I got my CBT!

[MaccyMoo]

Woo Hoo!

I first tried to get my CBT a couple of weeks ago at a place in Warrington, unfortunately without much success - I spent almost 4 hours riding round in circles on a suzuki with what looked like an old leather armchair seat in 1st gear with the clutch at biting point using my throttle and rear brake to do manouevers (I know this has it's uses but for 4 hours?) and the training gound was only about the size of half a tennis court. I didn't think I was getting anywhere but after lunch he said I was ready to go out on the road, told me 'those are the indicators and you use them like this' - no practising at riding round and using them or my mirrors - I put the radio earpiece in and off we went..... I didn't even make it round the first corner as I panicked at having this voice in my ear telling me to do a million things at once, overshot the first junction and ended up in the car park of the gym next door !My confidence suitably dented, we went back to the training ground and I spent another two hours going round in circles. 'Don't worry, another half hour in the car park and you'll be O.K.' he said as I arranged another half-day to finish it (at a further cost of £85 on top of the £125 for that day). I guess I should have been worried when he told me he was teaching one girl who had been there seven times (not sure if these were full or half days) and not yet completed her CBT . Forgot to mention also that the bike was an import with the outer dial of the speedo in km/h and 30, 40 and 50 mph marked with nail polish from the inside.

Needless to say I felt a complete failure.

The following day (after a sleepless night beating myself up over this - I knew I could do it) I decided to look on the t'internet and found these guys:

Motorcycle training, Motorbike training, Rossendale, Motorcycle training Lancashire and Yorkshire, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Test preparation, Scooter, Moped and Advanced Motorcycle Training courses from Valley Bike School, Burnley, Bury, Halifa

They explained that they did a 'Pre-CBT' course that was 1 hour long where if you've never ridden a bike before you can go along and they teach you the basics of stopping and starting or if you have ridden before they teach you as much as you need and it gives the instructors a chance to see what you can do (cost £25). They had a place that Sunday lunchtime, so I went along before I had a chance to back out of this whole 'bike lessons' thing.

I learnt more in that 1 hour with VBS than I did in the whole day at Warrington, by the end of the hour I was doing figure 8's using mirrors, shoulder checks, indicators and life-savers! I went home with a BIG smile on my face! I knew I could do it!

Went back today and there were 6 of us - me the only female - 5 learning on geared bikes and one lad of 16 who was learning to ride a scooter. We had the obligatory safety talk and then went up to the training ground (three tennis courts this time) and did most of what I had done in the pre-CBT on a Yamaha 125 (very nice, comfortable bike), with the exception of emergency stops and U-turns. After a couple of hours we went back to the school for some lunch and another safety talk and it was out on the roads. I'd been dreading this all week, but we were split into three groups of two (I was with the lad on the scooter so we didn't go too fast!) and as soon as I got out on the roads, you could probably have seen the smile beneath my helmet. It was bloody fantastic, except for the idiot who walked out in front of me as he was leaving one pub and crossing the road to get to the one over the road, it was a fairly uneventful ride. Two hours later and I just wanted to keep on going......

Back to the test centre and I got my lovely purple certificate.

The only problems I found I had were getting in the right position for left-turns (I've driven a car for too long) and knowing what gear I was in, but it will all come with practice. I've had a great day and I can't wait to do my DAS.

Sorry for boring you guys with the long post, but I just had to tell you my experience. I've not really been around much for the last couple of weeks because I felt so stupid that I didn't feel I 'belonged' here - IYKWIM.

Thanks for reading this, I'm off to book my theory test now.....

[Bill CBF1000]

Wooooo Hooooo Maccy Moo

well done my gorgeous sexy babes

So come on Kaz n get the theory n DAS booked n I will see you in the morning .... keep my side of the bed warm please

[druidsam]

congratumolations MM let the fun commence



.........................Sam

[Bill CBF1000]

Originally Posted by druidsam

congratumolations MM let the fun commence



.........................Sam

and the CBF1000 is mine ......... n Im not sharing it (yet, unless I get a really good offer MaccyMoo )

[grotbag]

Well done maccy!!



Good on ya girl!!


Don't worry about knowing what gear your in, some time's I don't know what I'm in when I'm changing down but I know from the engine sound when I'm in a too high or a too low gear, it's just like listing to your car engine when using your gears or rather should that be - listen with your ears to your gears!

[lady clara]

You're on your way Maccymoo!!! And remember, you're still one of us no matter how bad things are!!

(and the CBF1000 is mine ......... n Im not sharing it (yet, unless I get a really good offer MaccyMoo )

You could just let her practice on the old thing Bill....don't be mean.......

[MaccyMoo]

Thanks you guys, I'm terrible for beating myself up over things I know I should be able to do, but if I don't get something first time round I feel really stupid!

Originally Posted by lady clara

You could just let her practice on the old thing Bill....don't be mean.......

I do so as often as possible - and he let's me have a go on the bike too sometimes!

[lady clara]

Originally Posted by MaccyMoo

Thanks you guys, I'm terrible for beating myself up over things I know I should be able to do, but if I don't get something first time round I feel really stupid!



I do so as often as possible - and he let's me have a go on the bike too sometimes!

Tee-hee you saucy tike!!

[Rocks]

Thats Fantastic news...... onwards and upwards from now on.... its always easier when you know how

NICE ONE......

[Spree]

Great stuff MaccyMoo - I'm pleased for ya