Ok, so I finally manged to get out on the bike this am thanks to a mate of mine.
Had to fettle around with the throttle cable for a while, but think we've got it sussed now!
We pushed her down to the bottom of the close & I managed to get her to the top (with a bit of wibbling I hasten to add!) However, bravery forsook me once at the top of the close & Rich had to wheel her out onto the main Road (nasty right turn at the top of my close - Kaz knows! lol)
So anyway, sets off up the hill & up out over the moors - it was bleedin' windy though & I was being blown over the road a bit - however we percivered with it & eventually got out of the gusts!
Got out onto some long stretches of road & managed to hit 60 - WOOHOOOO Me
However, then came to a junction - was turning left, but managed to BLX it up a bit, went wide, wibbled around, hit a false Neutral, but manged to keep her upright & keep going - Rich riding shotgun thank gawd & luckily no traffic around!
So anyway, we're pootling over the moorland roads round here & then coming down into one of the villages. Was planning on coming through Holmfirth & then back up onto the road that leads to my house...however after the crap left hand I'd made, I didn't fancy having to try that again in the centre of Holmfirth!! So took some back roads to avoid the village (Rich said when we got home that he was well impressed that I'd taken those roads, as he wouldn't have done em on his first outing!)
So anyway, got out of the back roads & coming up to another junction - was going to turn tight at this junction....but I bottled it & we went across the cross roads instead - to another 'quieter' right turn...but on a bit of an incline & a bit of a blind junction to boot!!
Got myself into a bit of a panick & convinced myself I couldn't do this right turn....HOWEVER directly opposite us was the Hade Edge Brass Band hut with a decent sized & empty carpark in front!!...soooo we pulled in there & I had a bit of a practice doing some manouvers & getting to grips with clutch control etc. Spent a bit of time there & then came back down the hill to home. Only did just under 30 miles, but it was a hoot
If I can do that route a few more times & build my confidence up & do some more practice in that carpark, I think I'll have sussed it lol
My Babes behaved beautifully & her engine breaking is brilliant!! I think this Bike whispering is paying off!! Although she did find a few false neutrals aong the way, but we dealt with them!!
Currently on a bit of a high, but don't think am gonna ride to Squires tomorrow..want some more practice around roads I know before hitting somewhere I dont! (Woos I know, but that's me lol)
Woooo Hoooooooo !! nice one Stella! Wish i could have been out wiv you!, Ahh well theres plenty more times, hopefully.
You've done really well, pat on the back! Yeh i do know that nasty right or left turn outta yr close, not only is it steep, but your view is quite restricted and it's a busy road! .. plus the run up your close is pretty hairy too! so you have done VERY well! lol
I know what you mean about the junctions i had a few hairy moments, stalling etc, stopped on a junction at a hill and tryin to hold it while thinkin about gears and throttle an movin off gently was a bit scarey, but the thing is not to panic, and it will right itself.
My little bike was a bit more scarey as i had the loss of power issue too... and at one junction a big 4x4 overtook me and cut me up..but i just held back, if i had been on my own i might have panicked, but i dint.
Anyways.. we're all still learning whether we're on L's or not, the main thing is get out there, ride safe and enjoy!
See you tomorra!
Well done, those early days are hard especially because y7ou feel so small and vulnerable on a 125. Try not to let those neutral things bother you, its very common on 125s, but 60 out of a 125 is good. The one I had was 50 tops.
It all gets better from now on. Before you know it you will be at your test and then things get REALLY interesting.
we all have to start sum where (at the begining usually)trick is keep going never giv up, we ALL cock up now n again, practice makes perfect n al that......*patting you on the back *HFG
On a similar note, I heard a rumour yesterday that a certain CG rider... wait for it...
...NEEDED FUEL!!!!
Surely it's not the end of the month yet!!!
The CG must be faulty
Way to go Stella!!
I completely understand about bottling stuff - it is all in the mind though but try telling yourself that. I've fell off so many times now at either a right turn or (mainly) a u-turn that I've hit a wall with it and for now I've given up until a proper intructor can beat it out of me!
Sorry you (and Kaz) won't be on your bikes later but we'll have a right good chinwag about our exploits and there's always next time. I've had to tell myself a couple of times that places aren't going anywhere!