Beginner 'taster' sessions in/near London

[Miguel the Penguin]

Hello everyone.

I've harboured a desire to ride for years but never been brave enough to do anything about it as the risk factor always put me off. However, I've recently had my first pillion experiences and absolutely LOVED them, and it's really given me the bug.

I've done the easy bit and booked myself in for my theory test on Saturday (very spur of the moment - a cancellation spot came up last night at a nearby centre), so the next step is my CBT. I'm the kind of person who likes to be thoroughly prepared and because I've never been on two motorised wheels before - and don't even own a push bike - I would really like to have a 1-2-1 no-pressure 'taster' session first to check I'm not completely unsuited to it, and to get familiar with the controls etc.

I'm based in north-west London and have found a company that offer this but I'd be really keen to know if anyone has any personal recommendations. I'm happy to travel out of London for somewhere that comes highly recommended as I'm sure finding the right training centre/instructor will have a huge bearing on confidence and enjoyment of the learning process.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to sharing progress with you all

[Miguel the Penguin]

Okay, in the last few hours I've had a bit of a word with myself and decided just to book the damn CBT and not faff around with taster sessions.

It's got to be easier to work out if riding is for me after 8 hours' practise rather than 1!

[Joeman]

Good call - just do the CBT. If you dont like it, park up and go home!

But you will love it

[numptyspence]

Provided you can balance on a bike then get the cbt done. That will put you in a better position to know.

Of course you will love it, and after doing the cbt you will be looking at every bike you see thinking "I want that bike!" Until you get you own.

Have fun

[fq-craigus]

The cbt will be like a taster session and training in one. It's intense if you have never rode before as your learning from start to finish and using skills and reactions your not familiar with but mainly it's do able. It's also not unheard of that another session or two may be needed so when people say you can't mess it up anyone can pass that's a load of rubbish, it is very straight forward how ever, just take each step on it's own merit and they will train you in a way that makes you incorporate all the skills they teach you throughout the day. Important thing is trust the instructor! If he tells you to do something then it is safe, your head may tell you otherwise but that's the trick to biking. Enjoy it and hope all goes well for you.

[Miguel the Penguin]

Thanks all.

Being the slightly impulsive person that I am the CBT is booked for Friday.

I'm a bit nervous but mostly very excited. I can't stop browsing the net for bike-related stuff while I'm supposed to be working...

I'm really hoping it all goes well as I've dreamt of riding for so long and ogle pretty every bike I walk past regardless of make or model - I know very little about the techie stuff yet so they are all beautiful machines to me

Will keep you posted!

[Tango]

Welcome to TMBF......pop over to the Newbies section and introduce yourself to the folks......

Good luck with the CBT.....you'll have fun and be on the road in no time......