3rd day with bike, drove (literally) around Toronto

[rollandburn]

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Today was my 3rd day on my first bike. Had to stop a lot... timmys, friends, bike shops, wrist shake out (thumbs!), map check, smoke, etc... but it was still a great day. Sore wrists (thumbs!) and neck but very happy nonetheless.

I recorded the track with MotionX GPS iPhone app...ports to Google Earth and Maps which is kinda cool.

http://g.co/maps/57sde (just realized you have to zoom out 5-6 times to see the route)

ps. first time doing forks of the credit. eeesh i need to practice. going eastbound the 180 hairpin caught me off guard and my right leg came out for balance... stayed within my lines but still not pretty. That was the only scare of the day.

ps. bought a Gears urban survivor tank bag at Royal... didn't even notice it on the way home. 31 litres! (maybe i CAN go camping with my bike and gf) =]

 

[MaxTO]

Nice job !
I am waiting for my motercycle course at Durham college this June , once I am all through with that I too will be taking my first spin around town on my Honda VFR 800 , can't wait and hope it goes as well for me as it did for you .

 

[mmmnaked]

If the forks hairpin freaked you out, wait until rattlesnake point :lol:

Appleby Line, just north of Derry Rd.

 

[Malks]

Looks like a nice ride. You were so close to Hockley Valley when you turned east onto Highway 9. It would have only added about 15-20 minutes to your total ride if you had continued north on 10 through Orangeville and taken Hockley Valley Road over to Highway 50. At that point you could have turned south on 50 to rejoin 9. Much more scenic, nice curves and way more fun than droning along on Highway 9.

 

[slowbird]

+1 for Hockley.

Funny thing. A bunch of riders I know who tend to ride pretty fast don't like Hockley.
A newish rider I took there the other day loved it.

 

[rollandburn]

If the forks hairpin freaked you out, wait until rattlesnake point :lol: Appleby Line, just north of Derry Rd.

I went back and looked at the route and think I must've hit that before the forks. There's a hairpin (or two) by the picnic park, on a really steep incline if I recall. Is that known as rattlesnake point? For some reason it didn't catch me off guard like the forks did. Perhaps it was because I was alone, whereas going through the forks a rider pulled up behind me... I was going pretty slow and realized I might have been holding him up. Probably became conscious of that then nervous cuz I pushed it a little bit beyond what my skill allowed for.

Looks like a nice ride. You were so close to Hockley Valley when you turned east onto Highway 9. It would have only added about 15-20 minutes to your total ride if you had continued north on 10 through Orangeville and taken Hockley Valley Road over to Highway 50. At that point you could have turned south on 50 to rejoin 9. Much more scenic, nice curves and way more fun than droning along on Highway 9.

Just looked at the map again and see what you mean! Hockley Valley Rd. looks like fun for sure... haha and yes Hwy 9 was a drone alright. Ah well, and excuse for another ride. =] Thanks for the tips!

 

[toysareforboys]

If your wrists are sore you are leaning on the bars too much. Squeeze more with your knees and take all of the weight off of your arms/wrists/hands.

-Jamie M.

 

[Malks]

Just looked at the map again and see what you mean! Hockley Valley Rd. looks like fun for sure... haha and yes Hwy 9 was a drone alright. Ah well, and excuse for another ride. =] Thanks for the tips!

If you do make it back up here and take a run along Hockley be sure to keep it within 20kph of the limit, particularly between the 1st and 2nd Lines and again over at the 5th Line. Both locations are popular OPP speed traps.

Check your map again and look for the roads that run east-west between Highway 10/124 and Airport Road through Mono Centre, Mansfield, Terra Nova and Creemore. Those are just a few of my favourites up this way. Then while you are that far north you might as well head up to Beaver Valley Road.

 

[rollandburn]

If your wrists are sore you are leaning on the bars too much. Squeeze more with your knees and take all of the weight off of your arms/wrists/hands.

