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

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

I'm happy for you!

You're going to be so sexay on a bike!

[skzbrust.livejournal.com]

Woot! Congratulations!

[tlatoani.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[thatguychuck.livejournal.com]

Woo-hoo! Looking forward to seeing you all dressed up in safety gear!

I wish I had known you were at Rec Leisure earlier today. I passed it. Not once, not twice, but three times today. I'm sure I was nearby while you were there. I should have listened to instinct and called.

Enjoy the gear. We need pictures! :)

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Should I happen to be driving in Michigan this weekend (which I won't be), I'll be *extremely* careful :-)

Congratulations!

Sounds like you're being sane about safety gear, too. I have heard *no* good reports of having your skin grated off on the pavement; there seems to be startlingly uniform agreement that it's extremely bad.

[jeffreyab.livejournal.com]

Congrats! Bykrr Chik!

[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

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

This is weird, I got email notification of a reply you apparently made to one of my comments, but I can't see the comment here. When I use the "reply-to" link in the message it says that comment is screened and I don't have permissions to see and reply to it. Silly LJ!

(I see the comment in the email of course, but no point in discussing it until I'm sure it's still current and all that.)