It's amazing what you can do when you have to. The battery in my car died a fast death. It worked on Monday, but Tuesday morning the battery was dead! Nada! Nothing! No spark of life even to lock the doors (the multi tester showed 8.3 volts when I tested it that night) So, instead of calling AAA and waiting for another hour to get to work, I remembered [smiley=idea2.gif] that I had another source of transportation - my lovely R65. No problem! I just had to get my riding gear on and turn the bike around, and I woud only be a little late for work. I'd deal with getting the bike back in when I got home.
The ride went well, even though a bit cold (the first cold weather since spring, of course) and I was just 15 minutes late. Then it was time to go home. Those of you who've been on the forum for awhile know that I've had a bit of a problem getting the bike back into my patio area where I have to keep it. But I gathered my courage (and waited until no one was around
), got out the ramp I have to get over the curb, and just steady as she goes made it up the ramp and onto the sidewalk. Then turned left up the little hill and the tight quick right turn through the gate (oops, gotta stop and turn the mirrors up), okay and over the next bump onto the concrete pad and I'm in. I only stalled it 3 times.
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But I did it!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
And I didn't take out that bush again! Hey, it was even easy. Now I'm embarrased about how long it took to get my courage up to try it again.
I couldn't get a battery that day, but my friend said he'd get me a battery and put it in for me but couldn't do it until Thursday. That's okay. I can do this now! I have other modes of transportation.
I was ready for Wednesday. I remembered to take the things I forgot on Tuesday (reading glasses, cell phone, money) and got prepared the night before. But I still had to turn the bike around in the morning. It's a bit tight there on the patio. I was ready to go on time though and even though overcast, it was a bit warmer. Of course, I had errands to do on my lunch hour that day, so I got a nice ride in during the day too. The ride home was nicer, and I set up the entrance a little better so it went much better. But the weather forecast is for rain on Friday afternoon. After no rain since May, I didn't want to be out on the roads with all that oil with even a little bit of water, so I was glad to be having the battery in my car the next day.
I was even more prepared Thursday. I had the bike turned around right Wednesday night and in the morning it was a perfect get away. I've never had to have things just right to get out so early and be somewhere on time on the bike. It was perfect, but even colder. My friend got the battery in my car and I rode out and met him for a nice lunch (why is lunch only 1 hour?). I could have traded the bike for the car then, but the day had turned out so nice that there was no way I was going to give up a little ride. When I did get home and put the bike away it went so smooth. I finally mastered it! 8-)
I know, I know. A long story for something so mundane. But to me this was a huge milestone. I mastered something that had me stymied. I finally got enough experience in the basic stuff and now I can just do those and start concentrating on the subtelties of clutch/brake/throttle. I think the time I had off the bike let things settle in to my body. Now I'm ready to go on to another level.
