Excuses or reason - help me decide

Excuses or reason - help me decide

by Regina
(Tigard, OR)

I have a trip planned with my husband for July 11th to ride to the coast which is about hour & half ride, it will be my first long ride and first highway trip. My question to other new riders & you experienced riders, what suggestions do you have for a new rider for such a trip? How do you handle the road?, I have ridden as a passenger but this will be me on my bike. It seems a bit much but then one side say this why you ride the other says wait your not ready yet. I want to do this but nervous and wondering if you can provide insight. I guess if it will help I have not taken the MSC yet, but I wanted to know if you think this is something that I should do will it give me a ride to remember in a good way - know what I mean. Let know your thoughts. Thank you.

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Excuses or reason - help me decide

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May 15, 2009

Excuses or Reason
by: Anonymous

Look at it this way - break the trip up - don't look at it as 300 miles (or whatever) look at it as 30 miles ten times.

Seriously that's what I had to do when I would see a ride and think nah I cant do 100 miles then I would stop myself and say now wait a second today I did 30 miles so why NOT 100?

I also had a fear of highways and I stayed on surface streets all the time - that was stupid on my part. Once I go on the highway with two friends at my sides now they laugh at me when I say HELL NO I don't want to take the surface streets lol

Aug 05, 2008

I understand!
by: Amy

I just passed my MSC and got my endorsement. I then went and bought a bike. I spent hours up in a parking lot practicing turns, and most importantly quick stops.

I still have not gone on the highway. Everyone says it is the safest place to ride. I do everything in my power to be seen and safe. I feel that if someone hits me while I am going 65, I won't have a chance mo matter what I am wearing, vs. going 35. The other thing that I think about is the fool on the cell phone not noticing me.

I am getting the pressure to ride on an hour trip next weekend which is all highway, and coming back would be night driving which is something else I have not done.

I look at it this way if you are not comfortable, don't do it! I will not be driving my bike on the trip. Good luck at your class!

Jul 02, 2008

Good Reason to wait
by: Laura

I think you should have taken and passed the MSF class, before you take any long road trips. It was amazing what I learned in class, and am very glad I waited to do so myself. Ride On!

Jul 01, 2008

Practice -Practice-Practice...
by: Eva

Hey Regina,
I remember when I first started riding to and I think you are the best judge of how ready you are to do a road trip. My advice is to start out slow and do alot of manuvers in safe areas like parking lots. Get your hubby to help with tips and advice if he is more experienced than you. Remember just like anythingelse you will become more and more comfortable as time goes on and with that your confidence will build but never let your guard down. Stay safe and have a blast. As we always say "Happy Trails Girl"......

Jul 01, 2008

Common Sense
by: Amanda

Hi Regina -

My two cents is this - take stops at least every 45 minutes. It sounds like you will be tense and this will only make you more tired. I have chronic shoulder and back pain, but I ride my own bike and we've gone as long as 6 hours on the bikes in one day. We also just purchased a belt, http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=BACKALINE, (similar to Wal-Mart workers) for me to use and it's incredible how much it helps. Be sure to watch all around you at all times to better prepare yourself for anything that might alter your ride, i.e., gravel, debris, roadkill, etc. Above all, have confidence in yourself! It will make a world of difference in your ride and how you handle any situation. Good luck and be safe enough!

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