Didn't complete my CBT - disappointed

[Johnny]

I know the follwing might sound a bit wierd but i always wanted a bike soooo badly, but wasn't allowed one when i was 17.

However i used to go through the process of riding whilst dreaming of owning a bike, in my head whilst in bed. You know the whole thing - Clutch in, down to first, letting the clutch out. rolling the throttle on and changing gear, just the general process of riding. Whilst lying in bed... Pretty sure i used to actually move my hands/feet to get a feel for what it was (thoeretically) going to be like.

By the time i got round to taking my test i was 24 but i went through the same process in the weeks leading up to my direct access. I honestly think it worked for me...

God i sound like some sort of fking wierdo!

But anyway, it might help! And don't give up, you'll love it once your up and flying.

Cheers,

Johnny

[Carl-H]

Johnny, I did exactly the same thing, and still do which really annoys my Mom because I make the noises as well. I have always wanted to know how to ride a bike (and drive a car) and rode a bike first when I was about 8 but I didn't change gear.

[Johnny]

Carl

Pretty sure i made noises as well

I should point out that i learned to ride a bit before doing my CBT etc. But it was when i was about 16 so a good few years before anything official.

Nothing quite like blatting roung a field on what felt like a mentally fast RM250!!

I honestly think the practising in your head thing can help. I was so desperate for a bike i did it all the time, just to be ready.

[Sossige]

Thanks Johnny, that might be useful; certainly if I'm out on a trackday I always find it beneficial to "replay" the lap in my mind during breaks, so I know my turn-in points etc ready for my next session. Playing the riding through as you suggest might also help.

rumpelstiltskin, the place I am learning with charged £110 initially for the first CBT including bike hire. Subsequent ones are going to be £60 including bike hire; this is in the South East.

[Rawwr]

Ah, there you are.

[Sossige]

Rawwr said:

Ah, there you are.

Wotcha

[Rawwr]

Now hurry up, take it again and pass. If you fail again, I'll take the piss.

[Sossige]

Rawwr said:

Now hurry up, take it again and pass. If you fail again, I'll take the piss.

I just won't tell you then

[Rawwr]

As if you'd be able to keep it a secret

[Craphouserat]

Sossige - i came off my bike early on in my CBT - gave myself a fright. Was stting myself at going out on road, told the guy I booked with that biking wasn't really for me, didn't want to put myself, or other road users at risk in the afternoon road session. The place I done mine has the highest 1st time pass rate in Scotland (DAS) and the owner is rightly proud of that. Just at the point of me telling him Im not ready etc etc a guy rode in with a side car attached to his bike the owner pointed at him and said, do you think there is anything wrong with that guy there? ( he was just sitting on his bike), I said no, he was physically disabled - owner basically gave me a kick up the arse, a pep talk if you like. If that guy can do it, then you can he said, told me not to go crying to him when bikes are going by me in the summer. Made me feel a right wuss, by the time we were finished talking I wanted to take on the world ! He took my instructor aside and gave him a row because he hadn't encouraged me enough after my off. The owner said that my fall was nothing like some he had seen on CBT's, he was willing to take me out on the Sunday after my CBT, just me and him, he was that determined to help me get on road. Didn't need to, I apologised to my instrutor, gave myself a shake, had lunch and went out on the road in the afternoon, no-probs. Done my DAS soon after, once I passed I thanked the owner for the kick up the arse. Sorry to be so long winded, basically just wanted to encourage you, when he pointed out the physically disabled guy and told me how determined he was to pass, it put things in perspective.

You will get there, like rumple said, once slow speed is nailed rest falls into place.

All the best.

Barry.

[Sossige]

Rawwr said:

As if you'd be able to keep it a secret

[Sossige]

Hi Barry -

Thanks for the words of encouragement - I can see how that would give you a kick up the backside

I'm definitely going to do it, I don't care how many attempts I need. I want to be able to ride and I'm not going to give up on it

[Sossige]

Right, I'm a bit annoyed by the riding school whom I booked with originally. They seem reluctant to call me back to book another date for a CBT and from talking to people, this isn't unusual. Apparently they are keen to help people who take to it straightaway, but typically don't seem to want to know if you need extra time/effort.

I've looked into CBTs elsewhere and I'm booked in for another one with a different training school - hopefully things will go better this time round.

[Carl-H]

Good luck

[fergus]

Craphouserat said:

....he was willing to take me out on the Sunday after my CBT, just me and him....

romance isn't dead then.... I hope he paid for the cinema?

Adjusting to riding a bike after driving a car for a long time, can be tricky, as your hand/brain/foot coordination has evolved to control a car. I'd recommend trying to physically just spend time on a bike. If you can get hold of a low powered dirt bike and practice in a friendly farmer's field, this will allow you a lot of unpressured time to get used to the controls on a bike.

with respect to the gear lever, just remember the "1 down 5 up" line. If you do accidentally go into neutral, there should be an indicator light on the dash. If you make sure you don't rush things, there is no need for this to induce a panic.
When shifting from 1st to 2nd, make sure you are positive with your foot, this will ensure you don't catch neutral. Also be aware that on some of the bikes you are likely to learn on, you *may* encounter 'false neutrals' between *any* of the gears. If this happens, just shift UP a gear with your foor (no need to use the clutch) and the gear will snick into place. With practice, you can go up and down the box fairly easily w/o using the clutch. Leave this till later though (esp. going down the box, as you may lock the rear wheel!)

[Fats25]

Sossige said:

Right, I'm a bit annoyed by the riding school whom I booked with originally. They seem reluctant to call me back to book another date for a CBT and from talking to people, this isn't unusual. Apparently they are keen to help people who take to it straightaway, but typically don't seem to want to know if you need extra time/effort.

I've looked into CBTs elsewhere and I'm booked in for another one with a different training school - hopefully things will go better this time round.

Where abouts are you in the South East?

[SplatSpeed]

the secret is slipping the clutch

must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike
must slip the clutch on a bike

[Sossige]

Fats25 said:

Where abouts are you in the South East?

Borders of Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire.

[Rob_J]

Sossige said:

Fats25 said:

Where abouts are you in the South East?

Borders of Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire.

Don't know where you are but I used Pinewood Motorcycles between Bracknell & Wokingham, thought they were very helpful & encouraging

[Sossige]

Thanks Rob, they would be doable (!), so I'll bear them in mind.