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OK, Just wanted to say how much I appreciated all the feedback for my "when did you do 35mph" thread. After 2 weeks of going in circles in my neighborhood, I finally ventured out yesterday on some main roads and obtained 40mph! Today, I did 50mph on a 20 mile back road loop with the hubby riding behind me.
Two things stayed in my mind from this group of riders; 1) Ride your OWN RIDE, and 2)PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
I had a good time, was safe, and am here to ride again.
There's going to be a moment, probably not too distant future, where your confidence is high, you feel your skill is high, and you're feeling on top of things. Then some little thing will jump up and bite you firmly on the ***. Scare the beeejeeezus out of you. It will be something like a tar snake grabbing the front wheel, a bit of gravel in a corner giving the rear end a shake, or heaven help us ... you actually falling over. Hopefully whatever it is will only cause a slight butt pucker and no real harm.
Don't let it get you ... it happens to everyone that rides. It's the good Lord's way of reminding you that maybe you're not as good as you think you are. Learn from it and get better.
If you are anything like my wife, she was nervous everytime out that first year. The following spring, we went back to the parking lot for an hour of review, then took a nice ride. When we stopped, she asked me what she had been so nervous about last year...
Point is, you SHOULD feel a touch of nerves your first year. It will help keep you focused and paying attention to the basics, as well as riding your own ride. Don't take on more than you feel 100% comfortable with. Its simply not worth it.
Best of luck, and congrats on becoming a new rider. Welcome to the group.
Grats, confidence is a great thing. I grew up racing dirt bikes and thought nothing could scare me. When I first started riding the street at cruising speeds I seriously said to myself "Ok so this is how I'm gonna die" seems silly now however...lol.
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