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Post by puffy275 on Feb 9, 2014 6:24:42 GMT 10
Hi Wendy Witch, have been thinking about your post most of the day, and what I should write to encourage you to stick with it. I got my full license when I was a teenager, so I don't have the hassle of L-Plates. I gave riding away for a long time but after my divorce, I decided it was time to step back into life and take it up again. I went and did a Learners - Learn to ride course. There were only 2 of us on the course - a 16year old girl starting out and me. We had a ball and I decided that I hadn't forgotten how to ride and went out and bought a Suzuki Intruder too. I can truly empathise with the slowness thing, but even though I have upgraded to a bigger bike now - the speedo still only goes up to 160km. The racing bikes and cross things can do that in third gear. So I still sit just in front of tailend Charlie and so what. I enjoy the riding - I get to see more scenery - I dont have to worry about going so fast I would lose my license instantly and I get where we are going most of the time. It really pisses me off when they organise a ride and don't cater for the smaller size petrol tanks and I end up running out of petrol - that's real consideration (NOT). Riding in a group can be one of the most dangerous situation for a Learner, because of the pressure to keep up. Probably pressure you put on your self. I have to tell my self all the time - " Just worry about me getting there safely and not how far the others are in front". They like riding fast and I don't so - that's that. You enjoy the freedom - you enjoy the experience and you enjoy the friendships that come from riding with a group and I hope to see you in Bright - Love Lucy. Well said Lucy.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 8:34:07 GMT 10
Just going to add one thing here Wendy. You don't have to do group rides if you don't want to. I've only ever done three group rides in my life, two with SRA and one with another group. I loved the the SRA ones because they do exactly what everyone here is saying they do, they ride at a pace of the less experienced riders. The other ride saw everyone except Cray and I and two other riders take off ahead of us. At each stop they were all finished their drinks when we got there so we didn't get much of a stop. I ended up leading our own personal little group and I was the least experienced person there. Why? Because having the least experienced person lead is often the safest way to do it. When you are in front you set the pace, you don't feel pushed by the other traffic to go beyond your skills in things like speed and cornering. Anyway i'm starting to ramble, the point is I don't really like group rides, I'd much prefer to just ride with cray and enjoy the scenery. Group rides aren't for everyone so if you decide you don't really like them then that's fair enough. Riding is a very individual thing, its in the nature of it. Do it how and when you like and enjoy yourself There have been a lot of words of encouragment posted up here, that's what I love about the forum. I hope they have made you feel better about it all and that you get to go out for a little pootle soon to remember why you love it
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 8:39:37 GMT 10
Booking into a braking/cornering and swerving course next time in melbourne. Lol yep i have problems stopping. and finding the right boots for my 149cm lol got a couple but you know ladies got to find the perfect ones That's a great idea, wish we got courses here! Yep I have trouble braking too, my crotch used to get very personal with the tank every time I used the brakes, thank heavens its not that bad anymore! But I need a course, gonna look into doing one in Sydney or Newcastle later in the year.
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Post by intherough on Feb 9, 2014 10:05:41 GMT 10
The male ego and levels of testosterone are heightened exponentially the faster they go on their bikes. Let 'em ride ahead on a group ride.
My 2 cents worth? Let the TEC be responsible for making sure you get to the next point in a safe, enjoyable manner - assuming the TEC is not also a testosterone filled adrenalin junky (like I was until I binned it twice last year). A 250cc is plenty fast enough for a person with the appropriate level of experience.
Ride with passion, ride with pride, just ride and feel the freedom of the wind in your face while cruising along endless winding country roads and all the while feeling the throb of your bike between your legs. No one but you can take away the passion.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 14:05:03 GMT 10
Well after reading through all 3 pages of posts. I have only had my belief in the driver/rider training program to get your L's & P's in WA is the correct way to go. From what I understand of the model used in both NSW & VIC.
Having said that I am surprised by the comments both from Wendy & Corky. I say to both, just go at your own pace & build up your experience at your own pace. You will get there in the end. If u enjoy riding u will persist. If u don't u will not. Pretty simple really. I think I can speak for everyone in that we would all like both of u to attend the bright run.
Since I know Wendy a little & also Cas. I will make the offer to put Wendy on the back of my bike during the bright run, as I know Caspers licence stops him from doing so, if that is what it takes to get u down here. It's no skin off my nose to have a pillion, as I get plenty of solo country rides every day.
