It’s fair to say my problem with U-turns is mainly psychological. Every aspect of riding is a new skill to me and nothing is anywhere near to perfect, but I seem to have made U-turns this huge obstacle in my mind that’s so difficult to overcome.
Today I’m out with Andy again. Same old thing, some are ok, some aren’t. I’m even less consistent than when he last saw me as that was before my bike dropping, confidence-crushing incident.
Andy tries a new approach. I sit pillion while he does several U-turns.
It feels a bit faster than my attempts. He swings quicker to the left and harder to the right than I’m managing, and amazingly to me, the bike feels totally stable.
Now it’s my turn. Setting the clutch, checking over my shoulder, off we go. As the bike moves I resist the urge to pull the clutch back in and lose all the momentum, I swing it a bit to the left, a bit quicker to the right and look at where I want to finish. I made it!
We continue the lesson with a bit of riding then a U-turn. A bit more riding, then another U-turn. They aren’t all good, but a tiny glimmer of hope at least.
With only one more lesson before Test, let’s hope there won’t be any more setbacks.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
One step forward, two steps back
I have started to look more and more forward to my lessons as the weeks go by. Today was no different. Despite the mishap last time, the big bruise on my leg, and the even bigger dent to my confidence, I was still keen to get back on the bike.
I knew we’d have to do more U-turns at some point and that wasn’t something I was looking forward to, but I knew it had to be done.
The general ride seemed fine, still the odd wobbles and jerks but each lesson I feel a little more comfortable. I’m feel very aware that I’m not looking as far ahead as I would in a car and that worries me as I know I’m even more vulnerable on a bike. But, the less I’m thinking about how to control the bike, the further ahead I’m looking, so hopefully that will keep improving with experience.
Then U-turns. Back to wobbling and tap dancing. Not what I need when I only have one more lesson before my test! Poor Rob wasn’t sure what to do with me! It’s easier to sort out a problem with technique rather than a psychological one. I keep thinking if only I’d dropped it at the start of my training, but to do it just when I thought I’d finally figured U-turns out has set me back a long way. By the end of the lesson, it had improved slightly, fear replaced by determination. To try and get back on track I’ve squeezed in another lesson this week hopefully to get some consistency. The reassuring thing was getting back to the training centre to hear another two learners also discussing the evilness of U-turns. It’s nice to know it’s not just me. Having said that, the test is rapidly approaching, and I’m really feeling the pressure.
I knew we’d have to do more U-turns at some point and that wasn’t something I was looking forward to, but I knew it had to be done.
The general ride seemed fine, still the odd wobbles and jerks but each lesson I feel a little more comfortable. I’m feel very aware that I’m not looking as far ahead as I would in a car and that worries me as I know I’m even more vulnerable on a bike. But, the less I’m thinking about how to control the bike, the further ahead I’m looking, so hopefully that will keep improving with experience.
Then U-turns. Back to wobbling and tap dancing. Not what I need when I only have one more lesson before my test! Poor Rob wasn’t sure what to do with me! It’s easier to sort out a problem with technique rather than a psychological one. I keep thinking if only I’d dropped it at the start of my training, but to do it just when I thought I’d finally figured U-turns out has set me back a long way. By the end of the lesson, it had improved slightly, fear replaced by determination. To try and get back on track I’ve squeezed in another lesson this week hopefully to get some consistency. The reassuring thing was getting back to the training centre to hear another two learners also discussing the evilness of U-turns. It’s nice to know it’s not just me. Having said that, the test is rapidly approaching, and I’m really feeling the pressure.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Heading for a fall
The weather wasn’t great, and I was worrying. Worrying about messing up U-turns, worrying about doing 70mph on a dual carriageway in the wind and rain, worrying about sliding across a roundabout, worrying about anything and everything bike related. I was extra careful to avoid drain covers and white lines, and I was definitely more cautious, maybe overly so on the faster roads. I now realise that drain covers are almost always somewhere really inconvenient for bikers. I’m guessing the people who put them there don’t ride bikes (Maybe they should).
Not a good day to worry as it was my Mock Test. The real thing is approaching much faster than I anticipated so today we’ll see if it’s asking too much.
We had a ride out to a nice wide road for a U-turn or two. First one went fine, second one went fine. Thinking I may have the hang of this now, we moved onto a slightly narrower road. I didn’t feel overly concerned, but as soon as I started to move I felt the clutch wasn’t right.
I pulled the clutch in, the bike slowed and lost momentum as I started the turn. The bike now slowing to a stop, turned to the right, my weight tipping further to the right until..CRASH! I’d dropped it.
There I was - a helpless little splat in the middle of the road! I think the embarrassment had me up quicker than I went down! Rob helped me pick the poor bike up, and then we tried a couple more, but oh no- we’re back to wobbling and tap dancing our way round again. All that progress gone in a split second.
Trying to put it behind us, we rode up to the Test Centre for the Mock Test.
No feedback, no guidance- for the next half-hour it’s just me. The ride went ok. The walk round and U-turn went ok (surprisingly). The Emergency Stop was fine (except on my trip round the block, I ended up in a cul-de-sac!) Even the dual carriageway was ok. 70mph still seems more like 170mph to me at the moment and I feel incredibly vulnerable, but I did it.
