most were very positive. Some were skeptical... some even felt the need to tell me all the horror stories they'd heard of motorcyclists killed, injured, or paralyzed while riding. My sister thinks I"m having a mid-life crisis. LOL! That's ok... let her think what she wants. I'm gonna ride MY ride!

And, Calico, when that first drop comes... we'll be here for you!

[jewels]

The best advice someone gave me was to make sure your front wheel is straight when coming to a stop. If it is turned just a little and you apply too much front brake it tends to pull you down.

I have dropped almost every bike I owed but the best was when I had a guy in a Camaro with a mullet helping me pick it up before my husband even had a chance to circle around. :lol:

[VStar]

Five times so far, expecting # 6 but hopefully not for a very long time and something little like backing into the garage.

[ridingAK]

Posting a count? :redface1:
More times than I can count racing dirt bikes as a kid.
Dropped current bike the first day (still have resultant shoulder pain) and dropped it several more times before I got lowering links and learned how to slide off the seat to get a foot on the ground. I've had my share of drops, but none in the last 25,000 miles or so. Knock on wood!

[phoenix63]

The best advice someone gave me was to make sure your front wheel is straight when coming to a stop. If it is turned just a little and you apply too much front brake it tends to pull you down.

I have dropped almost every bike I owed but the best was when I had a guy in a Camaro with a mullet helping me pick it up before my husband even had a chance to circle around. :lol:

Great advice! I'll remember that. I just got back from my first official spin around the neighborhood. 30 minutes of riding, followed by 30 minutes parking lot practice. Starting and stopping was pretty smooth... shifting was better. No stalls. got it up into 3rd gear (around 30mph). It felt REALLY good! :yahoo:

[VStar]

Nice practice session phx63, it's very confidence building to have a good feeling when you're done, it was like that for me when I was 'new learning' last year. I'm still working on my skills, not fully comfotable with them yet. It's really thrilling not just good, makes you smile as yuou walk back into the house, doesn't it?

[phoenix63]

Yes, it felt FANTASTIC! I wanted to get back out there this morning, before work, but it's raining. Boo!!

[Luna Tique]

:singingrain: is ok. It can be fun. :D:

[ridingAK]

:iagree: You'll get caught in rain at some point, so you may as well practice in it under controlled conditions first. Who knows, you might find yourself enjoying it, and it will certainly make you more confident!

[zee]

I agree, too. Besides, since I didn't melt in it, neither will you! :lol:

[jewels]

I also agree. It is better to practice all obstacles instead of being forced into a situation. :thumbup:

[TW200_CA]

Late to the party, but if it makes you feel any better, I have actually lost count of all the times I've dropped a bike while learning to ride. :lol:

Good on you for getting right back on.

Also, keep in mind that dropping a bike as new, small / short, female rider is a completely different thing than for some 6-foot tall guy. Reasons are simple - when you can solidly plant both feet on the ground, and have lots of strength, you can save a tipping bike from going over relatively easily. For us, not so much.

But the upside of that is that I firmly believe it will make you a better, more careful rider - I know it has for me. Here's why: it forces you to plan ahead, which is what you should be doing anyway. When I'm coming up to a difficult intersection (steep hill, road slanted, gravel or slick spots in the road), I know I only have the ball of one foot to put down, so I need to stop the bike smoothly and plan where that little bit of foot will go to keep me steady and secure.

Re: picking it up. I've seen those videos of doing it with your back to the bike, and I've never gotten it to work. What did work, and might be worth trying is: turn the handlebars all the way in one direction until they lock. Then lean over with one leg firmly planted, and use the handlebars as a lever to get the bike up. If this is hard to picture, try the following. When you lift your bike up off the kickstand, try bracing your hip against the seat, turning the handlebars to full lock away from you, and standing the bike up like that. Then try it again with the handlebars not locked. See how much more leverage you get with the handlebars locked? Same principal when you pick it up from the ground.

[phoenix63]

I agree, too. Besides, since I didn't melt in it, neither will you! :lol:

LOL! Yeah, I don't melt either. I should have been a little clearer. It wasn't just raining, there were threats of severe weather and lightning, too. One of the days of my BRC course, it rained, and we still had class. Not afraid of a bit of rain, it's the severe thunderstorms and light show that scare me. :-D

[ImaSoftT]

Good call Phoenix, all the gear in the world can't protect us from lightning. Out here we have 1 or 2 riders struck by lightning every year, I guess it is because we have so much flat open space, nothing but the rider to attract the stuff. :hiding: Better to be safe than sorry.

[zee]

Good call Phoenix, all the gear in the world can't protect us from lightning. Out here we have 1 or 2 riders struck by lightning every year, I guess it is because we have so much flat open space, nothing but the rider to attract the stuff. :hiding: Better to be safe than sorry.

+1 I totally agree. I'll ride in the rain anytime... unless there are threats of lightning.