First ride after accident etc.

[suecanada]

Well, I threw aside my big plan to ride a 125cc trials bike first to see how I'd do riding again. Just face the devil I figured with an old pal..LRB is running great and I have just finished the alternator upgrade to 400 watts by EnduraLast. The job went very smoothly and I must say I have never run across a set of better instructions that kept even me out of trouble. Pictures and text were just what the doctor ordered! Soooo, there sat LRB in his Brrrrm Closet and there I am fussing away on checking things like putting on his new windscreen from Aïda AND it was a very nice sunny day. All the Spring chores were done and checked twice or more.  So I decided to suit up and see how that feels, sit on the bike again for the 10,000th time and say brrrrm, brrrrm. Finally I started him up and let out the clutch and LRB moved so I took a ride!
 First to the gas station which is a bit scary. All I needed to do though was to concentrate hard on what steps needed to be done in order and it all came back...just more effort brain-wise needed to get it done. I must be low on confidence cause how many times have I fuelled up? Really..what a wuss!
I felt a bit disengaged when riding and had to really concentrate. Nothing, except working the controls, came terribly smoothly or easily without planning and thinking about it first...very much like the first-ride feeling but it goes very well and you are surprised and waiting for something to go wrong. Extra careful seems to describe it with a touch of surrealism.
Anyway, it's done and that's a good thing..so every day I'll go out and go a bit farther. David and I will be riding to Vassar, MI some 6 hours away mid-month so I have to be ready.... :-?

[steve hawkins]

Well done,

Even with my minor knock last year, it made me nervous - and it still does to a much lesser degree - I do not trust anyone at a junction.

However, it does get easier, and you will relax in time.

Again - Well done

All the best

Steve H

[montmil]

Ease into it, Sue. Keep David close. Focus on the tasks at hand.

You'll be chasing Valentino Rossi in no time!

Glad you're back up on two wheels.

All the best,  Monte

[trolle]

Glad to hear that you are back on two wheels - just keep at it and your body will remember how to.

greetings from a windy, sunny, and cool north

[Justin B.]

Take small bites and chew slowly!

[nhmaf]

Yay, Sue !!

 [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif]
Just keep working up to longer rides gradually, and listen to your "internal sensors" if something doesn't feel right or you're not up to it or too tired to ride safely.   It pays to be extra alert at this time of year as there are  more road hazards and drivers have forgotten about motorcycles over the winter time.   Your new light setup for LRB will help you see as well as to be seen !


On the road again... just can't wait to be on the road again..

[suecanada]

Ahhh, thanks guys.  You are just so supportive it makes having my brother Rich down in Cape Breton some 1200 miles away not so hard!
I intend to suit up today too. Boy, I gotta say though that getting my feet flat on the ground on the bike seems to be terribly important and puts another checkpoint in favour of the new 2009 Triumph Bonneville which has a 29.5 inch seat height. My Herman Munster boots are terrific for Insta-grow needs. LRB is trying his best to be smooth and not stall at all! What a guy!

[Ed Miller]

Good job, Sue!

[not-so-fast-ed]

Our Heroine!!!

 [smiley=clap.gif]

Outstanding!!!!


Very best,

Ed

[NC Steve]

It's great to hear you're out and about again, Sue. Just take it easy for a while, there's no at all rush to get anywhere fast.

Although, should we begin thinking that you just might make it down again for the Gathering of the Clans in June?  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[SCJJR65]

WAY TO GO, SUE!!!!!!!!!!!  [smiley=clap.gif]

You're an inspiration to us all!!!

(Now, if I could just convince Pattimarie to give it a go again!)  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Congratulations Sue!  

Please be careful.  I sure hope to see you at the National in July (on my birthday!)

I can't wait to try out my 'new' clutch hand, but I've been pretty lazy on getting the R65 back together; as well as just getting out to the garage.

I sit in my easy chair and do my P.T.


Heck!  I might just pull my transmission tonight after work!  

[Melena]

 [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Yay for you Sue!  

That is probably the best thing you could do for yourself.  The riding and concentration and using those brain cells will be the best thing to get those neural connections again.  They do say that riding helps keep our brains young.    8-)

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

They do say that riding helps keep our brains young.    8-)

Dang!  I'd better finish one of these motorcycles, then!

[msbuck]

Yee Haw!!    [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] Way to go, Sue!!!  I know ABSOLUTELY what you mean about concentrating and things not feeling the same.  It WILL come back, but Mike is right about watching out for how you feel.  If something is just not quite right, even if it's just a feeling and there seems to be no reason, LISTEN to your gut.  Don't ride when you're not in the right frame of mind.  Ride when you feel confident and ready to go - that will help your confidence even more, because things will feel better and you'll ride better.  

Those 'bad thought' moments will return from time to time, but they will return less and less the more you ride.  So glad you're back up and running!

I can't wait to try out my 'new' clutch hand, but I've been pretty lazy on getting the R65 back together; as well as just getting out to the garage.

I sit in my easy chair and do my P.T.

Rob, riding and working that clutch is GREAT PT!  and much more fun...that's what I used after my hand surgery...  nudge, nudge.  [smiley=beehive.gif]