Relaxing in the corners

[RichLockyer]

Actually, on group rides, there are different feelings.

I like the newbies up front where the rest of the group can keep an eye on them, and also the "rubber band effect" is much less of a problem for them. Even with more experienced riders, I like to have the smaller bikes up front for the same reason.

The problem with them being up front is that they can make the rubber banding worse for those who follow, and if they do have a problem, they can endanger the rest of the group. For long slab rides, I like 'em up front. In the twisties, I like 'em in back. It's the tailgunner's job to watch out for everyone in the group anyways... the riders behind the newbie shouldn't be expected to keep an eye on them... but it is nice if your tailgunner is a bit too much of a gentleman and reluctant to inform you of deficiencies in the newbie's abilities.

[CheriAnn]

Originally Posted by Seadog1967

Ya Ya Cheri. We know what you kept replaying over and over in your head.

ROFLMAO!!!!
Are you getting to know me too well?!

[CheriAnn]

Originally Posted by Wgirl

I know exactly what you mean. I can't have hubby follow me, he has to be in front of me. Even now that I have gotten much better at cornering.

WHEW!!!!! You are the FIRST to understand how I feel!!!!! All the other women ride in the front with their men riding behind, and are happy with that. They don't understand why I can't ride in the front

[CheriAnn]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Actually, on group rides, there are different feelings.

I like the newbies up front where the rest of the group can keep an eye on them, and also the "rubber band effect" is much less of a problem for them. Even with more experienced riders, I like to have the smaller bikes up front for the same reason.

The problem with them being up front is that they can make the rubber banding worse for those who follow, and if they do have a problem, they can endanger the rest of the group. For long slab rides, I like 'em up front. In the twisties, I like 'em in back. It's the tailgunner's job to watch out for everyone in the group anyways... the riders behind the newbie shouldn't be expected to keep an eye on them... but it is nice if your tailgunner is a bit too much of a gentleman and reluctant to inform you of deficiencies in the newbie's abilities.

I can understand the problems you talk about! So much to consider on a group ride.....I have been on rides with a newbie that would slow WAY down for the curves and have other riders behind them stack up and have to avoid running into each other...not very safe

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by CheriAnn

WHEW!!!!! You are the FIRST to understand how I feel!!!!! All the other women ride in the front with their men riding behind, and are happy with that. They don't understand why I can't ride in the front

Now that Darrell and I have both been down, we're kinda undecided about who rides in front.

Neither one of us goes that fast, so now it comes down to whose turn it is to bite the pavement.

[daemon]

the few times i have had the luck of the draw as "sweeper" where to me a big pain.

but it is essential in maintaining a good group riding ettiquete.

when we had our "newbie ride" YouTube - northern newbie ride last year i was the sweeper for the majority of the ride.
the one rider i ended up following was so very green....
i had a blast regardless though.

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by daemon

.
the one rider i ended up following was so very green....
i had a blast regardless though.

So how green was he?

[Michael600r]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

I hope you're right, Michael!

Really, I don't have any need to "fly" through the corners, but keeping at or above speed is pretty important. At one point last year, a Harley caught up with us because I was so slow in the corners! I decided I needed to become more proficient. It seems that the persistence of riding more often, as well as the other things I mentioned, is really paying off for me. Thanks to you all for recommending "practice, practice, and more practice!"

That's me too, I tend to tighten up in the turn, let off the throttle and end up upsetting the bike a bit.

[daemon]

Originally Posted by A2rider

So how green was he?

black icon jacket....green zx-6

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by daemon

black icon jacket....green zx-6

Who is it?

[daemon]

Originally Posted by A2rider

Who is it?

the "slouch"!!!

[Mercury]

great job!

I have to start trusting the bike more myself... I was able to scrape the floor boards off last year, this year it seems like i am weary to dip that much.

Maybe its cause all the salt and sand is still on the roads haha

i am going to read about delayed apex now

kenny

[CycleDude]

First off - Congrats Liz. Becoming one with the bike sounds like some kinda Zen thing, but it's critical.

A little story for ya, I have three ways to go to work...
*Super slab
* back roads
*twisty curvey hair pin mountain pass knicknamed "horseshoe bend"

I usually take the slab because it's fastest. I almost never take the twisty curvey hair pin mountain pass. The hairpin is grooved pavement and in 3 tries I always puckered on it and it was not enjoyable.

