Today marked a new chapter in the book of my riding life. Under the patient tutelage of some of the guys at ADVrider, I went on my first dualsport ride.

Being a complete noob, I put myself firmly at the tail end of the group of bikes when we pulled away in the morning. As I focused on the line of bikes in front of me, I could see the tarmac fall away and puddles of water began to speckle the roadway.  Before I knew it, there I was in the sandy mud.

The moment my wheels crested into the mud the bike started to gently squirm around under me. I felt like a new rider again. I was filled with fear, excitement and adrenaline. The fast guys up at the front of the line disappeared out of my view. I went into hyper “concentrate on what you’re doing!” mode.

There seemed to be more and more water coming at me. I would be lying if I said I didn’t find that completely alarming. I tried to focus on the tracks that had gone through ahead of me and to follow them. I opted to skip a big puddle that swallowed one of the KTM 950s and went around the outside through the downed reeds. This was when things got really shaky for me.

With only street riding to compare to, all that squishing and wiggling going on below me was setting off all sorts of alarms in my head. I had one goal, one focus – keep moving forward! Somehow that is what I managed to keep doing. I wish it was skill, I wish it was confidence but I think it was just pure luck that carried me out to the other side.

When I finally putt-putted my way to the end of the road, 3 of the guys were waiting. It’s funny how experience changes your perception of these moments. To those 3 guys sitting there, this wet, sandy loop was just a walk in the park. On the other hand I felt like I accomplished something big. I felt like I climbed my own personal mental Everest.

These guys were all patient and knowledgeable and made my day really fun. I really appreciate that they were willing to take a baby bird on the first flight out of the nest. I hope they’ll have me along again.

Things I Need to Remember

• I won’t always be afraid everything.
• I will learn to accept the bike moving around underneath me without panicking
• Sometimes slowing down isn’t the answer
• I won’t always be afraid everything.
• Eyes up!
• Get up on those pegs!
• I won’t always be afraid everything.

Long Island is home to some unusual residents. In the town of Riverhead, sits the North Quarter Buffalo Farm. Though the island seems like an unlikely place for them to thrive, the herd is said to be about 300 strong. Each time we are out that way I love to stop by and watch them from the road. A few of them seemed as interested in us as we were in them.

Before dinner, I stepped out for short ride to take in what was a warm March evening. While the sun still shone I cruised by Cedar Beach and watched the waves roll in against the shore. There was no one there but me and two seagulls who were sailing on a current of wind. It seemed like they never flapped their wings. They just rose and fell above the water. As I walked back along the sand I saw a snow heart. Everything just felt right in my world.

I thought for sure I would be in for a rude awakening heading out riding over the weekend without the toasty warm hug of my my trusty Gerbing jacket liner and handlbar muffs.

I was pleasantly surprised that even though the temps were in the mid 30’s it just wasn’t so bad.  I found that even when they aren’t plugged in the T5 gloves are quite warm on their own. I didn’t come home a frozen Popsicle. Of course I wasn’t cruising along the highway at 85 either. I mainly stuck to the smaller backroads. Maybe it’s the bubbling excitement of getting a new bike that’s keeping me warm?

Do you have tips on keeping warm on the bike without electrics? Let’s hear ‘em!

On Sunday morning while the rest of the family will still sleeping, I rolled the DRZ out of the garage and set off on a local ride. Long Island is still in the grips of messy winter weather. There is a lot of accumulated snow piled up everywhere, sandy roads and with temperatures cresting above freezing during the day – a lot of melting then freezing happening.

I decided to find out what it feels like to ride the DRZ on a road that nearly knocked one of my ovaries loose the last time I took the Speed Triple down it. The road is a mess of ripples, pot holes, lumps, bumps and gravel. At least that was the way that I remember it being. Today I felt none of that treacherous jarring. I just sailed along enjoying the quiet morning by myself. I know that it was nowhere near a workout for the bike’s suspension even it’s its stock form, but it was an eye opening experience for me to travel that road at speed, painlessly.

I came home from my road ride with a huge grin on my face. It was really fun!