Do you ride with fear?

Originally Posted by agy

Lol I'll go bankrupt buying levers I'd prefer not to practice dropping it

ah, there is an art to dropping one's bike gracefully tha knows....I've yet to break an indicator! (though I know I've said it now lol) ... broken/bent a couple of levers but nowhere near as many as I thought I would have

Obviously I would prefer not either but I'm just a tad too short in the leg for my SV, slight inclines and misplaced footing on crappy surfaces and she's down like a (graceful) sack of bricks

Cant disagree with anytging Sid said, but think the way it was out across was a bit harsh. Agy hasnt decided not to ride again, so the post clearly doesnt apply to her, and lots of new riders get to feeling the way she does. Some time to gain her confidence and discover the home truths for herself, whilst the rest if us sit back and provide support and encoragement - not too much to ask IMO.

I guess i'll know when i get on my sv for the first time this week :/

[daveangel]

I always go out with the intention of enjoying myself and usually do. I would never go out if I was angry/upset as it might make me more prone to going beyond my limits which aren't that high anyway! The T-Shirt and Shorts wearing brigade, just let 'em get on with it. I only pity the paramedic that has to clear the mess up. 30 years ago my younger brother fell off a bicycle on some loose gravel, one lump went into his knee and stayed there until it was prised out, I was converted to wearing proper biking gear 6 years before I got my 125.

I ride a few of my father's old british bikes now & again, one is eligble for the Pioneer London to Brighton Run and that helps a lot, when you are on something with bicycle type brakes, you get good at reading the road ahead & I'll take any advantage it gives me on the SV.

Originally Posted by Jammy

I guess i'll know when i get on my sv for the first time this week :/

You hope

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Cant disagree with anytging Sid said

About time too!

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Agy hasnt decided not to ride again, so the post clearly doesnt apply to her,

I didn't ever say it was, and having read it back I don't think it does, it was an aside and It's on a related subject that has, in similar discussions, been touched upon before.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

I didn't ever say it was

And did I say that you said it did? Or are you also working on inference and assumption sir?

Oh it would take A LOT more to put me off yes I was/am nervous but damn I love my bike sooooo much! I think about it and I miss it every minute of the day I'm not on it! If it ever comes to something that would put me off riding my bike then I don't know what I'd do other than die of heartbreak

I did get on the bike today after it rained. I thought I'll face the puddles in the sun at least so a small step. I nearly had a heart attack when I arrived at St Thomas's and saw the state of the car park.... pot hole upon pot hole, puddles, random bits of tarmac sticking out, wonky speed humps... you name it it was there! Including something that looked like an ice rink! Phew... survived! LOL

Hey Agy, when you're riding slowly over rough car parks or roads etc, its not a crime to put your feet down, if the surface is really bad I'll have my feet just skimming the ground so if it does go a bit skewy, I can put a foot down to stabilise it.

Bikes can cope with a suprisingly high amount of crap on the roads, it's normally us that limits them, obviously fast cornering on loose stuff isn't gonna work too well but in a straight line without tensing up and making any sudden corrections or movements, the bike will just plough through it.

In the future I'd recommend an off road riding school day, it will get you used to rough roads and the sensation of the bike moving around under you, it will stop you panicking so much when face with not so smooth roads IMO.

Originally Posted by specialone

In the future I'd recommend an off road riding school day

+1, I thought this, but also thought I'd posted enough about ROSPA already.