F**k it...I give up....!!!!

[cozmo1589]

My advise here would be the following - Get your level of experience up on nice quiet roads first. Don't rush out and go off roading. It sounds like you are trying to dive into too quickly into the deep end. There is plenty of time for riding in the rough stuff. Think of it this way. Does a new driver in a car go rallying? No. So stick at it, get you level of confidence up and ease yourself into it otherwise you will become despondent and defeatist because every time you are tying to go over and beyond what your experience allows, you encounter difficulties. All the best and take care out there.

[MidnightSerenity]

Hi

Keep going at it it doe's get easyer

My Nicky had a few not sure this trail riding is for me moments (she just wanted to ride on the tarmac )

Now she love's the trails and her road bike never gets used

But I don't think you ever stop having off's (not in my case anyway :laugh: )

Little video of one of Nicky's off's (hope it makes you laught)

[video][/video]

Just to even it up one of mine

[video][/video]

Hope to meet you on the trail soon

Louis

ps +! on the Aline Star Stella body armour that what Nicky has

Thank you Louis....yes it did make me smile! Cheers for sharing that.

Infact....thank you Everyone for your invaluable advice/comments!

[Sopwith Camel]

I've only done a few easy lanes and did the same as you, it's a safety/mind thing to grab the front brake.
The horrible sound of my 1150 hitting the ground, (no damage at all thank god) that sound is still with me and the f**king weight of picking it up helps me remember to use the front brake gently

Keep going, and if all else fails tell Alun I'll give him £100 for his 125 as it's been crashed :whistle:
:evil:

[CRAIGREVO]

Ummmm !

I am a bit worried about all this front brake talk....

I ride more on the dirt nowadays than I do on the road, But I have done many K's on the slab..

The front brake is the only way to actually come to a stop on the dirt !!

If you don't & just mainly rely on the back, you will just slide & the bike will pull around sideways which most of us do for fun when there is a Video camera around & then fall off !!

Shane Watts shows on his video an exercise where you find a nice field stand up, & accelerate with the front brake on just so that you can get used to the front wheel being locked up !!!

This is what you all seem to be worried about in the dirt.. Don't be !!

Use the front brake, it is your friend & also the next piece of advice is "STAND UP " way to many riders sit down thinking it is safer... It is not !!! Let the bike work for you !!!

OOOO!! I feel much better now thanks !!!!:laugh:

That,s good advise for when you get faster and more natural on a bike. But to start riding offroad with little experience onroad back brake only is the best way to get the back brake mentality.
You can panic brake with the rear with little to no consequence, but do it with the front and you will be licking gravel every time.

After reading about all Midnights falls, they all seem to have one thing in common, use of the front brake. Whether it be panic braking offroad or using the front while doing slow speed maneuvers. I feel she just needs to become comfortable with the rear, as it should be the first brake pressed and the last released.

Edit: Sorry to speak of you in third person Midnight. (how rude)

[ipswichbiker]

How about controlling your speed with gear selection and throttle. This worked very well for me until I ended up going down hill. Then gravity was my enemy... damn you Yorkshire!

You could practice in the flatlands of East Anglia.

[Alun]

After reading about all Midnights falls, they all seem to have one thing in common, use of the front brake. Whether it be panic braking offroad or using the front while doing slow speed maneuvers. I feel she just needs to become comfortable with the rear, as it should be the first brake pressed and the last released.

From my grandstand view that just about sums it up Craig. The transition from snatching and grabing the front brake to in control squeezing only comes when you learn to look further ahead so that 'surprises' (like bends) come along less frequently.

We'll have a day out up the farm soon, I'll let you know when we do and you're welcome to join us, as is everyone else.

[CRAIGREVO]

After reading about all Midnights falls, they all seem to have one thing in common, use of the front brake. Whether it be panic braking offroad or using the front while doing slow speed maneuvers. I feel she just needs to become comfortable with the rear, as it should be the first brake pressed and the last released.

From my grandstand view that just about sums it up Craig. The transition from snatching and grabing the front break to in control squeezing only comes when you learn to look further ahead so that 'surprises' (like bends) come along less frequently.

We'll have a day out up the farm soon, I'll let you know when we do and you're welcome to join us, as is everyone else.

Nice one Alun, the farm's the perfect place to practice. Just let me know when. B)

[mark1150]

Can't remember if this one has been covered, but in the same vein as looking at the ground around the front wheel and NOT ahead, I'd like to mention Target Fixation.

If you look at the thing that your try to avoid, the chances are you will hit it, instead look to where you want to be / escape route.

Oh and a quick one on group riding, don't feel pressured into keeping up**, as there is the road to certain grief, go at your pace, so as you are concentrating on the right things not on whether you are holding the group up; they will be waiting at the the next bit of trail or intersection etc, so take your time, anyway the more time you take the more of a chance you have to take in the scenery, and blend it with the overall joy of being out there.

** 99.9% of the time the keeping up is in our own heads, and not in your trail buddies, so the pressure is self imposed. I hope that makes sense.

[Alun]

Nice one Alun, the farm's the perfect place to practice. Just let me know when. B)

I might pop up for a couple of hours this afternoon, maybe on my new 125.

Let me know if you can get your passport stamped and I'll see you up there.

[stanbloke]

Midnight, go and practise stopping the bike on just the rear brake ( somewhere flat and safe. Then practise more on a loose surface, as you progress increase your speed alittle bit at a time until you can feel the bike slide to a halt.

Remember to keep your arms relaxed and grip with your legs/bum. your arms/ hands should still be steering the front. you will get better with practice.