Lifesavers

[jimPH]

I understand the point of lifesavers, but I think their importance is over stressed.

I've got my test coming up and I'm still not sure when I should be doing life savers, in fact I think I'm doing too many. Instructors seem so intent on hammering them home that is ruining my concentration.

For a start, I can never see anything when I look, I'm just going through the motions of turning my head to appease the examiner.

When I come to a roundabout, it's life saver, another as I pull off (never sure which side) another as I go across, or ride the roundabout. Then if I slow down, pull off, etc etc..

I've changed instructors this time, to get a different take.

When I did my HGV it was mirrors mirrors mirrors, you looked behind more than you looked infront. Now I'm doing my bike test it's blimmin lifesavers.

When out on my Mito, I look when necessary, just like I would when I drive my car, or when I drove HGV trucks. I can enjoy the ride, deploy the odd lifesaver and concentrate on the road ahead. I just don't feel this many life savers are truly necessary.

So when and how many do you actually do.

[jimPH]

Well I decided to change instructors to get a different angle, not because my previous instructor was bad, I just wanted a different opinion.

I certainly feel more comfortable now and I've slotted them into my routine appropriately. For instance, good road position before a turn can cut them down, particularly on left turns, you don't need to check the verge is still there and nothing will get past or infront if you hold the correct line. I just rode my test and passed comfortably, the pressure was off the second time round.

The ride back on the motorway highlighted particularly the importance of using them.

At the end of the day, examiners are looking for safe riders, not lifesavers.