I rode down to my first intersection with lights, and I was lucky enough to encounter light traffic (around 9 pm here), the lights just went green for me so I didn't have to stop, but I approached the intersection slowly because two cars on the left were passing. As soon as it was clear I made a slow left turn and then another turn to the right to get into a parking lot. I used the excuse for going to the store to actually ride as far as I did, but I did not realise it was after 9 already.
So I sat there for a little, contemplating but I snapped out of it really quick, because I didn't want bad thoughts to enter my head and discourage me from riding. I also seem get a lot more attention when I'm sitting on my bike in full gear.
So I started up my bike again and head out of the parking lot. The road, again, was pretty clear with light evening traffic. I stood still at the exit of the parking lot that led to the road and checked right and left and saw no near incoming cars. In fact, that intersection with the lights just turned green for the direction I was heading so off I went on a left turn onto the road and approached the intersection slowly with my signal light blinking to the right. I approached it slowly because a group of people were crossing the road, but when they were pretty much off the road I had just reached the right moment to begin the turn so off I went.
Did some standard riding down suburban roads with stop signs along with some turns. At one point I got to a stop sign and kind of hesitated for some reason, I think I was fiddling with the gear I was in or the mirror. Nevertheless, there was a car stopping to the left of me where I was turning and was obviously waiting for me to move since I had hit my stop sign first (the car was on the left "arm" of the T and I was on the "body"). So instantly I reacted and rode my left turn without trouble (although it felt like I was leaning a bit too far to the left).
A few metres down another stop sign and a fellow biker was approaching me from the left and he gave me a wave!!! My first wave! I can't believe I managed one back even as I was approaching a stop sign. It felt exhilarating to be able to experience the unique "buddy" feature of motorcycling, and it was probably due to the euphoria that I stalled at the stop sign. Hehe.
I quickly started my bike again and did my left turn as soon as it was clear for me, but the feeling of being "accepted", as it was, left a lasting expression and I'm still reeling from it.
Tomorrow I'm off for another, longer ride with a little more traffic around me.
I'm pretty proud of my accomplishments thus far, and memories of my safety course still are fresh in my head as I ride safely and smoothly (well, most of the time) into the great adventure known as motorcycling!
