My first ride

[LadyAramis]

Picked the bike up yesterday morning. Did some laps around the dealership parking lot to get a feel for her. Then rode her home. The Hubby followed in the car, and he was beaming the whole way from his excitement when we got home. He wore himself out being excited for me and was too tired to take a spin himself!

The dealership even gave me a $75 gift card for completing my BRC, and we were able to get a nice cable lock (to anchor her to the I-beam in the parking lot (live in an apartment)) and a disc lock for outings.

Rode to work last night, too. Stalled trying to get my keycard out of my pocket and had a hard time getting in trying to hold the glove and clutch at the same time. I'll have to use a lanyard when I ride. The ride home this morning had a couple hiccups on the left turns, but I'll get there with practice. My commute is only 10 miles each way, and it sure feels like it's a lot longer in a car.

[wingryder92]

Congrats on getting your baby home and your ride to work. And it does take time to work the bugs out so just take your time and don't panic. Maybe hubby will have his energy back today and be ready for his ride today. Wishing you many happy miles and many new friends...and for hubby too when he gets his license and m/c.
Debra
HAVE A SAFE RIDE!

[LeanneB]

Hey, you'll work the bugs out.... I ascribe to the KISS Princple.... Keep It Simple Silly!! Focus on carrying the important stuff and making that work from the bike. I had a "moment" the other day when I went to a drive-up window to pick up a prescription. I thought I was saving myself some time. Ah no... I hadn't thought it through ahead of time and it was easier to just park Bliss and run in.... NOW I know! Enjoy the ride, and remember to keep your safety Priority One!! Leanne

[LadyAramis]

I hear ya, Leanne! I was just telling the Hubby (who wants me to teach him now ) that when I over think things is when I seem to get into the most trouble. I know that what I learned in class is just the very basics, and I have a lot to build on from there. I am very much looking forward to enjoying the journey!

If I only needed the key card to just get in the building, I would have been OK, but we need it to even get into the parking lot. I think wearing it on a lanyard so all I have to do is shift into neutral and unzip the jacket and pull on the card instead of trying to fight the pockets and gloves.

[BtWoman]

Don' t you just love those moments?!! And there's always an audience!
Here's a tip that may help your co-ordination. Put the gear in neutral. This frees up your hands.
I used to park in one of those multilevel paid parking garages where I worked. At the entrance, you had to take your ticket from the dispenser before the gate would rise and let you drive in. For speediness, I would take one glove off, take the ticket and stick it in my other glove until I parked (then I'd put it in my inner pocket, so not to lose it). Before I rode out of there, I'd put my ticket and payment inside one glove so that when I arrived at the booth, I'd only have to put the bike in neutral, take one glove off, reach inside the other glove for the money & ticket, pay, then quickly put on the glove, put the bike in gear, and go. We learn with experience, it doesn't have to be complicated with some planning.

[BtWoman]

Picked the bike up yesterday morning. Did some laps around the dealership parking lot to get a feel for her. Then rode her home. The Hubby followed in the car, and he was beaming the whole way from his excitement when we got home. He wore himself out being excited for me and was too tired to take a spin himself!

The dealership even gave me a $75 gift card for completing my BRC

I like your hubby's attitude and gee, that dealer is nice!!

[dbsteffy]

Attagirl Jen, on the ride to work & sounds like you've already solved the keycard problem. Becareful and vigilant out on the road, parking lot practice is never a waste of time.
Brenda