(NBR) Still taking it the "chicken" way...after 9

[Tenchi]

Well, finally got out and rode my Kymco Super 8 150 on the backroads here in the San Jose, CA area after weeks of cold weather and on again, off again rain. Took a leisurely ride up Calaveras road, keeping within the speed limit and enjoying the scenery. Going down an incline filled with tight curves, I got passed by a bunch of racer bicyclists who passed me like I was standing still. As some of you know from a previous posting, I got into a bad wreck about 9-10 years ago on my 650 Silverwing. Getting back in the saddle for the last year and a half has been difficult, and approaching 55 years old, I tend to ride conservatively. But come on, passed by bicycles? Have I lost my mojo? I should burn my mesh jacket in shame! When I corner, I properly counter steer and lead into the next turn, so the basics are still there, but I wonder...will my rear tire break traction? Will the next curve have some knuckle-dragging flat lander in my lane? Anyone else suffer this anxiety, or should I just cage it?

[scootergator]

Take it easy until you get comfortable again, dont give up bikes.

[jasondavis48108]

I say ride however your most comfortable, but don't give up rideing. I've never been in an accident on my scooter but I still ride conservatively cause I've lost folks to reckless riding in the past. btw, some of those racing cyclist could take me on my little 50 so I wouldn't feel too bad about it, they get going pretty darn quick

[brape]

I've gone 46 on a downhill warm up with the slow group ride. Getting passed by a group ride of cyclists on a downhill is nothing to be ashamed of they where probably hauling along pretty good.

[TVB]

As a bicyclist who used to take pride in the fact that I (almost) never got passed by other bicyclists, I can relate to your distress. But at nearly 45 years old... I get passed. I haven't been passed by a bike on my scooter (yet), but I've been passed by just about every other kind of vehicle. Part of the reason for that is that I ride a 50cc. But I ride a 50cc because that's as fast as I want to go. The shorter reaction times, longer stopping distances, and greater (potential) impacts when going 50-60mph just aren't something I want to deal with. If you have to hang up your gear in shame, so would I... and I ain't gonna do that.

[DaBinChe]

I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of canyon road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horspower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the canyon and I had preserved the proud tradition of another of America's best bikes.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Schwinn, as well. They really make a great bicycle...

[BuddyRaton]

ride your own ride and have fun!

[bikebuda]

I know this may seem a bit extreem but one of the best things you can do to get your riding MOJO back (and beter than befor) is sign up for a track day, now this doesent mean you have to go out there and race a bunch of people it lets you go out and ride on a track with no speed limits (fast or slow) no traffic to fear ,no tickets to be had and medical staff on hand just incase . usually you will do 20 minutes of riding then 20 minutes of classroom time . after each riding session the instructors will tell you what you need to work on and how to do it . there are so many different catagories of riders you will find the one for you then as you progress you move up a group at a time "or not" depending how comfortable you are with yourself and or machine . the place i used and will never forget was Sportbike track time .com i had been riding for almost 16 years and one day with these guys improved my riding ability beyond anything I could ever had imagined by the middle of the day i bought my first set of "kneepucked" lethers by the end of the day i had to replace the pucks. remember this is for everyone not just wanabe racers they will show you how to ride

[Cheshire]

Nah, don't sweat being passed on downhill twisties by road racing bicycles...ESPECIALLY if it was a pack in training. I've had conversations from my cycling days with some of the sprinter groups at the local bike shop: certain stretches of road the "A" pack will hold a speed of 40-50 mph!! My personal record was coming down from Mount Mitchell towards Asheville, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway: held 50-52 mph for about 8 miles until I got near my turn-off. Definately got some looks that day!

Some of those guys know their tires' limits intimately. I've seen several pedals missing metal from scraping while leaned through turns; with the pedal at 12 o'clock. While I've done it myself about 4 years ago...now that kind of riding's too rich for my blood. And I'm only 30!

Yup, ride for you. Also, don't forget that road bicycles don't have suspension travel to worry about...or the extra weight of the engine. So much easier to keep the bicycle up if the wheels slide by putting a (metal cleated) foot down to slide along on.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Ride how you are comfortable, ride how you enjoy it, ride how you are safe. I have both passed and been passed. Whatever. I am out to enjoy the ride. Sometimes I'm in the groove. Sometimes not so much. It can change from day to day. But never is there a day when riding is a competition of some sort. It is always a joy ride.

