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Bikes, Blues and BBQ Fayetteville, AR Sept 24-27, 2014

2K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  1thriftychick 
#1 ·
I'm sure you guys know about this one, but wanted to make sure! Here is the link: Bikes, Blues & BBQ

I look forward to actually attending this year, with a bike! NW Arkansas is a beautiful area to ride in! If you have time to take the Pig Trail, it's quite the scenic drive through the Ozark Mountains. I look forward to riding that myself, when I get some more miles in :) I'm not ready for that yet!
 
#3 ·
If you ride within your comfort zone, the Pig Trail is doable for an inexperienced rider. If you stay within the recommended speeds in the turns, which are designed for cars, the bike will have no trouble negotiating them.
 
#5 ·
I have a different perspective on the rider's comfort zone as a BRC instructor. Our whole purpose during the course is to expand the student's comfort zone as they go from total novices on Friday night to simply inexpereienced riders by Sunday. Part of learning is to push against what feels comfortable under the guidance of the instructors. If you are not willing to do that, you cannot progress and become a better rider.
pushing the comfort zone is not something to be done recklessly, but with discipline and planning. If you know what you're doing, and you have an experienced hand to guide you, it is an exhilerating experience to do what you have not been able or willing to do before.
 
#6 ·
I rode to this rally, I think it was 3 years ago. I wasn't impressed at all with the event itself. There was a lot of bike there all cruising the main street and it was fun seeing all the different bikes but the best part of going was the ride there. I could have skipped the rally and just camped by the Illinois River and been just as happy.
 
#7 ·
I've only been once, and wasn't really interested in bikes, so I look forward to attending and seeing all the neat modifications :) I look forward, Duckster, to NOT having every single part of me tense up going around a corner! Oh my! I sure wish I could :) I'm getting there!
Thanks for your opinion Mojorisn...I'm not really sure what the 'event' is...all I seen where alot of vendors, way too much alcohol for any type of safe driving. They are expanding it this year to Springdale, AR, Arvest Ball Park, because it has grown so much. We'll see :)
 
#8 ·
Thriftychick, the key to letting go of the unwarranted fear is understanding that your bike is a lot more capable than you are at this point. If you can ride with some experienced and sympathetic friends who can lead the way down some twisty roads you can gradually learn to go with the flow and enjoy it. I don't mean people who will be showing off how fast they are, but someone who recognizes your fear and will encourage you to push through it in a gradual and safe way. Tuck in behind him or her and have confidence that they will not take you in over your head.
To go faster in corners so you are leaning the bike more, you need to first understand the rules about the throttle and braking.

First, when leaned over to any degree, you may only use the front brake gently and progressively. As in emergency braking, squeeze it gradually so the front tire has time to tell you when it's had enough. A quick grab often results in a lockup and a crash.

I tend to stay right off the rear brake while cornering. If you have rolled off throttle, you are already engine braking. Sudden rolloff of throttle can, in itself, cause a loss of traction on the rear in extreme cases. Best to go to a "neutral" to slightly off throttle when braking with the front.

I still have my fear of course. Fear keeps you safe. It's just that my threshold of fear is quite a bit higher than it was when I was a new rider, and I can have a lot of fun in the twisties before getting up to that point.
 
#9 ·
Thank you Duckster! GREAT read and encouragement! I have trouble remembering when to use front only, back only or both! Although yesterday I did a great short / quick stop using both...crazy drivers out there! I was excited to know I have SOME kind of instinct kicking in :)
I'll read over this many MANY times to lock it in!
thanks again!
 
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