Today was a first for me!

[Gaevren]

Today it was clear blue skies, weather is actually cool instead of inferno-hell-hot, and I decided I could absolutely not let a day like this go to waste. The last couple of days have been ugly and majorly overcast (with no rain though- go figure).

Until today I've only been out riding with more experienced friends. They're all at work. I'm at home. I'm not waiting for them- I'm gonna ride!

I'll be honest and admit that as I was putting my gear on, my heart was pounding at about a million miles per minute. What if I drop my bike...what if I flood the engine and can't get it started and I'm in the middle of the road...what if I do this, or that, or this, or that...

Once I got on the bike and backed it out of the driveway though, those fears vanished for the most part. I had a great time and only once came close to eating pavement. Well, not really. Some moron started turning left in the intersection when I had the right of way- he stopped, but I had already stopped as well. I wasn't going to wait and see if he stopped for me, I didn't know if he saw me! Aside from that, no problems with other drivers.

I came back sooner than I intended and wanted to, just because it was SO blasted windy. It was blowing at me from all directions- front, sides, back, and the faster I went the worse it was lol. I figured I went a fair ways, though, and I'm definitely not nervous about going out by myself again.

Woo!

[AEKWN]

Congratulations! I've yet to ride by myself as I'm stuck on a learner's permit at the moment.

[pdksh]

Congrats!

I remember the first time I rode alone...It was a 2 hour ride from a buddy's place to mine. I was extremely nervous. Butterflies in my stomach, legs shaking, etc. That went on for about 20 minutes into the ride when I suddenly realized and told myself "self, you've done this plenty of times. No need to be nervous now." and I calmed down.

For me, the first time I rode alone was a great confidence builder. I would suspect it's the same for most other newbie riders as well.

Again, congrats on taking the next step!

[LethalThreat]

Congrats on your first solo ride. I have actually come to prefer riding solo for the most part.

[bigmike6970]

I know what you mean. I do not really have any friends that ride. well, my neighbor does ride but we work oposite shifts. Plus he is one of these guys that likes to do about 150mph, and I am not up for that.

Well all of my rides after the MSF course were solo rides and I was nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

[LethalThreat]

All my friends that ride have sport bikes and they love going fast. I find it quite relaxing to just cruise on the backroads and enjoy the peacefulness.