Silver Penguin
Silver Penguin
Finally, I’ve run out of excuses as to why I don’t ride by myself. Commuting, of course, doesn’t count. Today, I took a turn through the twisties, riding 120 miles round trip for a burger and coffee. With a bike like the FJR, it just begs to be ridden rather than sit in the garage. Today, I took up the bike's offer of a fun way to spend a Monday morning.
Since I got back into riding, about four years ago, I’ve only ever ridden in the wake of my husband, mentor, riding partner and best friend. He’s a skilled, experienced rider and has an in-built sense of direction. Who better to follow? Now and again, I’ve hinted about trying a spell in the lead, but it wasn’t to be.
Today, while he was at work, I got suited up in the new leathers, put in the new ear plugs, and switched on the new XM radio.
The freeway part was easy – just like going to work but south instead of north, and no obligatory off ramp. I hate that part about riding to work – having to take the off ramp when I want to keep riding!
Now onto the infamous Ortega Highway. I chose a road that I know pretty well, since the potential for getting lost was high. My resolution was to stay pretty close to the speed limits (more or less). I’d never live down getting a ticket today and also there were some sprinkles of rain peppering the ground.
The road begins with a long, boring, residential stretch at a long, boring 40mph but that’s a favorite place for the black and whites to score unsuspecting riders. As soon as the gentle curves began, the two cars in front of me caught up with a gravel truck. With a straightaway coming up, I could take all three but it would have to be a very aggressive maneuver to get around before the next turn. I decided against it. Time and place, and all that. Today was all about gentle, smooth, skill building.
The slow truck turned off, thankfully, leaving just the three of us but Mr. Black car was out to see the sights at his own pace. I was very well behaved, and stayed behind, keeping a safe distance and carefully watching my line through the curves. Our pace was such that even on the downhill parts, I tapped my brake perhaps once.
On the tighter turns I experimented with sliding off the seat a little. I don’t know whether the result was mental, physical or both. The turn got a whole lot easier. I was cruising through at around 10-15mph over the advisory speed and catching the cars, despite the generous gap I’d left on the straighter parts of the road. This was fun. Instead of getting annoyed with Mr. Black car’s pace, I took the opportunity to concentrate on my form without worrying about speed.
At the bottom of the hill, I took a break and wrapped my chilled hands around a cup of coffee before turning around and doing it all over again, in the other direction.
This time, I had the road to myself. I tried more moving around on the seat and liked the results. Lest you think I’m close to dragging a knee, no way. The movement was very slight – I’m a rookie at this remember. It might well have been that the movement allowed me to relax instead of tense up, and counter steer effortlessly. Previously, I’d been nervous about consciously counter steering. Maybe the butt shifting distracted me a little but whatever, it worked and my lines were smoother.
Most of all, I left the Ortega with a feeling of control, rather than the white knuckle experiences on my cruiser. This time, I knew that I was going to make each turn, well within my own lane, with ease. AND, what corrections to make if I made the mistake of taking my eyes off the line for a moment. I rode at a speed that I could control, and bring the bike upright to brake if needed. Who knows what is around that next turn?
I feel as though I took a big step forwards today. Motorcycling is about continuous learning and today, I started the next chapter of the book.
Since I got back into riding, about four years ago, I’ve only ever ridden in the wake of my husband, mentor, riding partner and best friend. He’s a skilled, experienced rider and has an in-built sense of direction. Who better to follow? Now and again, I’ve hinted about trying a spell in the lead, but it wasn’t to be.
Today, while he was at work, I got suited up in the new leathers, put in the new ear plugs, and switched on the new XM radio.
The freeway part was easy – just like going to work but south instead of north, and no obligatory off ramp. I hate that part about riding to work – having to take the off ramp when I want to keep riding!
Now onto the infamous Ortega Highway. I chose a road that I know pretty well, since the potential for getting lost was high. My resolution was to stay pretty close to the speed limits (more or less). I’d never live down getting a ticket today and also there were some sprinkles of rain peppering the ground.
The road begins with a long, boring, residential stretch at a long, boring 40mph but that’s a favorite place for the black and whites to score unsuspecting riders. As soon as the gentle curves began, the two cars in front of me caught up with a gravel truck. With a straightaway coming up, I could take all three but it would have to be a very aggressive maneuver to get around before the next turn. I decided against it. Time and place, and all that. Today was all about gentle, smooth, skill building.
The slow truck turned off, thankfully, leaving just the three of us but Mr. Black car was out to see the sights at his own pace. I was very well behaved, and stayed behind, keeping a safe distance and carefully watching my line through the curves. Our pace was such that even on the downhill parts, I tapped my brake perhaps once.
On the tighter turns I experimented with sliding off the seat a little. I don’t know whether the result was mental, physical or both. The turn got a whole lot easier. I was cruising through at around 10-15mph over the advisory speed and catching the cars, despite the generous gap I’d left on the straighter parts of the road. This was fun. Instead of getting annoyed with Mr. Black car’s pace, I took the opportunity to concentrate on my form without worrying about speed.
At the bottom of the hill, I took a break and wrapped my chilled hands around a cup of coffee before turning around and doing it all over again, in the other direction.
This time, I had the road to myself. I tried more moving around on the seat and liked the results. Lest you think I’m close to dragging a knee, no way. The movement was very slight – I’m a rookie at this remember. It might well have been that the movement allowed me to relax instead of tense up, and counter steer effortlessly. Previously, I’d been nervous about consciously counter steering. Maybe the butt shifting distracted me a little but whatever, it worked and my lines were smoother.
Most of all, I left the Ortega with a feeling of control, rather than the white knuckle experiences on my cruiser. This time, I knew that I was going to make each turn, well within my own lane, with ease. AND, what corrections to make if I made the mistake of taking my eyes off the line for a moment. I rode at a speed that I could control, and bring the bike upright to brake if needed. Who knows what is around that next turn?
I feel as though I took a big step forwards today. Motorcycling is about continuous learning and today, I started the next chapter of the book.
