It's been a while. Lots've gone down since the last time I've lurked about: changes in my major, revamped gear/look, health scares, a couple long distance rides, gift of a GoPro Hero2 [on THE day the Hero3 was announced...], etc...

I don't motovlog or anything. My family members are curious so I just suction it to my windshield and let them watch me and the road—mostly me. I haven't uploaded anything anywhere though.

Admittedly, I used to always scoff or roll my eyes whenever someone used to say "it's not if you go down it's when." I'm sure many beginners do the same until they are almost rear-ended by a semi, t-boned by a texting driver ignoring a stop sign, pushed out of a lane by a motorist while on the highway because she doesn't see you even though she's practically making eye contact with you on a bright-ass sunny day or almost run into the back of a car that just decides to cut you off during a downpour right as you approach a red light causing...

Went riding today in 37˚F weather. It felt great to me, but my bike didn't like it much considering I underestimated how long it would take to warm up. I know better now at least... I've also learned that my helmet vents poorly so I have to ride with the visor up...

As far as the problems I'd mentioned before go, they all seem so distant now. I'm hill stopping like a pro. Well, maybe not a pro but I can do it without giving it a second thought. I'm so much better with the throttle and completely relaxed. So much so that I'm comfortable enough to adjust my visor with one hand if necessary. I also waved at this one guy on a bicycle, he was staring hard enough so I thought "why not?"

Now, I just have to get in the habit of looking both ways at stop signs even when the streets are deserted, not dragging the rear break, and disabling my signals after turns.

Cornering and slow, semi-tight circles feel so good... I'm officially addicted...

So, I had time today after school to unchain the bike and allow it to roll its tires/stretch its legs. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, but what I did experience is a little depressing. Nonetheless, they are things that I am more than willing to practice until I cannot feel my fingers, legs and everything else involved. Please feel free to add any input.

Smooth throttle control

Problem:
Whenever I go to accelerate, the bike jerks a bit. I know that it's because of throttle control skills or lack thereof.

Causes:

• Tight grip around the throttle (afraid to fall off)
• Hand slightly angled.
• Tense
• Loose gloves that bunch up in the bends of my fingers (could that be a problem? I know it's not a major cause but could it cause problems?)

Fixes:

• Relax.
• Take weight off hands.

Ways to practice:
?

Breaking and taking off uphill:

Problem:
There are a lot of stop signs...

Maybe it's me. I've gone through so much to get this bike. I get it tomorrow—ahead of schedule—which will also be the only time I'll have to get insurance and my tag. The police float around my area like ghosts, and I don't want to be caught without either. I feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off. I'm having a few regrets about all of this, but hopefully it'll change once I straddle my bike and start it up. I still want this. I just have to find the excitement again.

I need to watch some MotoGP...

I live in a pretty ok neighborhood—not perfect but fine enough. When not in use, my bike will be chained up in my wannabe garage. I'm mostly worried about being out and about at school or wherever my Ninja adventures take me, parking my bike far from my whereabouts. Like anyone I don't want anyone touching, sitting on, tipping my bike, but, as a college student with college student money, the closest I can get to an alarm/deterrent is a disc-lock which provides an alarm function. I'm afraid that it won't be enough, plus I won't have the peace-of-mind of knowing when it is being provoked via two-way. I have a chain, yeah, but unless I plan to beat someone with it, it will not do much good if there aren't strong, stationary objects around to chain it to. I have comprehensive insurance, of course, but I'd like a little more security. All the insurance in the world won't change how it'll feel to have my love stolen from me. What to do, what to do? Will it be enough until I save up for an alarm?...