New chick on the block (part II)

[redheadjaz]

Hey-

I posted something on the general forum, but wanted to say hi to all the ladies here too (now that I have access to the girls forum ;) ). I've been reading these postings for a while and everybody seems like a pretty good bunch. It's nice to hear some chicks talking about bikes! I'm still learning how to handle my little 250, but I'm sure having a lot of fun doing it. :D

Jaz

[surfinspacegirl]

Welcome :D

[Sully]

Welcome Jaz! :hibye:

How long have you been riding? What part of town are you in?

[redheadjaz]

How long have you been riding? What part of town are you in?

I got my license in July (took the safety course) and got my bike about a month ago. And my poor mountain bike has been so neglected every since! :( I live up in Fort Collins. Most of you are from around Denver, right?

[Sully]

Yup.. I live WAAAY South.. Almost to Castle Rock it seems, but hopefully you will be able to join us for Ladies Night Out or some of the rides sometime! 8)

I know what you mean about the mtn bike feeling neglected.. Mine keeps trying to trip me everytime I go into the garage to get my motorcycle out! He's soo pissed off at me.. especially since I put the slicks on it for the triathlon in August... ah well.. back to the nubbies I guess!

Props to you for taking the safety course!! It's a great class and I recommend it to anyone who is new to riding... or old to riding.. :lol:
How is the riding coming along ?

[S2RGRL]

Welcome Jaz! :D

[Tania]

Yeeha! Another 250! Welcome, and good luck with your riding (save me some though!). Glad to have a new friend on board! As for bike tech talk, I'll leave that to Surfinspacegirl. My bike is red, that's all I know! :lol:

[surfinspacegirl]

As for bike tech talk, I'll leave that to Surfinspacegirl.

:lol: Thanks Tania. Necessity is the mother of invention; no permanent pit crew (read: riding husband/boyfriend) for the last 2 years = I had to learn from my own mistakes.

I'm kicking myself now, I should've filmed all my garage faux pas, I'd have had a full tape of motobike maintenance comedy :roll: :D

[Tania]

Surfinspacegirl, we honor your opinions and experience, knowing that it comes from the heart, not the necessity to follow any man around! Your job is not to follow, but pass those guys on the racetrack!

Where's a little cheerleader smilie when you need one?! :bananna: :yay: :multi: These will do!

[redheadjaz]

How is the riding coming along ?

It's going pretty well I think...like I posted in the general forum, my boyfriend flat out told me the other day, "You know that you're going to crash that thing, right?". :D I'm still working on learning how to downshift smoothly and taking turns at the right speed. I'm still scared that the bike is going to fall in if I lean too far. I know that I'm probably not even that far over, but it sure feels like it! :o

[redheadjaz]

Yeeha! Another 250!

I love my little baby bike! But it does sound a little wimpy sometimes :cry: ...especially next to the bf's Aprillia.

[Tania]

You know, the 250 is our first bike, it is what we feel comfortable on. With all we are taking in, learning, why not make our transition to biker babes a little easier, right?! What you are going through, with shifting, corners, etc, is normal. What may seem easy to those who have been riding awhile, is a challenge to us. Like I said before, I think the mind is what is holding us back now. If you are like me, you are probably frustrated because you know of the basic skills, but just can't seem to feel comfortable yet. My hubby says I'm ready for more than I think I'm capable of, but damn, I ain't getting on no highway! It's funny, everytime I get on the bike, which isn't often enough, I feel like I have to warm up for a couple of minutes, to get into the swing of things.

As for the bf telling you that you are going to crash......
Your fears are going to get in your way. I hope he's not setting you up for a disaster. One day, I pulled this tight turn with no problem, slid on some weeds growning out of the road, but had no problem because I was confident that I could make it. As soon as hubby said, I thought you were going to go up on the sidewalk, I got nervous, even after the fact. So, going around the corner where I crashed, what was my first thought? I wasn't going to make it, I was going to hit the sidewalk. Instead of leaning harder, or pushing harder on the bars, I took it down, gave up. I have to learn to have more confidence. Ya, I'm too hard on myself, and that doesn't help either.

What's my point? You are learning. Accept everything that comes along with it! I think I'm preaching to myself at this point.

I know what you mean about the wimpy factor the 250 has. Go Bessy go! I rode with Thorn who has a 500, and although it doesn't look that much bigger, the rumble that came out of that thing drowned out my blender on wheels!

Hang in there and try to have some fun, because that is what it is all about! You sound serious enough to make it work.

[redheadjaz]

Thanks for all the support and good advice. I know what you mean about having to go out and warm up for a few minutes. Riding the motorcycle just doesn't come naturally to me yet. And I am VERY content with my 250 for right now. I'll be ready for something bigger eventually :D .