Confidence Boosting

[Knisis]

I've been riding a bike for about a month now, weekends mostly. Last week had a complete lost of confidence, when I couldn't filter on the A2.

Sooo.. I've just taken the week off and done about 300 miles in the past 3 days.

Day 1: Went down to Hastings (Did first filter )
Day 2: Went down to Dover, came back in thick fog, through country lanes.
Day 3: Went into central London (Did nothing but slow speed filtering past all the cages). Fast acceleration from the lights.

Result: Confidence way up (maybe to high ). Will now be taking my test (not sure about A2 or DAS yet) in Jan instead of June.

[LustyLew]

Good for you mate!

The A2 is not a very nice stretch of road, I ride it all the way to London from Dartford every day, and back in the evenings. So I'm always riding with the rush-hour traffic.

Nice to see you have your confidence back. It call comes with practice. I remember my first weeks out on the road. I was petrified, but you get used to it. You learn how to read stretches of road and drivers behaviour.

I love biking now, its such freedom.

hope you get to enjoy it just as much!

Ride safe.
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[Rodger Wabbit]

Well done Just try not to get too confident and take things for granted, e.g. oh the car has seen me!

And make sure you do your test soon

[pipnet11]

Keep it going. Confidence is good in the right measure Wouldnt be too bothered about filtering though, it is the only thing I dont like doing too much. I will only do it if the traffic is stationary and I can see it is safe. Otherwise I have a fear of car doors being opened or people changing lanes without telling me!!
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves

[Rollins]

You need to be riding every day to get confident out on the bike. Sounds like the past 300 miles have been a lot of fun, keep it up - it's still going to be dry until at least Monday (in Birmingham anyway).
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"... I wouldn't mind doing 130 up to a T junction, but unfortunately my bike tops out at 120 which is gay..."
2005 CBR600RR

[mchaggis]

I personally think the best way to gain confidence is to find a fast, good condition, twisty road, without much traffic and with good visibility through the corners. Then each time you go through it, you can take each corner faster than the previous time, and you'll get used to leaning without needing to fear what could be just around the next bend.

I've discovered a short (25-30 miles or so) ride which must have over 50 sharp bend, double bend and chevron signs along it.
The road surface is very good and smooth, there is bugger all traffic, a lot of the corners can be taken at something nearing full throttle in fifth (on my bike), and they never stop coming at you.

Anyone from Loughborough will know the road I speak of, the road to Ashby through Shephsed and back towards Hathern.

Riding with these crappy greasy roads will make your riding skills better, the number of times I've had had the back slide out is ridiculous. I've had the front slide whilst hardly leant over at 10mph without touching any brakes either. All a little bit worrying at the time, but it sure gets the heart pumping and helps teach you how to ride in slippery conditions.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Barker-CBR 600]