First decent ride of the year

This is a bit of a naff thread but I just wanted to share my experience from this afternoon and pass on some IMHO advice to some of the more inexperienced people out there.

I am just back from my first decent ride of the year and it was fabulous. I have had the bike out a few times this year but nothing I would describe as a proper ride. Mostly a quick jaunt to work and back or a 10 minute run during a break in the s**t weather we have had up here recently.

Got the bike out of the garage, checked the levels and pressures, (with a quick top up to the rear) and then set off. I was out for about an hour on almost deserted country roads and it was great. I will admit to feeling a bit nervous, as I have never been the most confident of riders (having only passed my DA in August), and I seem to read nothing else in threads or bike magazines except accidents, drops, how dangerous bikes are and how easy it is to fall off. However, once I was about 5 minutes in to the ride all these nightmares and ghosts had been banished and it felt great. I have been reading several articles, and watching some really good DVDs about improving riding techniques and it definitely helped. Now looking much further ahead, reading the roads and warning signs better and getting more confident at looking up to the visual/vanishing points.

There was very little traffic, great roads, really good weather (if a little cold at times) and the usual friendly waves form the fellow bikers out enjoying Scotland at its best, and also giving advance warning of the speed cameras that the police had set-up. Thanks guys.

Once back I felt really good and even though I had only been out for an hour my confidence level was much higher. I'm still a bit wary and have some way to go before I feel really comfortable but it is definitely a start.

This thread is probably really dull for all the experienced guys out there who have been biking for years and who can get straight back to the level they were at at the end of last year, but if like me you are a bit nervous, maybe haven't got your leg over the beast for a few weeks (or even months) and are worried about the next time you might have to go out, then this is for you. Just get out there, take it steady, remember all that you have been taught and relax. I have had a great afternoon and am really looking forward to the next day out.

Oh, and by the way, if you are in the first category I mentioned above and you see a Sonic Silver K3 650S in Moray and you give me a wave, don't be upset if I can't always wave back. I'm probably still desperately trying to hang on.

Have a great summer guys (and girls). Long live British Summer Time.

Stradders

Yep, first dry warm ride of the year, a great day.

Stradders, experience or not, that sums up perfectly how I felt about today. I wouldnt say Im experienced as Ive got almost 5 years under my belt (less fairweather than I used to be but still prefer the better weather) but I wouldnt say I was inexperienced either. This year I think has been the first year where I havent thought "right ill take it easy and build up" because I felt like I hadnt been away, despite having 4 months off. Biking is all about being relaxed because at the point where you start pushing it beyond your limits, thats when things go wrong. I had 1 moment today where I did overcook the bend and luckily there was nothing coming the other way however thats the first time ive had one in quite some time and for me, thats a positive.

Give it another couple of weeks for the temps to creep up even more and the nights to get a little longer, and it'll be stonking. Im hoping this year will be the best biking year yet. Bring it on.

Tim, I agree, a great day. Glad you enjoyed it.

RobChester. Thanks for the words. Glad you got away with your wide line. I'm also looking forward to a great year. My first as a proper 'biker'. Can't wait. As you say, Bring It On.

Glad you had a nice ride, hubby and I went for a 30 mile bimble today - just what the doctor ordered all cobwebs and stress blown away (apart from dodging the remaining grit at roundabouts etc!)

I've done almost three hundred miles this weekend!!!

I was out with my IAM instructor yesterday for 4 hours and basically told i'm a bit rusty and that i'm diving into the apex of a corner like i'm on a dirt bike (old habits). He gave me some pointers to make me faster and so when the sun came up today i thought i'd give things a go.

For the first thirty or so miles i was very shaky and the bike felt rubbish (in my head i blamed everything) but it was basically because i was taking different lines in corners.

I was passed by a gsxr 1000 and later by two bmw tourers (they were flying though) but then all of a sudden it all just CLICKED!
Nothing passed me for the rest of the day and i'm still grinning.

Roll on the summer and some new tyres (it's obviously the d220s making me slow).

We got up early as my sister had said it was going to be a horrid day with rain so we went out and about really early (7.30am!) which was great as there was nobody about but then I've sat in looking at the lovely sunshine all day!

Good post stradders. It's not just people who don't ride in winter that can get caught out. I got my summer bike out today and them promptly almost put it through a hedge! Forgot how different my SV is from my ZZR, so maybe I should have taken it a bit easy to start off!

It was a wicked day and some great riding. Just a shame I had my thermals on - I was boiling walkin round Bikesafe in London. long live the good weather!

Jackie get rid of those D220s as soon as you can, theyve got no feel whatsoever in the wet and theyre not that great in the dry. Put a set of Conti RA's on and enjoy what will be an entirely different experience.

JHS recomend avon viper super sports are they any good?

I dont care if they wear out quicker. i'm only interested in grip and survival!!