Re: Give up road riding?
 

Since you state "every time," then I agree. However, sometimes it's nice to have that feeling (public road or not, so long as no-one else is put at risk). Re-assurance that your life is in danger, reminding you that you are alive, and not just drifting through life.

Re: Give up road riding?
 

and that is the "thrill" part of what im talking about. there has to be a risk for me to enjoy it, yes i have got myself into some pickles...and it does remind me why i ride! and as those that know me will know, ive had more than a couple of crashes.

but not once has it ever crossed my mind to give up riding my bike! ever!

Re: Give up road riding?
 

Oh I didn't want this to turn into an argument :rolleyes:

For the record, I'm not fast, there are plenty of people out there who can go faster than me but I currently find myself going as fast as I can go a lot of the time. Skills have improved over the last 15 years or so, and as a result I've gotten faster as a result, however I always seem to end up at my new "fast", then I realise I'm being a bit silly, overcompensate and ride like a granny for a week or so.

Skills could undoubtedly improve, they always can, I've no doubt I could learn something from IAM or whoever, my worry is that I'd just end up using those extra skills rather than keep them in reserve. I know that sounds daft, kinda "don't learn stuff because you'll only end up using what you've learnt". It's the consquences that worry me, there's a difference between "oh god, nearly lost it and went under that truck" and "oh god, nearly lost it and slid into those hay bales".

Overall, it's my really bad attitude that's the problem and that needs fixing. I thought I might have grown out of it, but it appears I'm not, and now I've reached an age where natural reflexes are only going to go downhill I'm begining to think that I should quit the road all together and just get a fix in a safer environment like the track.

But anyway, no need to worry, this wasn't really meant to be a huge conversation piece, just the rambling thoughts of a plonker who's adrenalin high had just subsided and whose scaredy cat had just creeped back in. The Blessed Mofos have already taken me under their wing for a dose of therapy :D

Re: Give up road riding?
 

Matt I can sympathise with your outlook on riding - when I first started to ride, i must admit i was quite worried about the whole biking thing. I really wanted to do it, but my mind said i wasnt capable to ride a bike without falling off because EVERYONE told me that EVERYONE falls off a bike, and injuries are a given with biking. I used to go out everytime in fear of falling off and scared that it could be my last ride (if not my last few moments!) however for me over time this has dulled and now i dont even think about it.
Now i know that you're an experienced rider, however like you said, like the majority of us we havent had any formal training since passing tests and our attitudes are always "I think I am a good rider". 4 years on, I think im getting there (the odd mishap along the way but everyone is human) Im not as fast as some others, but im certainly quicker than quite a few and I feel usually progressive and on the right side of safe.

However, I have been on an advanced driving course these last 3 weeks and at the beginning i thought i was a good driver. After a quick demo of my skills, I was told I was well off the standard of advanced. Now 3 weeks later I have learnt a lot more about driving and passed the test. Next I think I will be tempted by an advanced riding course either IAM or ROSPA. My course has also halped me changed my attitude of 8 years of driving habits in such a short space of time. I have occasionally lapsed into my old style but I am more conscious now of the things i do wrong.

Get out there, get an advanced course and get a change of attitude about yourself and your riding. Stay on the road!

Re: Give up road riding?
 

1. Buy a faster/gnarly-er bike that makes you feel like a naughty wee kid when you give it big licks. Speed/acceleration/noise whatever.

2. Buy a new road map. Search out the roads you have not been. Get out your scratcher early doors and do 200miles min.

3. Chelthnam? Thats near Holland/Belgium/France? You lucky feck! Get over the water for a long weekend and find what "biker friendly" really is. Roads,people. Once you start you can't stop.

4. You think too much. 15yrs? You know the score! See any of the above.


Is that a thou or 650?

Thou? I chucked a Firestorm cos everywhere was three figures for 3yrs. Got a big retro nekkid. Takes a lot more learning to go as fast, but is FUN at any speed. No pressure. 1st bike I have kept for 5yrs and 40K.

650? I stick to roads that suit the bike, roads that I don't need to razz the ****e out of it all the time.


Get a grip,good luck and keep the faith!:)

Andy

Re: Give up road riding?
 

Loads of people talk of the speed they do as inline speed :( IMO, F the inline speed as this will end in a court case and you being off your bike for a while :( . I've been doing rides now for a while that are all at the speed limit and maybe a couple (no more than 10mph) over it. The real fun comes when you come up to corners and have to get around them. The good rider keeps their speed the same and the "all talk winker" slows down.

While inline speed is fun at times and I've seen some great numbers while in Germany :D . Here in the UK there are pigs everywhere and sooner or later one will catch you and ask to look after your licence for a couple of months and just for a laugh ask you to pay for them to do so.

Have loads of fun what ever you do but for me biking is about the corners and not trying to see 150+ on the clocks. I also love it when you have someone on a ride saying that they seen 160 on their clocks (lol). Funny thing is that my Factory clocks speed very well and even when a mate said he seen 174 on his clocks I did not get above 156 :) I wish all clocks would end at 120 and then maybe more people will be interested in corner speed over top speed?

Re: Give up road riding?
 

Yep, although this might sound like an exaggerated justification to people who don't ride, I know exactly what you mean. When my bike was off the road for 7 weeks my personality almost unrecognisably changed. Outwardly a lot more abrupt and unfriendly, inwardly constantly trying to contain rage/annoyance. Was rowing with the girlfriend a lot more than usual, shorter temper with clients, not sleeping so well, etc.