Watch out world!

[netmouse]

Yesterday I went to the SOS and did the standing in line reading the manual thing and the taking a test thing (she took the manual away while I took the test - for a moment there I was surprised, not having thought about it), and then (I passed) the getting my picture taken thing, and what all that adds up to is that sometime soon I will get a nice shiny new Michigan driver's license with a cycle endorsement on it!

In the meantime, I'm already permitted to drive a motorcycle with my temporary dealie, so I plan to take advantage of the nice weather and logangrey's hospitality and practice riding on a real motorcycle with turn signals and mirrors and stuff this weekend. thatguychuck might even join me so I can comfortably leave the parking lot and practice on the street!

Dave and Chuck were willing to loan me enough safety gear that I could ride, but I decided to take the bit in my teeth, so to speak, and went to Rec and Leisure this morning to get some gear of my own. I found some low boots that fit so well I forgot I had them on instead of my regular shoes, a helmet, a jacket (mesh Tour Master jacket with two inserts - rain and warmth), and some gloves. They didn't have much of a selection of gloves my size in the brands I like, so I'll do some online shopping soon, possibly at the New Enough site everyone recommends. Everything I got is Black and Silver, btw.

I really appreciate everyone's support in this, with special thanks to shadowriderhope today for giving me a coupon for 10% off the purchases I just made. and I just may join elizilla tuesday night for a weekly biking gathering in Ypsi. Stay tuned!

Comments

[damascene.livejournal.com]

Welcome to biker-chickitude!

Safety gear, yah. Never leave home without it.

A couple of recommendations:

1) A standard lightweight mesh reflective vest, the same kind cops and construction crew folk just pull over whatever they're wearing, for dusk and night rides. Yeah, I know it's not sophisticated over all that snazzy black and silver gear, but it'll make you visible to the idiots who don't catch your tailight in their cellphone-distracted glances at the road.

2) If you haven't already (apologies if you have and I missed that part), take the RiderCourse. It's worth every dime and minute.

fair roads, and safe ones,
D

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

thanks for the advice! where do you get those vests?

I have taken the rider course, yes. Twice, actually. I passed the skills test the second time with only one point off, and it was on something I passed the first time and know I can do if I need to (emergency stop - I went one foot farther than needed for my speed).

Maybe we'll get to ride together some time. :)

Reflective Vest

[(Anonymous)]

Google "reflective vest" and you can find a number of places, or try a local hardware store

Or try http://ridesafer.com/store/item/fpef/Reflective_Vests/Deluxe_Retroreflective_Safety_Vest_-_HiVis_Orange.html

http://www.majorsafety.com/motorcycle-vest-reflective.htm

[damascene.livejournal.com]

I buy my vests on eBay. Search "safety vest" and manymany results will appear, some of which are cheap enough to almost be considered disposable (which made me marginally less annoyed at having to replace the one that's always in my glove box, when the bike was stolen last August). I prefer the lime green based on visual perception studies that indicate that color has a higher visual registration factor than standard safety-orange, especially in low light conditions.

(emergency stop - I went one foot farther than needed for my speed)

Uh-huh. And did your instructors feed you the line about how you've just knocked Grandma over and broken her hip, the way the pair running my class did?

Riding together, you're on. Mine's not a highway bike, but we'll figure out something.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

Uh-huh. And did your instructors feed you the line about how you've just knocked Grandma over and broken her hip, the way the pair running my class did?

um, no. Of course, they'd seen me do many a fine stop in practice, including the time one instructor stepped in front of me as we were circling around doing swerving practice on our own, to stop the exercise. He gave the signal to stop as he stepped right in front of me. I stopped immediately, with perfect form, I might add. "Stopped on a dime," he said, "good."

I liked my instructors. Our whole class had a really good energy to it, a lot of confidence and good feeling. And our whole practice group passed the test. It was awesome. It's rare, they said, but it certainly broke the suspense as he went to hand out the results. "Before I get started," he said, "you all passed." That was great.