So I went riding last night with the PennState Motorcycle Club.

I'm relatively new to riding.  Been riding since mid-summer, took and passed the MSF course and I have about 1000 miles of experience including highway, twisties, and around town  so I figure its time to go for a ride with the big-boys.....

I got my wish....

954CBR RR
600Ninja
750GSXR
assorted other crotch rockets
and ME on my little GS500

So we started out from State College and immediately I realized that I was in for a whole new experience in motorcycling.  before we were even out of town I had her up to 9000RPM just trying to keep up.  Once we were in the twisties... forget about it.... THOSE GUYS ARE NUTS!!!   By 80mph I decided that there was no point in trying to keep up with these people (especially the 954, which incidentally was brand new because the guy totalled his last one last week!).  With that in mind, I kept it sane and had an AWESOME time.  Its amazing how much easier it is to adjust to riding in the twisties when you are following an experienced rider.

when I could actually see them in the distance (which wasn't a whole lot) it was a great learning experience watching the experienced riders taking turns and road irregularities, executing passes, etc.  All in all it was fantastic.  I'd be lying if I didn't say that it brought out the squid in me a little bit   .  There were a few times I started to feel a little out of control, but I kept my head screwed on and slowed down when I felt a squid maneuver coming on.

So to sum up, here are all the firsts that I'm celebrating this morning:

1. First group ride  
2. First time over 70mph  
3. First redline  
4. First temptation to do anything even remotely squidish  

peace

I'm gonna be in the same situation Sunday.  Been ridding a little over a month, some highway some twisties. First group ride with Virginia Tech Motorcycle Club on Sunday.  All crotch rockets, one guy totalled his bike last week too.  I talked to the club president and he said they're used to having new riders, so they'll go slow, or at least one of them will. We'll see.

Just remember to ride at your own pace. Don't get sucked into a turn by a more experienced rider. Don't ride over your head or out of your comfort zone, that's when you start to make mistakes that can lead to a crash.

Glad you had a good time, vtlion!

Ask the group if they have a "Sweeper". This is the last guy in the group who makes sure everybody is there and nobody crashed and is left behind.

Quote from: vtlionIts amazing how much easier it is to adjust to riding in the twisties when you are following an experienced rider.
peace

Thats part of my success too. I've almost always ridden with experienced riders and have learned lots from them. Its even better when they're your pals an dgive you pointers along the way.

Man that sounds like you had a blast...Its only the beginning. Use your head (you did...) that'll keep you alive. Dont be afraid to push the envelope of your  comfort level though. That's how you get better/faster. Just take it in baby steps.

Congrats on your breakthrough!

Sounds like a great time..good for you.  
Second smartest thing you can do is ride with more experienced GOOD riders, and try to bump your skills up to their level.  
FIRST smartest is to always, ride your own ride.
Keep it up, and by next year this time you'll be amazed at your riding level. Glad you made out OK.

Quote from: AerospikeFirst group ride with Virginia Tech Motorcycle Club on Sunday

HEY!!! Another Hokie!  I'm class of '98 - chemistry.  Enjoy your time there (i'm assuming you are a student).  Awesome riding roads... makes me sorry I didn't get into riding while I was still there.  I'll bet 460West out of town is FANTASTIC riding.

Good luck on your group ride!  

peace

Sounds like you had a blast!  

yea i can remeber my first group ride. (probably because it was about 8 months ago.) yep it was my very first motorcycle. a Kawasaki Eliminator 125. it was on a pretty good twisty road (voted best in alabama by Car and Driver) and i was up behind the road captain. they put newbies up front. everybody behind me said i was stayin right up with "trouble" (1st officer and road captain of our group or used to be) i got major points for that one. everybody in the group told my dad that i rode nearly as good as he did and convinced him to get me a bigger bike. thats how the gs came about. the 1st time you blow everybody away is always the best. especially concidering about 4 months before that i was in my fornt yard learning how to ride. made feel like i was on top of the world.

