So I know ya'll remember my first ride...and how things scared me and everything. Well I've been going out, just a little bit. But today, me and the "guys" went out on a group ride. I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF! (giggling like a little school girl) [sm=bounceybounce.gif]I'm doing so much better, we went over the bridge, and kept good speed around 85 mph, and it didn't scare me not at all. The thing that helpped me was kinda laying down on the bike, to get away from the wind. WOW...did that ever make a difference. I've been sorda afraid of my turns, I'm so afraid that if I lean too far that I'm going to fall over. I know it's funny, but that's just the way I feel. But one of the guys showed me my chicken strips..and theyre about an inch thick. He told me that whenever you get scared, just look at those and that will show you that's how much further you have until your going to fall. And that's a ways to go. Well as you already know I lowered my bike an inch and a quarter...well I finally got the front lowered too. That makes a WORLD of difference when it comes to turns and stuff. I felt so much more comfortable making my turns, and I don't feel so shaky...I don't feel like I'm going to tip over or anything. [sm=happy046.gif]Well I just thought I'd tell ya'll how my progress is going, being a new rider and all. Oh..and pics are coming soon, just got to get the on the computer. :-)[sm=Flahssssss.gif]

 

congrats.. soon you will be a peg dragging. knee scarping maniac

 

Awesome!! I'm glad to hear that you're getting comfortable - I'm looking forward to getting out for my first run but I'm also shaking in my boots.

 

I'm hoping so....I always loved doing it when I was the passenger... I remember there was some times where we were so low that his foot was hitting the reflectors on the street. So I'm hoping that will be me one day soon.

 

Awsome, all it takes is seat time.

 

Congrats BabyGirl!!

I remember when I first started riding I was so scared. Now.... there is not a single person alive who could get me to give up riding. It is my therapy and definatly keeps me sane.

Oh by the way.... my name is Erika and I haven't been on in a while but I'm back.

 

Nice to meet you Erica....Heather. That's a nice look'n bike. I need to get some pics on mine on here. Yeah I'm hoping to get more comffy.

 

Well I went out tonight and things didn't go as well as that night I told ya'll about. I'm still nervous around my turns, and I dunno. I went out with the more experienced guys tonight, and they waited for me, but they just showed me that I still have a lot to learn. We rode a good while tonight, but like I said still nervous around the turns, and the wind is just kill'n me. I'm all of 115lbs, and I'm getting blown all over the place. I hate the wind. Now here's a question I have to ask. I noticed tonight that almost every time I stopped my back tires was sliding all over the place....and I was told that I don't need to use my back brake at all, that just use my front brake. B/c obviously I'm using too much back brake....What do ya'll think?

 

front 70%
rear 30%

 

From what I just learned over the weekend, you should use both when stopping. I learned real quick what happens when you use too much front brake, the bike goes down fast and hard. And Ian is right - 70% of your braking comes from the front and 30% from the rear.