 |
| My new name is Princess MudPuddle |
Today Scooterpie Jr and I went and played in the dirt. It was beginner day at West Shore Moto X. At first I was going to just watch her go for it, but then I decided I was going to give it a try. I rode a little Honda 80cc. After I was given some instruction about riding in the dirt and the subtle differences between dirt and street - do not use the front brake. Off I went. At first I was very tentative and it felt weird and very foreign to all my street riding sensibilities. I was going slower than molasses the first few laps.
It was a little disconcerting feeling the bike slip and slide. Truthfully it felt like riding on slippery marbles. After the third lap I was starting to get the feel of cornering and learning to ride with it and not fight against it. Then there was the puddles....Oh my goodness I seem to love the puddles just as much as Scooterpie Jr does. I could not resist plowing through them and getting soaking wet. I was squealing with delight!
What a novel idea looking where you want to go -
I can hear my riding instructor Gord saying it in my head.
Once I got over the initial fear of sliding and falling it seemed to get easier. I had a death grip on the bars and finally that eased up as I was getting comfortable with riding on an unstable surface. I couldn't resist the puddles on every lap and wish they had more! My boots were full of water and I could feel it swishing around. I rode for about an hour and I was exhausted but very happy when we finished. I have decided that I need to add a dirt bike to my riding stable. I am totally hooked on this, I never thought I would be, but HOLY HANNAH this was FUN!!!!!!!
It seems a few times I was concentrating so hard that I forgot to look where I wanted to go and actually ended up sliding in a turn and almost went over the berm, WIPEOUT!! Thank goodness I was wearing full gear because the peg smashed my ankle bone and it is a little tender, but do not think that this stopped me for one minute, got back on and off I went hunting mud puddles.
Scooterpie Jr and her friend getting
instruction before heading out to the track.
After awhile I dropped the old lady speed and started whipping around the track. I was standing up on the pegs and even caught air a couple of times. Who'd of thunk at my age I would love this. Hmmm I wonder if I should try super moto next.... I have already checked out the internet for a used dirt bike.
I had my own little lake inside my boots and yup I got dirty! My legs felt like jello and my arms were tired, but I was euphoric from the experience and I can hardly wait until we go play in the puddles again. I wish I had discovered this years ago, and if you haven't tried it, you should!
My friend Edith came out and she captured my mud moments for me on my camera. Thanks Edith!!
My friend Edith came out and she captured my mud moments for me on my camera. Thanks Edith!!
26 comments:
So cool, Dar. I wish I was there. I haven't done such in 20 odd years.
You look awesome all muddy.
Sonja - OMG it was the best!!!! I wish I had discovered all of this when I was younger, but I guess with age it makes it all the sweeter! the best part is hearing my kid talk about it to her friends. I overheard her and she was saying "Yeah I can't believe my mom did it, and she loved the puddles, she hates to get dirty usually." I was fully covered in mud and loved every minute of it. I think we will have to do this again. It was great fun. I didn't realize how physical this was. I am going to sleep like a baby tonight.
OH MY F&^% God.......you have so joined the dark side........welcome!
Rog - It was NIRVANA!!! Who knew I would like it? I can totally see why people fall in love with it and I think it actually enhances your riding skills and fulfills the need for being a dare devil. I think the best part is that it is just plain fun. I think I may have to try super moto too. Love that I joined the dark side! BTW Rog I seem to have trouble commenting on your blog, I tried to leave a comment yesterday and it just seemed to be stuck and wouldn't let me post. UGGH blogspot is irksome at times.
Dar, great stuff. Now try and get Kirk out there on a dirt bike and get up to Burnt Bridge! Adrian.
Adester - It was a lot of fun, there are so many facets to riding. We have been looking for a dirt bike for our kiddo, almost had a great 100cc Honda, but it was not to be. I am sure we will find one, it is going to have to be a 1 bike at a time acquisition thing. Kirk didn't go with us today he was working, but I think he would have been surprised to see how we did.
I am 100% sure that dirt riding will help your skills on the road, not mention it is a hoot, you will fall off at times but shit that is half the fun!
I am 100% sure that dirt riding will help your skills on the road, not mention it is a hoot, you will fall off at times but shit that is half the fun!
Wow Dar your enthusiasm had me grinning, as did the pics. Looks like you've found something new to love, well done! I'm not going to show your post to hubbby, he'll be waiting for me to bring home the dirt bike :D
Seriously if you can do it maybe I can and it looks so much fun, I might have to look into something like that round here.
Roger - I agree I went for a street ride tonight with my girlfriends & my riding seemed smoother. I think it gets you prepared for the road & adds another dimension to your skills. You are right I fell off & it was fun rolling in the dirt, I think I would rather do that than roll over pavement. I had the biggest grin on my face!
