Maiden Voyage

[BlueEyes]

Took the bike out today for my first real ride. I comleted the BRC and got my license yesterday. Having never even left a parking lot before (or gotten outta 1st gear) this was a major accomplishment. With the encouragement of my bf (MotoFreak), we hit the road and logged 40+ miles! I had a great time, felt pretty confident, and my only major complaint was that my 3/4 face helmet was starting to feel loose.

As the afternoon storm rolled in, we tried to beat the black clouds and make it home before the wind picked up and the skies lit up. We we pretty damn lucky until we hit Westford and the winds got insane. Unfortunately, this is when I figured out just how loose my helmet was. The wind actually lifted my helmet off my head and the only thing preventing it from blowing off was the chin strap!

I was holding onto my helmet with one hand, controlling the bike with the other, while trying desperately to keep up with the bf who is motioning for me to speed up.

He finally pulled over when we made it through the worst of the storm, and started to explain that I could ride safely in the rain. I had to cut him off and tell him the rain was NOT my problem. He quickly apoligized, we laughed hysterically, and I tightened my chin strap until I almost choked so I could make it the rest of the way home. That helmet has taken its last ride.

All in all I had an awesome first day on the roads and can't wait to get back out there. I think we need to get some ladies group rides organized, too!

[MotoFreak]

That WAS a crazy storm...we were at Jason's (Yesterdayze) birthday party, and saw the storm rolling in...We were scooting right along, no problem, till the wind picked up and almost blew her helmet off!!!!
I was like "she's not scared of the rain, why the hell is she riding so slow!"
When we stopped she starting cursing the helmet, so between all the "f-ing wind! and f-ing helmet" I apologized for acting like an ass...

I was very impressed with how well BlueEyes rode today, especially since we logged almost 80 miles today, and rode through a torrential downpour!
Not a bad first ride!

[lady flyin' low]

congrats! and there's a ladies ride august 9th that nikon is hosting i imagine the pace is going to be pretty good for a new rider if you're comfortable riding in a group...but don't rush it, stay safe, and don't try to keep up with someone if they're going too fast! stay at your own pace!

[Thunderbisciut]

Glad you made out ok!

Definately ditch the 3/4 and get a full face that fits! Gear is your friend.

I'm a noob too. Still only on my permit, next week I take the course finally. I've logged a few hundred miles so far, about 400 or so.

In any case, welcome, good luck, and stay safe.

[kbroderick]

First, good job on pulling that off despite the challenges. I don't know how I'd have felt if my first post-BRC ride had involved nasty storms.

Gah. I can sympathize on the helmet, albeit from a more amusing situation--I was playing the part of the Lake Champlain Chocolates Easter Bunny in a mascot race on skis. The head, which did not have a chin strap, started to lift off during one of the runs (in which I was racing against one of the older kids from the local race club). I suppose you probably had more visibility, but it's an odd feeling to have something like that lifting off your head due to wind flow.

[spicy]

glad to hear you're enjoying yourself, and welcome to the addiction.



my helmet started lifting up today. checking lanes at 130 will do that, though

[Nikon]

congrats! and there's a ladies ride august 9th that nikon is hosting i imagine the pace is going to be pretty good for a new rider if you're comfortable riding in a group...

Tis true - pace will be mild. All noobs are welcome. Good chance to get to know people and ride at a safe pace - maybe learn a thing or two.

[BlueEyes]

It sounds like a great time, but I'll be north of the border for a friend's wedding. I look forward to the posts after the weekend to see what I missed. And Nikon - thought this was a ladies ride. . . how do you fit in