Thanks for caring

**Paws** · 17th September 2010, 20:30

Yesterday I went out for a nice long ride to get some practice on the bike and all was going well till I spotted a sweet green sports bike In my mirrors when pulling up to some lights. Now, don't make a dick of myself I think, followed Immediately by the lights turning green and me turning red as I go to take off from the lights, the engine starts to bog so I grab the clutch without releasing the throttle, the revs jump up, I manage to not panic (much) slowly let the clutch out and get away ok but for hurt pride. Kicked myself for screwing up just cause a bike was following me. Then next intersection bike still behind me I screw up my change to second gear, Many curses said in the privacy of my helmet. A 60 km ride round Christchurch and the only time I screw up is when being watched. Not quite ready for the 6R test I think. Next up, Road works, rough dirt road, gravel every where and still being watched, positioned myself in the right hand side wheel mark and tackle this next challenge with legs clamped to bike and arms nice and loose just let my bike move under me without fighting it and manage it quite well as the rider of the sports bike passes me in the left wheel mark. Having passed me after the road works the rider was kind enough to check his mirrors to check I made it through ok and I would like to say thanks to that rider for caring from the crap rider of the black bandit with the well deserved L plate
(I'm not usually that bad honest)

**Lurch** · 17th September 2010, 20:44

No-one is perfect, it's always at the most embarrassing moments that I miss 2nd coming off the lights. You'll learn to hide it better.

**GOONR** · 17th September 2010, 21:05

Originally Posted by Paws

Yesterday I went out for a nice long ride to get some practice on the bike and all was going well till I spotted a sweet green sports bike In my mirrors when pulling up to some lights. Now, don't make a dick of myself I think, followed Immediately by the lights turning green and me turning red as I go to take off from the lights, the engine starts to bog so I grab the clutch without releasing the throttle, the revs jump up, I manage to not panic (much) slowly let the clutch out and get away ok but for hurt pride. Kicked myself for screwing up just cause a bike was following me. Then next intersection bike still behind me I screw up my change to second gear, Many curses said in the privacy of my helmet. A 60 km ride round Christchurch and the only time I screw up is when being watched. Not quite ready for the 6R test I think. Next up, Road works, rough dirt road, gravel every where and still being watched, positioned myself in the right hand side wheel mark and tackle this next challenge with legs clamped to bike and arms nice and loose just let my bike move under me without fighting it and manage it quite well as the rider of the sports bike passes me in the left wheel mark. Having passed me after the road works the rider was kind enough to check his mirrors to check I made it through ok and I would like to say thanks to that rider for caring from the crap rider of the black bandit with the well deserved L plate
(I'm not usually that bad honest)

I know what you mean but don't let it worry you if another biker see's you stuff up. I'm sure we have all done it, know I have. Every now and then I'll miss second and find neutral, don't worry about it.

**DidJit** · 17th September 2010, 21:05

Time in the saddle will sort out the nerves.

Still happens to me on occasion when the guys I ride with decide to check on how my riding is coming along. And then they'll tell me, "Focus!"

**Usarka** · 17th September 2010, 21:09

Originally Posted by Paws

the rider of the sports bike passes me in the left wheel mark.

They passed you on the left and you're thanking them? I must be missing something, that usually invokes the wrath of the gods-with-infested-ring-pieces.

**Paws** · 17th September 2010, 21:29

Originally Posted by Usarka

They passed you on the left and you're thanking them? I must be missing something, that usually invokes the wrath of the gods-with-infested-ring-pieces.

In this case not a problem me turning or moving left at anytime would have only resulted in trouble.

And yes just need more practice and time riding I know I'm new and have a lot to learn but it does annoy me that something I was doing well goes to rubbish just cause someone's watching me. I don't care about people driving cars just other bikers and this is something I need to get sorted before my restricted test as some one will be watching me all the way through it and I will definitely have that in the back of my head at the time.

**hellokitty** · 18th September 2010, 07:24

I find that sometimes when I have a bike behind me I ride a bit like a dick too (not saying you are a dick), and I have also been the person behind the L plater that makes them ride like a dick.
Funny thing is that I wasn't worried about the guy in the car behind me doing the license test - maybe because both times (restricted and full) the guy was in a car and not on a bike.
Before I sat my full license, I got a riding lesson from a great guy called Doug Swanson and he told me everything I needed to know and what to expect on the est - that way I was relaxed and warmed up for the test.
Perhaps you should try that? Better to spend the money on a lesson that spend the money having to sit the test twice because you failed due to nerves.

edit - just saw you are in ChCh - I am in Auckland - but I as sure someone can recommend you a good riding instructor

and you are on a Bandit - nice bike but I had issues with the Bandit I learned on bogging as well, once again only when I was watched

**Genie** · 18th September 2010, 07:43

OH I so know exactly what you mean...I do it so much. Everytime I see a big meaty bike coming up behind me I get the heebies jeebies going on. It's madness, that person on the bike is not looking at me thinking I'm a useless idjit. That's in my head, I'm learning to shut my head up and just ride. There is a lot of discipline in riding a bike.

**jack_hamma** · 18th September 2010, 09:09

Watch those Bandit riders....

**MIXONE** · 18th September 2010, 09:35

I used to ride a bonnie that would start second kick every time until some other bikers were watching...

**george formby** · 18th September 2010, 09:46

Och, you will be fine. I failed both my tests (bike & car) first time due to nerves. Second time I had Zen like focus & breezed through. The only thing another rider will be thinking when they see you is are you a risk to them & what kind of bike your on. The rest is in your head.