I haven't ridden a bike on the softer surfaces since I was 15. Today I met JT in Honiton and he took me on a tour of some of his local lanes. He promised to go easy on me.
As soon as we entered the first lane I was thinking what have I done, but I couldn't stop laughing either. I was feeling mighty unsteady and I was way too tense. Sure enough I soon experienced my first "badger". Thing is I was laughing like a pixie!!!! I picked my self up, bent the bits back into place and then noticed I was missing the end of my left hand lever, a good inch and a half shorter, but great it's still operational - time to scare myself some more!!! JT Was waiting and he gave me a good chat which included some good advise.
The next lane I tried to stand up which was great until an overhanging branch made me use my front brake, big mistake!! I believe the next manoeuvre is called a "flying Squirrel". Getting out of the hedge was fun!!! Managed to get the bike started and bend the controls back, I noticed the right hand lever was 2 inches shorter but perfectly serviceable (Cool a matching pair!!!).
JT was great, letting me get on with it and sort myself out, he offered loads of good advise on the frequent stops and so I started to gain confidence.
I was really starting to enjoy myself, I couldn't stop laughing in my lid, this really was the most fun I had had on a motorcycle in years.
Saw some great sights, especially looking over Sidmouth, rode along the bed of a stream, did several things that really scared me and several things that really thrilled me. Wow what an experience!
The day really went quick, it wasn't long before the sun was falling from the sky. I have to admit I was incredibly tired and looking forward to the end, especially after doing a few "lanes of pain" which were deeply rutted and incredibly slippery . This green laning sure is a good work out. Im going to be in bed early tonight for sure!!!
Loads of thanks to JT, who helped me lose my virginity in a very dirty way
-- Edited by kevinred on Friday 10th of December 2010 06:38:49 PM
-- Edited by kevinred on Friday 10th of December 2010 07:33:04 PM
Regarding broken levers, if you saved the ball ends then just grind the last 1/2 inch of lever into a "peg", cut off any lever remaining on the ball end, drill a hole in the ball to take the peg, Araldite it on and you have a shorty lever without a sharp end to damage your gloves
There was a massive improvement in Kevs riding as the day went on and he relaxed. Come the afternoon he was riding like a pro!
We started with a gentle tundle down 315 (all 192) to limber up, and spotted his 1st badger which jumped up and bit the end off his brake lever , we then went off to try some trout tickling on 056 but there were no trout to be had
064, and then down 070 - and it was a tad Icy I wanted to fine a few easier lanes with no ice to give Kev a chance to settle down so we headed of towards 239,100,101,102 for a gentle loop - I seem to recall a squirrel attacking Kev at some point
Things were looking up and Kev was looking far more relaxed as we set off for 108 and 106. he gave it a try standing up on 115 and 114 and was really getting the hang of it !
Down past the Rodents lair and a blast about all the lanes 138 to 142 and then down to the lanes to the viewpoint........
He was getting far to ****y on 168 when I stalled on the exit from the stream and he didn't so as punishment we headed for the 'lanes of pain'
Well what a larf ! I have ridden them many times but man today well it was hilarious - well I though so, but Kev wasn't so impressed.......but he made it, smiling (or may have been a grimace) with no sign of a badger! - well done mate.....
He was looking a tad knackered by now - not that I took any notice as we headed for 214, 110 and 111 (was soooo tempted by 237 but I have been getting a reputation for being nasty to newbys thought I'd better not) and then back up over the hills inc a very slippy 'Artic fox lane' (090).
That was it - Kev was all done in so we called it a day, the boy done real good, was brilliant company and rode really well as to be fair the going was tricky in several places.
Good luck tomorrow mate - hope you have a goodun and thanks for today