MSF course in the rain

[trekker62]

Hello,
I am starting the MSF course tonight. Tomorrow we begin riding. It is also supposed to rain all day. I know there are alot of people that have taken this course in the rain and I am trying to tell myself that I will be just fine. However, I am still a bit nervous. And, I can't help but be dissapointed about the weather. Any suggestions?

Also, is it hard to remember everything? I am worried about that also. I have been studying the drivers manual, and it seems like there is so much to remember.

I am a 44 year old female (please, no digs!) and its been a while since I have been in a learning type of environment. I am also very tall (6'3"). Will that be a problem?

I am a bit nervous, but I am really looking forward to this . Thanks.

[deedee1]

Congrats on taking hte MSF course. I am sure you will do fine. I am taking mine next month so all I can offer is encouragement. Just think of the rain as a plus because you will have the advantage of learning to ride in it with the instructors there to help you.

Good Luck in your course and remember to relax and have fun. (Thats what my tells me)

Deedee

[Nalian]

You'll do great, and learning to ride in the rain in a controlled environment is optimal.

[KarateChick]

Relax and try to have fun and enjoy what you can get out of the course. I had a warm summer evening, a totally pouring rain range day and a cool overcast that eventually turned sunny day. The rain day was no worse than the other days (I had rain gear on and was warm & dry except for my wet cold frozen feet. The foot thing I remedied at lunch time by going to the store to buy dry socks and slipped plastic produce bags over my feet to keep my wet boots from soaking the socks again). The rain can be a good experience if you look at it that way.

You may find the bikes a bit cramped for your height but I'm sure you'll adjust as lots of others seem to have folded themselves onto the course bikes. If you get one that is really uncomfortable, ask the instructors if you can change early on so that you can get used to a different bike, especially if they allow you to use that bike for testing.

Good luck!

[Falkenheld]

I took mine on a weekend that was mostly rainy. It definitely made me not fear riding on rainy days (which I've had to do a lot lately). So hopefully you'll get the same experiences out of it as I have.

Make sure you remember the core essentials and learn as you ride along, and you'll do well.

Good luck.

[jct]

trekker62,

I agree with everyone above. I was one of those folks who took the course in the rain. I would say that it was cold and raining for 8 of the 10 hours we were training and I took the range exam in a downpour. Yes, I was physically miserable , but I kept my "eye on the prize" and trusted my instructors. Mind you, I didn't even have any rain gear -- wet jeans are a big drag . But now I know that I won't freak if I get caught in a rainstorm. I'm rather vertically challenged at 5'3", but we had a couple of very tall guys in the class and while they looked a bit cramped, they were OK.

By the way--- I'm 44 as well! I was the oldest in my class (filled with young men from all over NYC mostly). The guys were great-- kept commenting that they wished their Moms were "cool" enough to learn to ride (mind you my own teenagers are not so sure... ) . Just remember that you are learning to ride to have fun! We have plenty of time left to enjoy this new adventure.

So, ignore the rain and have fun -- I've been having a great time riding with my husband, if you told me a year ago that I would be doing this I would have laughed. And here I am now with a motorcycle license in my pocket and about to head over to the dealer to pick up my new bike.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

JT

[Social Distortion]

both days of my classes were wet wet wet!
I actually was glad that it was really wet, since i would have been 10 time more anxious riding my own MC in a rainstorm.

Ended up workout well and i feel confident that w. more practice, i should be confident if i get caught in a rain storm.

Ohh- i also learned that rain gear can sometimes be awsome and really suck-
Good- usually keeps you dry
Bad- if it doesnt fit correctly, can take your mind off of riding and more occupied w/ the parts of your gear that bother you....as well as some of your gear can sometimes get a little hot.....

[ilb]

When I took my class it rained Sat morning, just enough to really make the course wet. Watch the painted lines on the course, they could be slick. It was still agerat weekend and I really enjoyed it. Hope you have a good time!!!!

[cherokeepati]

It rained during most of the MSF course, we (my husband and I) took, but it turned out to be a plus when I've had to ride in it on the highways. As a woman of 50, you can get some funny looks like "Aren't you gonna pull over??" but I have the experience and knowledge to pull through the rough spots because of the course. Next month my husband and I will ride out to see the Instructers that trained us so we can thank them face to face!
It's only been since June, two bikes and over 3000 miles ago. Can't wait!!

[CajunBass]

I'd rather take it in the rain than on a hot, miserable, humid day like I did.

I actually enjoy riding in the rain now.