Topic: A Ride with the wife (Better the 2nd time)

[seaweb11]

We decided this morning that we "me and 12 yr old daughter on my bike and wife on her new 72CL350"  should go for a ride off our little Island today and explore some more of the Big Island. "Vancouver Island". The 1st experience went a bit south as my patients failed me a few times with her being a new rider and all.

She has been putting in some riding here on Island since then.

Today was great, she started actually planing her exit from a parking spots before just stopping on a downward slope or awkward exit space.
She was able to keep scooted up behind me in traffic so other cars are not constantly overtaking her and getting between us.
I'm not talking about flying through town, I mean just at  regular traffic speed with confidence. She did GREAT!


We ended up on a couple of gravel roads on the way up along a river to some lakes. Her CL350  sure looked like the ride to have during that excursion!. Back to the HWY and she was up to speed at 55mph.  Having built it and ridden the 350 quite a bit I am only comfortable on it up to 60 so she was tops in my book today.

When we got off the last ferry to get home I gunned it a bit up the hill from the terminal, looked in my mirror and she was RIGHT THERE on my tail ////////    SWEET!

[turtle]

Well done "the wife". I am a bit of a beginning rider and my better half always tails me. We find it a lot safer.

[oldbiker]

You're lucky to have a wife who doesn't dislike bikes. My wife hates my bike (CB400f) but then we are 78 yrs old.

[toycollector10]

Hi seaweb, nice looking wife, nice looking cl350.....I am a bit different, my bike is my "time out" from the family. I think they know that....each to their own...

[nickjtc]

Unless she has already done so, may I suggest some form of formal training for the wife? There are several training outfits on the Island.

Just a thought.

[seaweb11]

Well done "the wife". I am a bit of a beginning rider and my better half always tails me. We find it a lot safer.

I only do that when she knows were she's going

Hi seaweb, nice looking wife, nice looking cl350.....I am a bit different, my bike is my "time out" from the family. I think they know that....each to their own...

The wife is sitting down, that's the 13yr old hanging on the bike!

Unless she has already done so, may I suggest some form of formal training for the wife? There are several training outfits on the Island.Just a thought.

She took the course twice 

[Noel]

Back when my wife was still my girlfriend, she expressed interest in learning to ride. Got her a Bandit 400 and sent her off to the MSF course. After graduation she spent a bunch of time in the local parking lot. She eventually decided she wasn't ever going to be confident enough for the road, and by that point I was very glad of it. The thought of someone I love battling big city traffic on two wheels scares the bejeesus out of me. I can just imagine the same A-holes I see every day, cutting her off, turning in front of her, trying to share a freeway lane, etc, etc.

Having said that, it sure is neat that you and yours are enjoying riding, Seaweb. Stay safe!

[Noel]

Oh, and keep an eye on the wife. I can't possibly be the only guy around who thinks chicks on bikes are hot as hell!

[Klark Kent]

one of the things one of the more experienced instructors at my MSF training was harping on was that, "experience follows."  what this means is that when riding with a less experienced rider, the newbie should be in front.  from what you were saying about cars coming between you and such, I am just now realizing the benefit of this practice.  It is awesome that your wife has risen to the challenge of keeping up with you, but if you were holding up the rear she wouldn't be forced to.  she'd be able to ride her ride, and you would be able to stick together without worry.. you definitely don't want her doing anything unsafe to keep up which is a real possibility when you are out front and she is motivated by anything other than controlling her bike and riding her ride.  

if you try this experience follows method next time you go out, let me know how it works out in the real world.  
a family that rides together is a beautiful thing.  
congrats
-KK

[nickjtc]

one of the things one of the more experienced instructors at my MSF training was harping on was that, "experience follows."  what this means is that when riding with a less experienced rider, the newbie should be in front.

Absolutely! And the follower may actually pick up a thing or two from the 'fresh from training' person in front.

The other advantage of the neophyte riding in front is that the #2 (or #4 or #6) position in a group (assuming they are riding 'stagger') is always in reverse of the best lane position for dominance, and therefore requires that much more concentratrion.