Newbie can ride!

by Fishsticks
(Morrow, OH)

Last summer I learned to ride on a Rebel. I decided in the fall to buy a 2009 Shadow Spirit with only 850 miles on it! I rode it once before winter set in. Did fine then.

This spring I got out my Shadow and promptly dropped it at the end of my gravel driveway. Shook me up. Went and bought engine guards. Ok now I am ready ... So I think.

Went riding with my DH. Third time out. Stopped on a hill and promptly fell over. I was a nervous wreck the rest of the way home. Put the bike away and would not ride again. I was regretting having sold my Rebel. DH believes I have talked myself into thinking I cannot handle this bike. He believes I will like it better than the Rebel if I just go out and practice. He has more faith in me than I have!

DH leaves on fishing trip. I dust off my bike. It is a beautiful day. I decide to try it again. I rode in my yard in circles working up the courage. Go to end of the driveway and stall it as I start to pull out. But I did not drop it! Yeah! Got it started, drive into town and stop for gas.

While waiting for a guy to finish up so I can fill up, I made eye contact. Big mistake! He just felt the overwhelming need to tell me his friend died while riding - heart attack. But still! Do I need to hear this? Continues to tell me how dangerous it is. Finally he leaves. Of course now I am all nervous again.

Ok I tell myself to remember the stories from the women motorcycle forums. They can do this, so can I! I hope.

Off I go. Decided to take a road that had a big long hill. Halfway up the hill I remember that I forgot to shift down before going up. So I decided to shift down. I have no idea what went wrong but I killed it dead. Right there on the hill in a curve! I was so scared! Too scared to even lift my foot up to shift it down to first. I was afraid it would fall. It kept wanting to roll backwards. Cars are lining up behind me. They cannot pass because they cannot see around the curve. Ok it is up to me. Get it in first. Held the front brake. Start it up. And miracle of all miracles up the hill I go! Yeah!

Car is riding too close so I turn off into a subdivision to get rid of him. I turned it around in a cul de sac without walking it! Those figure 8s I learned last summer came through. Yeah!

I was still nervous thinking I was a fool to go out by myself. Found a church. Turned in. Shut off the bike. And sat and thought about the stories I have read here and in other groups. In particular I remembered one woman saying to not focus on what you do wrong. Think about what you do right and be proud of it.

I got out of my driveway without dropping it. I got up that hill. I turned around in a cul de sac. I can do this! Started her up and rode for two hours with no more issues. Turned into my gravel driveway without going into panic mode. Parked in the garage. Yeah, I am woman. See me ride! Yeah!