- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 7 months ago by owlie.
My goodness, it actually works!
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September 16, 2009 at 3:32 am #3430owlieParticipant
So twice in the last two days, I’ve scared myself. Yesterday, just a little, but today I really thought I was going to lose it.
First, yesterday, I took the right hand turn into my neighborhood just a little too fast. Not sure why, but I was thrown off (psychologically) by an oncoming car just as I was making the turn. I got across the spray of gravel with no problems, but I knew I was about to cross the centerline. I really hate crossing the centerline even when there is no oncoming traffic. I rolled on the throttle a little, looked up the road and What! the bike leans how far? You mean, it really leans that far? and I don’t go sliding off into oblivion? Wow! Cool! Let’s do it again!
Yes, Elwood, I need to do more circles in the Parking Lot.
So today, I was on what has become my usual evening ride. It is up the road about five miles, with nice gentle curves and light traffic, then around the funky little triangle shaped block, through about half a mile of twisties, and then back down. I came to the turn for the triangle, and for some reason, I took it wide. I saw the pothole in the shoulder and thought $#!%, I’m going to drop it again! But I decided that it just didn’t have to be that way. I looked up the road a quarter mile, rolled on the throttle, pushed on the grip and didn’t even touch the shoulder.
You all know how hard it was for me to keep going after I dropped my bike the second time. I have wondered more than once if I’m a complete dimwit for keeping with it, but through every drop, I have said to myself, “this happened because I am just starting out, and I’ll get better.” Well, I’m glad to say that I’m getting better.
Owlie
September 16, 2009 at 4:25 am #22357eternal05ParticipantAmazing how that incessant “you go where you look” mantra actually has some substance to it, isn’t it? Your mind-over-matter mental muscling in a…no, scratch that…in TWO tough situations shows you that you’re getting there. Now you’ve figured out the basics enough that you don’t waste your attention on them, freeing you up to make critical judgments like this. Next step? Being able to make that call on auto-pilot as well.
September 16, 2009 at 4:51 am #22360chipshotParticipantWay to stick with it owlie. And yes, you are crazy for doing so, but it sure is satisfying when you get it right isn’t it! Damn addictive if you ask me, but that’s not a complaint .
September 16, 2009 at 4:57 am #22361eonParticipantHeh heh, it’s a good feeling when you stop making the dumb mistakes. I think everyone gets spooked by cars appearing on the scene when you are in mid-corner. You just have to train yourself to ignore them and continue on as you were (or at least, while you evaluate them as not being a threat you don’t mess up your line).
Glad to hear you are sticking with it and progressing.
September 17, 2009 at 2:24 am #22376owlieParticipantWhat I missed saying in my excitement last night is THANK YOU to you all. You all have been great comrades on this journey and your advice, encouragement and commiseration have been invaluable.
Owlie
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