[GIXXER-Mike]

Just got the call :lol: !

It's Sunday, got word of a social event taking place in Uniontown, AL & I'm ready to roll. In about an hour I'll be linking up w/my buddy & approx. 12 other bikes at a nearby gas station so that we can ride this 2 1/2 hr trail. I've even contacted some buddy's down in Tuscaloosa to link up w/us when we ride through. Gonna be quite a few bikes I imagine.

This time I've put together a group inside the group to ride w/just in case some of the others wanna "open-up" again :mrgreen:

Won't give you a long, drawn out, detail-by-detail summary but just an overall take of the ride when its all done.

 

[Clint]

Just a reminder to read a few of the articles here before you head out. It might make for a more enjoyable ride.

Have a good time.

 

[GIXXER-Mike]

Made it back safely :gbounce: !

Now, I'm riding straight lines at low speeds w/no wobble (even in curves), taking off much better, stopping much better, turning much better (at low speeds) & most importantly my adrenaline level is much safer now in groups.

Going through a major intersection I could see up ahead that the light had changed to yellow & I was at a speed where the average driver would take it. Well, I was in a low gear & as I went through the intersection I had to roll back off the throttle to make a sharp turn to get onto the ramp of the freeway. Looking back, my rpms had to be high because as I rolled on the throttle my front end came straight up (as high as you can get) & I almost crapped my pants because when I closed the throttle, the bike came down & I was in a deep curve. Had I used my back brakes surely I would have lost it. I gently tapped my front brakes & manuvered somehow to the center of the lane & continued travel. This was done totally by accident & was definitely a learning experience for me.

Wouldn't dare tell all that happened during the 212 mile "FUN RUN" but I will say that it was much learned & much more to be learned. Upon arrival at the event I got to sit down & talk one-on-one w/some of the Vets of riding; guys who have been riding for 15-35 years. The majority of 'em thought I was quite bold in choosing the Gixxer Six as my first bike :shock: since nowadays 600's run as fast or faster than larger bikes of the past. The wild & crazy Vets shared a lot of stories w/me that were definitely a help.

Good, Safe Day & I Look Forward To Many More!

 

[themeatmanlandry]

The majority of 'em thought I was quite bold in choosing the Gixxer Six as my first bike.

Bold? Your word or theirs? Maybe they were just being nice.

 

[GIXXER-Mike]

To quote exactly, I remember the words "stunt man, hot boy & um-uh-uh" from three different Vets. And by the way, none of 'em held back anything when they spoke to me.

There were plenty old guys w/bandanas on sportbikes doing burnouts & all kinds of stuff that I wouldn't dare dream of doing if I'd been riding 40 years. One of 'em even put his drink down (bottled water) & showed me a few safe manuevers on his goldwing. It was awsome how much they shared w/me.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

That is nice. Experience is a grat teacher, but in our field it usually hurts. To learn from the experienced is usually much preferred over gathering experience firsthand.

 

[chrisan]

ride alone, this is the best, groups are risky, much more - big groups.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

I almost always ride alone. I ride mostly on Sat/Sun mornings form 6ish until 11ish. Less traffic, I can "ride my own ride," and I go where I want . . . when I want.

On the flip side, I have always enjoyed being a team member (I know, I'm sick). Whether it's playing with other folks (guitar, pervs! ), riding with other folks, whatever. I just like being a part of a group that performs actions in unison to some artistic end result.

 

[GIXXER-Mike]

I normally get home from work @8:30am & I ride @least until lunch time or after. I agree that it's less traffic during the early morning hours but enough to get experience w/traffic. I've got enough solo time down to @least be able to ride w/a group in a somewhat confident fashion.

I find it's fun on the solo tip when I've got a pre-planned route/trip. Otherwise, the group thing has become highly addictive @this point .