South of San Francisco State University, west of 19th Avenue, and east of Lake Merced and Harding Park Golf Club is an apartment complex called Park Merced. I discovered this neighborhood after cruising down 19th Avenue on my motorcycle and deciding I better get off before it turned into 280. (I was going to describe Park Merced as a sleepy little neighborhood, but all neighborhoods are sleepy at 6:30 AM, my preferred practice time.)
Park Merced would be an unremarkable neighborhood except that it was on the curving streets behind this apartment complex that I finally got the idea of countersteering. This is a case where it's easier done than said.
My strategy for building proficiency is to tackle a different neighborhood on each ride. So far, I have passed through: the Richmond, the Sunset, Seacliff, Golden Gate Park, Laurel Village, Presidio, Upper Haight, down California Street to the Financial District, and Highway 1 to Daly City. I have stalled the bike and had to restart on a steep hill in the Sunset, driven over a curb entering a gas station near home, started in 2nd gear a few times, tried to start in neutral a few times, but so far so good staying upright.
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1 comment:
Countersteering is such a wonderful sensation, especially at higher speeds when one must maintain lane position in traffic. Pressing down on the handlebars does initiate an effective lean and turn, which feels very different than merely tilting the bike and one's body. Now that you've got it, you will turn safely at any speed!
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