Zafira
Registered user
Thought i would share my experience...if you can understand it LOL
Tuesday day 1
Got to Absolute Rider Training (ART) in Royston , early for my 9 0'clock start, keen and and with slight anticipation of the day ahead.
Met Paul who was training with me.
We got talking about what we were going to be doing,got kitted up with the earpiece so Ian(the Instructor) could communicate to us.
We initially got going out on the 125's for a ride around Royston to see where we were at, i rode my own 125 b/c i was used to it.
On the way round we were told about lifesavers, where extra to put them in, basically before everytime we were going to move the bike into another postion on the road, corners changing lanes etc, also another point which i thought was amazing when told even though id heard it before was to look way ahead of where we going and not directly in front of us, like where you would want to be in 3 seconds...
Anyway we did some junctions, left right turns, roundabouts, being told when we did a good manouvre or safety checks and what we could or should have done if we had missed anything in particular, also our positioning on the road, and also as we were going along we were getting a running commentry of things that were happening what to look for what was happening and signs and road markings a head etc, which made me be more aware of other things around that i may not have taken into consideration before.
Anyhow, it was a good enjoyable ride and we returned back to base for lunch and a chat.
Then i mentioned about going on the 500cc's the next day and Ian , he said "tomorrow?, why not today?"
I thought i dont know?
Anyhow it was decided we would go out on the 500's in the afternoon!
Yikes! was my first thought!
Ian explained the differences between my 125 and the 500.
I sat on the bike got a feel of the weight etc and checked the controls and mirrors.......all the while FEAR of actually riding something 'bigger' than my 125!
We got going and i was a bit uneasy to start ....(petrified to be exact LOL)...I could 'feel' the power in it, and after the first couple of roundabouts, i noticed the difference and how 'easy' it seemed to be able to manouvre it and how more 'stable' or 'grounded' it felt compared to my 125.
In fact i was amazed at how easy it seemed to ride!
We got going and did much the same as we did earlier and i was actually beginning to enjoy it.
Back to the looking ahead on manouvering...and trying it on the 500's
An example that really put it into perspective for me was when we came to a mini roundabout (not painted but small hump) as i went across and just before the turn Ian said now look right round to the right at the traffic lights....i had barely even started turning, but i did, (i thought THAT far ahead?!) it felt weird but i was amazed at how easily i took the roundabout and the control over where the bike was going had!
we got back and Ian had told us at how impressed he was with us both and apart from a few minor things we missed he thought we had done well!
I was surprised as my own personal thought of myself was not very good and was convinced i was not very good although nothing was said to warrant it lol.
so day 1 ended up good, making me feel that perhaps i wasnt so bad at riding after all and that i was making progress already
.
Wednesday Day 2
Out on the 500's again, this time into Cambridge, and around some roads etc that we might encounter on the test.
also took a ride into the test centre to see where we would be for friday
also we were being filmed too as Ian had a camera on his bike
We did some u-turns and emergency stops, all good,which surprised me.
we took in some more 'awkard' junctions and turns too, and did ok, not all perfect but acceptable.
On the way back we had a few good long roads where we could accelerate away!
Loved it!
It was SO exhilarating being out on an open road on a bike with much more power than my 125!
On return we took a look back at us riding and could see what we were doing correctly or not,discussed it etc, and it looked pretty good, i actually felt quite proud of myself being able to 'ride'.
we also discussed the test and see the form that will be filled in on our test , what we would be marked down for etc and talked about what would be a 'minor' mark against you and how many you were allowed, 15 i think , a 16th would be a fail..
Anyhow ,had to go home and get ready for the next day, my 125 not quite having the oomph that i had got used to this day.....
Did ask Ian if he would swap my 125 for the 500... but unfortunately... no luck LOL.
Thursday Day 3
Out on the 500's and into cambridge pretty early on to get in lots of practice...
Was going well, until i got to the u-turns again and this time i completely messed it up !
turned but wasnt looking ahead lost, control, stuck my foot down quite a lot and 'almost ' nearly dropped the bike!
