Failed

Things didn't start off well this morning. I was asked to be at Pro-Scot at 9:30 for a pre-test session. I, as you can imagine was a little nervous, partly as I wasn't sure I was ready for my test. I arrived at Pro-Scot at just before 9:30, giving myself time to have a comfort stop before heading off. The instructor didn't turn up to get me 'till 9:45, giving me loads of time to think of all the things that could go wrong.

My test was at 11:41 (yes, 41). I went out with the trainee who's test was immediately before mine. Her run was a mock test and mine a bit more practice. Just before the time of her test, we headed to the DSA test centre. Waiting there was another trainee who had just failed his test. He was sitting his test on the 500, so had to wait on the instructor to take him back to Pro-Scot. Learners can only ride 125s alone. Otherwise, you have to be supervised by a DSA approved instructor.

So, we headed to Pro-Scot to take him back and I nearly pulled out in front of a car. There was no way he was doing 30, but that spooked me. I then did my mock test. As I knew, my u-turns still needed work, so my instructor worked with me on them until just before my test. Although I can understand the logic of concentrating on the problem area, that can lead to complacency in other areas.

We arrived at the test centre with only about 3 minutes to spare. Now, I will admit I am not the world's best time keeper, but for important appointments, I like to be at least 10 minutes early, to give me time to settle. Okay, I thought, I can handle this. But, the trainee before had also failed, which shouldn't have stressed me out, but did. Also, during my run, 1 of my L plates had fallen off. My instructor then had to take on of the L plates from the other trainees bike to put on mine. This was cutting things way too fine...not good for the nerves.

Well, the preliminaries of the test went okay. The examiner checked all my documents were in order (licence, theory test and CBT certificates). He then issued me with the radio he would use to give instructions. He was really good, as he was taking great effort to put me at my ease.

To start the test, I was asked to read a number plate, to check my eyesight. That was okay. Then I was asked 2 "show me, tell me" questions, about maintenance of the bike. I think I gave almost text book answers. Then it was into our respective bikes, a quick check of the radio, to ensure it was working and I could hear properly.

Once we were moving, I suddenly felt much more relaxed. I think that's where it all started to go wrong. We headed to a residential estate in Kirkcaldy. I knew from lessons that in the estate I would have to perform my u-turn and emergency stop. Being a residential area, there were lots of parked cars. I had just headed around a junction and there was a parked car in front of me. I started to move out to pass the car and noticed too late the car heading towards me, who had right of way. I didn't have an accident, but I knew at that point that I had failed.

It all went pear shaped form then on. The u-turn was okay until 80% round. However, as I knew I was now going through the motions of the test, I didn't care, so put my foot down. Things just went downhill from there. I had been having balance issues on my earlier lessons, but I had found it.

I lost it again during the test....I also started weird indicating - like, way did I suddenly start indicating right when going straight on at a mini roundabout? I never did that on any of my lessons and would never do that in the car. I suppose I just really couldn't see the point of finishing the test and really didn't care any more. It wouldn't have been so bad if what I had done was not an absolute definite fail, but when you know and the examiner knows that you know that you have failed, what is the point of carrying on?

Anyway, when we got back to the test centre, the examiner told me that I had failed (shock!) and asked on if I wanted him to tell me why. I explained I thought it was not giving way to oncoming traffic and my u-turn. He agreed and brought up the indicator and balance issues. No real surprises.

As I was sitting my test on the 125, I was legally entitled to ride unsupervised. I headed back to Pro-Scot and the office staff thought I was winding them up, as the instructor hadn't followed me, until I pointed out I was on the 125. I'm now booked for a re-test on...11th September - yes, 6 weeks away.

I'm going to see what additional training Pro-Scot are going to give me. If it's as long as this morning's session (1.5 hours), that's way too long to go without being on a bike. I'll have to find out about that and take them to task if that is the case.

Whatever happens, I need to get a 125 of my own to get the mileage under my belt and practice my u-turns, so when I re-sit I don't ride like a learner and pass. My OH is looking forward to going bike shopping. As far as he is concerned, any excuse is better than none.

The weekend

Over the weekend, I had 2 more sessions of lessons. I could definitely see my confidence improve as I got used to the van van and the motorbike controls. I was pleased I had made the decision to sit my test on the 125 as the more I looked at the Honda CB500, the more I thought I don't have the confidence to ride a bike that big at the moment. At the end of the day, I'd much rather pass my test on a 125, even with the restriction, than scare myself witless on the 500 and totally bottle it.

