Rice

I too have never had "security" issues.  Motorcycle people are mostly normal in my experience.

To me, one of the most important indicators of the condition of the bike is the owner.  I spend good amount of time just having a conversation with the dude (sorry ladies - it's mostly dudes selling bikes out there) and get a feel of the knowledge and the type of person the seller is.  If I like him, chances are, that I will also like the bike and I will not beat him up for the money.  Too much :).

I had a similar meeting with the road and went down mostly b/c of grabbing too much brake in the split second that I had to react. The front tucked and down I went...

I now own an ABS version. Let the computer think for me next time I need it.

Nice read!

Thanks for sharing.

While you were listing your gear, I couldn't help thinking "Boy, I sure am glad I didn't go..." I only have heated grips, summer gloves and ski pants for protection. Not much good for anything over an hour. if you were cold in all that... I prolly woulda died :rolleyes:

P.S.

Reading about the abandoned cave reminds me of exploring catacomb system under my home town. It was huge, dark, dangerous and probably some of the most scary/exciting/fun things I've ever done.

Welcome back!

Missed ya :)

I am also a newcomer to "the sport".

Sometimes I enjoy riding and sometimes riding feels like a chore - I am OK with not riding if I don't feel like it.

Great trip!

You must have been exhausted after it.

Too bad you missed that stake. I know how it feels...

"You could write a book about it, a slice of Americana right there in one big room." I think you just did :goofy:

Nice story.

Good thing she didn't give up on riding after the first mishap.

one thing i say to women that hang out with me when that subject comes up is being a little afraid is not a bad thing if the fear is out of respect for what can happen out of recklessness, which in my opinion will make someone a more sensible ,i suggest your wife take the safety course the bikes are even smaller which will be less of a distraction and give her more confidence while she sorts out how to properly control herself and the bike ,the instructers give a lot of solid pointers that would have prevented that earlier accident, or lessened the likelyhood of her freezing up ,but overall she's brave to face her fear of something,she must be a special one to do that ,your lucky to have that one indeed!!!!good luck.

This was the longest sentense I've ever seen :blink:

One of the benefits of living in NY is occasionally observing freaks like yourself, Martina :goofy:

It is always an eye-opener to look at yourself through the eyes of others and to realise that your behavior, however innocent it may be, can be viewed as freakish by the "normal" people.

On a similar note, many years ago, when I had just emigrated to the US, I was walking with my friend through the Village. Public displays of "out of the closet" relationships was a novelty to me then and I just mentioned that fact to my friend in passing. In reply, my friend drew my attention to the way other people, namely tourist M/F couples were looking at the two of us...

You only average about 3 posts per day - No biggy :rolleyes:

That nerd shirt that you have on is another story entirely :goofy:

That is some amazing display of visual memory!

I could never do that, although I believe (used to before I've read this, anyway) that I always have a pretty good feel for where I am.

About your ex-boyfriend...

WHAT DID YOU DO???

:goofy:

You did the right thing. What if you were trying to pick it up and the owner walks up, asking what did you do. What happened to the bike to be laying on it's side?

:+1:

You did the right thing for all the reasons above.

No need to feel guilty.

Regarding New Yorkers, they are a fine bunch.

THey may not have enough time to stop and chat with strangers, like people do in small towns, but if you are in trouble, you can always count on them to help you out.

I have too many stories in support of this, but not enough time to tell them... I am a New Yorker after all :goofy: