drankin
09-20-2011, 11:05 AM
Important Things I Learned My First Summer Riding
These are in no particular order and things you people who have been riding awhile probably already know but things that came as somewhat of a surprise to a newbie rider.
Some of these things other people here have mentioned and I used them because they held so true for me.
Look where you want to go, the motorcycle tends to go where you are looking so keep your eyes on the road…..I learned this the hard way. Look long enough at what is on the side of the road and you end up there. Beautiful scenery makes it hard to keep your eyes on the road. Most recent example, The Badlands, uugh hard to concentrate on anything but their grandeur.
Assume you are invisible, because to a lot of cagers you are. You might as well be under an invisible cloak. They simply do not see you. Scary but true, especially at intersections.
Ride your own ride………..this proved to be one of the most important things I had to learn and stand firm on. Sometimes it isn’t easy.
Inclines are a bitch to handle when stopped.
If it looks slippery, it probably is.
Learn to swerve, the bike will follow your eyes, so look at the way around, not at the dead skunk you are trying to avoid.
Potty before you leave, bumpy roads and a full bladder are no fun and dang uncomfortable
.
It’s not just transportation, its fun, a hobby, a lifestyle, a passion.
$ tend to disappear fast when shopping for the new bike. If you don’t believe me just ask my husband the price of bike bling.
Parking lots are good places to practice those stupid U-turns the DOT insists you know how to do.
People carry dumb stuff in the back of their pickup trucks and it inevitably blows out when I am following them.
Dress for the crash not beach or an elegant night out on the town. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Flip flops and a bike just don't work for me.
Rain gear is a must have but you have to put it on for it to do any good.It rained so hard on us and our rain gear was in our saddle bags..........don't even ask.
Wild turkey and deer travel in suicidal packs. I blatantly stole this one, it is hilarious and SO TRUE. There is one town here where the turkey are the main population, I swear.
There are always people watching lame attempts to park the dang bike. It helps to have your own personal cheering section when learning to park. It does not help when people (hubby who shall remain nameless) is standing behind your bike pushing it forward when you are trying to push it backwards.
Bees can sting you when they slam into you at a high rate of speed. At least they have the decency to die after they sting you.
Get your key out of your jeans pocket before putting on chaps, jacket and gloves.
Had to get over my hair, nothing works
From a friend, when getting gas, make sure the kickstand is really down.
Fattening but delicious food is the only food you can eat when traveling on motorcycles.
Sand and gravel is evil works of the devil. Though I am learning how to handle both these impediments to a leisurely ride.
When pulling into a lot to get gas and following hubby it is absolutely mandatory to do twenty five twirlys around the parking lot before landing in front of the gas pump in the name of learning to do uturns.
Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.
And that, in a nutshell has been my summer on my bike. It felt good to read some of the exact same stuff here and realize there are a lot of given's when learning to ride a bike.
What observations can you add that hold true for most riders?
Dottie Rankin
These are in no particular order and things you people who have been riding awhile probably already know but things that came as somewhat of a surprise to a newbie rider.
Some of these things other people here have mentioned and I used them because they held so true for me.
Look where you want to go, the motorcycle tends to go where you are looking so keep your eyes on the road…..I learned this the hard way. Look long enough at what is on the side of the road and you end up there. Beautiful scenery makes it hard to keep your eyes on the road. Most recent example, The Badlands, uugh hard to concentrate on anything but their grandeur.
Assume you are invisible, because to a lot of cagers you are. You might as well be under an invisible cloak. They simply do not see you. Scary but true, especially at intersections.
Ride your own ride………..this proved to be one of the most important things I had to learn and stand firm on. Sometimes it isn’t easy.
Inclines are a bitch to handle when stopped.
If it looks slippery, it probably is.
Learn to swerve, the bike will follow your eyes, so look at the way around, not at the dead skunk you are trying to avoid.
Potty before you leave, bumpy roads and a full bladder are no fun and dang uncomfortable
.
It’s not just transportation, its fun, a hobby, a lifestyle, a passion.
$ tend to disappear fast when shopping for the new bike. If you don’t believe me just ask my husband the price of bike bling.
Parking lots are good places to practice those stupid U-turns the DOT insists you know how to do.
People carry dumb stuff in the back of their pickup trucks and it inevitably blows out when I am following them.
Dress for the crash not beach or an elegant night out on the town. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Flip flops and a bike just don't work for me.
Rain gear is a must have but you have to put it on for it to do any good.It rained so hard on us and our rain gear was in our saddle bags..........don't even ask.
Wild turkey and deer travel in suicidal packs. I blatantly stole this one, it is hilarious and SO TRUE. There is one town here where the turkey are the main population, I swear.
There are always people watching lame attempts to park the dang bike. It helps to have your own personal cheering section when learning to park. It does not help when people (hubby who shall remain nameless) is standing behind your bike pushing it forward when you are trying to push it backwards.
Bees can sting you when they slam into you at a high rate of speed. At least they have the decency to die after they sting you.
Get your key out of your jeans pocket before putting on chaps, jacket and gloves.
Had to get over my hair, nothing works
From a friend, when getting gas, make sure the kickstand is really down.
Fattening but delicious food is the only food you can eat when traveling on motorcycles.
Sand and gravel is evil works of the devil. Though I am learning how to handle both these impediments to a leisurely ride.
When pulling into a lot to get gas and following hubby it is absolutely mandatory to do twenty five twirlys around the parking lot before landing in front of the gas pump in the name of learning to do uturns.
Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.
And that, in a nutshell has been my summer on my bike. It felt good to read some of the exact same stuff here and realize there are a lot of given's when learning to ride a bike.
What observations can you add that hold true for most riders?
Dottie Rankin