I gave up on keeping my journal on plain html pages and installed :xlink:Word Press blog software. But this doesn’t mean I’m jumping on the blog bandwagon. This is a jounal, not a blog! :)

I chose it because (1) it is free, (2) it is one of several packages available from my web host that can be automatically installed by pushing a button, (3) it is actively supported and upgraded by the developers, (4) there are many easily customized themes available, (5) there are a zillion plugins for it should I want to get even fancier, and (6) did I mention it is free?

The install and customization process was much easier than expected. A good understanding of HTML, CSS and a little knowledge of PHP is necessary for customizing it but you don’t have to be a guru. I am certainly not. I had previously installed version 1.4 of the :xlink:Gallery photo album software and customizing it was much more of a chore.

Good news: the local Cycle Gear store called to inform me that my helmet is back. It passed Arai’s inspection. I am fortunate it survived two crashes and is still in good shape except for scratches.

No news: Still waiting for RonAyers.com to ship the replacement cowling for my ZR-7S. I ordered it ten days ago.

My shoulder is feeling very good. As soon as the cowling arrives I will be riding again. Received confirmation of my registration for the September 17 Experienced Rider Course and am looking forward to it.

I have finished my thinking about how to improve my skills and have formed a plan:

1. I am going to hit the local high school parking lot after hours to practice all the basic low speed maneuvers. And I’ll continue doing that regularly. Next spring I want to take the four day course at :xlink:Northwest Motorcycle School in Seattle. It’s low speed, precision riding on KZ1000’s. I believe that I need to become extremely competent at low speeds before anything else. I think the confidence gained there will translate well to higher speed riding.

2. I’m signed up for the Team Oregon :xlink:Rider Skills Practice course in September. It is their equivalent of the MSF ERC course. I may decide to take the RSP course at the beginning of each riding season to refresh my low speed skills after the winter layoff. I figure it would be a cheap form of insurance.

3. If I successfully complete the RSP course I will attend the Team Oregon :xlink:Advanced Rider Training course which is held on a go kart track. The course is solely about cornering.

4. I’m going to regularly practice carving turns on nearby, low traffic rural roads, gradually increasing my speed.

5. The final step next year (I view it graduation) is to spend a track day with a street riding (not racing) school. It’s a rather daunting idea right now but if I manage everything else okay it should be less so when the time arrives. If I survive the track day I expect I’ll do at least one track day each year. If lack of skill/confidence prevents me from enjoying the track in the novice group with other street riders, then I will have to question whether or not I should be riding at all.

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I wear prescription glasses all the time. Sun glasses with a clear shield on bright days is normal for me but there are two scenarios that make me think about using a dark shield with clear glasses so I can flip up the shield when necessary.

I am going to look into buying a pair of clear, prescription Panoptx glasses or similar and a dark shield for my helmet.

By the way, considering I had crashed a few days before during that trip I was extremely pleased with myself for not panicking in the tunnel situation.

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Called Team Oregon and asked the receptionist if the 12,000 mile experience requirement for the Advanced Rider Training course was firm or if exceptions could be made. I explained that I was taking the Rider Skills Practice course in September and that by the time the next ART was held I would have about 5,000 miles of experience. She checked with the head instructor and said that I could take the ART if I successfully passed the RSP.

I forgot to mention to her that I had two crashes to my credit in the one year I have been riding. :oops: I figure that if the RSP course goes well I will be able to handle the ART course.

It has been three weeks since I crashed on day 6 of my trip to Utah. My fractured collarbone is healing though, at my age, slowly. It doesn’t much bother me unless I roll over while sleeping. It will probably be eight more weeks before it is more or less fully healed and two to three weeks before I will be comfortable riding again. I have done some serious thinking since the crash, questioning whether or not I belong on a bike. The honest answer is no, not without serious work to build my skills.I had hoped that my riding skills would naturally improve as I gained experience. It is now clear, having crashed twice within the span of twelve months that improvement won’t come through just riding. Both crashes happened for basically the same reason—not setting up properly for a curve and not being able to take proper corrective action when I found myself to be in trouble. I can not ignore the fact that I am lacking in skill and confidence. It is a clear case of improve my skills or get off the bike before I kill or seriously injure myself.

So I have signed up for the Team Oregon Rider Skills Practice course in September. It is their version of the MSF Experienced Rider Course. I also wanted to sign up for their Advanced Rider Training Course which is conducted on a go kart track and concentrates on improving cornering skills. That seemed perfect for my needs but their web site lists prerequisites of completion of the RSP course and 12,000 miles experience. The mileage requirement seems excessive to me so I will call and ask if 12,000 miles is a firm prerequisite. I am also considering the four day, 40 hour course conducted by Northwest Motorcycle School in Seattle.