At the end Rob said there were a couple of times I could’ve built up speed quicker, and a couple of roundabouts that were a bit slow (that fear of sliding), but overall would’ve been good enough to pass a test.
I should’ve been pleased, but all I can think about is how much I need to improve and how close the test is getting. It all feels very hit and miss to me and I just don’t know if I’ll be ready.
Not a good day to worry as it was my Mock Test. The real thing is approaching much faster than I anticipated so today we’ll see if it’s asking too much.
We had a ride out to a nice wide road for a U-turn or two. First one went fine, second one went fine. Thinking I may have the hang of this now, we moved onto a slightly narrower road. I didn’t feel overly concerned, but as soon as I started to move I felt the clutch wasn’t right.
I pulled the clutch in, the bike slowed and lost momentum as I started the turn. The bike now slowing to a stop, turned to the right, my weight tipping further to the right until..CRASH! I’d dropped it.
There I was - a helpless little splat in the middle of the road! I think the embarrassment had me up quicker than I went down! Rob helped me pick the poor bike up, and then we tried a couple more, but oh no- we’re back to wobbling and tap dancing our way round again. All that progress gone in a split second.
Trying to put it behind us, we rode up to the Test Centre for the Mock Test.
No feedback, no guidance- for the next half-hour it’s just me. The ride went ok. The walk round and U-turn went ok (surprisingly). The Emergency Stop was fine (except on my trip round the block, I ended up in a cul-de-sac!) Even the dual carriageway was ok. 70mph still seems more like 170mph to me at the moment and I feel incredibly vulnerable, but I did it.
At the end Rob said there were a couple of times I could’ve built up speed quicker, and a couple of roundabouts that were a bit slow (that fear of sliding), but overall would’ve been good enough to pass a test.
I should’ve been pleased, but all I can think about is how much I need to improve and how close the test is getting. It all feels very hit and miss to me and I just don’t know if I’ll be ready.
Something to aim for
I spent nearly an hour in Orwell’s on Saturday morning sitting on bikes. Now I just need to get my riding up to scratch and pass the test (And save up a couple of thousand pounds!)
I’ve most definitely been bitten by the bug and the thought of passing my test and not riding makes it all seem a bit pointless.
Today, I’ve spent most of my lesson on U-turns and made a small breakthrough.
My instructor was Andy, who seems to be a bit of a U-turn specialist. He made me realise that I can’t ride the way I drive. Although the road experience is useful, when it comes to stability, momentum and balance, cars and bikes are completely different machines.
I’ve learnt with U-turns it’s all about getting the clutch (forget the throttle) in the right place and picking your spot (most definitely NOT the kerb opposite).
I’m not saying I’m perfect and all my worries are over, but I feel I’ve got a system to work with. Before if I made it round I would be relieved, a little amazed, and have absolutely no idea how I got there. Now I understand where I need to aim for and have a bit more faith in the bike and my own ability.
The rest of the ride is coming together as well. So much so, I’ve got a test date booked. Now that really is scary!
I’ve most definitely been bitten by the bug and the thought of passing my test and not riding makes it all seem a bit pointless.
Today, I’ve spent most of my lesson on U-turns and made a small breakthrough.
My instructor was Andy, who seems to be a bit of a U-turn specialist. He made me realise that I can’t ride the way I drive. Although the road experience is useful, when it comes to stability, momentum and balance, cars and bikes are completely different machines.
I’ve learnt with U-turns it’s all about getting the clutch (forget the throttle) in the right place and picking your spot (most definitely NOT the kerb opposite).
I’m not saying I’m perfect and all my worries are over, but I feel I’ve got a system to work with. Before if I made it round I would be relieved, a little amazed, and have absolutely no idea how I got there. Now I understand where I need to aim for and have a bit more faith in the bike and my own ability.
The rest of the ride is coming together as well. So much so, I’ve got a test date booked. Now that really is scary!
Friday, February 02, 2007
More of the same...
Generally, my riding seems to be improving each time I get on a bike. Rob tells me I take less time to get into the lessons now, the wobbles are getting a little fewer and further between, gears are no longer scary. Suddenly, from having no interest in bikes whatsoever, I’m now determined to pass my test and have my own bike.
It’s mainly the U-turns that frustrate me.Actually,it's ONLY the U-turns that frustrate me!
Today we started on the ‘widest test road’.
First U-turn went well. Maybe it was the shock of getting it right that accounted for me messing up the next few! If I wasn’t tap dancing my way across, I wasn’t steering enough or not balancing the throttle and clutch properly.
After a couple of slight improvements we rode to a narrower road, with a camber.
Rob assures me that I’m not alone in my dislike of U-turns and that I’m not the worst student either, but it really feels like it! A few more tries and we finished on a passable attempt, but we both know there’s going to have to be a LOT more practice.
It’s mainly the U-turns that frustrate me.Actually,it's ONLY the U-turns that frustrate me!
Today we started on the ‘widest test road’.
First U-turn went well. Maybe it was the shock of getting it right that accounted for me messing up the next few! If I wasn’t tap dancing my way across, I wasn’t steering enough or not balancing the throttle and clutch properly.
After a couple of slight improvements we rode to a narrower road, with a camber.
Rob assures me that I’m not alone in my dislike of U-turns and that I’m not the worst student either, but it really feels like it! A few more tries and we finished on a passable attempt, but we both know there’s going to have to be a LOT more practice.
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