Adventure Bike Rider Forum

We went for an early-afternoon ride out today, with the intention of doing some green lanes. It was the first time in two weeks that I had had the opportunity of taking Tank out, and was so looking forward to it. The weather was perfect! It took us about 15mins to start up Tank….fiddling with the choke was funny! But he finally warmed up.

After filling up with petrol, we headed off for the first green lane. We must have ridden about 400m on the lane, when Alun stopped. As I came to a stop next to him, he pointed and explained about the rubble ahead….it most probably had been filled in by the farmer (we think). I spotted large stones, corners of concrete slabbing and bricks broken in half etc etc.

Having never ridden on this type of terrain before, I was nervous, but opted to ride that section rather than get off and push Tank across the 100m of rubble. I watched Alun do the section and tried to remember what he had told me…to keep up my momentum, ‘loosey goosey with the handle bars etc.

I managed the section very well (‘perfect’ in Alun’s words!), keeping in second gear and steady on the throttle. I thought I was looking ahead….but if I had been, I would have seen the bend immediately after the rubble section, and come off the throttle. Instead, I grabbed my front brake and….well…I came off at speed.

Now I don’t remember grabbing my front brake (it was only when Alun showed me the tracks in the dirt that it was obvious I had grabbed!), I don’t remember Alun signalling for me to slow down, I don’t remember Alun moving away (I was heading straight for him!!)….I just remember thinking I’m not going to make that bend!

The fall resulted in my hurting the following:

* right ankle and heel (major swelling tonight!)
* right knee (lots of bruising)
* left hand knuckles (only became apparent after the initial shock had worn off!)
* right elbow (again, only became apparent after the initial shock had worn off!)

The fall also resulted in me giving away my bike to Alun….’you can have the bloody thing!’, I said, as I sat in the heat feeling miserable and sorry for myself! (There was not a mark on Tank!!)

Why can’t I stop grabbing at the front brake, why can’t I look ahead, why don’t I have the confidence in my (Alun’s!!) bike?....that’s when I thought ‘F**k it…I give up’.

But that was then….now I’m thinking…F**k it…try again!!!

Get up, shake yourself down, and try again. I know you are made of tougher stuff Midnight.

Stick with it. No one learns to ride without a few spills

Goodness knows I've had a few. Just learn from your mistakes. Maybe get some track time to practice ?

[video][/video]

I've a XR125 for sale if anyone's interested :whistle:

900Fantrider wrote:[video][/video]

Oh bo**ocks can someone who knows fix this please!!

I am sorry to hear that you fell....again.

At least you are getting some miles under your belt and you must be improving with each ride.

I haven't fell of yet, (only been doing it for a few weeks) so I would consider you a more experienced off roader than me.

Theres always a silver lining.

Hi hunny, the best way is get up, dust yourself off and keep on going, i have every faith in you, we are off to Italy tomorrow morning, im excited but nervous but as jim said to me put the brave head on and get on with it, go girl go, :woohoo:

Alun wrote:I've a XR125 for sale if anyone's interested :whistle:

Do you deliver :whistle:

Alun, tell her to "man up", get back out there (something less hard when fallen on would be nice) and start smiling again.

If not, I'll pm you a delivery address :laugh:

Steve T

B)

Stay with it, it will come together, honestly.

I've came off a few times this year so it can happen to us all! Offroad tracks are hard work for a confident rider, far less a mere beginner. I think you're doing great and you will get better.

Good on you for getting this far, not everyone could do what you've done so far. X