Sunny March day so I took the little Vixen up to Littledale for lunchtime, it's not that far:
http://goo.gl/maps/BvQc
Nice country roads, lovely day. Visor up, not cold. Engine sounds fine.
Today I learn, quickly, about going up, and more importantly, down very steep muddy country lanes.
I have/had no idea really. I find myself shooting down a muddy lane at an alarming gradient and wonder to myself what the best course of action is. Do I try and slow down, go into a low gear, keep power on through curves? I have to keep clear of the front brake as they're so twisty... In the end I back brake to slow as much as I can, then go round under power, though some are so tight that I have to hard brake just to stop flying into hedges. Hairy, and I still don't know the best way to approach this.
In fact, I realise that I still know very little about riding. When I'm heading to a curve at 45 or 50mph, I was slowing right down before, but I'm now realising that I can corner at a much greater speed than in a car, or than I thought. But how fast I can I go? How far can I lean? No one ever told me... What gear do I go round in? Do I need high revs? *sigh* I once was pillion with a friend, many years ago, who went round a roundabout with me, and all our bags, so fast, and so far over, that we created a shower of sparks as we cornered. Only later did he say, 'wow, you don't normally recover from those'.
Anyway, made it there and back, wonderful ride. Only fright was two racers that shot past me at such a speed, and so close, that they made me wobble! Ha!
I also got my first nod from another biker today. Ah, nice.
http://goo.gl/maps/BvQc
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| Lexmoto at Littledale |
Today I learn, quickly, about going up, and more importantly, down very steep muddy country lanes.
I have/had no idea really. I find myself shooting down a muddy lane at an alarming gradient and wonder to myself what the best course of action is. Do I try and slow down, go into a low gear, keep power on through curves? I have to keep clear of the front brake as they're so twisty... In the end I back brake to slow as much as I can, then go round under power, though some are so tight that I have to hard brake just to stop flying into hedges. Hairy, and I still don't know the best way to approach this.
In fact, I realise that I still know very little about riding. When I'm heading to a curve at 45 or 50mph, I was slowing right down before, but I'm now realising that I can corner at a much greater speed than in a car, or than I thought. But how fast I can I go? How far can I lean? No one ever told me... What gear do I go round in? Do I need high revs? *sigh* I once was pillion with a friend, many years ago, who went round a roundabout with me, and all our bags, so fast, and so far over, that we created a shower of sparks as we cornered. Only later did he say, 'wow, you don't normally recover from those'.
Anyway, made it there and back, wonderful ride. Only fright was two racers that shot past me at such a speed, and so close, that they made me wobble! Ha!
I also got my first nod from another biker today. Ah, nice.
Be careful when these country lanes are wet!
ReplyDeleteVixens look good - other bikers will nod!