Yesterday was 60* here in north Jersey and I *trusted* my bike, pinned my chin to my shoulder - forcing me to look through the turn without chickening out and the damnedest thing happened.....

I sliced that turn like a hot knife through butter. It was the fastest 15 mph ever, and it was the highlight of my day.

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by CycleDude

I sliced that turn like a hot knife through butter. It was the fastest 15 mph ever, and it was the highlight of my day.

Told like a true cruiser!

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by A2rider

It's hard for someone "showing" you to slow down and kind of exaggerate the lines, but that's the best way I can learn.

Where we use to live, there was a great set of twisties, about 8 miles long. I would go up and down them, over and over, until I got tired. But each time my line improved a little bit.

And I have no idea why I would do this, being I was on a 600 Shadow. I wasn't ever going to keep up with any sportbikes, that's for sure. I think I did it just to make myself happy, to be a better rider.

I think it's great you made the effort to learn to be a better rider. You don't even need to justify that. And your suggestions are fantastic and appreciated, Tina. Thanks!

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

I think it's great you made the effort to learn to be a better rider. You don't even need to justify that. And your suggestions are fantastic and appreciated, Tina. Thanks!

I guess m/c riding means more to me than just entertainment. I will never be perfect at it, but I like being better than average. And when your "skills" improve, so does your ability to stay upright, and away from crazy cagers!

It serves several purposes to improve your lines on a corner.

1. It makes you grin!

2. It improves your confidence

3. Improves your ability to avoid hazards

4. Makes for better photos when showing off your chicken stripes.

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by CheriAnn

Boy, this caused some problems for me last year!!!! I know the newbie rider should be in the front, but I always felt anxious leading, and insisted on following behind Chaz. The curves became easier with time and tons of fun, until the day Chaz made me lead on a twisty country road!!!! I suddenly felt like a brand, "go too slow" newbie again and did NOT feel confident in my choice of lines!!! I realized that I had grown very comfortable in just following Chaz and his lines in all the turns.

So, we have a road near the house with some curves and bends that I am riding on whenever I get the chance to feel more confident on my own.

Cheri, Tony wants me to ride in front so that I can set the pace. He is fine with that and only lately have I become comfortable enough to not feel "pressured" by the fact that he is behind me. There are times we go out for a short practice ride where he leads for me to see the line, but the longer rides I set the pace.

In the MSF course the instructors said that new riders should be at the front on group rides. People who choose to ride in groups with riders of mixed experience should understand that the ride may be slower than they are used to, and should adjust their expectation accordingly or not go on the group ride (or make some other arrangement to meet the main group at a certain place/time so they can ride at their own pace).

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by CycleDude

First off - Congrats Liz. Becoming one with the bike sounds like some kinda Zen thing, but it's critical.

A little story for ya, I have three ways to go to work...
*Super slab
* back roads
*twisty curvey hair pin mountain pass knicknamed "horseshoe bend"

I usually take the slab because it's fastest. I almost never take the twisty curvey hair pin mountain pass. The hairpin is grooved pavement and in 3 tries I always puckered on it and it was not enjoyable.

Yesterday was 60* here in north Jersey and I *trusted* my bike, pinned my chin to my shoulder - forcing me to look through the turn without chickening out and the damnedest thing happened.....

I sliced that turn like a hot knife through butter. It was the fastest 15 mph ever, and it was the highlight of my day.

Kevin that's a great story!

And I do think of riding as being a pretty Zen thing…especially when it all comes together and you do feel "one with the bike". It's a wakeful meditation.

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by A2rider

I guess m/c riding means more to me than just entertainment. I will never be perfect at it, but I like being better than average. And when your "skills" improve, so does your ability to stay upright, and away from crazy cagers!

It serves several purposes to improve your lines on a corner.

1. It makes you grin!

2. It improves your confidence

3. Improves your ability to avoid hazards

4. Makes for better photos when showing off your chicken stripes.

I don't think we have to be "perfect" (there is no such thing as perfect anyway), but keeping your bike upright, enjoying the ride, and believing in yourself what matters, in life as well as on a bike!

P.S. I don't have chicken stripes quite yet—still waiting for those!

[daemon]

liz!!!
there are many books that you could endeavor to