I had a good friend (with bike experience) go with me yesterday for a "newbie putt". We warmed up on a fast two lane road down to Gilroy and my friend said I was doing really well. I love the backroads, was having a great time and feeling pretty confident about my riding. Then I ventured out on the freeway for the first time - which was the plan. He told me if/when I got nervous, or felt uncomfortable to get off the freeway and we'd just go the backroad home (More scenic anyway) no pressure.
We go on the onramp filled with more ruts and potholes I've ever seen, just in time to match wits with a huge 18 wheeler in the slow lane. Yikes what a start... I know 101 is probably not the best freeway to start with, but I figured it would be quiet, weekday, after commute traffic, etc. WRONG!
I made it about four exits or so? Maybe five miles? and then I had to get off, I was freaking out so badly. Friend says I never went past 50-55mph, he was watching me the whole time, said he could see my head going all over, he figured i was getting beaten by wind and maybe should have put my head down more, lean into the wind,etc. I had shut all my helmet airholes, zipped up my sleeves. I just kept thinking I didn't have enough safety gear to go this fast. (Had on leather jacket, boots, all the gear...but was thinking more like IronMan outfit)
The helmet felt like it was pushing into my cheeks, the jacket was lifting, which I could tolerate, but wish it wasn't moving so much.
The ruts in the road were freaking scariest.. the bike wobbled thru them, I kept thinking I was gonna wiggle/drop/skid all over the place. It was pretty awful. The only good thing was I didn't chicken out and go off at the first exit, I kept going for at least five or more before I gave up. Truth be told? The first few offramps I might have taken were full of ruts and I was more afraid of them than of exiting!
Have any Advice?
More short term practice, do a few exits and get off, add a few at a time?
Better freeway condition to start with?
Windshield install? I like the look anyway - will a shield help that much? I already know I want to install WindVest one...but that won't solve all my problem.
www.windvest.comI already won't go out there on a weekend, will only go when it's off peak times to try again. If I'm going to go on group rides, I have to be able to manage a freeway, so I have to conquer it. Plus I don't like something I can't "get over"...
Thanks in advance - I'm grateful to have the forum to ask questions.