Frankie goes to Owlerton!

21.08.10

After being around motorbikes since I was a little girl I’ve given in and decided to learn how to ride one! I rang up Anne at Bikesafe Rider Training who was so helpful in getting me started. She invited me down to their Owlerton premises for a free hour rider assessment to see if I liked it before committing to lessons. Dave, one of the instructors, introduced himself and took me out into the car park to begin the trial. I started on a Yamaha SR125 and Dave showed me where everything was and all the basics. Once I was ready I got going round the car park and got used to balancing and steering. I was struggling to get used to the throttle but Dave was really patient and I got there in the end. For my first experience riding a motorbike I loved it and couldn’t believe how quick the hour went. I discussed with Anne the training I needed and she was helpful in explaining how it all worked. Due to only being 20years old I have to wait to do my full bike test when I’m 21years old so in the mean time I’ll be taking my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), motorcycle theory test, module one bike test and module two bike test. I can’t wait!

28.08.10

The CBT test! The day begins at 9am sharp, although I was a little late. Phil, who owns Bikesafe and is also an instructor, took me outside to do an eyesight check and asked me to read a car registration in the distance. I then joined a group of 5 other people who were all taking their CBT. Paul, one of the instructors, introduced himself and went through exactly what the CBT test involve. We then went outside and he went through where everything was on the bike with us and then showed us how to take a bike on and off its centre stand correctly. We started off by doing laps around the car park and practising stopping at a line. We later moved onto doing slalom courses, changing gears, practising the lifesaver check, t-junctions, emergency stops and other manoeuvres. Once we’d had a break it was time to hit the road, Phil and Paul checked I felt confident in going on the road and assured me there was no pressure to do so. Once everyone was ready we split up into two groups of three. As the instructors are only able to take out 2 learners at a time, one person was to stay behind whilst two went out, then after an hour, we would swop. This meant we each had the two hours required out on the road. We got fitted with a one-way radio so we could hear Phil’s instructions all the time. When I first pulled out onto the main road I was scared but Phil talked me through everything I needed to do whilst we were riding along and I quickly felt at ease. Half way through we pulled up on a side road to practise u-turns and then set out around the local area. The hour went so quickly and I actually preferred the road to the car park. Once we were back Phil went through anything we needed to do differently and then I swopped with the other person. During my break Anne set me up with a practise hazard perception test which is part of your theory test. Soon enough I was back out on the road again. As the time went on I felt more confident in my abilities and really enjoyed being out on the motorbike. Phil got me doing some hill starts which were not my strong point but he was patient and I finally succeeded. As the hour was up we went back and Phil gave me my CBT pass certificate!

31.08.10

Motorcycle theory test! Anne organised everything for me and just told me where to be and when, she also provided me with a theory book to revise from. The government website provides two practise theory tests which I found quite helpful. The only tip I can give is to read the book, even though it has never ending chapters and repeats itself constantly, the questions are exactly what you will get in the real thing. Once I got to the test centre you are sent into a small room of computers in individual cubicles. The test is split into two parts, a multiple choice section and a hazard perception section. Each sections allows you a quick practise session and then starts the test. Most of the questions are common sense but it is important to make sure you know the more technical questions, for example, what to do when some is injured in an accident or the minimum time cold water should be applied to a burn. The hazard perception part of the test involves 14 video clips in which you need to click on the mouse when you see a danger ahead which will cause you to stop or change direction quickly. The computer marks you with zero if you click excessively. I passed my theory test with only two of the questions wrong and despite getting zero on one clip for excessive clicking!

Frankie