You know, I've heard and read that several times and realize that is most likely my problem. Although, I should have been more specific and said 'thumbs'. Is that strange? For the large knuckle on both thumbs to take a beating? I'm pretty conscious about keeping my wrists straight (i have to do pushups on my knuckles, wrists don't like bending that far) and figured the thumb pain was a result of not using my opposable on a handle bar in 20 years haha. To be honest I thought the stance of a sport-touring bike would be more upright and can't imagine the back strain on SS guys. Either way, unless i get risers and/or different bars I know the dangers of too much rider input (esp. from leaning on the bars) and will endeavor to remind myself regularly to use legs/back more. Thanks for the tip.

If you do make it back up here and take a run along Hockley be sure to keep it within 20kph of the limit, particularly between the 1st and 2nd Lines and again over at the 5th Line. Both locations are popular OPP speed traps.

Thank you! Usually I'm <20kph when driving... but have noticed how easy it is to zip up and down 20km/h without noticing... 40+ wouldn't be good! =]

ps. Just went to cycle-ergo.com and see the stance for my bike.

 

[tricky]

You know, I've heard and read that several times and realize that is most likely my problem. Although, I should have been more specific and said 'thumbs'. Is that strange? For the large knuckle on both thumbs to take a beating? I'm pretty conscious about keeping my wrists straight (i have to do pushups on my knuckles, wrists don't like bending that far) and figured the thumb pain was a result of not using my opposable on a handle bar in 20 years haha. To be honest I thought the stance of a sport-touring bike would be more upright and can't imagine the back strain on SS guys. Either way, unless i get risers and/or different bars I know the dangers of too much rider input (esp. from leaning on the bars) and will endeavor to remind myself regularly to use legs/back more. Thanks for the tip.

I found that when I started riding, my wrists and the base of my thumbs hurt. Just remember to keep loose in the arms like Jamie said, and also rotate your clutch and front brake perches so that your hand is in line with your arm when you grab them. The other aches and pains will work themselves out

 

[rollandburn]

Yea you're probably right... outta shape! Too much fun to complain for too long tho haha, however it's good to know it's not just me and practicing good form will help out. =]

 

[rafiki911]

When I took my track course this little peice of advised helped me... Hold on to the bars as if you are holding on to eggs you don't want to drop or crush. So holding the bars very lightly.

It also might be your gloves causing the issues. I know my first pair of gloves added to the discomfort along with white knuckling the bars. They fit nice and snug but after a few hours of riding it felt as though my hands would get swollen and every seam on my gloves would bug me and eventually cause pain in my hands.

 

[Emerald94]

The VFR is your first bike?
Be careful at low speed, she's a bit heavy!

Nice job !
I am waiting for my motercycle course at Durham college this June , once I am all through with that I too will be taking my first spin around town on my Honda VFR 800 , can't wait and hope it goes as well for me as it did for you .

 

[rollandburn]

When I took my track course this little peice of advised helped me... Hold on to the bars as if you are holding on to eggs you don't want to drop or crush. So holding the bars very lightly.

It also might be your gloves causing the issues. I know my first pair of gloves added to the discomfort along with white knuckling the bars. They fit nice and snug but after a few hours of riding it felt as though my hands would get swollen and every seam on my gloves would bug me and eventually cause pain in my hands.

Yes, I've heard about the egg before. Ok I admit it, I was gripping them harder than even hard boiled eggs would allow hehe. Very good advice though, thanks. One factor for sure is my back isn't used to this. It's not (yet) conditioned to hold me in a riding position where I can reach the eggs for too long without ending up leaning on them. Muscle fatigue becomes a factor and I default to resting on locked elbows. Not good, I know. SR#2 Gripping the bars too tight = transfers vibration. And that's just one of many negative effects I'm reading of in TOTW

(And I hope it's not the gloves, next size up is 3XL, likely a custom order! =])

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