The next morning I was like a kid on Christmas, standing by the front door with my helmet as Highway slowly got ready. He had been fighting a cold, but now it was really settling in. I felt bad to push him to ride, but I couldn't contain myself.
I spent some time in our parking garage getting the feel for her. She revs so much higher than Highway's Yamaha Roadstar I had been riding. I was having trouble finding the sweet spot in the clutch, just the right amount of throttle, etc. Finally, we headed out on the streets of San Diego.
Two blocks away I accidentally popped the clutch, stalled her, and dropped her. I was so desperate to keep her up, I tore up my left knee in the process. I sat on the street, sobbing like a kindergartner, feeling like a huge failure. All of this waiting, all of this hoping, all of this dreaming and I could see it all running down the sewer. Highway picked up the bike and with the help of a few neighbors who had seen my spectacle, they moved me and Katie Scarlet to the curb. Highway put the bikes away and brought the truck to take me to Urgent Care.
I've spent the last 4 days feeling an array of emotions; frustrated, angry, sad, humiliated, optimistic, and finally determined. This wasn't going to be the end of this ~ no fucking way. I wasn't going down like a sniveling little bitch.
I'm mending quickly; my knee and my ego. I'm planning to be back on her by February 1, and riding on the streets mid-February. Highway and I have planned a "retraining" of sorts, doing some basics in a local, huge parking lot. I plan on doing at least an hour a day for 7 days straight, then riding every day for a few weeks, weather permitting.
I realized I tried to do too much too soon. It had been 8 months since I've been behind my own handlebars and I'd only ridden for 7 months before that, very sporadically. I did fine, at first, but I just hadn't practiced enough. Then I let too much time pass. . .
This isn't the end. It is only the beginning of my story.
Sash:
ReplyDeleteOH NO ! Practice, practice, practice. what can I say. don't push yourself and stay within your abilities.
did you install frame sliders on your bike ? they are worth their weight in gold, and if it falls again it may save your bodywork
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Thanks so much Bob! I'm working my knee daily so I can get back on her and start from the basics again, like a brand new rider. I overestimated my abilities, which is the curse of many a rider who drops their baby, huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. I'll see about those. Highway and I talked about something like that.
For now, I'm simply sitting on her daily, with my crutches nearby, just to get the feel of her. I'm so determined to see this through. And just think, you can follow me along this journey from the beginning, huh? :)
Well, at least you got that out of the way! Welcome to the club!
ReplyDeleteTina:
ReplyDeleteWhat Paul (AZHD) said ^^
Welcome to the club, we have all done it even though many would not admit it.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Yep, it seems to be part of the learning curve. Glad you have a plan. I still remember the discovery one of my bikes could do a wheelie. It was totally unplanned and luckily nothing got hurt except my pride and one mirror. I became wiser that day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and it sounds like you're in love. This is a good thing.
~Keith
There are those who have gone down and those who will go down. Let's just call this your down. You've learned from it and now you can move on.
ReplyDeleteSash - I took my rider training two years ago and still have my up and down days. I commute year round and all I can say is keep at it girl! Practice is the best remedy for most of our oops's and getting things straight. I still go out into the lot and practice. Hey I dropped my bike twice, no biggie. Yup I was embarrassed,but in the I just got back up and kept going. Hang in there!
ReplyDelete