First Ride In Traffic

[Flesher]

This is a little strong handed but what the hell, here goes... you gotta think about riding, the traffic, the road, and try to predict what is going to happen so that if something does happen you have an out. Don't think about females, don't think about how to stretch your paycheck, concentrate on what is going on.

Don't put yourself in a position in the first place where someone wants your space. The most precious thing you can create as a rider on two wheels is space, and therefore time. Always look for ways to create this space for yourself so you have time to do something like brake, or evade, or go to that safe spot you saw earlier just in case you need it.

I have not ridded in a long time, but these lessons never fade. It sounds like you are doing great, don't forget to practice even though you are riding the "streets". I am envious, best of luck, sounds like you are doing great.

[ANDS!]

This is a little strong handed but what the hell, here goes... you gotta think about riding, the traffic, the road, and try to predict what is going to happen so that if something does happen you have an out. Don't think about females, don't think about how to stretch your paycheck, concentrate on what is going on.

Cmon - even at a stop? Maybe I should say when Im more relaxed, is when I dont screw up - I wont lie though, my mind does wander, but its focused if that makes sense.

For example - I putted around mid-town/Southland Park area of my city, nice place. . .lots of turns, curves and weird streets - and not that much traffic. Just me and paved roads. Was frakkin fun as hell. Cracked the 100MILE mark.

[Koss]

This is a little strong handed but what the hell, here goes... you gotta think about riding, the traffic, the road, and try to predict what is going to happen so that if something does happen you have an out. Don't think about females, don't think about how to stretch your paycheck, concentrate on what is going on.

Cmon - even at a stop? Maybe I should say when Im more relaxed, is when I dont screw up - I wont lie though, my mind does wander, but its focused if that makes sense.

For example - I putted around mid-town/Southland Park area of my city, nice place. . .lots of turns, curves and weird streets - and not that much traffic. Just me and paved roads. Was frakkin fun as hell. Cracked the 100MILE mark.

Its good to be aware of your surroundings even at a stop. And for sure watch your rearview mirror just incase someone in another vehicle misjudges the distance to stop and relative speed... all because they arn't use to the dimensions of a motorcycle.

... then again, why listen to the guy who wears a feakin' camera in his helmet and does video blogs while riding around on public streets...



Grr... I wish I could find my silly memory card so I could start recording vids again! Ack!!!!

[Tower18CHI]

Don't worry man, you'll get it. Like I said, I've only been riding about 2 weeks, and it gets easier every time. But it's like having a good, challenging job...it's rewarding, but at least once a day, you'll be reminded how much more you have to learn.

For what it's worth, I didn't do MSF either, though I will take either basic or experienced next season (depending on how things are going at the time), because it's all full for the rest of this season. I learned how to ride going up and down my alley. Then I advanced to letting myself on my street and then back down the alley. Sooner or later that grew to neighborhood, then to a few miles. Currently, I'll go anywhere except the highway because I don't have a windshield and I don't like that feeling yet.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it sounds like you're doing good, but in addition to your riding, you could probably use a little more basics practice in a parking lot, or an alley if you live in the city like me and don't have parking lots. Just clutch, start off, brake, u-turn, clutch, start off, etc etc.

[shalihe74]

This is a little strong handed but what the hell, here goes... you gotta think about riding, the traffic, the road, and try to predict what is going to happen so that if something does happen you have an out. Don't think about females, don't think about how to stretch your paycheck, concentrate on what is going on.

Don't put yourself in a position in the first place where someone wants your space. The most precious thing you can create as a rider on two wheels is space, and therefore time. Always look for ways to create this space for yourself so you have time to do something like brake, or evade, or go to that safe spot you saw earlier just in case you need it.

I actually really agree with this. Yes, you really want to be confident when you ride, but you don't want to be complacent. I've had three close calls this week that have re-iterated that to me.

Not to be a scare-mongerer and not to sound bitter (despite the moron-cager who said "Hey, why slow down to avoid the guy turning right in front of me when I can swerve into the next lane"... nearly into me...), but all we (bikers) have going for us is defensive driving, quick reflexes and hyper-awareness of absolutely everything going on around us.

Unlike John Q. Cager, we don't have the ton of steel, seatbelts and airbags to protect us. Hell, that's part of the fun, but... it does mean that you have to be super aware of what is going on around you, even after you've passed the point of "Okay, clutch in, toe up to shift, oh crap red light... brake brake brake... alright, clutch in, first gear please don't stall please don't... crap. Deep breath. Neutral? (Or first+clutch in?) Throooooootlepleasedon'tstall... YAY! Whee!"

...

Right after I first started riding, I recall reading an article in SportRider where the author said that one day he was riding and saw a goose running down the side of the road ahead of him. The author then wrote about all the scenarios that went through his head regarding the goose and how he, on his bike, would react to each situation. The goose could swerve into the road (still running), it could take off now and fly in front of him, it could run a bit longer then take off, etc. etc.

The mental image of a stupid goose - and how many erratic things it might do to negatively affect me on my bike - still lingers with me today, 10 years later, when I ride. And that's just a critter with flight or fight instincts. Because the guy had a point.

A stupid 30 lb bird flying in front of our bikes at just the right height can screw us up pretty badly (and, as unlikely as that event may seem, we need to be prepared); imagine what a 2-ton car can do...

So, loooooooooooong diatribe short: become confident in your riding; know your bike and what it can do; but never be so confident that you stop paying 150% attention to what is going on around you.

(Not sure what prompted that long-winded post, but... um... yeah. I think I'll go to bed now and spare y'all any further musings/rantings.

[Nalian]

In my buddy's car yesterday we had a huge turkey fly a few inches from the windshield. I can't even imagine what that would do to me on a bike.

By all means you don't need to be tense and freaking out on your bike..but constantly evaluating your surroundings is a must.

[jstark47]

Further traffic observation - people in large vehicles seem to demand the Right-Of-Way, even when they dont have it; which sucks, because I instinctively - because of my greenness - want to give it to them, when I shouldnt because well, they wouldnt to me.

Yield to them anyway. Old bit of motor lore:

• Here lies the grave of Mike O’Day.
  He died maintaining his right of way.
  His right was clear,
  His will was strong,
  But he's as dead as if he’d been wrong.

[shalihe74]

In my buddy's car yesterday we had a huge turkey fly a few inches from the windshield. I can't even imagine what that would do to me on a bike.

Seriously! I'd lay money on the bird walking away relatively unscathed while I picked myself up out of the ditch (abjectly apologizing for every Thanksgiving meal I've ever enjoyed) if I ever had to go bike to beak with a turkey or goose.

[Nalian]

I'm pretty sure there's a forum member from around Boston that hit one and had it get up and chase him when he went to see if it was ok.

They're tough little shitheads, that's for sure. Ok sometimes not-so-little. We have a ton of them that camp out on the lawn outside of my office all the time..they like to harass cars as they come in. Haven't had an issue with the bike yet..

[shalihe74]

I'm pretty sure there's a forum member from around Boston that hit one and had it get up and chase him when he went to see if it was ok.

Priceless.