Thank you Peter I know I'm going to be a nervous wreck on my first outing but hope all the good riding experiences outweigh it. I was bad enough before lol I would be shaking getting my leathers on and deep breaths finalising helmet gloves But once on the bike all that went I just had to remember to breathe lol.
Please forgive me if this sounds like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, as I know you are an experienced rider, but one of the biggest things people do wrong (and after 17 years riding, I still forget from time to time) is looking at the road right ahead, and not where you want to be going. If you look at something on the road - especially things like drain covers and white lines, you are more likely to ride over them. Look well ahead, and at the exit of every corner, and the bike will feel more surefooted and confident - something that will help you a lot right now. Another thing that can help - if you feel yourself tensing up or running wide, just dip your shoulder into the turn. the bike will tighten its line, and suddenly feel calmer and more confident. I'm sure you know all of this already, but it never hurts to go back over it, as its so easy to drop into bad habits. Hope you're back to full confidence again soon.
I'm open to all comments so feel free I remember looking ahead thinking i would catch up with the person I was riding with It was drummed into me to always look where I wanted to go my inexperience told me I wouldn't get around bends Sadly I was becoming more positive and focused and confident with the bike when this happened I rode with the same people for 3 years who rode to my ability Just before the accident I rode with a different breed who liked to ride fast and ride off Maybe I picked up bad habits or the fact I didn't want to be left encouraged me to be over confident I could analyse forever I suppose
Lots of patients when there is coffee and cake in the offering and I have never been the fastest of riders. It's been commented by others that I have all the gear and know idea lol
Not an offer, it's happening We'll just go out, let's not make a big thing of it and build it up, just have some fun
Wow see Viv!! There's some good folks here I don't want to hijack Vivs thread .. I got in the same boat and still bad and still shaky. I have one chap who I have a ride with once every few weeks months and I'm happy pootling about with him. However what's knocked me back is I I Illness and when I did go out for a ride with someone it happened a few times with different people they knew I was in a funny place in my head with riding and decided to straight way bomb it at 100mph !! Not wait for me race off then dropped off behind me and thought it was funny to ride past me as close as possible scare me and nearly knock me off ... I was furious . The same happened with someone else They thought it was funny to push me .. I actually am scared to ride with people now .. Unless I know them and how they ride. These where so called friends and it knocked me back worse. I went for some extra training and was told I'm a pretty safe steady rider and it's all in my head I have a mental block . I rode for ten years daily until I had an off when pregnant and riding home from work I was riding as it was my only means of transport and had to work as just brought a house and was told I'd never have children . Then suddenly had a shock !!!!! I was scary and I was told that was it.. Same as Viv was made to feel the worst person and irresponsible .., And no finances to be made to fix my beloved bike.. Viv go for it take up the offer!!!!!! People here know the score and won't bully you riding ... When you are ready don't be like I was . Get back out there.
Oh .. People please be kind to Viv... All I get is people pushing me and giving me a hard time.. The other week I led a couple of blokes as they got lost I was going at speed so not dawdling .. One of them did not like the idea of a woman leading and whizzed in front . That was dumb as they needed to stay behind to find the way!!!! But one would not have it!!! Years back I was a novelty riding .. 22 years ago it was a bit rarer to see a girl of 18 on a bike. I thought it was different now!! Sadly one chap thought not . However most good bikers will ride as quick as the slowest and always wait and never get arsey!!!!!!!
Lol Mel you lovely woman Luce and K are some of the best people I have ridden with They always put me in the middle when we rode out together we have had some fun The last rideout we had together was coffee and cake
Just let us know ducbird and it would be an honour to ride out with you and others. Starbucks coffee and Danish pastry yum yum :smile:
Ohh you lucky lady!!! It must be the calibar of people I ride with lol !! never got cake and coffee lol
Strikes me that all the girls ought to get together and go for a confidence-building ride without any blokes. No pressure - mutual support.
Lol you better get some new buddies We have always rode out for coffee cake/bacon butties Your welcome to join us
Glid there is plenty of competition with the girls too I have tried to get girls to ride with locally but no joy I have always met up with fellow ducatisti girls. But yes the best riding buddies girls and boys have been ducatisti All my worst trips have been other makes/models Apart from my friend who rides a Kwak and he rides to my ability always
I have just found my leathers to try them on. First time since accident they still fit just!!! Pocket needs restitching it's burst on one side and the other is just intact so will need re stitching too The leather on one pocket is well scuffed think I could get away with wearing them. My jacket has little worn away blobs on the front but still looks fine Oooooo it felt good wearing them Blimey you forget how unflattering they are if your not a stick size 10 All I need now is a new helmet My gloves are fine as are my boots Little by little
Love it anth love it ..... Hey viv to be honest this thread is helping emm too as now the RS has gone she's a bit nervous about the 748 I'd love to see you and emm riding .... Ahem ..... You know what i mean !!!! I've never pushed emm on any ride out , I've always just let her get on with it , early on I used to get in front point to my ass and get her to follow to build up some confidence , now I'd say ..... Err ..... She's bloody quick but it's back to the drawing board now to get to grips with her first biggie ....( loads of risqué comment coming ) .... She's gonna need your help/perspective I'm sure .....
I'm open to offers Yes Emm will find a difference Sounds like your doing the right things I liked to follow to get lines and I found it easier to ride I wasn't keen on leading because I kept looking to check my buddy was still with me. I rode mainly with the same person for 2 years and we knew what the other would do specially on the motorway. Everyone knew my fear of tight corners as these dukes don't always feel like they will make it. Dicky mint I rode with also would warn me with hand signals of a tight bend worked for me because I would go into them far to fast before I had set myself up in the early days.