QuoteHEY!!! Another Hokie! I'm class of '98

Class of 03, Aerospace eng. Now I'm a first year grad.

The roads around here are great. I've had a miata for the last 3 years and the twisties are just awesome. BTW what are you driving in your avatar pic?

Quote from: Aerospike
Class of 03, Aerospace eng. Now I'm a first year grad.

Man I wish I had the time to go to college and get a degree.  With two kids and working two jobs it is kinda hard to try to fit school in there.  I have tried and had to quite after the first week.  But spending time with my kids is worth it.

Hey VT.

Did you guys go up over 26 toward Huntingdon? (W College and a left at the blinker in Pine Grove, then over Tussey Mountain, Jacks Mountain, etc) You can go for miles out there. There are some beautiful lookouts if you slow down at all  

Check out Whipples Dam if you get out that way. Very cool.

the group i ride with has its benefits, like 20% off parts, 25% off sve. (labor). we  are affiliated w/ a suzuki dealer , i rode with them, gix 1000, 954, gix 750, an' a cbr 600. we kept it sane (i.e, did not fracture too many laws) :mrgreen:  

Quote from: AerospikeBTW what are you driving in your avatar pic?

It's my old '92 Camaro RS.  V8, T-tops... next to the bike, its hands down the most fun-to-drive vehicle I've ever owned... That was back in my Tech-days...and, yes, I DID tear up some of those montgomery county roads in that bad-boy  

Quote from: bbanjoDid you guys go up over 26 toward Huntingdon?

I rode 26 over to Huntingdon once, but just a twosome that time, and It was around dusk, so I didn't get to appreciate all of the great views.  I'm looking forward to getting back up that way sometime.  This time around we headed east out of town and jumped on a backroad over to Bellfonte, then headed out west and came back to town on 322E.  

I've got a ride to MD coming up soon (I think), so I have a choice of riding 322 over to Harrisburg, or maybe one of the twisties down to 220 and then over on the PA turnpike... I'm leaning (ha) toward the twisties... Harrisburg roads are a nightmare.

peace

Quote from: vtlion

Quote from: AerospikeBTW what are you driving in your avatar pic?

It's my old '92 Camaro RS.  V8, T-tops... next to the bike, its hands down the most fun-to-drive vehicle I've ever owned... That was back in my Tech-days...and, yes, I DID tear up some of those montgomery county roads in that bad-boy

Vtlion:
You've got a road-rippin' Cam, huh? So now you and I both have the GS's, Ford Rangers, and road-rippers!
(My '01 VW Turbo Beetle loves doin' speeds I choose not to disclose over the hill to Santa Cruz)

Quote from: CrisMy '01 Turbo Beetle loves doin' speeds I choose not to disclose    over the hill to Santa Cruz)

That's just funny... Turbo Beetle... haha!  Thanx for the laugh.

This post reminds me that I need to go and pop my cherry on group rides when I get back from here.

Canyon riding tip:

Unless you're extremely familiar with a particular road, it's important to always shoot for a late apex.  You'll have more breathing room if the turn is tighter than you expected.  

Don't want any of you ending up a Buick hood ornament.

OS

Vot es diz CanJon hhRyding joo speak ov?

Dar es NO canjons to hhryd en FlowRIDah






de world es, how joo say? Flat, no Ting makes de turns joo speak

hey,
props on the fun riding session, but did you say 1k miles riding experience but your celebrating first: time to redline nd first time to 70?
Man, what have you been taking grandmaw to church on that thing?
-ash

Quote from: BlueknytVot es diz CanJon hhRyding joo speak ov?

Dar es NO canjons to hhryd en FlowRIDah






de world es, how joo say? Flat, no Ting makes de turns joo speak

CanJons are vonterful tings dat kan b vary adiktiv. wonc u try u wil be huked lik a larg moth bas.

good to hear your ride was a success; now if i can only get my bike up here in the spring so i can join in!