During the weekend's sessions, although there were some problems, they were getting significantly better. I think, as the control of the bike was becoming more automatic, I was then able to better concentrate on road craft and actually riding the machine.

Anyways, my test is tomorrow. Now, the main thing I have a concern with is the u-turn. This is the one thing that most people fail on. Okay, so it demonstrates good machine control at slow speed, but once you've passed your test, you need never do one again. Mmh, let's see. I need to point the bike in the opposite direction. Do I toil performing a u-turn, while riding the bike and keeping both feet on the pegs, or paddle it round...I wonder. It strikes me the later method is safer. My OH said just adopt the "it's now or never" attitude. It worked for him on his test.

All going well, I shall be a very happy chappy tomorrow. Watch this space to see how I got on.

Second Lesson

Today's lesson went much better than Tuesdays. I was put on a Suzuki Van Van (officially known as a RV125, by Suzuki) for this lesson. Okay, so it's ORANGE - definitely not cool. Me thinks, as the van van is a type of trail bike, Suzuki are trying to make it look like a KTM...THE name in trail bikes. All KTM's are ORANGE.
Anyway, never mind the colour. As soon as I sat on the van van I felt much more comfortable. I think it having a side stand, so I could get on and off the bike with it deployed, made a difference, as I wasn't constantly thinking "Am I going to get on/off of this without dropping it?". As long as the side stand is deployed, it will hold the bike. No more worries on that part.

I felt so much more in control than Tuesday. Today I felt I was riding the bike, not the other way around. That said, I am still having a couple of issues, which are more about confidence than anything else (that is a quote from my instructor).

At the end of my lesson, my instructor discussed my progress with me. He was pleased with the difference in my riding. However, he still recommended that I take my test on the 125 and be restricted to bikes with a 33 BHP for 2 years. Although on Tuesday I thought about pushing for doing my test on the 500, I now think that would be the worst thing I could do for my confidence. I now see that I can ride a bike, but I think I would be struggling to fully control a 500. Even if I did pass my test on a 500 - which I doubt I would manage - I think if I had a wee incident (i.e. a car pulling out in front of me) it would knock my confidence so much that I wouldn't want to ride a bike again. Which would totally defeat the purpose of getting my licence. So, I'll now have another 8 hours of lessons on the van van and my test on 31st July.


Now, when I pass my test, I'll want to get a bike, strangely enough! If I had been sitting my test on the Honda CB500, I was planning on getting a similar type of bike for my first bike. It's cheap to insure, will take a reasonable amount of abuse (that's why it's used my bike training schools), but will go some when you want to play. Now that I'm sitting my test on a 125, I will not be able to get a CB500 for 2 years.

As anyone under 21 can only sit their test on effectively a 125, there are restrict or kits that are available for many bikes, that will restrict the BHP of the bike to a maximum of 33BHP. Personally, I don't see the point of that. The engine of the bike to be restricted has been desgined to give a particular BHP for a reason, so restricting the BHP is going to have some kind of affect on the bike, over and above power. Besides, there are bikes on the market that have a bit more welly than the van van or CG125 (the CG has 14BHP), but are still less than 33BHP. Now all I'll have to do is find those bikes then find one I like, am comfortable with and is within budget. So, watch this space for how things go on my next couple of lessons.

First Lesson

This morning I had my first formal lesson since completing my CBT last year. Consequently, I took a while longer to get used to the bike Pro-Scot use. They use Honda CB125s (pictured) for the initial part of the training program. If you drive a car, you'll be aware that different cars (even of the same engine size) perform differently. This was the case with the Honda 125.

I needed a bit longer in the yard, getting used to the controls etc. While out on the road, I felt I was getting better, as it's a more natural environment. However, I was having issues with clutch control in particular. Clutch control is even more important for slow speed control on a motorbike that a car.

I must admit, I was finding it a bit odd using the clutch for slow speed control in second gear. Perhaps it's just me, but I thing if you're needing to take a corner using clutch control, perhaps a lower gear would give more control. So, I'm going to have to work on that.

The other thing that was annoying me was, as I was lacking confidence, the instructor was "concentrating" on me. Okay, I'll admit I wasn't perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but I could see the other 3 trainees in front of me making some of the same mistakes and not getting away with it. In case you were wondering, all the trainees are issued with radio receivers and the trainer has a transmitter. As all the trainees are on the same frequency, we can all hear the instructions, comments etc the trainer is giving us.