To make you feel better, on one of those days I (we actually) were passed, going down hill, on a twisty road... by a bicyclist... Don't forget, the bike is lighter and has a different center of gravity so it handles differently... add to that the bike rider was a bit crazy and, well, there you have it

Ride on. Have fun. Be safe.

[Rob]

Well, finally got out and rode my Kymco Super 8 150 on the backroads here in the San Jose, CA area after weeks of cold weather and on again, off again rain. Took a leisurely ride up Calaveras road, keeping within the speed limit and enjoying the scenery. Going down an incline filled with tight curves, I got passed by a bunch of racer bicyclists who passed me like I was standing still. As some of you know from a previous posting, I got into a bad wreck about 9-10 years ago on my 650 Silverwing. Getting back in the saddle for the last year and a half has been difficult, and approaching 55 years old, I tend to ride conservatively. But come on, passed by bicycles? Have I lost my mojo? I should burn my mesh jacket in shame! When I corner, I properly counter steer and lead into the next turn, so the basics are still there, but I wonder...will my rear tire break traction? Will the next curve have some knuckle-dragging flat lander in my lane? Anyone else suffer this anxiety, or should I just cage it?

I can only reinterate what someone else mentioned. Ride your own ride ... enjoy the ride ... don't drive outside your comfort zone. I don't enjoy reading about other accidents in the crash thread, etc. But I'm a firm believer that there is something to be gained and learned from those experiences. If nothing else, it certainly sounds as though you will drive very defensively now ... thus reducing your riding risks.

Perhaps taking, or retaking, the MSF basic riding course might restore some of your confidence.

Rob

[fobbish]

I admire your courage and bravery, but you've come to the wrong place for some unbiased opinion of if you should stay on your scooter.

You need to ask yourself risk and effort is worth the reward. If you're too scared to enjoy the ride now (and I can totally understand why), then what's the point?

[Quo Vadimus]

You can beat a horse and buggy running (on your own two feet) up a hill. Ah, the good old days of being a cross country runner in Amish country. Who beats who doesn't matter all that much, and it doesn't matter AT ALL on the public roads.

If you are so scared that you are a danger to yourself or others, then I'd say practice more, take more classes, find a simulator. Otherwise, don't worry about them. As you seem particularly well aware, life's too short to make your decisions based on what someone else *might* think.

I just got my first ride of the season in on Saturday. All of the joy is there, and absolutely none of the skill I had at the end of last year. It'll return. I'll lean a little more, get to know my brakes again, be more aware of which drivers are especially likely to kill me. Until then, I'm taking it (even) slower.

[polianarchy]

My BFF is a bicyclist, and she gets up to 30 mph sometimes. Another friend of mine got a speeding ticket on his bicycle! Just like scooters, they're going a lot faster than you think.

What's the benefit of speed? I'm much more interested in enjoying the ride. As long as I go with the flow of traffic, it's all good. Ride your own ride.

[Tenchi]

I have been riding since I was sixteen. 35 years plus of experience. Two Gold Wings, Suzuki 650, 550 Suzuki triple 2-stroke, Kawasaki 400, Honda 200, CX500 and 650 Silver Wing, the one that took me down...then a Honda Elite 80 to get back into the swing of things. Maybe a class would help out, but I think it's just something I have to adjust to. Being carted out on a hospital gurney after sliding 150 feet on gravel, face down but wearing my helmet to protect my good looks, was a unique experience. Even rode to Monterrey with my 7 plus month pregnant wife in 1983, and she is a blessing! Yes, my kid turned out okay..prior to my accident. Still made it to AmeriVespa 2009 with my Kymco Super 8, made it on the rides, and got to meet Eric and Scootz....I don't intend to quit, don't worry, that's not my style. Just not as sure of myself when I was a little nipper! Gravel sucks. I wish Tony Stark would just loan me his equipment sometimes. Love those wrist cannons. Perfect for cagers on cell phones.