Well, how do I start writing this one....don't worry, both bikes and more importantly, I'm fine, so it's not an oh shit its all gone wrong post, nor is it, I'm shutting the blog down post (I mean, there's a handful of you people out there who pop back - assuming you're not a spy bots). This is one of those confession, need to have a strong look at my reflection type posts.
Okay, here goes. I think I'm dangerous on a bike.
I can ride, I know I can ride, I've proved it to many different instructors over the years, from a variety of different institutions, but I know how I ride when I'm not being watched. I'm trying to work out in my head if, the way I ride, is a mix between thrill seeking, actual talent - I'm no Johnny Rea, but I can hustle when needed - an overconfidence in myself or luck.
Case in point is the way in which I ride to and from work. I'm using the 'Blade at the moment as the Ducati is now becoming the weekend bike, which is fine. The Honda is a fantastic motorcycle. Its plenty quick enough, reliable, and comfy. I've said before that it's the best bike I've ever ridden and I still stand by that. It really is brilliant...and maybe that's the problem....it's just too easy.
I can, in fact anybody with a half decent bike can, go from 70mph to 100mph in about the same time it takes you to read this sentence.
Now the second problem is because of the concentration levels I put in when riding, I want and almost need that all the time, otherwise I just get a bit....well...bored. This is fine when riding down some great little roads, but its hardly practical on the A31 or the M3 is it? I'm not saying I don't concentrate, its more that it becomes a hunt for the next little advantage.
God only knows what the drivers think of me and I make my way through them. I certainly don't hang about. I see a gap, I'm gone. If they're in the outside lane and there's space on the inside.....
If I keep riding like this, I'm going to die....horribly. Fuck I really don't want that.
I was sat having a coffee with Lucinda in Salisbury yesterday and I expressed these feelings...in a round about kinda way. She's a biker to, a good one, so it was a good discussion and she made some good points..
My friends, those I love, those I cherish - imagine the pain that my death could leave them with. I still can't forgive myself for that early morning call a few years back.
What I'm saying is that I have to calm down. Time and a place and all that.
Sorry, went on a bit of a ramble there...anyway, to cheer everybody up a bit, here are some new pictures of the FireBlade after I altered the chain, topped up the oil and gave it a damn good clean this morning.
Okay, here goes. I think I'm dangerous on a bike.
I can ride, I know I can ride, I've proved it to many different instructors over the years, from a variety of different institutions, but I know how I ride when I'm not being watched. I'm trying to work out in my head if, the way I ride, is a mix between thrill seeking, actual talent - I'm no Johnny Rea, but I can hustle when needed - an overconfidence in myself or luck.
Case in point is the way in which I ride to and from work. I'm using the 'Blade at the moment as the Ducati is now becoming the weekend bike, which is fine. The Honda is a fantastic motorcycle. Its plenty quick enough, reliable, and comfy. I've said before that it's the best bike I've ever ridden and I still stand by that. It really is brilliant...and maybe that's the problem....it's just too easy.
I can, in fact anybody with a half decent bike can, go from 70mph to 100mph in about the same time it takes you to read this sentence.
Now the second problem is because of the concentration levels I put in when riding, I want and almost need that all the time, otherwise I just get a bit....well...bored. This is fine when riding down some great little roads, but its hardly practical on the A31 or the M3 is it? I'm not saying I don't concentrate, its more that it becomes a hunt for the next little advantage.
God only knows what the drivers think of me and I make my way through them. I certainly don't hang about. I see a gap, I'm gone. If they're in the outside lane and there's space on the inside.....
If I keep riding like this, I'm going to die....horribly. Fuck I really don't want that.
I was sat having a coffee with Lucinda in Salisbury yesterday and I expressed these feelings...in a round about kinda way. She's a biker to, a good one, so it was a good discussion and she made some good points..
My friends, those I love, those I cherish - imagine the pain that my death could leave them with. I still can't forgive myself for that early morning call a few years back.
What I'm saying is that I have to calm down. Time and a place and all that.
Sorry, went on a bit of a ramble there...anyway, to cheer everybody up a bit, here are some new pictures of the FireBlade after I altered the chain, topped up the oil and gave it a damn good clean this morning.
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