Sheer effort i managed to get it up right again!
Then down to an emergency stop, ok but i didnt have all 4 fingers on the brake and if i had i could have been in a more controlled stop...
Well that was it... i thought ... i completely lost it then for a while...off we went up to the traffic lights a dodgy stop there and my nerves went ...started swearing to myself and shaking my head!
Ian told me not to worry, carry on and forget it, i tried but all my manouvres didnt seem quite right for a while...Damn!
We stopped off for a drink and a bite to eat , i think i needed it as i was still cross with myself and felt a bit light headed as i had eaten yet that day...remind myself for tomorrow test day... eat before i leave home
was reassured by Ian that it wasnt that bad and i was doing ok, and not to let it worry me...easier said than done
I felt more refreshed afterwards so we headed off again for more of the same and this time uturns and stops... all good this time...Relief!
We also stopped in a motorcycle shop, for a look round and an unfair 'dream' of some bikes we would like(should we pass)
On the way home we headed back up the A14 and had a blast!
EXCELLENT!! ... i love riding a motorcycle!
On return we went through the days events and Ian was still pleased with us both and what we are achieving!
A good confidence boost
We also went through what will happen tomorrow on test day and what will be asked of us on the test questions etc
so now after 3 enjoyable days of training i am feeling optimistic that i may even pass my test tomorrow.
Heres hoping i can keep my head stay calm, do my best and enjoy it without tooo many nerves kicking in, as i know that could be my downfall..
If i make a mistake , just put it behind me and focus on whats next to do.....
might be a bit of a muddle but...
Thats my experience so far of DAS well worthwhile especially with a brilliant instructor like Ian that makes you feel at ease , explains everything so well,tells you of any faults in a good way, and gives you that extra bit of confidence thats needed.
Top bloke!
So tommorow is test day, time 1.30pm i am going first then Paul is going after.
We are going to take the ride into cambridge do some riding , settle in , take in some lunch then off to the test centre!
Hopefully we will both do well
Fingers crossed!
Tuesday day 1
Got to Absolute Rider Training (ART) in Royston , early for my 9 0'clock start, keen and and with slight anticipation of the day ahead.
Met Paul who was training with me.
We got talking about what we were going to be doing,got kitted up with the earpiece so Ian(the Instructor) could communicate to us.
We initially got going out on the 125's for a ride around Royston to see where we were at, i rode my own 125 b/c i was used to it.
On the way round we were told about lifesavers, where extra to put them in, basically before everytime we were going to move the bike into another postion on the road, corners changing lanes etc, also another point which i thought was amazing when told even though id heard it before was to look way ahead of where we going and not directly in front of us, like where you would want to be in 3 seconds...
Anyway we did some junctions, left right turns, roundabouts, being told when we did a good manouvre or safety checks and what we could or should have done if we had missed anything in particular, also our positioning on the road, and also as we were going along we were getting a running commentry of things that were happening what to look for what was happening and signs and road markings a head etc, which made me be more aware of other things around that i may not have taken into consideration before.
Anyhow, it was a good enjoyable ride and we returned back to base for lunch and a chat.
Then i mentioned about going on the 500cc's the next day and Ian , he said "tomorrow?, why not today?"
I thought i dont know?
Anyhow it was decided we would go out on the 500's in the afternoon!
Yikes! was my first thought!
Ian explained the differences between my 125 and the 500.
I sat on the bike got a feel of the weight etc and checked the controls and mirrors.......all the while FEAR of actually riding something 'bigger' than my 125!
We got going and i was a bit uneasy to start ....(petrified to be exact LOL)...I could 'feel' the power in it, and after the first couple of roundabouts, i noticed the difference and how 'easy' it seemed to be able to manouvre it and how more 'stable' or 'grounded' it felt compared to my 125.
In fact i was amazed at how easy it seemed to ride!
We got going and did much the same as we did earlier and i was actually beginning to enjoy it.
