So Viv, what about the Ducati Riding Experience then? Give me your thoughts! I remember, back in the day, once I had fallen off (nothing like as serious as your injuries) it did take me a bit of time to get used to left handers again, as I thought the wheel was going to wash out. Naturally, the feeling went away eventually. Then I had a long series of offs and I started to think, "Am I just too rubbish to do this?" but I liked biking so much that I thought, well no, I can't be any worse than most people. And then of course, after a while, I got used to falling off and so long as I knew why I had done it (which I did) I just told myself not to make the same mistake again. And that is where I am up to. Haven't made a mistake for about 9 years now. That's not to say I won't, but I try to keep them at a minimum. At the end of the day, I know it's all down to me - the bike is far more capable than I am. Just make sure you wear al the gear, then when it does go pear-shaped, it's only a garage bill.
Thanks all need to catch up with the thread I'm still wanting to ride. Think I need to get the monster then take it from there. The shoulders aren't quite there yet but not long I hope
Hi Glid I have done a track day it was a good experience but I'm not fast enough and felt a little intimidated until the instructor stayed with me so I'm not sure about it but I I'm keeping it in mind I don't really want to fall off again Before this I had a fear of corners and turning right I would freeze that was down to position in the road so got over that Lol my first ride out was all twisties and I had a queue of traffic while I tootled at 10mph honestly, I got to tintern abbey and said if that's what riding is I'm not moving from here it was awful!!! But I kept at it and improved muchly I have no idea how the front end went from under me it was an almost straight rode and I had not long set off after waiting at a train crossing I was looking ahead and the next thing the Tarmac so I can't do anything to make sure that doesn't happen again. I ALWAYS wear the correct gear with plenty of armour thank goodness
Ducati Riding Experience isn't all track. There is a bit for newbies trying out a bike for the first time in the carpark, a bit for intermediates who don't feel ready for the track doing a bit more advanced stuff, then finally the track people. Finishes with those trying to improve their racing performance. If you are really wigged out, get on a 125 which will quickly bore you to tears, and then you'll feel ready for the Duke in no time. Rain you say? Cold tyres, too much front brake - could have been a combination of stuff. But it probably won't happen again. Just take some lessons if you think you have something that needs improving. (We all have stuff to improve, but with the miles, some more than others). Don't wig out. Just start a few rungs lower down. Just like Snakes and Ladders.
Onibury, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9BE, United Kingdom That's heading up to the crossing on LH side Over the crossing heading same as land rover I'm riding on the Tarmac bit
No it had been raining it was drying up no brakes as I was riding and DD scrubs which love the rain I may have touch a bit of old arrow head on the road as I avoid wet White lines at all costs
Viv, you can't just fall off on a straight road without either (a) you doing something or (b) something on the bike breaking. Which was it? Any white paint is hugely slippery in the wet. Did you try turning on anything? As for tyres - I'll take your word for it, though doesn't sound as if too adapted for cold road use. But hey, I haven't tried them.
Understanding what went wrong is essential to getting your confidence back. So what do you think went wrong, and what did anyone else think at the time?
Have been told one of those things The road is made of asphalt which is like ice when rained on There is an accident there regularly All I remember is taking off from the crossing near to kerb as there was two of us he rode on but I slowed for a car to turn right then continued on I couldn't have been that fast because the bus behind just managed to stop and not run me over. He said the bike just went from under me and whatever I hit was under his bus when they looked there was a bit of old White arrow head So wether I had noticed it subconsciously and on avoiding it moved over on the road caused it no one really knows
Sounds like one of those freaky things that won't happen again. I fell off on the track once. Front washed out. "You must have braked," the instructor said (William Costes - ex GP racer). Well, I know I didn't, because if I had, I wouldn't have been going so fast and the front wouldn't have washed out. So the only other possibility was that I had missed the racing line by a metre and been on a dusty bit of the track. I was happy to accept that answer. I had missed the racing line by a metre. It remains a bit mysterious, but there isn't any point on dwelling on it or thinking it will happen again. It's unlikely or everyone would be in the gravel trap within a few laps, and they aren't.
I hope you succeed Viv, I have slowly been getting a fear, working at height. Never had a problem until a couple of years ago, now I cant stop looking down and my toes start curling up coz I'm shitting myself, doesn't happen all the time but is happening more and more now. It's a mental thing because when it happens it makes me angry to think it's affecting me then my anger makes me forget about the height so my head sort of sorts itself out. You can do it if your mind is in a different place from the fear of what can happen to you. Best of luck Pete.