Louie
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Post by puffy275 on Feb 12, 2014 14:13:51 GMT 10
Same here, I'm happy to have a pillion if needed. We all want you guys there. Cheers
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 21:20:22 GMT 10
Thanks for the offers guys. I will be bringing my bike albeit in a trailer. I will do the short rides around Bright. I may even take you up on offers to hitch a ride as I have never been a pillion before. I don't and never have taken kindly to being rushed and hurried at anything so I guess my reactions are somewhat defensive. I bought this here to the forum to reasure myself that the SRA AGM will be a tolerant and positive experience for me. Your comments have been most welcome and supportive. Ta.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 21:23:49 GMT 10
Hullo WendyWitch, its me here, yes (I checked). Laughed hard thanks Cray
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Post by puffy275 on Feb 12, 2014 21:56:07 GMT 10
Thanks for the offers guys. I will be bringing my bike albeit in a trailer. I will do the short rides around Bright. I may even take you up on offers to hitch a ride as I have never been a pillion before. I don't and never have taken kindly to being rushed and hurried at anything so I guess my reactions are somewhat defensive. I bought this here to the forum to reasure myself that the SRA AGM will be a tolerant and positive experience for me. Your comments have been most welcome and supportive. Ta. Dear Wendy. I have never met you, but I feel I know you well from this forum. Also! I ride with people that have met you at the last AGM and they only have nice things to say about you. So I look forward to seeing you there. Take care and see you in 4 weeks. Cheers Paul
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Post by Langers on Feb 12, 2014 21:57:28 GMT 10
Thanks for the offers guys. I will be bringing my bike albeit in a trailer. I will do the short rides around Bright. I may even take you up on offers to hitch a ride as I have never been a pillion before. I don't and never have taken kindly to being rushed and hurried at anything so I guess my reactions are somewhat defensive. I bought this here to the forum to reasure myself that the SRA AGM will be a tolerant and positive experience for me. Your comments have been most welcome and supportive. Ta. Except the darts - there will be no quarter given with the darts - no tolerance, no support - it is dog eat dog for State pride. Seriously Wendy, your thread triggered a memory of an experience I had with a mate riding back from Pt Elliott late last year and we went through a little town called Ashbourne - which has a great pub and not much else, but I digress. Riding through Ashbourne we ended up in the middle of a crotch rocket outing heading out of Ashbourne. Well, I thought I'd be able to keep up as easy as - not bloody likely - these Wallys would lean their short arse little bikes nearly horizontal and I have great respect for my pegs. Upshot was - stuff 'em we pulled over and waved the recovery vehicle on and then resumed the trip in a leisurely fashion. Ride at your own pace and enjoy the ride - and I might even be able to catch up. Cheers ... Mark
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2014 7:19:45 GMT 10
Thanks for the offers guys. I will be bringing my bike albeit in a trailer. I will do the short rides around Bright. I may even take you up on offers to hitch a ride as I have never been a pillion before. I don't and never have taken kindly to being rushed and hurried at anything so I guess my reactions are somewhat defensive. I bought this here to the forum to reasure myself that the SRA AGM will be a tolerant and positive experience for me. Your comments have been most welcome and supportive. Ta. Apart from a couple of hours of people flapping their gums the rest of the weekend is about having fun. So you do what you want to do nothing more and nothing less. The ride I have planed is not overly difficult, the road is good there are a lot of turns at the start but you just ride nice and slow take your time and have fun. George is our TEC and nobody is slower than him in the twisty bits but it doesn't bother him or me he knows we will be waiting up the road some wear. Stop worrying and plan to have fun,
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2014 19:53:28 GMT 10
Thanks for the offers guys. I will be bringing my bike albeit in a trailer. I will do the short rides around Bright. I may even take you up on offers to hitch a ride as I have never been a pillion before. I don't and never have taken kindly to being rushed and hurried at anything so I guess my reactions are somewhat defensive. I bought this here to the forum to reasure myself that the SRA AGM will be a tolerant and positive experience for me. Your comments have been most welcome and supportive. Ta. Apart from a couple of hours of people flapping their gums the rest of the weekend is about having fun. So you do what you want to do nothing more and nothing less. The ride I have planed is not overly difficult, the road is good there are a lot of turns at the start but you just ride nice and slow take your time and have fun. George is our TEC and nobody is slower than him in the twisty bits but it doesn't bother him or me he knows we will be waiting up the road some wear. Stop worrying and plan to have fun, Well said Shane thats rite Tracy take your time and don't stress we will wait for you
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2014 22:57:09 GMT 10
Except the darts - there will be no quarter given with the darts - no tolerance, no support - it is dog eat dog for State pride. Seriously Wendy, your thread triggered a memory of an experience I had with a mate riding back from Pt Elliott late last year and we went through a little town called Ashbourne - which has a great pub and not much else, but I digress. Riding through Ashbourne we ended up in the middle of a crotch rocket outing heading out of Ashbourne. Well, I thought I'd be able to keep up as easy as - not bloody likely - these Wallys would lean their short arse little bikes nearly horizontal and I have great respect for my pegs. Upshot was - stuff 'em we pulled over and waved the recovery vehicle on and then resumed the trip in a leisurely fashion. Ride at your own pace and enjoy the ride - and I might even be able to catch up. Cheers ... Mark LOL ..............I can play darts but I`m a better domino champion
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Post by Azure on Feb 26, 2014 12:53:40 GMT 10
Hello Corky and Wendy, after reading your posts and the replies you sound like me a few years back. I didn't start riding until I was 55 (and I consider myself still a novice). I rode a 250 for a couple of years before I stepped up to my 750. The guys hated me on my 250 and really didn't want me to ride with them (especially with my Hi Viz vest on!). I was a real novice and I was doing everything you are doing. I did have a kindly guy on the tail end who made sure I reached my destination safely. I did a lot of KMs on my 250, and like everything with practice, you will get better with the increased confidence you will gain. I recommend an ebook from Amazon : "Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well" by David L. Hough. Loads of great advice in there despite it being written for the USA market (with their riding on the 'wrong' side of the road!). Keep at it and if it is your passion you won't consider giving it up. Not an option! It will keep you young (your brain cells will love it as you are learning a new skill), gives you a reason to get up in the morning, and gets you excited about a ride and have your adrenalin running! (oh and something to polish, eh?). My advice is to ride only at the speed you are comfortable with as others have said. So important, that. It is sage advice. Never be pressured to ride faster than you feel safely doing. Sod the rest of them and enjoy the experience. And anyway, they will be at their destination only a few minutes before you. It's a guy thing, they can't help it (well some of them, don't want to offend anyone seeing as I just joined )
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Post by Azure on Feb 26, 2014 12:58:03 GMT 10
Hi Lucy, my sentiments exactly. Well said
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