We all have to start somewhere...

[jimhazelwood]

About 6 months ago, I made the decision to return to riding after a very very long absence. Got my license and bought a bike - a used 2008 Kawasaki Versys. Found this forum, and read Ted Simon's Jupiter's Travels. Someday, I hope to follow in his footsteps. FOr now, I'm riding and learning, and hope to go to North Carolina Meetup in September.

This week I started my first trip, a five day run in SOuthern Arizona. I know it's not around the world, but hey, we all have to start somewhere...

I keeping a blog on this trip and the general experience of getting back to riding.

Off and On the Road

[Belle]

Hey Jim,

Welcome to the Hubb and good on you. Yep, we all have to start somewhere and no two rides are the same, so enjoy your epiphany and keep the blog going! I'm reading it in a very sunny London.

[Rory799]

Nice one.
I'll be following yer blog with interest
Rory

[jkrijt]

Welcome to the HUBB. I like the style of your blog, with lots of nice pictures.

[jimhazelwood]

Thanks all. I realized tonight after 4 days on the road, that I started this ride timid and now, I've ended it confident. That is the best part of this trip.

[Rory799]

Life is a "learning curve".
Next time you meet these "Harleys" you'll be saying "Get out of my way and stop clogging up the highway" .

I always find it takes me a few days to settle in with the bike. After a week, climbing onto the bike, feels the most natural thing in the world.

Welcome to the wonderfull world of motorbike touring

Rory

[pennytech]

Yes, we all have to start somewhere! I took off on a trip with three days planned and six days to fill... the three days had me slightly nervous here and there where I had trouble finding the roads I needed. The remainder was a little worse because I only had a destination, and I sure as heck didn't want to go directly there! As you said, I started off a little nervous, and I certainly finished feeling confident.

Having that stated in words... brilliant. Thanks!

One bit of advice to all... make sure that the "private property" sign applies to the road before you turn around. It often applies to the land on either side, and I am sure it is no accident that it is posted in such a way as to make the road look private!

[Jaydub]

Safe riding Jim, Ted Simon started me thinking down this road too! My first big trip is coming up soon, to Morocco, on my faithful cbr 600! the Versys looks like a idea bike though.