This was it... the day that riding became a passion!
It wasn't quite as warm as I'd have liked (I'd been saying no go unless it's 13C out there. It only got to about 11 or 12 degrees... but it was my birthday and somehow a ride seemed the appropriate way to commemorate this event.
We left our home, Stephen riding in front, Vic in the rear, and me, so deliciously protected in the middle. We headed toward the Duke Point Ferry terminal to an Esso station to fuel up. Then decided to cross the highway at the Chase River and go the back route into Nanaimo. So far so good. I'm riding well. I seem to be able to gear up and down appropriately, can come to a good stop, nice and gentle too. Seem to be finding the right friction point for start off's from corners and intersections where I've been stopped. So I just trust in Flo and Donna and the other women from the forum and tell myself "if they can do it, so can I."
We come to Bowen Road in Nanaimo, and then turn onto the old highway, and the traffic is thick and I should be panicking, but I'm not. I feel good. I feel excited and thrilled and protected and most of all, capable of this. We turn down Departure Bay Road, and then turn onto Hammond Bay Road and I stall. Yikes. But I don't panic, even though I'm on an incline. I realize I'm still very much a beginner and I'm so glad to have the two very experienced riders there with me. And we manage it all very well and get going again, and before long the tension in my stomach is gone again. I can add that I'm so alert... so aware of the things that can go wrong... my senses are on high frequency.
Hammond Bay Road seems to continue forever, and I'm starting to chill. I want to stop. I think the little stall at the start of the Hammond Bay Road turn unnerved me a little and added to the chill that has set in. We head to the Canadian Tire Plaze at the north end of town for coffee. Somehow navigating all the insane traffic in this area actually manages to instill a bit more confidence in me, and by the time we've finished our coffee, I'm ready to head home.
In truth there was a great deal of meandering through back road routes to get into town, and we took our time, but the return was a little faster. My son determined that I could handle that old highway easily... we didn't need to exceed 70 km, and he thought it would be good to get home sooner rather than later. We managed the Cedar route to avoid the really fast section of the highway, and got home after a little more than three hours on the wonderful bike. Oh she's so glorious.
I got home and managed a lot of squealing and screaming and jumping up and down, taking a few deep breaths and starting the whole dance of excitement, stomping, jumping and screaming all over again. What a ride!
Yes, it was the best, so much so that an hour later we got back on those bikes again. I actually did a bit of fast riding on the highway into Ladysmith. What a bike. Another 1 and 1/2 hours of riding and that made this a 5 hour plus day on my wonderful Honda Shadow VLX 600cc dream machine.
Friday, April 25, 2008
April 13th -- New Rider Pleasure
Another delightful 40 minute ride. I'm so glad to have this beautiful Cedar-Yellowpoint area to ride around in. There's enough variety to help me keep learning, but also feel so much pleasure in the rides. I know I'm getting better every time I go out. There's really not much to say about my riding at this time. It's improving, but I'm clearly still a very new rider.
April 12th -- Building Confidence
Nice weather today and I have the desire to learn, so off we go. Inside I realize that if things go the way I hope, I won't be making this a short 10 km ride. Sure enough, not longer after we head out, I feel myself becoming comfortable with my ride. I feel that I'm shifting gear more smoothly. I'm not looking down at my handlebar to find the signal switch or horn anymore. I know I never should have done that ever... but you do it at slow speeds, cause golly, how else will you learn where they are. But all that getting to know what is where... well, it leads to herky-jerky movements on a bike. Finding things by feel and instinct keeps things so much smoother. I found that I was looking where I had to go, and sure enough, the bike followed through. I found pleasure replacing the tense knot in my gut. I suddenly understood the joy of this ride. Woohoooo!
I signalled Vic that I wanted to take the lead...! Then I went right past our driveway and I knew he was thrilled. There's a lovely loupe through beautiful winding roads near our home. It's a quiet enough ride, not too much traffic ever. It's pretty, lots of bends and turns, and some stops along the way. In short, what a great place to improve your riding skills. We spent at least 35 to 40 minutes on this ride and I got the bike up to about 70 km... so felt very thrilled.
Yes, it was a fab ride. We did what I'd call the Cedar Road circuit first. But so much fun did I have, I had to do it again later that day, and went a little further, riding the Yellowpoint Road route back. Oh how lovely. I know the pleasure of the bike. I know that I'll be able to hone my skill and confidence with lots of practice and encouragement.
I'm thoroughly excited by the support from the forums. Yippee... I'm a biker!
I signalled Vic that I wanted to take the lead...! Then I went right past our driveway and I knew he was thrilled. There's a lovely loupe through beautiful winding roads near our home. It's a quiet enough ride, not too much traffic ever. It's pretty, lots of bends and turns, and some stops along the way. In short, what a great place to improve your riding skills. We spent at least 35 to 40 minutes on this ride and I got the bike up to about 70 km... so felt very thrilled.
Yes, it was a fab ride. We did what I'd call the Cedar Road circuit first. But so much fun did I have, I had to do it again later that day, and went a little further, riding the Yellowpoint Road route back. Oh how lovely. I know the pleasure of the bike. I know that I'll be able to hone my skill and confidence with lots of practice and encouragement.
I'm thoroughly excited by the support from the forums. Yippee... I'm a biker!
