Cones!! To Infinity and Beyond!!!

The doggis accompanies us to our parking lot forays and this is her grandstand seat.  

Today was the day for going around cones and becoming better acquainted with the throttle, clutch and gliding.  After breakfast we went to Parking lot Nirvana and I practiced figure 8's and slaloming around the cones.  I did it!  I only put my foot down a couple of times.  At first I was muscling the steering with my arms and I was getting tired pretty quick.  Then I had an 'ah ha' moment and started working the clutch and gave it a bit of gas I was actually gliding through the turns.  It just sort of gels and makes sense what Motorcycle Man is telling me.  I went for a rip around the parking lot and Motorcycle Man moved the cones closer together and I didn't even know it.  He did that several times and I was manoeuvring around the cones with ease.  As with anything involving turns, it is all about look where you want to go.  Motorcycle man said I got an A+ for today! I was balancing Lucy and we had motorcycle zen going on.  Yeah baby!  

A little nerve wracking the first couple of times around, but in the end piece of cake

In my pictures you will notice I am sans jacket,  I gave in because it was really hot and I was sweltering. That was the first time I have gone without it when riding.  (I think it was stressed induced)  I have been riding my scooter for 9 months I find I have the balance and lean technique fairly naturally.  I start my Novice motorcycle course next Saturday for the next 3 weekends and I am so excited.  I will not be taking Lucy to the course, I decided that I would use one of their bikes, I believe they are Honda CBRs 250 & 125's.  It will be a different ride compared to Lucy the cruiser.  I think you sit more forward on the CBRs.  After my cone practice I was given the reward of a ride down Dallas Road along the waterfront.  It was a beauty day!

Round and Round she goes!  

Motorcycle Man added more cones, but didn't take any pictures.

It is pretty exhilarating to learn something new and it completely amazes me that I am actually riding a 450 cc bike.  Nine months ago I never would have thought I would be doing this, because at the time my little 50 cc vino seemed pretty powerful and almost more than I could handle.  I have come a long way since January this year, but I still have a lot to learn and skills to master.  It almost feels as natural as breathing.