10 days on from the CBT. Where I stand now.

[onesea]

1 minute ago, ChrisBiggsUK said:

 

I have just downloaded the app and will give it a try tomorrow and see how it matches up with the speedo on the bike itself.  Even if the speedo on my bike is wrong, showing me as going faster than I actually am, I'm still wary about compensating for it and going however much faster would be needed to more 'accurately' reflect my actual speed as if I get pulled over and accused of speeding or something similar, I will have to be honest and tell the police that my speedo said one thing while I was doing another, if that makes sense?  I am, perhaps, too honest for my own good.

Even still, it would be useful for me as I would be able to more clearly keep track of what the speed limit on any given road is, and given the changeable nature of such things (with 20 zones being brought in, abolished, brought in again and so on) will give me one less thing to worry about.  I don't think I will use it for navigation though, certainly not any time soon as for now my eyes are firmly fixed on my surroundings and my mirrors and looking at a screen to see where I'm supposed to be going would (again, at least for now) be a distraction.  Once I've got a firmer grasp of the basics, however, and want to get out and explore, it will most certainly be useful!

Just be careful iPhone and expensive phones don't like vibration on handle bars, it can kill them. 

I have never killed a phone by this method but Google your model to check.

 

Once you have established if you have an error in your Speedo.  You just learn to correct. 

 

If the police pull you you "What speed where you doing?" "30mph officer", end off even if you know it was nearer 40mph (maybe with a shameful look if guilty).

 

They have to provide evidence otherwise and you take your punishment. If they have the evidence they will probably book you regardless.

 

A few miles an hour difference on the Speedo they are never going to know.  So no need to cloud the waters.

Any admission "my speedo said but I know better" they can use as evidence and book you, so don't go there.

 

I tend to hover at speed limit to plus 10% as generally I find cars less pushy. I rely on observation (and app warning) too reduce speed 

 

There is the old talk of leeway required off speed limit plus 10% plus 2mph. However Dorset, North Wales police (which are close to home for us) and other police forces deny this.

 

If you are into reading and safety on the road try-

Google: Road craft motorcycle.

https://www.roadcraft.co.uk/motorcycle-roadcraft/

This is good for safe riding on the road and makes you think about all sorts of things. Maybe a bit heavy and a bit much to start with.

 

If worried about cornering and going fast try -

Google: A twist of the Wrist

Cheesy but informative again, only when ready.

[Capt Sisko]

You have to remember what CBT stands for 'Compulsory Basic Training'. Ignore the compulsory bit and look at what's left, basic training. All passing your CBT really does is prove you've figured out the very basics and you’re safe to be let out on your own. As you are discovering, now you're out in the real world this is where the learning bit really starts, and as you’ve also discovered there’s a fair old number of ‘I’ve paid my road tax, get out of my way, bloody learners’ types trying to bully you. It’s a steep learning curve, but the very fact you’ve both recognised and acknowledged it is a fine thing. Going forwards what might help is a motorcycle confidence course.

 

These courses aren’t intended to get you up to test level, rather they are for people who are returning to biking after a couple of decades off or like you, someone who recognises they're on a journey and need some guidance. Any bike training school should be able to offer such a course, even if they don't advertise it. Just remember it's not a test, you're not there to be lectured too and there won’t be a set syllable. It’s your money, you tell them what you want out of it, ask questions and question the instructor why he say, well try it this way. The more you put in the more you’ll get out of one.

 

Please keep us informed, from what you said, you’ve got you head screwed on the right way and have the right attitude, that's more than half the battle.

[RideWithStyles]

11 minutes ago, onesea said:

You can get lucky talisman bells with "don't ride faster than your guardian angel can fly".

 

My reading of that is "Don't ride faster than you feel your comfortable or capable." That is a golden rule, if you think your going to fast you are end of subject.

 

My aunt just got a talisman for me, ironic considering her last injury was from her bike. She dropped the  bike stationary (although we have all done it),  she is 70 odd and been riding all her life.

 

Taping into first when stopped just to check, nothing wrong with that in my book.  As with tapping into top to check your in top when riding.  Also taking your indicator off just to check you cancelled it, just think of it as not bad practice.

 

Where to ride and when to ride?  

Don't overthink it and don't build fear into certain rides etc 

First night ride I suggest on local roads but again don't over think it keep relaxed.

Got to agree. go as you feel, screw/don’t bother about the rest!

top respect to the Auntie!

Yep I’ve done it and at over half the age.

 

double checking the lever is a good idea and a habit I’ve gotten into on the roads and I only have to appease myself. I hope it’s not OCD now lol but a bad habit to have/keep for when you need / still to-pass a test… .

 

yeah best this to concentrate on the positives and throw the negatives out of the window (ideally someone else’s incase you miss). Biking has a higher risk than most other modes of transport and expensive leisure, if you can’t mentally get round than then unfortunately your gonna be in internal  state of mind foggle and increase the risk of harm to yourself due to your own actions…

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Further update;

This mornings merry jaunt to practice in a car park went swimmingly.  My usual 'practice' route on the road was done three times in succession this morning without any errors on my part.  Everything went smoothly including stopping at all lights, setting off from them, the whole works.  While I'm sure if I was being followed and being watched there may have been minor errors that someone else may have picked up on, I feel confident that this mornings ride was handled rather well.

