bspointer

I will be away until 07/08 but will post again when home to see if we can arrange a run.

Would a smaller run for a coffee stop be an idea on the sunday? Maybe meet between mid way between us then take an hour or so route for a coffee then back? Would also be good if anyone else wants to come along and doesn't want to commit to a full day or even just meet for the coffee to talk?

Hi all, I wouldn't make a run this weekend, if any of you are free for the weekend after I could look into arranging one? Thanks. Ben.

Hi, I'm from Ayrshire and like you head out on my own a lot, if you want to head out a run in a few weeks then we could arrange that? I normally head south, around Galloway forest park or across towards Moffat. Thanks.

I used Alba MTA in Bridgetown, very good instructors and helpful. Bikes were all newish and they were taking delivery of brand new ones at the time. (I learnt on a Kawasaki ER6-N) They have their own building with showers, training room etc which is nice. I've no problems recommending them. They are also an Honda training school. Any questions feel free to ask.

Yep, offer still open. I'm about for the next week before I head back to work.

Hi all, are there still some riders from Glasgow/Ayrshire way? It's getting into the nice weather and would anyone be up for a ride or coffee and a chat somewhere nice (Can select a place with scenic roads to get to if people don't want to ride as a group.)? Thanks, Ben.

My first bike, collecting 2 weeks Monday. GSR 600.

Mod 2 - Second attempt - shieldhall, Glasgow Glad to say this time I passed. Usual documents checked then show me, tell me. How to check front brake, effects of a pillion and tyre checks. Out the test centre and independent ride following signs to Renfrew then Hillington. Out the back of Hillington onto a NSL road then into a housing estate, a couple of stop and pull away as well as the angled start (nailed it this time). Then went back towards Glasgow and into a couple more estates. Had a moment on a junction where I stumbled and put a foot down to steady myself on a tight turn. Back in the test centre and asked how I felt, I explained the stumble and what I should've done better. Examiner explained a good way to tackle the corner said overall was good and I'm glad to say you've passed. A couple minors for being a bit hesitant. Glad to have passed, now onto getting a bike and I think doing the iAM advanced rider course.

MOD 2 today, Shieldhall - Afraid this one is a Fail. Started out usual document check then out to the bike for a couple of the questions. (Tyre checks, pillion passenger instructions and Horn test.) Headed out the test centre straight onto independent ride towards Renfrew then Hillington. Through the industrial estate at Hillington onto the NSL at the end. Once over the railway bridge we were into a housing estate, couple of stop and set off when ready, hill start then pull up behind a parked car for the pull away around it. I tried to angle the bike slightly away from the kerb to give better visibility but was told to return it parallel to the kerb. This is the part I failed on as I 'pedalled' the bike round the parked car until I got momentum up, serious rider fault. Had a couple minors for not making enough progress a couple times but the parked car was the fail. Rebooked for start of August when I'm back from work. I'm not the best with this part of Glasgow hence the vague route info.

Hi all, had my MOD 1 yesterday at Shieldhall, Glasgow. Glad to say it was a pass. Was there early and had someone else from the training school ahead of me so I got a sneak at what was to come. Was fairly relaxed, document check then head outside and gear up. Examiner opened the gate and in we went to the green box for the manual handling. Moved the bike to the 2nd bay. (Was 3 in total.) Started on the slalom and into figure of 8, went pretty smoothly. Next onto the slow ride, was a bit wobbly and veered off the straight line a bit at the start but got it back under control and into the box ready for the U turn. U turn looked narrow but there was plenty of room. Next up the controlled stop, no issues. Emergency stop, too slow first time so got it 2nd tme. Finally hazard avoidance, no issues. Headed for the gate, parked up and told I'd passed. Had a minor for the front brake, was a bit jerky on it in the stops. What I took away from it was, don't panic, just relax and take your time there's plenty. When the examiner wants you to turn around and pull up by him, take the room you need and remember the lifesavers/observations. The DVSA website has a plan of the area which gives you an idea of how it is laid out. Next up, Mod 2!