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Newbie & her Rebel500SE🤗

Welcome to the bliss of two wheels and traveling along twisty bits with a smile! Wife and I (along with youngest son who is a newish rider) are in North Bay so SJ on a week night after my work schedule would be a tough task. If you find yourself (or a few friends) up this way, Lake Berryessa is our stomping ground and can lead you through some areas at an appropriate pace for some newbies. Cheers!
 
I went on freeway for the 1st time last Friday all the way to my office in Burlingame and back ~80 miles, took 280, 92 and 101, hella scary and nervous 🙃 but got to feel my bike for the 1st time, learned that it is not capable beyond 75😭 I've learned alot from this ride that i need alot more practice on things like U-turn, high&low speeds turn, going up hills from stop signs (i did stalled for 1st time)😅and lane splitting thru traffic.😄
 
kneedraggeroldy said:
Welcome to the bliss of two wheels and traveling along twisty bits with a smile! Wife and I (along with youngest son who is a newish rider) are in North Bay so SJ on a week night after my work schedule would be a tough task. If you find yourself (or a few friends) up this way, Lake Berryessa is our stomping ground and can lead you through some areas at an appropriate pace for some newbies. Cheers!
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Thank you so much!🙏 Will definitely hit you up when I am more comfortable with traffic rides and also if you and your family come down this way please dont be hesitate to reach out as well 🏍🙌✌️✨️
 
Namy said:
lane splitting thru traffic.
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Do NOT rush into this.

If you go a year without doing this, you'd be fine.
Namy said:
learned that it is not capable beyond 75😭
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Indeed, but 75 will take you anywhere in the city, state, or country.

It was much easier back in the day with a 55 speed limit keeping traffic down to a dull roar compared to today. That gave you a bit of margin to maneuver.

And that's a key take away.

If you're capped at 75, then, don't go 75. Having margin to speed up and slow down is an important tool is managing traffic. And if you're wound out, you just lost half your toolset.

The freeway, while certainly can be intimidating, is safer than the street. The cars (mostly) only come from a few directions.

Stay out of the slow lane, to let the merging happen, and don't worry about the folks blasting by in the fast lane.

If you want exciting, may I suggest scooter tires and rain grooves...whee!
 
Welcome! If it’s not too far, you can schedule some time with Monkey Moto School here in SF. He’s a great trainer and can tailor a practice day to your strengths and weaknesses.

ALSO, since my evil plan is to get everyone in the dirt, check out Brian Garrahan beginner dirt classes in Boulder Creek. His bikes!
 
berth said:
Do NOT rush into this.

If you go a year without doing this, you'd be fine.

Indeed, but 75 will take you anywhere in the city, state, or country.

It was much easier back in the day with a 55 speed limit keeping traffic down to a dull roar compared to today. That gave you a bit of margin to maneuver.

And that's a key take away.

If you're capped at 75, then, don't go 75. Having margin to speed up and slow down is an important tool is managing traffic. And if you're wound out, you just lost half your toolset.

The freeway, while certainly can be intimidating, is safer than the street. The cars (mostly) only come from a few directions.

Stay out of the slow lane, to let the merging happen, and don't worry about the folks blasting by in the fast lane.

If you want exciting, may I suggest scooter tires and rain grooves...whee!
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Haha yeah that makes sense, I’m definitely not trying to rush it 😅 just learning as I go and figuring out my comfort zone.
The 75 thing was more like “oh good to know” vs me trying to push it all the time lol. I get what you mean about having that extra margin though, that’s something I’m trying to build up. Freeway still is intimidating but I see your point about it being more predictable. I’ll ease into it when I feel ready.
Appreciate the tips 🙏
 
the SE stands for special edition.

Just glancing at your picture your, relax your arms when you ride it will make a world of difference.
 
Cupid's Arrow said:
Your account is too new to send a private message on here and I'm not about to put my number on full blast but we've got a couple options.

We could meet up at a local boba or coffee place after work sometime just to get face to face. Wouldn't be a long hang out since we're both busy during the week, just say hi and exchange contact info.

Or if you would prefer, I'll likely be at the next Cycle Gear bike night (SJ parkmoor location). I believe the next one is in three weeks on Apr 14. That takes the pressure off a one on one meeting and you can meet other bikers and exchange info with them as well, if you like. It's just a little bit of a wait until that happens.
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Hey, My friend and I are planning a beginner-friendly ride this Saturday morning and wanted to see if you would like to join us 😊
We’re thinking a relaxed pace, nothing crazy — just a chill ride to get more comfortable, practice, and enjoy the road together. Not sure where yet tho but probably somewhere easy not too many curbs and corners 🤔 any suggestions are welcome as well.
 
Gripping the tank with your knees will allow you to relax your arms. Not a death grip, more of a suggestion will do it. It’ll become ingrained into your lizard brain and you won’t have to think about it after a while.
 
Namy said:
Hey, My friend and I are planning a beginner-friendly ride this Saturday morning and wanted to see if you would like to join us 😊
We’re thinking a relaxed pace, nothing crazy — just a chill ride to get more comfortable, practice, and enjoy the road together. Not sure where yet tho but probably somewhere easy not too many curbs and corners 🤔 any suggestions are welcome as well.
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Appreciate the invite! I have plans to visit my grandma this Saturday, so I'm sadly not free. I hope you have a nice ride :ride

dravnx said:
Gripping the tank with your knees will allow you to relax your arms. Not a death grip, more of a suggestion will do it. It’ll become ingrained into your lizard brain and you won’t have to think about it after a while.
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^This! I think of it as similar to riding a horse, if you've ever done that
 
Cupid's Arrow said:
Appreciate the invite! I have plans to visit my grandma this Saturday, so I'm sadly not free. I hope you have a nice ride :ride


^This! I think of it as similar to riding a horse, if you've ever done that
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Yes I ride a horse, a very beginner tho🐎
 
Cupid's Arrow said:
hello Namy ✨ I'm pretty new myself, started riding early last summer and I'm on a small naked bike, so definitely not going crazy fast. A friend of mine rides a rebel as well and it seems like a very comfortable bike. I know you'll have fun! I'm out of SJ too, and I commute to silicon valley for work most days on my bike, occasionally in the car.

Though I'm not in a position to necessarily give pointers being so new myself, I try to ride reliably and predictably with my buddies. I'm down to plan a weekend jaunt sometime if you'd like ~ the only caveat is that my schedule is usually pretty packed so I'm not always free when others want to ride.

Welcome and ride safe :ride
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Hey, Are you still plan on coming to bike nights tomorrow? Do you mind connect on IG so we can coordinate time ? :) (shadowontwo.ca) Thank you 😊
 
Namy said:
Hey, Are you still plan on coming to bike nights tomorrow? Do you mind connect on IG so we can coordinate time ? :) (shadowontwo.ca) Thank you 😊
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Hello ~ Yes, I'll be there this evening. I wouldn't mind, it's just that I don't use IG or any major social media. I'm a private kind of person :shhh If you see someone with heart-shaped sunglasses wandering around, that's probably me and you should come say hi.

It runs 5-7ish and I'll be there for most of it.
 
BARF has a messaging thing similar to Zuckerberg (I think). The little envelope in the upper right gets you there. I’ll try something
 
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