Baby Steps: Thoughts on Learning the Way of the Knobbies
The idea of riding on knobbies opens up a whole new world to me. I have no illusions of being some kind of motocross expert. At this point in my life I just want to be able to look at a gravel road or a dirt trail and instead of just wondering what is at the end of it, being able to easily go find out. I want to see parts of the world that you wouldn’t from a paved roadway. Kind of like hiking, but on wheels.
To the seasoned offroad or dualsport rider those may sound like small and naive goals but that is where I’m at for now. We all have to start somewhere.
Suspend the Fear – Trust the Machine
Being that I know the mechanics of making a motorcycle go from point A to point B so I get to bypass “learning to ride”. Instead, I have to learn to ride differently.
One of the first and most important things that I think I need to learn is to not approach imperfect surfaces with complete avoidance. Of course there are limits to my skill and the equipment. But, I need to unlearn some of the things that have become second nature to me having strictly ridden street-only bikes up to this point.
- Its okay to go through the grass
- Its okay to go down the dirt road
- You can make it through the gravel
- A little mud never killed anyone
- A little snow? eh.. should be okay
- Dropping the bike in any of these places is ‘okay’
While I may have done all of these things on a street bike at one time or another, doing them with confidence is a whole other matter. That’s what I want: confidence.
I want to learn to do more of this comfortably:
I am both proud of you for your aspirations, and excited for you to get out there and start experiencing it. You are gonna kick butt!
The great thing about riding in the dirt is the freedom to try things that would be pretty dangerous on the road. And, falling down ain’t all that bad ;0
After a few “flying W’s” it all seems pretty routine 😀
I’m sure you’re going to have a great time, the confidence with which you ride on the street will give you a big leg up off road….enjoy!
@OG Thanks 🙂
I have to unlearn being afraid of the loose stuff, but once I get in there and give it a shot, i’m sure it’s gonna be a blast.
Thanks for all the good wishes, everybody 🙂
Baby Steps: Thoughts on Learing the Way of the Knobbies http://goo.gl/fb/oULe
FuzzyGalore: Baby Steps: Thoughts on Learing the Way of the Knobbies http://bit.ly/9fzTiT Full http://bit.ly/9MeN0A
RT @MotorcycleStuff: FuzzyGalore: Baby Steps: Thoughts on Learing the Way of the Knobbies http://bit.ly/9fzTiT Full http://bit.ly/9MeN0A
FuzzyGalore: Baby Steps: Thoughts on Learing the Way of the Knobbies: http://bit.ly/9y0UIE
FuzzyGalore: Baby Steps: Thoughts on Learning the Way of the Knobbies http://bit.ly/c5vadu Full http://bit.ly/9MeN0A
Congrats Ms. F. You’ll have a blast… And it will help you in your tarmac riding… 🙂
Ok, this road looks like a good start. Here is a great perspective on offroad riding:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30Ow92F78fY
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by Road Trip Journal and commenting on the Wyoming itinerary! I don’t ride but my friend does. I will be forwarding your link on to her, I think she would enjoy following you on your journey.
Any time you write about a specific destination, send an entry link to articles@RoadTripJournal.com. I might be interested in republishing it and giving you a little gas money!
Safe travels!
(Love the photo BTW!)
My pleasure, Melissa. 🙂
And thank YOU for stopping here and passing along the link and the info.
Funny, those are the things I had to remind myself not to do going from the dirt to a streetbike =)
Check out our Riding site in the Hills of New York State, you can find us on Facebook under the group Greene County Motorcycle Riders
Happy trails!
Hey Dina 🙂
That’s pretty funny. How long did you ride dirt before riding street?
Thanks for the tip on the Green County riders group!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=268259731638