March 10th -- Fear Factor Strikes
Oh yes, another ride... but halfway up the road it starts to rain, and the road is slick under me. At least that's what my brain is telling me. And I'm going uphill and I just want off! Panic. I pulled over and waited for my husband to come and turn me around. What a coward.
At this point I'm truly feeling scared. What if I disappoint Vic and Stephen... especially Stephen. After all, he must be hoping I will love my bike. Not many young men can boast of buying their mother a motorcycle for Christmas. I keep my mouth shut and I'm determined to learn somehow. I tell the guys that the weather has to warm up some more because it's turning far too cool for this old gal. Inside I'm struggling for courage. That's when I remembered hearing about the Vancouver Island Lady Riders. I went online, found the forum, joined, and in came the encouragement.
I might not have been riding throughout April, but I was reading and learning and falling in love with the thought that I would be able to ride if I just relaxed and allowed myself to believe in my own ability. I love the VILR and WWR forums. I kept thinking, if my sisters can do it, I can too.
At this point I'm truly feeling scared. What if I disappoint Vic and Stephen... especially Stephen. After all, he must be hoping I will love my bike. Not many young men can boast of buying their mother a motorcycle for Christmas. I keep my mouth shut and I'm determined to learn somehow. I tell the guys that the weather has to warm up some more because it's turning far too cool for this old gal. Inside I'm struggling for courage. That's when I remembered hearing about the Vancouver Island Lady Riders. I went online, found the forum, joined, and in came the encouragement.
I might not have been riding throughout April, but I was reading and learning and falling in love with the thought that I would be able to ride if I just relaxed and allowed myself to believe in my own ability. I love the VILR and WWR forums. I kept thinking, if my sisters can do it, I can too.
March 9th Ride -- Twice the Distance
Well, that first ride was good, only a short one with a bit of parking lot stuff. The next was double the length. I rode out of the gravel driveway and onto the road all the way to the parking lot and then home again. Vic and Stephen both with me, and both having a little concern when I veered over the lines around a corner that I took a little too quickly. Oh the learning curve! But I felt good. I even managed to enjoy this ride home for most of it. Good grief, there's so much to think about. What gear am I in? I'm having to adjust to shoulder checking, and signalling and changing gear and braking or accelerating and all so different from a car. It's hard to have a moment to relax when every move is so full of thought! But I made it and felt good and knew I was actually learning.
March 8th... International Women's Day
It was a nice day here on Vancouver Island. My son had convinced us to put insurance on the bikes (he actually put 4 months on for us) because as he put it: "Mom, I didn't get you a bike to see it sitting in the barn."
I heard the delicious rumble of the pipes as the bikes came forward. My stomach started churning. What the hell had I been thinking? The guys, husband and son, were so excited and all I wanted to do was turn tail and run... puke, pass out, anything but get on that Honda Shadow. It didn't take long for Stephen to see the panic in his mother's eyes. I admitted my fear: "I've never been on this bike. I have no idea how she handles." The truth is I had two days on a 250cc Virago last November. The thought of riding a 600cc bike out of my gravel driveway.... oh my Gawd!
Stephen suggested that my husband ride the bike with me as passenger, and Stephen would follow on his, until I could get the feel for the bike in a parking lot about 5 km down the road. That's where we headed. I rode around a bit and got past the terror, and then rode home. First ride: 5 clicks. But hey, it was on International Women's Day and not a bad thing for a 57-year old grandmother to do to celebrate her own independence.
I heard the delicious rumble of the pipes as the bikes came forward. My stomach started churning. What the hell had I been thinking? The guys, husband and son, were so excited and all I wanted to do was turn tail and run... puke, pass out, anything but get on that Honda Shadow. It didn't take long for Stephen to see the panic in his mother's eyes. I admitted my fear: "I've never been on this bike. I have no idea how she handles." The truth is I had two days on a 250cc Virago last November. The thought of riding a 600cc bike out of my gravel driveway.... oh my Gawd!
Stephen suggested that my husband ride the bike with me as passenger, and Stephen would follow on his, until I could get the feel for the bike in a parking lot about 5 km down the road. That's where we headed. I rode around a bit and got past the terror, and then rode home. First ride: 5 clicks. But hey, it was on International Women's Day and not a bad thing for a 57-year old grandmother to do to celebrate her own independence.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Last May my son bought himself a bike... a 750cc Honda Shadow. He brought home three helmets, one for my husband and me. He also told his Papa to feel free to take the bike out anytime. Since he used his truck for work, the bike was often available and hubby began to ride.
Vic hasn't had a bike for over 25 years, so riding was a delicious and thrilling return to a past passion. By August, Vic had his own bike. And I suddenly became a regular passenger... always seeing a helmet in front of my face.
I took a brief course last fall, on a 250 cc Virago. For Christmas my son got me my own Shadow. It's a beauty, a 2006 Honda Shadow VLX 600cc "California Hussy" and I'm in love with her.
I'm a beginner. I've only had three extended rides and three very short ones. I've such a long way to go, but I have support all over the place.
Vic hasn't had a bike for over 25 years, so riding was a delicious and thrilling return to a past passion. By August, Vic had his own bike. And I suddenly became a regular passenger... always seeing a helmet in front of my face.
I took a brief course last fall, on a 250 cc Virago. For Christmas my son got me my own Shadow. It's a beauty, a 2006 Honda Shadow VLX 600cc "California Hussy" and I'm in love with her.
I'm a beginner. I've only had three extended rides and three very short ones. I've such a long way to go, but I have support all over the place.
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