Total Newbie

[Roadtrip]

Update Two/Lesson Two:

Quick safety check with the bike and pretty started off where we left off at the end of the last lesson. More pushing off and going a little bit further each time, with my two helpers at my side steadying me, but giving me more and more space.

We stopped briefly to let some cars clear the parking lot we were working in and we rode from the pavement and onto a flat grassy area and even pushed off from the grass. I have to say I'm getting pretty good at the saving part where I grab break and get my feet to solid ground when I feel I'm going to loose control.

I'm still struggling with the launch aspect and getting up to speed, but for the first lesson, I guess I can't really expect to be doing wheelies at this point. We worked for close to an hour and it was getting dark and on what ended up being the last run of the evening when DH dropped far off to my right and the instructor was to my left, but barely hanging on (and I later found out that I he let go all together) when I rode all on my for about 250 feet. After I came to a stop by the cars he gave me a high five and said I was doing it all on my own for the last part of that run. We ended on that high.

The feeling was amazing. The feel of the wind. The feeling of some invisible force working together with your body to move you forward. The feeling that for even a short time I was actually doing something I had feared for nearly thirty years.

It gives me great confidence that I can DO this.

Next lesson Saturday.

Thanks for all the support and kind words!!
Shannon

[Catrin]

Congratulations on the great lesson! It is indeed wonderful to be on the bike and realizing that it is all YOU

[hebe]

Excellent work! I bet you can't wait for the next lesson

[schnitzle]

Yay!! I love reading about your progress, it's so inspirational Isn't the feeling of the wind and your bike under you fabulous? Go Shannon GO!

[Roadtrip]

Update Three/Lesson Three:

OK. Bad news out of the way first, I crashed and landed hard twisting the handlebars completely sideways. They were easily moved back into square, so might have to take the bike in to have them tightened, doesn't seem like I should be able to move them that easily by hand. Not wiggly loose while I'm riding tho still a little concerned. I was more concerned for the bike while my thigh and left knee too the brunt of the damage when I fell, mostly just feeling sore right now. It all happened quite silly, I rode too close to a tree and under some low branches (twigs really) and ducked my head and leaned slightly left and that started the whole bike in a lean left and just wasn't able to recover and down I went.

Sooooo.. for some good news.. rode the entire distance of the parking lot tonight (about 4-5x my previous "best" attempt) through the "bad" part of the parking lot that was littered with glass/gravel/ruts and even avoided a mom and kids. This along with some shorter runs has me feeling really good up in the saddle. I seem to be reasonably able to balance once I get up to speed, but struggling with the pushing off and getting myself going, so we're going to practice over the next few days on our own and meet again with the instructor on Wednesday... he mentioned maneuvering/turning practicing.

DH has promised me a massage tonight so off to collect.

Shannon

[malkin]

It sounds like you are doing great!

[hebe]

You're doing so well! I hope the massage does the trick and that your bike is ok.

I understand completely the sense of achievement at missing things, I was petrified to ride past a parked Porsche, and was as proud of not cycling into it as I was of the whole ride. I still struggle with riding past parked cars and signalling at the same time, but that will come with time and confidence. Starting off smoothly comes with time too, I wobbled all over the place three weeks back but can set off in quite a controlled way now. How brilliant that you're getting lessons twice a week, that will really help.