I hate diesels

I don't want to sound cocky, but yesterday I was riding really well. I was doing my pre-test run and it felt as though everything was falling into place...I knew I was going to pass.

But, then disaster struck - on the way to the test centre, I hit a diesel spill on a roundabout. The bike went from under me and both of us went skidding along the road. Fortunately, I had the instinct to let go of the bike, so once it was on its side, I wasn't under it!

The bike sustained a few scraps and lost a mirror. I thought I was perfectly okay to sit my test - that'll be the adrenaline then - but had to borrow one of Pro-Scot's bikes, with 5 minutes before the test...definitely not enough time to get familiar with the controls.

I failed my test, though I wasn't surprised by that in the slightest. Once the adrenaline had worn off, I didn't feel up to the ride at all, especially on an unfamiliar machine. I did get a great boost from the examiner, though. I told him what had happened just before the test and he was impressed I had went ahead with it. He also said that apart from the gross error I had, my riding was really good. I obviously get really nervous and need to try to forget the examiner is behind me. I did appreciate that.

If you're wondering, I started to move at a set of traffic lights, but they had filter lights and my direction had not been indicated to go. I couldn't believe I did that - I have never done that, not even in the car when I was learning. I know I have failed the minute I did that and also knew it was because my mind wasn't totally on the on in hand.

After the test, I phoned my OH to let him know what had happened. As you can imagine, he was only concerned with me and not the test result. I headed to Pro-Scot to drop off their bike, wait for my OH and book another test slot. Then I took my glove off...

I thought my had was a bit sore. The top of the middle finger on my right hand (yes, I am right handed) was really swollen (about twice normal size) and black! |Yes, black, so badly bruised that there was no evidence of blue there. At this point I thought I should visit Accident and Emergency to get it checked out. I have effectively a sort of clot in my finger. I'm to keep my had elevated as much as possible and take 400mg of ibuprofen ever 3 hours! If my nail goes yellow or black or my finger goes red I've to go back, as then I'll have to get a needle stuck in my finger so I can get whatever's in it drained. Sounds unpleasant!!!

When I woke up this morning I was aching all over. My knee is still really swollen - I managed to put a hole in my bike trousers (thank goodness for armour) - and I have more bruises on my right hand side than you can shake a stick at.

Today, my OH and I are going to various bike shops to get the parts my bike needs to make it legal again. No, this hasn't put me off, but I still hate diesels that leak...

Update (1st March 2008):
Yesterday I didn't feel very well at all; breathing, in particular was posing a bit of an issue. After much deliberation (given I haven't been to the GP for nearly 4 years) I gave NHS 24 a call and the nurse told me to go back to the hospital I was at the previous day. I have now been diagnosed with a cracked rib (or possibly 2). Very painful, especially when I breath, laugh or cough. Nothing out of the ordinary, then. I'm to take it easy for a couple of weeks. Still, at least the right bike clothing stopped my injuries being significantly worse!

Gutted

Today I sat my test for the fourth time - you can't knock me for giving up - and failed again. This time, I was riding really well during my pre-test ride.That came from my instructor and he's really pedantic and lets you away with nothing. So, from him, it's a big complement.

The test was going reasonably well. I'll admit I was really nervous and was being a little more cautious. But, that's not a bad thing. Then, I got to a mini roundabout and that's where it all went wrong...

I had been told to turn right. So, I was giving way to my right, as you do. The traffic was really heavy, so I knew I'd have to take the first gap I had. A corsa coming towards me was indicating left (to turn into the road I was on) and slowing down to take the bend. Right, I thought, better take the chance, or you'll be here all day. I started to go, but all of a sudden, the corsa decided to go straight on at the roundabout.

I knew I had failed immediately, but finished the test (thankfully, it was nearly over). The examiner told me I had failed and explained what for. He was really nice and I think was also disappointed he'd had to fail me.

Initially when I'd left the test centre, I was raging (that's Scottish for very, very angry) and really annoyed with myself. I felt I was never going to pass my test. I seriously was contemplating jacking the whole idea of getting my bike licence in and selling my bike. But I spoke to my instructor again (he was dropping off another trainee at the test centre). He was gutting for me and reassured me I could ride and to get myself booked on another test.

So, I'm not giving up. Hopefully, the next time I post, it'll be to let you know I've passed.