What in the world is going on? – Stop press : For almost 24 hours there was no rain! and so I seized the day and went out on an all day bike ride round some lovely roads in Oxford and around the Cotswolds 🙂
Seven hours of bliss, with the odd comfort break, a lovely lunch at a quaint pub and just stopping to enjoy the view, has left me with cramp in my left hand from clutch manoeuvres (I have small hands and despite adjustment to the clutch it remains a stretch!), and slightly sore knees from the armour (as my knees are in a more raised position thanks to my Daytona MStars with their increased height inserts) – and a big big big smile on my face 😛
And something truly wonderful has happened – it’s taken 13 months and 5,500 miles but my bike no longer feels “new” to me or has that “getting used to” feeling. Out for a ride and I find myself feeling emotionally comfy – at peace, with my wheels, like a pair of comfy slippers. There’s no feeling that this is “a big bike” or one I have to work up to getting used to or a twinge of concern if it rains and I need to think about greasy roads. I know his flexibility, braking points, reaction or delay to throttle on/off and have complete faith in my Michelin Road Pilots!
It doesn’t make me a perfect rider (hahah!) but since the accident which wrote off Buz, my FZ6s, I believe my confidence and skill have really moved on and I am no longer stuck at that moment of impact. I surprise myself at my changed reactions – for example I’ve ridden a road several times in the Cotswolds that is overshadowed by trees and high banks of earth which always crumble onto the narrow roadways, leaving grit and debris in your path. All in all it’s always left me feeling nauseous, terrified I’d slide on the gravel and end up ditching me and the bike, probably in the pathway of oncoming traffic 😦
Recently I was on that road yet as I moved from corner to corner, crossing the gravel with ease and wondering if there was any opportunity to overtake the car in front, I suddenly found myself thinking “hmmm, isn’t this that difficult road? No it can’t be maybe it’s further on……hmmm that’s funny, did I miss something – when did this road become so easy?”
I know people who’ve had worse/easier crashes with greater/less injuries than me, and never gone back to riding as they feel the risks are too great. Everybody has their own reasons for riding and of course no one can or should judge another for deciding to give it up – it’s a very personal choice and reliant on many factors such as family, finance and ultimately one’s nerve.
Silvano is a dream to ride, so smooth and flickable, responsive and light as a feather (once he gets moving). The injury to my lower back means I still have difficulty with long periods in the saddle thanks to the sportier position, but so far I have been very lucky that I have retained my love of and ability to ride bikes. So at the moment if asked “would I even consider giving up biking?” The answer is very much “Hell no!!”
Ride Safe
A bird's eye view to biking! 
Some say when you totally feel comfortable on your bike that you need to stop riding. I am not sure I agree. One can feel comfortable on your bike but still be safe. I needed a change and moved from a Harley to a Yamaha FJR. What a total difference, its like learning to ride again. Be safe…Here is to more dry days coming your way….
Hi there, yes I’ve heard that argument but I agree with you – being comfy doesn’t mean not being on the ball. If anything I think it means you are not diverting attention worrying about the bike but can concentrate on the ride – both the fun and the hazardous bits 🙂
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more good weather, but rain or shine I’m going to get out there and enjoy the bike. Hope you have fun on the FJR – now that’s a completely different bike to the Harley lol!
Hi LMB,
Saw an ad’ on Gumtree for a 24 year old GPZ500 and then Googled it for a review. Ended up here, reading about your first bike – then your second – and then your third.
One thing led to another and I finished reading the last of your posts a few hours ago.
I hope you don’t mind me saying that I feel quite inspired by your experience – and your tenacity in maintaining your love of biking.
I’m fifty six years old and at somewhat of a crossroads in my life – sorry, a long and boring sob story that only someone’s Mother could pretend to be interested in – that said, my situation has caused me to recall advice given to me when I was sixteen and had, until recently, totally forgotten.
It was something like this: whenever the world slaps you in the face, knocks you over and rubs your nose in the dirt, this experience, though sad, contains within it the consequence of removing the inertia in your life. It stops you in your tracks and gives you the opportunity to look left and right, to change direction, to re-invent yourself.
I’d taken this newly remembered advice to heart and, needing the ability to escape – and to escape quickly and cheaply – I’d decided to learning to ride.
To be honest it’s been harder than I thought. Not just difficult, but scary, too. And please don’t ask about slow control and U turns! I really did think I’d turn up and say, ‘Show me what I need to pass the test, mate.’ and then I’d apply for the test, take it, pass it, and ride off into the Australian sunset.
Yeah, sure!
That said by lesson eight I’d experienced a similar situation to yourself in that I found myself on a beautiful sweeping coastal road, the Indian Ocean to my left, the outback to my right. Easing down on the bars to counter-steer and then accelerating out of one particular corner I realised I was smiling – I’d done everything right on that corner. Everything. More to the point, I’d done it all automatically!
I was becoming a biker.
The next day, after a monsoon, I managed to lock up the rear wheel during a fifty k emergency stop, grabbed a handful of front brake and slapped the bike – and me – hard onto the wet, greasy, unforgiving ground.
I felt a lot of things other than pain lying on that tarmac. Many of them easier to write than to explain; embarrassment, stupidity, shame, and a feeling I’d taken myself for a ride in more ways than one.
I’ve really no idea how I managed to drive home? I couldn’t get out of bed the next day. It felt like I’d been beaten with baseball bats. I’d a week to recover before lesson nine. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid old man. Lesson nine? I’d have cancelled it had I been able to hold on to a phone and dial the number. Christ, I was sore – and more so the next day – and the day after that.
I kept it quiet, too. I didn’t want to tell anyone for fear of getting the retort ‘stupid is as stupid does’. By the time I was physically able to utilise modern communication methods it was really too late to cancel – too short notice – but hey, it’s only $70 dollars, and a lesson learnt is a lesson learnt.
In many ways it was still going to be money well spent.
Still limping but less shameful, less embarrassed, I took to Gumtree earlier today to look at bikes – specifically a cheap twenty four year old GPZ500. One Google, one blog, and two hours later I straddled the saddle for lesson nine.
“Great ride today, Paul”, said Daniel, my instructor. “Let’s try and get a cancellation for your test, eh?” I beamed with ever so slightly faux macho pride as I limped back towards my car for the drive home.
I’m becoming a biker again.
Thanks for the blog, Lil’ Miss Bump… it’s all your fault.
Keep writing, and riding.
Paul.
Safety Bay.
Western Australia.
Hi there – firstly apologies for not responding earlier! I’ve been off getting married and that has consumed my every waking (&sleeping) moment with the organisation of it.
Secondly thank you for taking the time to write – oh how I felt your pain from your accidents – & cheered out loud for you that you kept going and are loving it again 🙂
Really pleased that something I wrote could help too. I’ll be back posting this month as I’ve huts got back from honeymoon. I insisted we did a motorbike tour!! My husband rides a zzr1400 so we took our bikes through Slovenia – including all 50 corners & twisties of the Vrsic pass/Russian road, as well as Italy too!
Safe riding to you – hope the tests went well & you have your GPZ x
Yup, passed my test. Yay! Looking at buying a Klr 650 to head off up north for six weeks before having to return to the UK. Need something that’ll manage a desert. Big congrats on the wedding, and the honeymoon bike trip. All sounds fab! Keep riding , keep writing. And thanks again for the inspiration.
Paul.
Safety Bay
Western Australia