Likewise, when I was in the car park for a time between the three circuits of my practice route, I only noticed one error on my part which, rather than being during my stopping / starting practice where I had struggled previously (but went perfectly this morning!), was instead while I was doing figure eights.  I had a brief moment of, not panic, but worry, that I wasn't going fast enough to stay upright and went to put my leg out.  My foot never touched the floor and I put it out needlessly, but put it out I did.  I didn't need to, it was only momentary, and I even told myself off for doing so.

Tomorrow morning will be more of the same (provided the weather holds off) after which I'll be (again, depending on weather) riding the bike to Church.  

Also;  Aldi are selling these very reflective rucksacks (with chest and belly straps) for a mere tenner.  Picked one up as being more visible (and carrying more stuff) is always a plus.  Don't know how water / weatherproof it is, but it is certainly reflective and so will do me nicely for the time being.

[Shepherd]

On 09/11/2024 at 12:45, ChrisBiggsUK said:

Also;  Aldi are selling these very reflective rucksacks (with chest and belly straps) for a mere tenner.  Picked one up as being more visible (and carrying more stuff) is always a plus.  Don't know how water / weatherproof it is, but it is certainly reflective and so will do me nicely for the time being.

I have a couple of windcheater type jackets in the same fabric, cheapies from Aliexpress. Absolutely brilliant for standing out on a dark night.

[RideWithStyles]

On 09/11/2024 at 12:45, ChrisBiggsUK said:

Further update;

This mornings merry jaunt to practice in a car park went swimmingly.  My usual 'practice' route on the road was done three times in succession this morning without any errors on my part.  Everything went smoothly including stopping at all lights, setting off from them, the whole works.  While I'm sure if I was being followed and being watched there may have been minor errors that someone else may have picked up on, I feel confident that this mornings ride was handled rather well.

Likewise, when I was in the car park for a time between the three circuits of my practice route, I only noticed one error on my part which, rather than being during my stopping / starting practice where I had struggled previously (but went perfectly this morning!), was instead while I was doing figure eights.  I had a brief moment of, not panic, but worry, that I wasn't going fast enough to stay upright and went to put my leg out.  My foot never touched the floor and I put it out needlessly, but put it out I did.  I didn't need to, it was only momentary, and I even told myself off for doing so.

Tomorrow morning will be more of the same (provided the weather holds off) after which I'll be (again, depending on weather) riding the bike to Church.  

Also;  Aldi are selling these very reflective rucksacks (with chest and belly straps) for a mere tenner.  Picked one up as being more visible (and carrying more stuff) is always a plus.  Don't know how water / weatherproof it is, but it is certainly reflective and so will do me nicely for the time being.

The reflective coating like those is very good visually but it is VERY fragile.
try not to fold or be rough handling with it.
so to wash do not put in the washing machine no matter what cycle.

mild hand soap, in the bath/sink for not too long (don’t soak) Luke warm warm water, rub very gently with a soft cloth.

 
i suspect its more for casual walks and very long hill walking than biking or rougher work, not to say it wont work or is crap, some of there is is quite good if you keep everything in perspective.

you might say yeah its cheap but will they do another one when you want one? Will it be as cheap? If your trying to save on cheap then the only way to rep the benefit is to make it last!

[wastedyears1981]

My take on it:

Just ride to your own abilities/level of confidence..... screw what everyone else does.....nice and steady does the trick.

All the stalling, clutch control, gearing etc comes with time and practice. Soon it will just become second nature and muscle memory and this feeling you have now will be long forgotten.

As for the hi-vis L vest.... ditch it and use a regular hi-vis vest. It'll only make the four-wheeled caged drivers more impatient and want to get around you.

As for being a target and everyone out to get you....yup....that's the life of a biker....they don't look out for you. So ride defensively, own your patch of road, make your observations.... and make them again....get into the habit of checking over your shoulders when turning into junctions/changing lanes and you'll be dandy.

 

Most of all......don't overthink it....go and enjoy it.

[IndigoJo]

On 05/11/2024 at 10:27, Davidtav said:

I think 20mph areas are a difficult area. It seems to me that most traffic goes through them at 25mph or slightly more. And my experience of keeping rigidly at 20 is that someone is going to be very close behind you. Whether in a car or on a bike actually. Which doesn’t feel safe. I’m definitely not reckless or a habitual speeder. And I get it that 20 zones are often close to schools. 

Round here (London) there are whole boroughs with 20mph speed limits, except for some dual carriageways and other arterial roads. You can do whole 10-mile journeys in London on such roads now. In Wales it's whole towns and small cities (nowhere close to the size of London).

[Mawsley]

On 03/11/2024 at 15:47, ChrisBiggsUK said:

Wifes verdict.  When I randomly told the Wife that I wanted to ride a motorcycle, I received no pushback whatsoever.  Nothing.  She just said 'oh, thats nice' and that was it… I guess that I picked the right Wife!  

Of the right life insurance.