Sunday 3 March 2013

... And in with the new

Well, I've had a wonderful weekend. The weather has been a bit kinder to us with the sun even poking its head out of the clouds for a few minutes.

On Friday Graham picked up his new bike, a Yamaha Super Tenere 1200. Huge thing it is. I think he's only gone for one this big so he knows it's safe from me... I did get on it, but it was a struggle and my feet were several inches off the ground. I know it was on the centre stand, but even allowing for that I'm still way too short.

On Saturday, after getting back from Dad's, we went for a trundle, no idea of destination, just somewhere we could have a cuppa. Firstly we went out towards Corby, and stopped at Fermyn Woods for a little chat. I was a bit anxious at this point. I think it's because I know it's a big bike and it could easily get me into trouble, and I'm determined it won't. I'm also wary of road surfaces and how much grip I have so I slow down a bit... And bends!! Yikes, now those are scary!! I know all this will come with experience but I want to get past this tense stage as its killing my muscles!!

We decided we'd stay out until we'd had enough, so set off again, going from Corby to St Neots. Now that's a nice road...! We went there the other day, when I was as tiff as a board and held the traffic up. Not today... I told myself off for over thinking; I had my instructor's voice in my head, "look where you want to go!". This is always followed by the image I have in my head of him doing the waltz round the training area at the school to show me the slalom isn't difficult, which always makes me laugh, and therefore relax. I wouldn't say I was fast, but I didn't hold anyone up, felt more confident and safer... It was also a lot more fun!! We had another cuppa by the river then came home. The sun had buggered off by this time so when we got in I was freezing!

Today we went out again, not as far but an improved ride again, I even had a little play, doing a pretend slalom down our road. Apparently my chicken strips have shrunk from yesterday!! Graham's bike looks really good, big black mean machine in my mirror, and he looks good on it, but of course I can't always see him properly as I keep leaving him for dead coming out of 30 limits... Not cos my bike is that fast, but cos his is being run in and he can't go over 3000 revs. Shame..... I'm making the most of it while I can!

After all this riding this weekend, about 120 miles, and with the weather improving, I've decided I'm going to ride to work... This will probably prompt the next ice age, but I'll give it a go. Been dying to ride to work for ages!!