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Will I Achieve My Goal of 2014 Miles This Year.... ??? - April 2014

Since my last blog entry I have been out and about quite a lot on my little bike Zen. So much so that I have now clocked up over 3700 miles, well 3777 to be exact. Which means my original goal of completing 2014 miles for the year has already been surpassed with a total of 2027 miles up to the 1st April. 

I based my target of 2014 miles on two factors.
1) On looking around used bikes I have surmised that the average mileage done on most bikes appears to be 2000 miles per year.
2) So bearing the factor above in mind and the year is 2014 so dah dah 2014 was my mileage goal.

Just over 2000 miles for a beginner through winter in 3 months, not bad me thinks even if I do say so myself. 

So how have I been clocking up the miles? Well it has been a combination of being out on the bike every weekend doing shorter journeys and doing my first ever mega long trip of 257 miles in just one day. I was out on the bike that day for 13 hours and it was a awesome trip through the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors. Ren did a fantastic write up of the day so you can read all about the day here - Too Far For 125s?

I did not know if I would be able to pull off a ride of this magnitude. Not only in terms of distance and time but also the twisty roads, switchbacks, inclines and descents. It turned out to be a fantastic experience and boosted my confidence as regards my stamina and growing ability.

I still am experiencing both good days and bad days on the bike. Although the good days now seem to out number the bad. My slow speed control is still not up to scratch and still causes me the most nerves. So now the nights are getting lighter I will be practicing once again my slow speed on empty car parks on Sunday evenings. I had my first go at this for sometime the other weekend and I did even worse than I expected. It is hard to imagine now that I successfully completed u-turns and figure of 8s to complete my CBT. I did do a u-turn .... just a very, very wide and wobbly one. So yes practice practice even though it bores me and I hate it. I will just have to grit my teeth and bear it until I get this sussed. 

As for the rest of my riding I feel I am currently on a plateau. When we are new we get better and improvements are at the most noticeable when we begin. My general speed on the straight I guess can not really be improved on at the moment due to the limits of Zen's 125cc engine. My best speed so far is 71 miles per hour achieved with the wind behind me and going down hill. My little Zen was giving everything he had. It was fun, real fun to have his engine screaming and maxing out. But much as I love him dearly when I am uphill with a headwind and my max speed is only 45 mph flat out I have to admit I would like a bit more. Not that I think I am ready for a bigger bike. Not only have I not got the finances but I think me and Zen still have a lot more confidence building to be done together.

My unsure point as regards speed is with bends and corners. I have now achieved a comfortable pace around corners. Not fast but nothing to hang my head in shame about either. But the questions remain in my mind ... what is fast enough? What is too slow? When do you know you have achieved your maximum potential?

So with these thoughts in my mind on a nice dry day while out on a bimble with Ren and some fellow biker friends I decide to push my potential and try going into a bend faster than I have done before. Result ... I get it wrong ... I come in too fast, panic and do the one thing we all know you should not do and hit the front as well as the back brake. The back wheel steps out and I slide all over the place. In a split second I know what I have done wrong and I let go of the front brake quick smart. Luckily the bike successfully completes the corner and I stay shiny side up. 

Of course I have scared myself so I revert to riding like a beginner for the next couple of days. Hmmm, if you recall over confidence is what caught me out last time when I went for a touch of tarmac surfing. But if I do not push how do I improve? How will I find my limit? But as a beginner I am stuck because I do not yet know my own limits. I have to re-evaluate myself continually.

Riding a bike takes far greater mental concentration than driving a car. The hazards on the roads for bikers are far more numerous than those for drivers. Road surfaces, weather etc have a far greater impact. But the margin for error is on the other hand far less. A mistake or a accident in a car that may results in a dent to a bumper and ones pride may result in serious injury or even death to a motorcyclist. I need to bear this in mind carefully when I try to push my own limits.

However despite the dangers out there I now know more than ever how much I LOVE MY BIKE. If I have a day off I want to spend it on the bike. As the mileage under the tyres grow so does the grass and weeds grow in my neglected garden. So does the dust gather in the house and my clothes now never see an iron. Who sees creased clothes under bike gear anyhow? Yep right now if I have spare time there is no better way I can think of than spending it out riding.

sharon stands and smiles next to zen her 125cc learner motorcycle.
Happy to be together

Reader's Comments

Tom McQ said :-
You are doing more miles on that bike than many sportsbike riders do in a lifetime of ownership!! This summer should provide you with lots more riding time and by the end of the year I think you'll be feeling PERFECTLY confident and no longer thinking about everything - it'll all become quite natural after that.

Only thing I would suggest, is that you practise for the not so pleasurable side of biking - when things go wrong. Practising emergency stops will pay big dividends later.

:-)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Drew said :-
Sounds like you're having a great time. I wouldn't pressure yourself to constantly improve though. Just ride the bike lots and it will happen. You'll realise you are riding better. Focus on enjoying the ride and your time out.
My bike has just done 26,000 miles. Not all perfect, some bloody dreadful. But all enjoyed. I ride alone when trying new things, take the pressure off and no bloody comments when it doesn't flow
The main thing is you on your bike. Where you want to be
:-)


01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC

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