Yes I did take a riding course, and I drove the bike up from ottawa to toronto taking hwy 7
Welcome - Read the stickies on the new riders subforum
Always look where you wanna go (most important tip to learn), if you are running wide, do not look at the side walk, force yourself to look where you want to end up on the road, through the turn - Practice this as much as you can.
Do not go on group rides with people you don't know until you have more experience and never rider over 80% your ability, you need that 20% for the "oh ****" moments.