Passed my full test today
I am soooo happy that I passed...more nervous about this test than when I did the restricted!
Test was for 7:30am, overcast and drizzling slightly. Met the examiner at AA. Set off from Meadowlands into Howick, down Wellington Street. Had to turn right into Union Rd and dropped the bike, just felt the back wheel slip and next minute I was on my back. First thought was to flip the kill switch (flashback to 2003 turning right into Cascades Rd but that was definitely newbie rider error, didn't get back on my own bike until Feb this year). Cars stopped - thank goodness no car close enough to drive over me. Looked at bike thinking "no ways am I even going to try picking you up". Examiner pushed bike out of the way. L-shaped gouge in the road, possibly from brake lever (when telling my daughter about it later she said L for Loser, I reckon L for Lucky)! We had a discussion about what had happened and I asked if I could continue to do the test. Examiner said that when a rider dropped the bike the test was usually terminated but he couldn't see that I had done anything wrong i.e. my riding up to that point was good, I had pulled away from the stop in a controlled manner; he decided that there must have been oil or rubber on the road which caused the rear tyre to slip, plus the road was wet. I tested the indicators and brakes, the bike started easily. So off I went. All this happened during Part 1 which is bike handling!
Part 1 is the right turns, left turns, stop signs, give ways, roundabouts, u-turns. Some of the stops and turns will be on an incline which will test your hill starts. We went back to the Wellington St/Union Rd intersection twice afterwards but he didn't make me turn right.
Part 2 of the test is hazard detection - you have to ride along, he tells when to start detecting the hazards then after a while he pulls you over and you have to tell him what you saw. You don't have to worry about parked cars but have to note any moving hazards e.g. oncoming traffic, pedestrians and don't forget to mention the vehicles behind you. You will do more left turns, right turns, stop streets and roundabouts.
Part 3: he made me ride through Whitford Gorge - I was extremely well behaved and took those 35 degree corners at about that speed. Part of this test is to see how you ride at faster speeds, the fastest speed I went to was 80ks. Some examiners take you on the motorway.
Then back to AA Meadowlands. The examiner discussed the fall, reiterating that usually the test is terminated but said that my riding before and after was good so put it down to something on the road surface and passed meYay! They don't tell you straight out that you've passed but first discuss the results of test - he noted the fall and also mentioned that I didn't always do a headcheck - so don't forget to do that when you pull away from the kerb.
Adrenaline was starting to wear off, headache starting up. I have a blue, swollen thumb, bruised elbow and knee - all on the right side. Fortunately no damage to the little Eliminator - she is such a lovely bike
The Eliminator and I have done over 7000kms since February. We went to Gisborne Food & Wine Festival for Labour Weekend and we had a fantastic ride through the Waioka Gorge - something to put on your bike riding "to do" list
She's been a great learner bike (and we have had some experiences!). If it wasn't for the fact that her age is starting to tell and she'll be getting expensive to maintain I would consider keeping her longer.
So my fellow newbies - all the best for your upcoming restricted and full licence tests - don't get too nervous - says I, Queen of Nerves, it's really nothing you haven't done before when out riding and it's another milestone in your biking life.
I'm thinking of changing my name - "Imanoobie2" doesn't quite suit anymore!
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Originally Posted by Imanoobie2
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