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Dedicated to the memory of our Mentor, Uncle B.

Thank you to all that submitted entries this past week. I have found reading these entries very, well how should I say, ‘thought provoking’. Suffice to say if I read and at times re-read an entry, I often find myself saying ‘I am not alone, I was only thinking or doing that last weekend too’

Kinje, thank you for your participation as this weeks sole selector. To Minnie and gijoe1313, congratualations you are our selectors next week.

These weekly selections are being maintained in a separate log and I will post themat the end of the month to the Newbie Update blogg, at the following link:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=1728

Originally Posted by Kinje

This week I choose Minnie & gijoe1313

Originally Posted by Minnie

On saturday i did the poker run, was a great ride on good roads, as i had not ridden for a couple of weeks, needed to think about what i was doing as the sheer enjoyment of being back on bike overtook as it does and found my self not setting up for corners etc properly, so once i got over the excitement factor, settled back down and practised good smooth lines and tried to practise leaning, some of the roads and they were twisty ones were recently re sealed so watching out for loose chip, took ahwile but then found my groove so to speak and had a great ride.

today a friend dropped off his 1986 yamaha yz350 for me to try out, other than a quick go on a VTR 250 this is the only other road bike i have ridden apart from my ginny, so was a great experience to feel the power band of a two stroke, it felt so much more stable on the road and nice cornering. found the lean forward position gave me a sore neck though.

so that was my weekend, great stuff.

Good on you for settling yourself down mid-ride when you felt yourself getting carried away. You've got to respect these machines and know when they are getting out of hand. Realising that and fixing it is great!

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Went for my restricted test this morning. Made sure before hand that I had :

My licence
My application document (not needed, but it reminds you what you need to bring!)
Correct gear, all checked for snug fit and no distracting elements (cleaned visor, checked zips, clips and buttons)

The bike itself I did a mark one eyeball :

WOF (this should be sorted way beforehand! )
Registration up to date (ditto as above)
Brake lights - front and rear
Horn
Indicators - front and rear
Lights - High and Low beam
Tightened screws, checked front fender mudguard/tyre hugger
Chain lubed the night before
Mirror positioning (do again as needed when examiner following)

Before the test itself, I gave my bike a wash as my usual ritual when I know the bike needs that extra special performance and used the time to focus on the skills I need as a rider of two wheels of freedom :

Head checks (left and right - visible head turning action)
Mirror checks
Lane positioning
Knowing what the bike sounds like at certain rev/speed
Thinking about indicating and turning off indicators
Planting both feet down at stops
Ensuring gears are correctly selected (I didn't use more than the first four!)
Thinking about the types of hazards in the local area that I could encounter

I'm sure there are others I haven't mentioned, but I gave a mental checklist to every detail I could think of.

I made sure I turned up half hour early to the designated testing centre, to ensure no hassle and to quietly think again of the above points. Was polite and cordial with the examiner. Repeated his instructions and listened to everything he said.

Went through the pre-ride check. He got me to go through all the controls - even told me to take hand off right handle and check the back brake separately (was thorough this one!)

On the ride proper, I engaged my indicators all the time (as you normally do - at least three seconds before turn), rode to conditions, head checks at every road and mirror checks.

Ensure speed was to the letter and rode like I normally do. I had to cross rail lines, so I stood on my pegs and approached them confidently (I think seeing me do this, he didn't bother with a U-turn inspection later on!)

Did the three second gap in traffic before turning into the route and always doing the head checks.

Before I knew it, back to the station and a last trap at the end. A stop sign at the station before where I had to park. Double feet down, a quick glance in the rear mirrors and a knowing nod from the examiner.

Reflecting back on the ride, I did it easy as you please - I didn't really deviate from the normal way I rode (except for not accelerating as quick off the mark as I am want to do! ) and basically dotted all the i's and crossed the t's.

15 minutes from total time I left at 7.55am to 8.10am return! five minute pre-inspection for a total time of 20 minutes (less than the half hour I waited beforehand! )

Asked final question "So when can I take off the L-plate?"
"Anytime you like after I hand you this temporary Restriced Licence, note that all conditions for Restricted Licence is still in force."

Woot.

I did a little shimmy, I did a little shake, I did the hokey-pokey and rode out of the station. That's the major thing I did this week!

Sweet, ya got rid of the L-plate! Huge relief. It's easy to get worked up before hand, but once your into it all the nerves drop away and you just go for a normal ride (except for not accelerating as quick off the mark as I am want to do! )

Heads Up and Enjoy