When I was booking the training, I could have signed up for two eight hour days of training. I know, especially after my CBT, that I can get very tired concentration for that long. Also, when I get tired, I make mistakes, which makes me frustrated, so I make more mistakes and get into a vicious circle. So, I booked my training in 4 1/2 day sessions. This was questioned by my instructor, but when I explained the situation, he though it had been the office staff being sexist, rather than my request. It turns out some of the office staff don't think women can handle a full day in the saddle. I'm sure there are plenty men who think they can, but it is stretching their ability.

Anyway, at the end of the morning session, although I had noticed improvement, I also felt myself plateauing. I've seen this happening whenever I'm learning something new. Start off rubbish, get a little better, take a break, try again and the improvement is dramatic, but plateaus again. Hopefully that happens again on my next lesson.

I've now been advised that I may not be able to make the transition to the Honda CB500. If I don't take my test on a bike that big, I will be restricted to a bike of 33BHP or less for 2 years. Although that wouldn't be the end of the world, I'd really rather do my test on the 500. My plan now is to see how my lesson on Thursday goes. That will be on the 125 again. If is goes well and the instructor thinks I can make the transition to the 500, all well and good. If not, I'll see about getting extra instruction and delaying the date of my test, which is supposed to be 31st July. The course if fully guaranteed, so Pro-Scot have an obligation to train me until I pass. Personally, I think if I'm toiling on the 125, it may well be too soon going for my test next week.

We shall see. I shall update the blog after my next lesson session on Thursday, so watch this space to see how I get on.

The Pan Clan

When my OH still owned the ST1100, he came across the website for the Pan Clan, which it the Pan European (ST1100 and ST1300) owners club. Now, while looking at their website photos, frankly, it looked like if we were to join, we'd be socialising with people old enough to be our parents. This may not be a bad thing; experience, knowledge etc. My main doubt about joining was the riders (who would mainly, if not exclusively, be male - the Pan is a big bike), would spend time talking bike, while the pillions talked cooking and about their grandchildren.

Consequently, we hadn't joined when we owned the 1100. However, joining was brought up again when we got the 1300. I still had my doubts...Now I am about to digress, but there is a point to this.

A couple of years ago, our church acquired a projector. This is used during the service to show the words to songs, pictures, notices and basically anything the minister wants displayed during the service. It's also used by other organisations using the church for presentations etc. My OH, along with another member of the congregation, runs the projector.

About 2 weeks after we bought the 1300, the church was to be used for the local Scout district's centenary service. As it was my OH's turn to run the projector for the morning service, he was running the projector for the Scout service. He had taken the bike so I didn't have to hang around in Kirkcaldy until after the Scout service. Besides, a motorbike parked outside a Church of Scotland kirk does make a statement.

I'm getting to the point, honest...

The Scouter in charge of organising the logistics of the service is a Pan Clan member and got talking to my OH. I used to be a scouter, so know the guy, but have known him for a long time. He's a good guy, so we thought if he was a member, they might not be that bad a bunch after all.

We decided to go along to one of the club's monthly meetings, to see what the rest of the group were like. They couldn't have been more welcoming, though I think they're like the black pudding industry - always on the lookout for fresh blood!

After the meeting, we decided to join. We've now been on 3 runs. All different, but a good bit of socialising and a great way to see the country.

Passed

Well, my theory test, at least...

I got 35/35 for the question part and 55/75 for the hazard perception part of the test, which is, apparently, a high score.

The test was at 8:30 and I had to be at the test centre for 15 minutes before the test started. I thought it would be about a 15 minute drive, so I left the house at 7:50 and got to the test centre just as the news was starting, so I went in once the news had finished. I then had my documents checked, had locked my bag away and read the test centre rules, I was able to begin the test.

This differed from the last time I'd sat a theory test. As it was paper based, and sat in a traditional classroom setting, the test could not begin until all the participants were there. As the new test is computer based and the questions and video clips given to each participant are randomly selected from the database, I didn't have to wait on everyone else or the test start time. Thus, I started the test at 8:20 and was home by about ten past nine, with my pass certificate.

