View Full Version : I might be chickening out....
.....and coming up in the car.
Just been out on the bike a wee while ago and got caught in a fairly light shower. Less than five minutes away from my house, going round a roundabout, lost control of the bike and wobbled about like a big girl's blouse. Managed to regain control eventually (felt like forever), thankfully without yanking on the front brake!
I've been round this roundabout loads of times without incident and I'm always pretty slow going round roundabouts. So I'm guessing it could be one of three things
oil spill on the road
oily patch on my tyres from yesterdays service
wet road
Shook me up a bit. Not enough to pack in biking, but enough to reconsider riding on wet roads (if that was the cause)
Melody
SoulKiss
27-06-07, 02:32 PM
.....and coming up in the car.
Just been out on the bike a wee while ago and got caught in a fairly light shower. Less than five minutes away from my house, going round a roundabout, lost control of the bike and wobbled about like a big girl's blouse. Managed to regain control eventually (felt like forever), thankfully without yanking on the front brake!
I've been round this roundabout loads of times without incident and I'm always pretty slow going round roundabouts. So I'm guessing it could be one of three things
oil spill on the road
oily patch on my tyres from yesterdays service
wet road
Shook me up a bit. Not enough to pack in biking, but enough to reconsider riding on wet roads (if that was the cause)
Melody
Know how you are feeling, have had similar feelings about similar things.
However I think that bringing your bike is the best way to rebuild that confidence.
After my broken collarbone was mended, I was VERY wary of the rain, until one night, on the way back home from the SELKENT meet up I was stuck in it, had no choice but to ride.
So I did, and started realising it wasnt at all bad, so much so that I ended up enjoying the ride so much that I ended up going further north than I needed to so that I could extend my ride.
Best thing to do is get back out on the horse.
I just replied to your PM with sentiments along the lines of:
However I think that bringing your bike is the best way to rebuild that confidence.
As I said in PM, I have no objection to sitting right at the back of the ride & staying with anyone that wants to rebuild their confidence, or helping acheive that in any way I can. I'm far from perfect, but I can run interference to stop other people getting too close etc.
End of the day, do what makes you comfortable, confidence will come with time.
Your moment was probably down to the shower bringing oil/desiel up to the surface on the roundabout, quite a common event.
dizzyblonde
27-06-07, 03:31 PM
don't you dare bring the car lady. For one when I come out to meet you I don't know what car to look for, they all look the same. and two have you checked your tyre pressure?? i always get a bit of a wobble on cause i forget to check it regular, until i get to the stage of nearly wobbling off it don't occur to me. And three theres too many cars on the road anyhow..so ner..take yourself to one side and give yourself a talking to. XX
Oh dear, what have i started ;)
Do what you feel you want to do, and dont be pressured into anything. Its not them, or us that have feel scared when riding. Yes, its the best thing to do, but only if it feels right. Dont bow to peer pressure.
Luckypants
27-06-07, 03:37 PM
.....and coming up in the car.
Just been out on the bike a wee while ago and got caught in a fairly light shower. Less than five minutes away from my house, going round a roundabout, lost control of the bike and wobbled about like a big girl's blouse. Managed to regain control eventually (felt like forever), thankfully without yanking on the front brake!
I've been round this roundabout loads of times without incident and I'm always pretty slow going round roundabouts. So I'm guessing it could be one of three things
oil spill on the road
oily patch on my tyres from yesterdays service
wet road
Shook me up a bit. Not enough to pack in biking, but enough to reconsider riding on wet roads (if that was the cause)
Melody
Positive vibes coming your way. We all have wobbles and get over it. Look on the bright side, you wobbled, you mastered it, you got home safe! :-D Another little lesson learned and you are now a better rider for it.
I'm happy to be moral support to any rider feeling nervous (and that includes me!)
dizzyblonde
27-06-07, 04:05 PM
just spoken to melody, had a good chat and she really reminds me...of me. Have compared dizzy moments and had a bit of a chuckle, so hopefullly her nerves have been calmed with the fact that she's normal and not the only one with the wobbles, besides, she's coming up with me and by the time she gets up there she'll notice she's better at it than she thought......cause i'm just as bad!!! Warning another mad bird on a yellow curvey coming your way:smt041 :smt041
just spoken to melody, had a good chat and she really reminds me...of me. Have compared dizzy moments and had a bit of a chuckle, so hopefullly her nerves have been calmed with the fact that she's normal and not the only one with the wobbles, besides, she's coming up with me and by the time she gets up there she'll notice she's better at it than she thought......cause i'm just as bad!!! Warning another mad bird on a yellow curvey coming your way:smt041 :smt041
Good news...
.... except for the yellow comment...
SoulKiss
27-06-07, 04:18 PM
Good news...
.... except for the yellow comment...
Amazing fact Baph, one large can of Halfords Paint will cover half an SV.....
Good news...
.... except for the yellow comment...
