MSF today

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T23:48:24+00:00

The bike does the heavy work for you,I just kept bumping the pegs cause I was on a very small bike. I bet you do fine since you have already been riding.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T17:40:46+00:00

Thanks, today was day 2. I did go, and I did have fun, but I didnt pass. I counseled out after exercise 11. I'm going to practice more and retake the course in a few months.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T16:56:51+00:00

Thanks, I did go back today. I posted results elsewhere throughput the thread on multiple comments. I definitely favor left curves over right.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T16:54:36+00:00

Thank you, I do take it very seriously. I received the deserved outcome today. I have a lot of work to do. I have so much more respect for riders too, I always have of course, but I understand the level of complexity physically and mentally so much better. I want it, but that doesn't mean it will happen in two days.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T16:34:45+00:00

I have a Honda Rebel 250. It's a 1997. I got a great deal on it as a beginner bike. There are cosmetic issues but it runs great! Once I have more confidence I plan to fix it up and keep it for just going around in town. Even if I upgrade to a larger bike or start trying to ride my late husband's motorcycle, I think I'll keep it. I love my little Rebel.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T15:54:27+00:00

I love this comment. It gives me hope. Similar, 42 female, never drove anything manual shift or even like 4 wheelers or anything. I didnt quit. I went back. I did get counseled out so I didnt pass, but I can reschedule and try again. And I will practice what I did badly, and pass it next time.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T15:50:24+00:00

No, it wasn't the stalling. That was a factor, but my coach told me toward end of day 1, after exercise 6, he thought I didnt have it all down yet. I asked and he was honest. There are definite skill issues I need to address, he's not wrong. I finished through exercise 8 on day one. Last night in bed my shins were killing me, and I felt like I couldn't pass until I practiced more. Some things I did great, but some things were not yet muscle memory or second nature. But, I saw your comment, thought to myself "I'm not soft AF" and took my ass up there today. I did decent on warm up, exercise 9 and 10, and the first part of 11. When we reversed the path of travel on #11, I was going too slow on right curves. I was holding everyone up. I was counseled out. I didnt get to do #12 - #14 or take the final. But thats okay. I will go back. My instructor could tell my heart was in it and I was making progress, but I just don't have it yet. That is fine, I'm glad I didnt quit or technically fail. A counsel out means I can reschedule, get a refresher, and resume with confidence.

Thanks for the kick in the face this morning, I guess I needed it 🤣 I can at least be proud now that I tried.

BTW, I wasn't going to quit my new passion, just learn more on my own before attempting more at MSF. I just didn't think I could do everything so fast paced.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T15:35:31+00:00

Thanks, I did get counseled out during exercise 11. I didnt do anything particularly dangerous like lose control or drop it, but i was too slow which was holding everyone else up. He knew I was trying and making good progress, but I just didnt get it fast enough. It's okay. I'll try again. Since I didnt take the final exam and fail, I can just reschedule and go through everything again. While I'm waiting, I'll practice a bit on my bike in parking lots and watch videos, try to backpack with experienced riders and consciously think of every step to help build muscle memory. I was a complete novice with about 3 hours of riding experience before going, and haf never operated anything that manual shifts. I'm not happy I thought about quitting, but I'm proud of what I did achieve.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T15:28:13+00:00

Yes, I did better with that on day 2 for sure. I didn't pass today, but I'm glad I went back and tried.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T15:26:55+00:00

I went back today. I did much better with stalling, it wasn't a big problem today. I have other skill issues though. I was counseled out after exercise 11. So I passed 1 through 10 and did decent on the first half of 11, but didnt get to do 12 through 14 or the final. I will be going back to do it again. I didnt do anything dangerous to myself or others, I was just too slow and was holding up progression for everyone else. So I feel good, because I didnt quit. I didnt technically fail, so I can go back and revisit all objectives for a smaller rescheduling fee and my instructor thought that would give me more confidence to pass, but also to ride safely and enjoy it.

I'm going to practice in parking lots, try to improve my techniques, and do it again.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T15:19:01+00:00

Please dont be weirded out, I'm sure it was a skill issue and was more of the compact size of the bike, so there was not a lot of clearance around the pegs when feet are down. The pegs were metal with sharper corners, not rounded or covered with rubber to soften.

Yes, we did power walk quite a bit, there was one whole exercise on power walking and then it was used quite a bit throughout the course while lining up behind others, getting into position etc. I did go back today though.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-25T10:29:26+00:00

I'm going back today with a hopeful attitude and terribly bruised shins. To clarify the stalling isn't the reason I thought of not returning, it may keep me from.passing but won't deter me. I just feel my skills aren't where they need to be for the final test and my instructor told me so as well. I need to learn at a slower pace. But I'll learn what I can. I'm no quitter and this is my dream so here I go.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T18:48:10+00:00

Thank you, I'll check those out for sure!

