(This post is for last weekend, February 26, 2023. My apologies for the delay.)
I spent the week worried. All week long the forecast was for a rainy Saturday. The percentage chances went up and down, but never disappeared. During the week, nearly every weekday was perfect for riding; we even had a summery Thursday as temperatures climbed into the low 80s. But the winter storm blitzing across the country wasn’t going to bypass my little corner of the world. So we made a plan.
The plan was simple; get up early and try to get the ride in before the rain arrived. As we headed over to my parents’ garage, the sun was out, teasing me with a sunny, cool day. However, by the time I was geared up and mounting the bike, the rain clouds were gathering and blocking out the sun. Nevertheless, the meteorologist inside my phone’s weather app claimed the rain wouldn’t start until 10:00 AM. We headed out to test how accurate that forecast was.
As I moved along the curvy road, I found myself paying attention to my counter steering. I realized that on most of my rides, I don’t give conscious thought to my counter steering; I just do it. I began wondering what else I do as I ride without conscious thought that is a habit of a good rider.
When coming to a stop, I automatically use only the rear brake and place my left foot down to secure the stop then pull in the front brake. Remember, this method of stopping ensures a safe stop should the front wheel not be completely straight. As I am stopping, I also find myself checking my mirrors more out of habit than direct thought.
Another riding habit I have developed is using the rear brake in slow turns. I used to have to think about applying the rear brake to aid in my speed adjustments as I completed U-turns and S-turns. On today’s ride I found myself realizing that I am applying it automatically.
My thoughts then turned to the realization that I am approaching my second year of riding. So it should be no surprise to me to realize I have developed some very good, safe, automatic riding habits. But I have more to develop. As we headed down the long straightaway, Bill was weaving back and forth. I started weaving too to avoid overtaking him on the road. When we took a short break, Bill told me he had been practicing steering the Rocket with just his knees. I then incorporated knee steering at points during the remainder of my ride.
I also need a lot more practice with the trail braking. It is getting easier to do; I am able to keep two fingers on the front brake throughout my ride, but I do still have to think about it. But I know that with a few more months of riding, that too will become automatic.
And it will be easy to get that practice as we are very much enjoying spring-like weather as we enter into March next week. More and more Canadian geese are about; Bill shepherded two of them out of the road as a large flatbed truck approached from the other direction. The camellia bushes are in full, glorious bloom, and I even saw the first buds opening on a Japanese weeping cherry. Pretty soon the azaleas will blossom and spring will have officially arrived—the perfect riding season.
Flutterby Biker 