Back to the looking ahead on manouvering...and trying it on the 500's
An example that really put it into perspective for me was when we came to a mini roundabout (not painted but small hump) as i went across and just before the turn Ian said now look right round to the right at the traffic lights....i had barely even started turning, but i did, (i thought THAT far ahead?!) it felt weird but i was amazed at how easily i took the roundabout and the control over where the bike was going had!
we got back and Ian had told us at how impressed he was with us both and apart from a few minor things we missed he thought we had done well!
I was surprised as my own personal thought of myself was not very good and was convinced i was not very good although nothing was said to warrant it lol.
so day 1 ended up good, making me feel that perhaps i wasnt so bad at riding after all and that i was making progress already
.Wednesday Day 2
Out on the 500's again, this time into Cambridge, and around some roads etc that we might encounter on the test.
also took a ride into the test centre to see where we would be for friday
also we were being filmed too as Ian had a camera on his bike
We did some u-turns and emergency stops, all good,which surprised me.
we took in some more 'awkard' junctions and turns too, and did ok, not all perfect but acceptable.
On the way back we had a few good long roads where we could accelerate away!
Loved it!
It was SO exhilarating being out on an open road on a bike with much more power than my 125!
On return we took a look back at us riding and could see what we were doing correctly or not,discussed it etc, and it looked pretty good, i actually felt quite proud of myself being able to 'ride'.
we also discussed the test and see the form that will be filled in on our test , what we would be marked down for etc and talked about what would be a 'minor' mark against you and how many you were allowed, 15 i think , a 16th would be a fail..
Anyhow ,had to go home and get ready for the next day, my 125 not quite having the oomph that i had got used to this day.....
Did ask Ian if he would swap my 125 for the 500... but unfortunately... no luck LOL.
Thursday Day 3
Out on the 500's and into cambridge pretty early on to get in lots of practice...
Was going well, until i got to the u-turns again and this time i completely messed it up !
turned but wasnt looking ahead lost, control, stuck my foot down quite a lot and 'almost ' nearly dropped the bike!
Sheer effort i managed to get it up right again!
Then down to an emergency stop, ok but i didnt have all 4 fingers on the brake and if i had i could have been in a more controlled stop...
Well that was it... i thought ... i completely lost it then for a while...off we went up to the traffic lights a dodgy stop there and my nerves went ...started swearing to myself and shaking my head!
Ian told me not to worry, carry on and forget it, i tried but all my manouvres didnt seem quite right for a while...Damn!
We stopped off for a drink and a bite to eat , i think i needed it as i was still cross with myself and felt a bit light headed as i had eaten yet that day...remind myself for tomorrow test day... eat before i leave home
was reassured by Ian that it wasnt that bad and i was doing ok, and not to let it worry me...easier said than done
I felt more refreshed afterwards so we headed off again for more of the same and this time uturns and stops... all good this time...Relief!
We also stopped in a motorcycle shop, for a look round and an unfair 'dream' of some bikes we would like(should we pass)
On the way home we headed back up the A14 and had a blast!
EXCELLENT!! ... i love riding a motorcycle!
On return we went through the days events and Ian was still pleased with us both and what we are achieving!
A good confidence boost
We also went through what will happen tomorrow on test day and what will be asked of us on the test questions etc
so now after 3 enjoyable days of training i am feeling optimistic that i may even pass my test tomorrow.
Heres hoping i can keep my head stay calm, do my best and enjoy it without tooo many nerves kicking in, as i know that could be my downfall..
If i make a mistake , just put it behind me and focus on whats next to do.....
might be a bit of a muddle but...
Thats my experience so far of DAS well worthwhile especially with a brilliant instructor like Ian that makes you feel at ease , explains everything so well,tells you of any faults in a good way, and gives you that extra bit of confidence thats needed.
Top bloke!
So tommorow is test day, time 1.30pm i am going first then Paul is going after.
We are going to take the ride into cambridge do some riding , settle in , take in some lunch then off to the test centre!
Hopefully we will both do well
Fingers crossed!
, it took me 3 times to pass my car test!