That's not bad going, as there is a practice session before the multiple choice section, to ensure you know what the format is and how to operate the equipment, which should take 15 minutes. There's 40 minutes allocated to sit that part of the test; then a sample video clip, for the hazard perception part, to take you through the way to highlight a potential and developing hazard. This takes about 5 minutes and there is then an option for a 3 minute break (I pushed the wrong button and landed up having to see the sample clip again - doh). Then there's the hazard perception itself; with 14 clips that are 1 minute long. Then, there's the option to answer some new theory test questions and watch a new hazard perception video clip, for possible use with future participants. Finally, there's a "customer satisfaction" questionnaire. I think you can do the sums and see I was quick.

To be fair, at least the DSA can't be criticised for not giving enough time.

So, now it will be on with the new part of getting my bike licence - lessons. They start on the 24th July and my test (yes, for real) is on the 31st. Fingers' crossed, I'll have a bike licence in just over a fortnight...just a wee bit scary, but really quite cool.

Theory Test

Early tomorrow morning, (by early I mean 8:30) I will be sitting the theory test for a motorbike. When I sat my car test, I had to sit a theory test. At the time, it consisted of 40 questions, based on the Highway Code, of which you had to get 35 correct to pass. It was done on paper and took just less than 2 weeks to get the results. I only got 1 wrong. Also, there was only 1 test for everyone, bar HGV and PCV learners and if you already had a licence for another type of vehicle, you didn't have to sit one.

Anyway, now the theory now has different categories, depending on the type of vehicle. So, for example, if you have a moped licence and want to get a car licence, there is another test to sit. However, if you wanted to learn to ride a motorbike, you don't need to re-sit.

The theory test now consists of 2 parts. The first part is more or less like the test I sat, but there are only 35 questions, of which 30 must be answered correctly to pass that part of the test. The DSA have also introduced a hazard perception test. This consists of 13 (I think) video clips played, which have, at some point, as developing hazard. During the course of the clip you click on a mouse when you see a potential developing hazard (e.g. pedestrians, cars at junctions, traffic lights etc) and click again when a hazard changes (e.g. a car indicating to pull out does). In order to pass this element of the theory test, a 59% rate is required. Again, see the DSA website for more info.

On Tuesday night I went to my motorbike training school for a hazard perception class, which went okay and made how the whole process of the theory test runs a lot more clear. For extra practice, I have also sat a mock test from a DVD the motorbike training school. Although the quality of that was quite poor (it's not made by the DSA) I still managed to pass. Also, I have re-read the Highway code and sat some mock tests for question part of the test online. So, fingers crossed, all being well, tomorrow I'll have got that part of the road to getting my motorbike licence out of the way.

Fortunately, as the test is now carried out on PCs, I will find out once I've sat the test whether or not I've passed, so no waiting. Watch this space to see how I got on.

In other news...

For the next few days, my OH and I will be commuting on the bike as some total idiot of a car driver decided to pull out in front of us. We were driving along a straight road with unrestricted visibility for at least 3/4 mile in each direction. As we were coming in line with an entrance to a pub car park, a guy in an MPV decided not to look and pull out in front of us. Then, when my OH got out of the car to "discuss" matters with the other driver, he had the indignity to ask "Why don't you swerve out of my way?"....err, like you shouldn't have pulled out and my OH (who, as you may have gathered was driving at the time) didn't have time to react. Needless to say, he can wave goodbye to his no-claims discount.

Fortunately, but my OH and I were fine. The car took the impact on the nearside wing, bumper and headlight. At least the car's fixable or replaceable; people aren't. I'm only glad we weren't on the bike, as we would have become road fodder and may have still been in hospital. So please, guys, look properly before pulling out at a junction.

Failed Bombings

Firstly, it's great news to see that Alan Johnstone was released last Wednesday. My OH and I heard when we were stopped for lunch in Fort Augustus. Finally, some good news, especially after the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow.

Talking of the bombings, apparently people the police have "talked to"/arrested in connection with them are medically trained. I would have thought that with a little bit of a science background, they would be able to get a bomb to explode. However, I have a theory about that. These attempted bombings were carried out by Muslim extremists, who wrongly believe they are doing it in the name of God. Now, as far as I am concerned, God gave us freewill to allow us to direct our actions for good or bad purposes. Hence, there has been 9/11, the Madrid bombings and 7/7, not to forget the 21/7 failed attempts, amongst others. Now, although God gave us freewill, I think he's got totally angry with his name, and word, (both in the Bible and Koran) being used in vain, so he stopped the bombs going off, either directly or by making the bombers get the detonation wrong.