Totally agree with Baph here, except for the yellow coment:p . Everyone seems to be coming in cars now:-s Ok, so riding in the rain isn't for everyone but I really don't care how much it rains, for me its gotta be better than sitting in the car all weekend.
I wonder if www.toyota-avensis-estate.org (http://www.toyota-avensis-estate.org) has anyone coming on bikes to their AE07 because its sunny?;)
I've just come back in from taking the bike out for a spin. No wobbles this time. Forced myself to go around as many roundabouts....no wobbles.:)
I enjoy riding when I'm riding well, but it doesn't take much for my confidence to take a tumble, and this morning thats exactly how I felt. It was a hair raising moment and its no easy task getting my hair to stand on end!
I've been looking forward to this for so long. I'm not terribly worried about getting wet. I've just never experienced losing my grip on the road and that really shook me.
Absolutely fine now. Had a girlie chat with dizzyblonde and with Baph offering to lag behind with me ( you may regret this Baph), back to original plan for me.
So look out you all another yellow curvey on its way:p
Jester666
27-06-07, 07:06 PM
I've been a courier for about 6 years and I still ride like a pussy in the wet!!
I just don't believe that a little bit of rubber can keep me upright on a slick road!
Still going to ride up to AE though! :D
Baph offering to lag behind with me ( you may regret this Baph), back to original plan for me.
Nope, so long as you're comfortable about things I'll consider it a worthwhile contribution to the org community. I can hoon around when I like, it'll make a good change to ride defensively behind someone, haven't done that in a while :)
Oh, and if you decide to back track at the last second & bring the car, no-one will think any less of you. I hope you're bringing the bike because that's what you want to do, not because of pressure from us lot.
See you tomorrow evening :)
slark01
28-06-07, 10:58 AM
Glad your ok and coming to the event Melody!!
BLACKFIRE
29-06-07, 10:33 AM
I feel exactly the same about riding in the wet so i will also be at the back with you and Baph if you dont mind :thumright:
I feel exactly the same about riding in the wet so i will also be at the back with you and Baph if you dont mind :thumright:
So much for that, you were no-where to be seen all weekend :p
Melody, sincerely hope you managed to enjoy yourself on the rideout at least a little ;) Next time we're on a ride together, I'll happily do the same again if you're still nervous.
BLACKFIRE
01-07-07, 04:52 PM
Hey Baph
You did a great job this weekend I know Melody REALLY apppreciated X
Baph, you were my hero for the week end.
I really appreciated it.
Thank you.
Melody
Baph, you were my hero for the week end.
I really appreciated it.
Thank you.
Melody
No thanks are necessary. All that matter from the weekend was that everyone got around safely (as everyone keeps saying).
You managed that, and from reading dizzyblondes posts, you picked up a fair amount of confidence over the weekend as well.
It may sound odd to you, but thanks for listening to what everyone was saying with regards pressure & pace. Yes pressure was sort of inevitable, but seriously well done for taking things easy & riding for yourself.
Top work Melody. I really felt for you, but you handled it brilliantly from what I saw. Lovely to meet you, hopefully see you before AR08!
Bear
Jester666
02-07-07, 08:18 AM
Top work Melody. I really felt for you, but you handled it brilliantly from what I saw. Lovely to meet you, hopefully see you before AR08!
Bear
You eyeing up possible conquests already!! :D
You eyeing up possible conquests already!! :D
Grinch will be upset!!
Grinch will be upset!!
Yes I'm hurt.
_Stretchie_
02-07-07, 09:03 AM
Yes I'm hurt.
You would have been if he caught you!!
:mrgreen:
I forgot to post this before (and thought I'd post again to make sure Melody sees rather than hiding it in an edit of a previous post).
I picked up something useful from my rideout with Melody too :)
I'm used to riding around on majority NSL A/B roads, and as such, generally my revs & speed are quite "varied"... mainly 7k RPM plus.
After the weekend, especially on the bits of my commute this morning that involved traffic, I noticed that my slow speed gear changes were definitely a lot smoother.
So thanks Melody, I benefited from our ride as well. :D
I forgot to post this before (and thought I'd post again to make sure Melody sees rather than hiding it in an edit of a previous post).
I picked up something useful from my rideout with Melody too :)
I'm used to riding around on majority NSL A/B roads, and as such, generally my revs & speed are quite "varied"... mainly 7k RPM plus.
After the weekend, especially on the bits of my commute this morning that involved traffic, I noticed that my slow speed gear changes were definitely a lot smoother.
So thanks Melody, I benefited from our ride as well. :D
No way!!! You actually picked something up from my riding?? The mind boggles.
Glad to be of use though
Melody
[quote=Bear;1226329]Top work Melody. I really felt for you, but you handled it brilliantly from what I saw. Lovely to meet you, hopefully see you before AR08!
Bear[/quote
Cheers Bear
You cracked me up at that last roundabout on the way back to site.
Wonder what the other motorists thought of that :p
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