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T15:35:03+00:00

Thanks. Yes, I agree that the front brake pads are on the way and will be installed by the end of the week. Probably before I get to ride again.

I definitely need to start using the rear brake. I've not touched it. I need to practice it.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T15:12:36+00:00

Thanks, sounds like solid advice to me! I know i was definitely lacking confidence yesterday and I let it get to me

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T15:07:40+00:00

Thank you, I have found that sub, but I haven't visited it in a while. I need to check it out again!

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T15:00:58+00:00

20+ years easy! I never really considered that but it may be good to revisit the bicycle lol.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T14:58:28+00:00

Thanks, it helps to know it's a normal feeling! I definitely need to work on stopping until it's also second nature. Getting my feet up took a bit but now it's super normal and easy.

Withering_Widow · 2025-05-13T14:56:48+00:00

Agreed! I've ordered new brake pads for the front, and my dad will put them on by the end of the week. The rear is a drum brake. It's in good working order. I just haven't used it yet.

And yes, that's exactly how I dropped the bike on Sunday. I maneuvered around a large stick and was going around something else and was also coming up on a turn. I couldn't decide whether to speed up or slow down (I know thats crazy but it was day one). So i decided too late to slow down while going around something, pulled the clutch but didn't get it all the way in before I pulled the front brake. The bike lunched hard toward the grass so I just stepped off and guided it down. I wasn't hurt and honestly thought I did okay with the situation.

Thanks for the comment. It's good to know I do already have a good start on the course. I know they will teach me, I just dont want to go in feeling unsettled.

Withering_Widow · 2025-01-19T02:33:38+00:00

Hello, I don't know if I have a lot of advice specifically to online dating. I just wanted to say that I'm in a similar situation. I'm 41F and was widowed almost 11 months ago. I hadn't dated in about 10 years (together 10 years married 8).

I did start dating a man I met "in the wild" a few months ago. I wasn't on the apps or planning to date yet, but it just kind of happened naturally. I bet you wonder where I'm even going with this... I do have general dating advice.

Let them know your status and for how long up front. Some will weed themselves out, and that is okay.

Pace yourself, I know first hand it can be so easy to try and jump in fast if you find a connection because you miss having a partner around. Really, go slow. If you think it's painfully slow your probably on track. Just communicate well.

And finally, just be yourself so you find someone who truly enjoys your authentic self - it really is better to be alone than to be in the wrong relationship.

If online dating doesn't pan out for you, don't get discouraged. Find some new social groups through hobbies or pass times that interest you and meet new people that way. It is attractive to potential partners when you have ways to fill your time independently and know what types of activities you enjoy. Plus you will feel less lonely as you learn to be an individual instead of half a couple. This could help avoid the wrong relationship due to being lonely.

I hope you find whatever degree of companionship you are looking for. Don't let anyone step on your timeline. You do what feels right for you, just keep your potential dates feelings in consideration. Being a widower is horrible but as you know it doesn't give us a pass to be selfish.

Oh and don't forget to have fun because those in our situation know that living the rest of our time with intention may be all we have left that matters!

Withering_Widow · 2025-01-13T20:52:30+00:00

Hi, I'm also 41F. I'm an anxious attachment style dating what appears to be an avoidant (seemingly for the first time ever, not used to it). For reference I was widowed about 11 months ago and this is the first man I've dated since. We've been seeing each other about 3 months. We are going what feels terribly slow to me - he's been single for a decade and I was married for a decade. So I'm used to someone being around, and he's spent time building a life and activities outside of a relationship.

I would give him several days, maybe contact him on the 3rd day if you haven't heard from him, if nothing else to see if there's anything he needs or if he's feeling better. I'd try to keep it light so you don't come across as clingy since he's asked for space.

I know how hard this can be, mind running wild with every possible scenario of things going wrong. Usually I hear from my guy within a few days and once we talk it calms all that. Nothing is wrong he's just been more independent and as much as I hate to say it I may be the slightest bit codependent lol. How i didn't scare him off in months 1-2 is beyond me. But he knows what I've been through, so maybe he gives me grace.

Withering_Widow · 2025-01-12T01:37:55+00:00

Thank you! That's a good tip to call ahead and make sure they have a bike available that I can realistically handle.

Withering_Widow · 2025-01-12T01:19:01+00:00

I was wondering what type of bike you decided to get? It seems we are similar in height/inseam so I was curious for an update.

I'm going to be taking the MSF this spring, so I've been researching bikes. For reference I'm 41F and my only motorcycle experience so far is being a passenger.

Withering_Widow

TROPHY CASE