Brenda - Honey, if I can do this at age 48, you can too. At first I was scared and almost drove it back to the parking lot, but then decided what the heck. I am so glad I didn't take it back. My ankle is a little sore from where the peg bit me, but it was worth it! Call around & see if there are any moto X places that rent, the only way you will know is if you give it a try. It is a whole different game than riding your beautiful shadow, but it's fun to let it rip & not worry about wrecking your bike.
Wow, great that there is a place where you can rent the bikes and all the gear. They're a bit few and far between around here. Dirt is a heap of fun - I've had a couple of dirt bikes (many moons ago) and loved every minute of riding them.
Now the dirt has given way to skittering around on gravel...
Attagirl!
Proud of you, Dar!
I hear you about finding it disconcerting to not being scared to let the bike move around under you. Giving yourself over to the idea of letting go and just letting the bike do its thing is hard.
So, when's the next session? :)
AWESOME!! Mistress Mudpuddle, I love it.
It is so great that you live close to a place that offers this kind of experience and fun.
Gotta admit, kinda jealous.
Dar:
What a great time you had. You look great DIRTY ! I often thought about this but I am too old
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Fuzzy - once I figured out that bike needs to wiggle & jiggle evertywhere and that the ride is completely opposite to street riding it got easier. I was fighting the bike & had a death grip, once I eased up it became fun. Might go again next Wednesday. Vacation is all about adventures :)
Trobairitz - apparently they have been open for 3 years, but I ad no idea & wasn't particularly open to the idea until now. It was so much fun!
Bob - You could give a try on a beginner day and put around the course. Just riding through puddles was pretty awesome. I am feeling it today though, my quads are stiff, shoulders sore and my ankle s puffy where the peg nailed it, I am definitely feeling my age today.
You look like you had a lot of fun!!! I wonder if there is a place that this in Minnesota. I'd love to give it a try.
That looks like a lot of fun. One of these days...
Aug 30th, I wanna try!!!!
Nice Dar! Those bikes look so small and underpowered. Tell us something about acceleration and wheel spin, shifting while drifting, and how the hell you avoid the front brake!?!?!?
You go girl! Clinton Smout teaches a course here in Ontario. I keep meaning to get up there and play.
Very cool. I've never riden in dirt/mud and can imagine how disconcerting it must be. Glad you had fun.
Loved this whole post! You can tell you had a blast. I really like the picture of your wet feet with the footprints on the cardboard. It made me giggle. I'd like to try that. The closest I've ever gotten is gravel roads. Oh and this one short but memorable adventure on a friends mountain driveway. :-)
And all throughout the Land, the bells chimed and the torches were lit in the castle banquet hall, for the world had become aware that the Princess was now transformed...
She was no longer the swift, sleek, fast, lean, mean, motorcycling machine...
forsooth...
she was now as happy as a pig in mud as she rode throughout the Land on her DIRT BIKE!
Alas, the tiera is stained with slime and dust, but yet it becomes her!
Behold, Princess MudPie! LOL
Great times...glad you're having them! Enjoy and be careful out there!
Pam - you have to try this, it was so fun!
Richard - you live in dirt bike country. I still wish I lived in PG because there are tons of places to ride. Go for it!
Lin - we will have to plan something & get all the girls out.
David - you drag the rear brake & let off the throttle, hitting the front brake just makes you out of control or go over the bars. It makes sense after you have gone a few laps. The bike s underpowered & you don't feel like you are going fast until you careen into the corner & your rear wheel whips around, then it feels too fast. For the track you don't need a fast bike.
Vstar Lady - you should go up & try it, it was gleeful!
Shy - I think most street riders like me get nervous when we meet up with gravel & mud and worry about dumping our beautiful bikes. With the dirt bike it's a different thing because it's made to be run hard through the muck and the body pieces are plastic so easily replaceable. As for the puddles it was fun, I am usually pretty girly & don't like to get grimy & dirty, but this was fun.
Toadmama - I was grinning the whole time I wrote the post. I don't think I would be too happy if I dragged Scarlet over the gravel & muck, but I did learn not to panic & that you need to roll with it. So I think it is awesome to learn to ride on the dirt, sharpens your skills. Best of all it was a blast.
Deb - your comment rocks! I roared with laughter when I read it. Only side effect from the escapades yesterday is that my quad muscles are pretty stiff & my ankle is quite puffy where the peg nailed it. Think I am going again next week. :)
I just took the hole family out last month...I actually have all the motorcycles running.. My wife just passed here team Oregon training and had a blast.. My daughter hopped on it and has some natural talent..
Getting dirty is my kind of fun...I can't stay off of it..Just ask Troubadour..hehehe..
Polarbear - congrats to you wife on passing! Yay!
We are looking for a bike now. I didn't realize how physical it is compared to street riding. I loved it though!
Post a Comment