reassurance (Getting back in the saddle)

[timwilky]

Well. I wrote off my sv in October. Limped home the GSXR 3 weeks ago in the ice/rain washed it and put it in the garage.

Well today I was working from home. I started early (4.00am) so felt justified in enjoying the afternoon good weather. After the first 2 miles I was extreamly worried, the back end seemed all over the place. Damm Why did I not check the tyre pressures. Carefully limped home and checked them. Perfect.

Strange then that afterwards it seemed so much more planted. It must have been the nagging doubt that set in 100yards after leaving the house, You never checked pressures. OK nearly 4 months since I last rode a bike in anger so careful not pushing it, but my favorite twisties locally just seemed to be so sweet. Got each of them in the right gear, right speed and right line.

Oh please let it be dry and sunny again tomorrow. In the meantime where is that hot bath and the radox. Ooooohhhhhh my poor back.

Is this sort of nagging doubt usual with either a new bike or layoff?

Originally Posted by timwilky

In the meantime where is that hot bath and the radox. Ooooohhhhhh my poor back.

Aha, another man who suffers from Gixxeritis.....

.

i was in the same situation as you Tim but today i did 80miles on the thou and loved every minuet of it!

I've noticed that sometimes when i haven't ridden for a while the bike feels a bit odd, while the way home is always much better. I suspect that it comes down to me not being 100% relaxed, which gets transmitted through to the bike via arms being a bit stiffer, etc. So now about half a mile into the journey i make a conscious effort to check that i don't have any weight through my arms and that i'm relexed and it does seem to make a difference

Oh, and the other reason the bike sometimes feel funny is if it's a bit windy

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

I've noticed that sometimes when i haven't ridden for a while the bike feels a bit odd, while the way home is always much better. I suspect that it comes down to me not being 100% relaxed, which gets transmitted through to the bike via arms being a bit stiffer, etc. So now about half a mile into the journey i make a conscious effort to check that i don't have any weight through my arms and that i'm relexed and it does seem to make a difference

Oh, and the other reason the bike sometimes feel funny is if it's a bit windy

I know what you mean - went for a ride yesterday - first time in weeks and was a little anxious to get the butterflys out and relax. Looking forward to putting some decent miles under the belt this weekend and getting rid of those winter jitters.

I had a rather naughty back end slide at weekend. Yesterday went out, and the bike felt sh*t. It must be in my head, because it was feeling sweet before that. (the slide was ridder error). I was just glad to get home last night in one piece, it was all a mental battle, and my riding was pants! Got a trip up the lakes on saturday so I had better buckup!

When something goes a bit wrong, I instantly question the bike mechanics. But in fairness you are putting so much faith into it I think that is only natural

It's incredible what one error would do to you on a bike. When this happens to me I usually find the nearest excuse to stop for a while. This sort of puts me into reset mode. It works for me. My fear is of the back brake. I stamp it too hard causing the bike to stand up and point me straight into the curb. So I'm not normally using it too much these days. I'm trying to learn using it in controlled conditions so that it won't catch me out. Well better than my first riding years. Was afraid of the front then and used engine braking as much as I could. Of course I was dead slow and an accident waiting to happen when riding in a group. Gradually become great friends with the front brake and my riding improved tenfold.

[northwind]

When I got back on after my own break (no pun intended) I found things pretty difficult... The inbuilt reflexes and muscle memory that we rely on to actually do stuff wear off, and the bad bit is that you don't know this until you try and use 'em So you wobble your way round a corner, and then you hit the next one and not only are your reflexes all screwed, but now you're thinkign about the last corner...

Or at least, that's how i found it You end up having to do everything on manual, instead of just thinking "turn", "brake" you need to actually think about every detail.

It's weird, whenever I have a break in riding (OK, over winter when it's cold and I'm a wimp) I always seems to be the opposite when I get back on the road...

... the bike and I just gel and ride on automatic - everything happening all nice and natural like.

Sounds cool n ****y eh? Yeah - apart from one thing... I'm not completely aware of what's going on.

My brain is a bit detached (generally off enjoying itself with the ride) and not necessarily paying attention.
I know when it is back on track though... my hyperactive imagination kicks in with my forward observation - so I can vividly imagine all the potential broken bones coming my way.

I think its only natural to have a few cobwebs if you havn't ridden for a while, especially if the last time you rode you tasted gravel. Just take it easy and you will get back into it...."just like riding a bike"

I'm also praying to the sun gods as im sure we all are. Meant to be some ****ty weather coming at the tail end of the week though