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Sharon's Biking Blog
1st Bike Lesson - Ren's Bike - July 2013
Blog Date - 29 July 2013
So I have bought the bike and now I have to learn to ride. The bf is clearly in a very good mood and being unusually sweet and kind has already got plans afoot to make that a reality, even before my bike arrives.
He lowered his own 125 for me so I could have a go. You can read about that in more detail in his blog article
The Things I Do For The GF
Lesson 1 - How To Control The Throttle And Clutch.
The Importance Of A Positive Attitude
Ok truth be told I am nervous. I really, Really, REALLY want to ride but I am scared of learning.
I hated with a vengeance learning to drive. I used to feel sick on the day of my lesson. I would hope that the instructor would cancel so I did not have to go. However I must also remind myself that I did persist and I did learn, if rather slowly and I did pass my test first time.
I also have begun to swim rather recently. Initially I hated it. It is the usual story, I almost drowned as a child and forgive the pun but the fear ran deep. I mastered the technique but even though I could actually manage to swim across the pool I did so with gritted teeth, holding my breath and hating it.
Then I came across a rather different type of learn to swim book. It spoke of how your attitude, your mind set is just as important as your technique. He advised you to train your brain into believing it could swim, that it loved swimming. I was doubtful. Surely it was arms and legs that kept me afloat? I knew fear makes you rigid and certainly does not help with your swimming. But my fear was life long, could I really change that by a simple mantra? However I am open minded so I was willing to give it a shot. So every day I would tell myself - I love swimming, it is so peaceful and relaxing. I can swim, I enjoy it and I do it well.
After a week of this mantra I arrived at the pool for my next swimming lesson. I got into the water I began to swim and to my complete surprise, I glided. I actually felt light and buoyant. I was not fighting the water. It was amazing the difference the mantra had made to my swimming ability.
They say that - Whatever You Believe Is True. So I needed a firm word with myself. I told myself I would not be nervous about riding the bike. That I would enjoy learning. It would be exciting and fun. So with this little mantra in my head it was time. Da da dahhhhh.
The Lesson
The chosen venue was a backstreet. I climb onto the bike. Despite the very best efforts of the bf I am still on tippy toe. So regardless of my mantra this makes me feel rather uncomfortable and unstable. But positive attitude and all that, lets just do it.
The first lesson is just to learn how to start and stop the bike. How to have effective and smooth control over the throttle and the clutch.
I find controlling the throttle rather difficult. The skill of holding it at a set revs is harder than I anticipated. So I set of in a rather jerky fashion. I stay in 1st gear throughout this lesson. Slow speed is also maintained. Hence I was able to stop the bike by applying the front bike lever only. I had enough going on learning my hand controls without taking on feet at the same time.
Once I mastered stop start on the flat, albeit still in a rather jerky manner, I moved on to a slight incline. Finally I did a small circuit around the back of the houses. Stop, start, stop start.
I am sweating, the day is very hot and I now realise that my gloves are too small. It never mattered sat on the back of the bike but now I need to stretch out my hands for the brake and clutch lever it becomes clear I better get some better fitting gloves.
At first I kept my feet dangling but by the end of the lesson my feet are up on the pegs and WOW WEEEEEE. I am really riding for the first time in my life. What a fantastic feeling this is.
After an hour of tensed muscles and concentrating hard I am worn out. Time to stop. But you know what is so great ... I enjoyed it, I really did and even better I am not fearing my next lesson. In fact I can't wait.
The mantra helped but so did the bf. He is an excellent calm, patient and encouraging teacher. He should do this for a living. Oh yeah, he used to. Will I prove to be his biggest challenge to date? ... time as always will tell.
Reader's Comments
Tom McQ said :-
Hmmm, Ren IS being awfully nice to you of late. I wonder what he's up to? Anyway, good luck with your lessons - I'm sure you'll be a great rider.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
john said :-
Yeh............wots he after or more importantly, whats he done ??????
Only jesting guys, keep it up Sharon, you will get better and better with practice
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
mike atkinson said :-
Well done sharon .a great start .no pun intended
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Loops said :-
Well done you we will soon be seeing you riding round the dales. :)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
said :-
Well done. If Ren managed to get me through my test first time I'm sure you will pass with flying colours. Xx
29
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Claire said :-
That comment above was from me by the way!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
rick said :-
Well done sharon. Get out there as much as you can and dont be put off when you have an off day. We all haven't thcem. Kieep it up859
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
rick said :-
.Why the fecks it so comp/licated to post on here
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
It's complicated Rick to stop people like you from posting!
It's not hard, you'll get the hang of it, just as Sharon will with the bike...
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Carrie said :-
Well done Sharon. Son being the above? Are you talking about the same person!!!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Pauline Springer said :-
Oh Sharon, I really enjoyed reading the above. You always make me laugh, reading about your adventures! Certainly you are very brave and Ren very patient and can't wait for lesson 2! (bet Ren can I hasten to add!!!) Keep up the good work - it will be worth it in the end! x
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
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