Learning Curve

I couldn’t wait for my next lesson. I booked an hour with (another) Rob and felt reasonably confident as the CBT had gone so well.
It was a different bike, but still a 125cc and I felt sure it wouldn't be a problem.
I should probably mention at this point I’m not very patient with myself when I get things wrong! I stupidly believed that I should now be in full control of this machine (after 5 hours?!) and when it became clear that I wasn’t, I felt deflated.
It all started when I tried to turn right out of a junction, let the clutch out a bit quick, made the silly mistake of looking at the kerb and lamp post opposite, and started heading towards them! I managed to get round (just about), but it dented my confidence big time and got me thinking (maybe a bit too much).
The stalling,wobbling and general jerkiness. I felt like I was the worst biker ever!
Obviously it’s a completely new skill and it’s going to take time.
But that didn’t stop me getting so completely frustrated and annoyed at myself that I couldn’t wait for the lesson to end. It felt like a very long hour, and it seemed nothing had gone right.
I had a chat with Ros and of course she made complete sense and encouraged me to think about the things I had achieved. Three weeks ago I didn’t know how to start a bike, or select a gear, or even tell you where the clutch was.
I’m just so used to being in control of a car; it seems ridiculous that I can’t feel the same level of control on a bike. The difference is I’ve driven a car for 18 years and ridden a bike for a few hours.
Still, I’m not giving up that easily; I’ve booked two 2 hour lessons for next week. Now I just need to accept that I’m not going to get the hang of this in the next 5 minutes…Dammit!

Compulsory Basic Training

As the day drew nearer, I started to have visions of me with a gang of 16 year old lads and their scooters…all of them laughing at the old bird struggling with the gears, her balance and basically just being on a bike full stop.
As it turned out, it was me and just one 16 year old lad on a scooter. It was his 16th Birthday and the CBT was part of his present.
I did feel very old and very envious of his automatic scooter. Our instructor was called Rob and the day kicked off with a chat about the importance of having the right kit.
We then went down to the sugar beet factory and practised getting the bikes moving, figures of 8, U-turns and some junction procedures. I felt very wobbly on the slow manoeuvres, but not too bad overall.
After lunch we had a session on the Highway Code, and then we were out on the road.
First Rob was in front, then we swapped round. I couldn’t decide if I was terrified, excited or both. I think it was actually about 80% sheer terror and 20% excitement!
The thing that struck me was how vulnerable you are on a bike. I felt like I should be visible to everyone. After all, I felt very aware of my surroundings - much more than I am in a car. The sounds, the smells - everything seems closer and more real. And yet the scary thing is, because you are small and probably not perceived as a threat to someone in a car, you get the feeling you are almost insignificant to most drivers.
We got back to the centre at 4pm and were de-briefed and handed our CBT certificates. A long day,but I felt like I had learnt alot.

Getting started.

I decided having an off road lesson would be a good idea as I have never even sat on a bike.
I arranged it for the same day as my Theory test. There’s not exactly a rush to take the Theory test, but I just wanted to get it out of the way, and I’m hoping that I can pass my practical test before the theory certificate expires in 2 years!
I’d practised with my theory test DVD and felt reasonably confident. It’s more the practical aspect I’m concerned about!
Having passed the Theory test I set off for my lesson. I felt really nervous and a bit sorry for my instructor, Charlie. Poor bloke will need the patience of a Saint!
He loaded up the van with the bike and we set off for the old sugar beet factory near Sproughton.
He patiently explained the controls and despite the fact the idea of riding the bike seemed damned near impossible, I managed it (sort of)!
I even got up to 3rd gear, with a lot of encouragement from Charlie and finished the session feeling excited and keen to take the next step. I booked my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) for the following week.