Back in the saddle - again

Hi All

Interesting morning.

The last time I rode a bike any distance it was two years ago and I was
on my way north on a borrowed Beemer to visit an old mate in
Muswellbrook via the scenic route. Got as far Broke (apt name) before
the local pool moron left the dirt on the left hand side of the road (no
indicators), swerved to the centre of the road outside the shop and
tried to hook a U. Realised that there was a car coming the other way
and so stopped at an angle across the road about 5 metres in front of
me. I woke up in the ambulance. Here's the result a week later
(apologies to those of a delicate disposition):

http://tinyurl.com/63gshl6

The time before that was another year previous when I was commuting
regularly. A nice old gentleman turning left onto a main road (blind,
from behind a truck FFS!) managed to T-Bone me. He was bloody determined
as well - the old bastard had to cross three lanes to get me! (Why can
your average Australian not turn left into the first lane?).

This morning, having finished rebuilding the ER5 and got the blue slip,
green skip and rego last week, I dragged myself from my sick bed
(friggin' flu) and made myself go for a ride. Given that I am
convalescing (read snotty and phlegmy) I decided a quick ride up the old
Pacific Highway was about all I was game for. Terrey Hills, Hornsby, Mt
White for breakfast and then home again - maybe three hours with a stop.

What did I learn? Despite having been on two wheels regulalrly for the
last 40 years, my confidence was far more damaged than I thought it was.
I would go as far in fact to say that my confidence was almost
non-existent (okay - I know they /are/ all out to get me). It wasn't
until I was halfway home that I realised that I was so tense that my
riding was, well, how shall I put it, sh*thouse, and my jaw was aching
from clenching my teeth. Oh yes, and I also discovered that although you
can make any excuses you want about the weight you can put on in a
couple of years, a Hein Gericke jacket is not that forgiving. Once I
relaxed I was fine and everything started to fall back (not literally)
into place. Great crowd up at the Mt White Cafe - everyone as friendly
as I remembered. I also learned that I really should have bought a new
pair of sunglasses that fit in the new helmet and that sales guys in
bike shops do NOT know what "winter gloves are".

The really interesting part for me was that I had no conscious idea that
my confidence was affected at all - it was all on a subconscious level -
which explains my reluctance to ride for the last few months ("I need a
new helmet", "my gloves are ripped", "it's too cold" etc.). Taught me a
little bit about myself if nothing else.

Anyway - I'm back.

N/

 

Welcome back!!! Every time I've had an enforced absence from riding, my
nervousness has always crept up and whacked me on the head after about a
week, and has lingered and niggled until the moment I got back on the bike -
and then it was like - well, like getting back on a horse really - only much
better. The nervousness evaporated as soon as I was able to think about what
I was doing and what everybody else on the road was doing, rather than
imagining disasters in my head.

It's been 13 weeks so far this time - a whole quarter of a year - the
longest bikeless time I've had since I began - so it will be interesting to
see how I feel when I get back out on the road for the first time. Given
that I will be on a new style of bike, I imagine I will be pretty bloody
scared and uncertain.

Your positive experience encourages me, Nigel Ta.

betty
PS beaut bruises! Holy bloody dooley... beats my hamstring tear...

 

The morning after Mardi Gras!

 

Were you there? I missed you! (but I'm saving for a scope).

N/

 

Big cell mate in prison called Ben Dover.

Fraser

 

Did time with Philip McAvity?

N/

 

Awsome bruises. You're lucky to be here.


=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Recognition is half the battle, so I'm told. I'm sure your confidence
will return rapidly now you're back in the saddle.