Does "L" really = Loser

[Str8 Jacket]

This is just a general rant, and maybe im wrong..... BUT why is that the last couple of times I have been riding home from work while waiting at the traffic lights I have been "hassled" by some older grey hair dude (2 different guy's each time). Ok so hassled may not be the right word. But annoyed is definatey how I felt.
I am aware that the rather large bright yellow "L" plate does pretty much give it away, Im a learner!!
I was at the traffic lights yesterday, so im just sitting there minding my own business and then all of a sudden some old dude pulls up on his BMW something .... and tells me "back there you should have given way to that pedestrian"(even though I was already over the crossing before anyone walked up to it) then he proceeded to tell me that I needed to go a bit faster to keep up with traffic, even though I was riding at 50 the whole way up the road and there was no other traffic on the road to hold up!
THEN yesterday I was sitting a different set of lights when this grumpy older grey/white haired dude pulls up next to me and proceeds to tell me how to look after my bike, that I should be checking the brakes, lights etc everytime I take the bike out. To this I simply replied, "would you fuck of, im trying to concentrate" - Traffic was heavy. He didnt get the hint and started telling me how to clean my bike - What a dick!

[placidfemme]

Seems they were just trying to help...

You should move to Auckland then they just shout "LOSER" and bugger off lol

How much longer do you have on your "L" plate?

[Motu]

As a grey haired old fella i'd have to agree that your bikes a bit dirty - but you'll have to shout because I'm a bit hard of hearing....

Don't worry - telling other people what to do is our job,it's genetic....you'll understand in 50 yrs or so.....

[Pwalo]

This is just a general rant, and maybe im wrong..... BUT why is that the last couple of times I have been riding home from work while waiting at the traffic lights I have been "hassled" by some older grey hair dude (2 different guy's each time). Ok so hassled may not be the right word. But annoyed is definatey how I felt.
I am aware that the rather large bright yellow "L" plate does pretty much give it away, Im a learner!!
I was at the traffic lights yesterday, so im just sitting there minding my own business and then all of a sudden some old dude pulls up on his BMW something .... and tells me "back there you should have given way to that pedestrian"(even though I was already over the crossing before anyone walked up to it) then he proceeded to tell me that I needed to go a bit faster to keep up with traffic, even though I was riding at 50 the whole way up the road and there was no other traffic on the road to hold up!
THEN yesterday I was sitting a different set of lights when this grumpy older grey/white haired dude pulls up next to me and proceeds to tell me how to look after my bike, that I should be checking the brakes, lights etc everytime I take the bike out. To this I simply replied, "would you fuck of, im trying to concentrate" - Traffic was heavy. He didnt get the hint and started telling me how to clean my bike - What a dick!

Don't take it personally. He probably thought he was being helpful. At least he was paying attention rather than the dozy middle aged women who undertook me while we were merging at the bottom of Nguaranga Gorge yesterday evening.

[Str8 Jacket]

As a grey haired old fella i'd have to agree that your bikes a bit dirty - but you'll have to shout because I'm a bit hard of hearing....

Don't worry - telling other people what to do is our job,it's genetic....you'll understand in 50 yrs or so.....

lol!!

Yea, im probably being a bit OTT, last week I had a couple of (older guy's) give me a few tips while out riding through town, that I dont mind, especially since they were nice about it. I think I may have just taken offence to the other two guy's tone of voice and the fact that they both thought it necessary to basically try sitting on my bike while "explaining" what they thought I needed to know . . . Honestly I could smell the latter guy's breathe, and it wasn't nice!

[Motu]

I hope you aren't a target....but there are some things that only happen twice in a lifetime,and it always seems they happen in the same week!

[parsley]

Hit back - next time you're at the lights and and old guy in a BMW pulls alongside you, start telling him how to wash his car!

[zadok]

Don't take it personally. He probably thought he was being helpful.

My thoughts exactly.

[unhingedlizard]

I had someone tell me once i was ruining the enviroment.
I really thought hard about that one as i filled his 4x4 with blue smoke.

