Sean and my dad help me install my lowering links. Oh man, reaching the ground is an amazing feeling! The bike is much more forgiving of my newbie mistakes. Brilliant. Let’s ride!

Marisa is up for another round and I am excited to take a nice slow ride with another new rider after being back of the pack on Mt Lemmon. Brian leads us out to Box Canyon via I-19. I was a little freaked out riding my bike on the freeway for the first time, but eventually convinced myself to relax on the basis that being paranoid wouldn’t really help me in the event something bad -did- occur. It wasn’t that bad, but I must say I prefer secluded twisting highways and dirt roads immensely.

Box Canyon is a great newbie ride. Nice graded roads, gentle climbs and smooth turns. The day goes well, except at one point where I believed the road came to a fork…when it actually intersected with a wash. I wandered into the wash a little bit before I notice Brian at the top of the road where I am supposed to be. I come to a complete stop and decided I can make it up the embankment. I turn the handlebars sharp left, give it a little throttle and fall over. The bike is much easier to pick up once lowered though and I have it upright before he can even take a picture. 

Brian comes down and talks me through slipping the clutch to escape my sand trap.

Victory is mine!

Ohhhh the road is that way!

Brian -loves- having his picture taken.