[Str8 Jacket]

Before anyone else gets me wrong, what I was meaning was having an L plate definately makes you stick out, the guy's stopping to "help" me seemed to have proved that . . . I am definately greatful for all the advice I can get!! I was just starting to feel like a target - as Motu pointed out. I have literally been riding my bike for 4 day's and have been "helped" 2 day's outta those whilst sitting at the lights?!?! I think im developing a complex . . . .

[justsomeguy]

...... having an L plate definately makes you stick out.....

.....I was just starting to feel like a target - . . . .

1. Get up to a level where you are confident on your bike i.e -You can stay upright and not stall or botch up every gear change and stall everytime you stop......you're probably way past that stage by now

2. Take the bullseye off the back of your bike......save for the ten minutes it takes to do your restricted..

Well thats what I did anyway.. kept the Loser plate on for about a week till I got used to the lack of steering wheel and seat belts and then just chucked it......(into a drawer)

Cops wont stop you unless you do something stupid.... and all the extra attention that the yellow neon sign attracts is just not worth it.....

I guess those guys also take one look at you and think -- hmm a woman, what does she know ...I better tell her how it's REALLY done....

[Str8 Jacket]

1. Get up to a level where you are confident on your bike i.e -You can stay upright and not stall or botch up every gear change and stall everytime you stop......you're probably way past that stage by now

2. Take the bullseye off the back of your bike......save for the ten minutes it takes to do your restricted..

Well thats what I did anyway.. kept the Loser plate on for about a week till I got used to the lack of steering wheel and seat belts and then just chucked it......(into a drawer)

Cops wont stop you unless you do something stupid.... and all the extra attention that the yellow neon sign attracts is just not worth it.....

I guess those guys also take one look at you and think -- hmm a woman, what does she know ...I better tell her how it's REALLY done....

*sigh* If only it was that easy!! I have my learners for another 4 months before I can get my restricted.
Also my job does not allow me to have fines come to court - I work for MOJ. Basically if I get pulled over and don't have my L plate I cannot afford the $400 fine so it would inevitabley (sp) come to court and then im left with no job and fines I cant pay Believe me Im no goody-good but at the end of the day id rather avoid this happening!

[Str8 Jacket]

I guess those guys also take one look at you and think -- hmm a woman, what does she know ...I better tell her how it's REALLY done....

Hmm, I was kinda thinking that!!

[crashe]

If you do decide to take the "L" plate sign off your bike..
Dont chuck it into the drawer... Keep it with you at all times when riding.

Snap the "L" plate off your bike.. so that a tiny yellow bit is still there (a corner of it under the screw holding it on) then if you can depending upon your type of bike, put it under your seat. Or keep it in your backpack that you always carry.

Reason: If you get stopped by the nice police officer, then all you say is that when you came out of where ever you have just come from, like 10 minutes ago, that you found it on the ground as some twat had snapped it off. You will attach it back on when you get home.
The nice police officer should be ok about that.

But always have it with you...... if you don't carry it with you, then you are up for a heavy fine.

Oh and take care out there on the roads...

[justsomeguy]

If you do decide to take the "L" plate sign off your bike..
Dont chuck it into the drawer... Keep it with you at all times when riding.

Snap the "L" plate off your bike.. so that a tiny yellow bit is still there (a corner of it under the screw holding it on) then if you can depending upon your type of bike, put it under your seat. Or keep it in your backpack that you always carry.

Reason: If you get stopped by the nice police officer, then all you say is that when you came out of where ever you have just come from, like 10 minutes ago, that you found it on the ground as some twat had snapped it off. You will attach it back on when you get home.
The nice police officer should be ok about that.

But always have it with you...... if you don't carry it with you, then you are up for a heavy fine.

Oh and take care out there on the roads...

Yes, Crashe makes a great point. Don't put it in your drawer......

Be careful how you "snap" your L-Plate if that's what you do - the buggers have a nasty habit of splitting into two equal halves....