Blind in my right eye

**GPXchick** · 8th February 2011, 01:17

G'day evryone. I'm Holly I'm 30 and just got my learners. I pick up my bike on thurs. Shes a beauty. 2007 GPX250. i love it. however i'm so nervous of other drivers on the road. i have come from driving my SS commodore for the last 12 years to having done my BSH and learners! So according to the govt im ready for traffic and the hazards the NZ roads throw at me. UMMMMMMM ok i know my limits and abilities and put it this way. I'm not ready no matter what the licence says.

Don't get me wrong i love to ride and give me a few weeks i will be out there. I was wanting to know how did you other learners get started once you had the piece of paper. I know ride ride ride, but Did you do anything else. One on one lessons i have looked at. Thanks everyone.

i forgot to add i was born blind in my right eye. Are there any Monocular riders out there with a few special tips. Thanks again.

**Hurrie** · 8th February 2011, 01:54

Originally Posted by GPXchick

G'day evryone. I'm Holly.

Welcome to the epic world of biking

when i first started riding i was pretty much the same, i was constantly worried about hitting something or losing control or falling off the bike and not having any skin left

so the first thing i did was i went out a bought myself decent set of biking gear so that i felt safer. Secondly just take it slow, there's no rush. For the first week of riding i kept my riding distance away from home minimal, like i went around the blocks a few times a day and slowly worked my way up to going through roundabouts and traffic lights (i had stalling issues) and yeah when i started getting comfortable with being on a bike i just went everywhere with it lol
I hope that helps and i hope you had a blast!

**GPXchick** · 8th February 2011, 02:28

So i'm not alone

**Hurrie** · 8th February 2011, 02:37

haha no you're not, i'm sure a few people go through the same thing when they start riding. But the more you do it the more you get familiar with your bike. When you do get to the point where you feel comfortable on the road and just riding in general, it would pay to go out a find an empty piece of road or parking lot and practice your emergency braking. Actually i think you guys in auckland have riding training days on wednesday nights so if you can make it to those than you'll probably learn a lot, i know i would lol.

here's the link http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...2-9&e=2718&c=1

**Grubber** · 8th February 2011, 05:38

Hook up with a riding buddy who has some experience and tootle along with them. Always good to have some company and help as you start. No rush is there....just take your time.

**Maha** · 8th February 2011, 06:06

I am not blind but I have monocular lens inplants in both eyes.
Grubber is on the money, cant say any more than that...

**Paul in NZ** · 8th February 2011, 06:56

A friend of mine is effectively blind in one eye and has terrible night vision. He is still one of the smoothest, fastest, safest riders I've had the pleasure of wobbling along behind...

I'm a type 1 diabetic and I have to make sure I'm safe and keep my blood sugars right while riding or terrible things could happen...

Point is - most of us have some kind of disability and it shouldn't define you or stop you doing what you really want to do. But on the other hand you have to know yourself and factor it in - which is what you are doing. Honestly - you have a great attitude and will most likely do fine (and be able to judge how safe / well you are doing). You might have issues with depth perception once you start increasing corner speed but build up slowly and you will adjust.

Most of all - you know what your disability is and can allow for it. That makes you a lot better off than all the idiots who dont realise they are terminally stupid and cant ride... - their disability is indeed cruel but its just our little secret eh?

**Spearfish** · 8th February 2011, 07:26

Congrats on the first steps,
Make sure you look after yourself first with good gear including gloves and boots with no laces. (many stories about feet getting hung up on pegs and stands)
I started riding around the block at quiet times of the day, familiar roads are easier.
Just practice the easy stuff, like starting and stopping, changing gear, indicators and remembering to cancel the bloody thing do a few emergency stops the same way they taught you at the BHS.
One of the best things to ingrain is ALWAYS do things at your own pace, now and in the future.

Once you feel like moving out of short circuit loops around the block I would suggest you consider some formal training, like for instance this course http://www.riderskills.co.nz/default...&rightbar=none
Courses like these speed up the learning process, plus you don't develop as many bad habits, some habits can be hard to shake later on, plus they help you understand why something is done a certain way.
Then groups like the one mentioned in a post above or the north auck street skills are a great way to share and gain experience, the group seems to be getting better and better with outside coaching assistance.
Once I'm up to speed (no pun intended) I'm hoping to tag a NASS meet.
Have fun and Good luck

**jimichelle** · 8th February 2011, 08:18

however my daughter is Monocular (left eye)and after trying to get her to school on a pushbike and just not seeing the truck/car/skateboard/anything else she just about went under she had the dubious honor of a ride to school up till her last day in year 13
much to our horror the ltsa gave her a licence for a car
try teaching reversing out a long drive
just look over your shoulder i say but dad i cant see!
but in saying that shes great in a car on a dirt bike at the river and quads on the sand
I shudder at the thought of her on a motorcycle on the road

**Ferkletastic** · 8th February 2011, 09:27

I have monocular vision (both eyes work but I can only focus with one at a time), I sometimes found judging the curve of a corner a little difficult when I first started, but have found making sure I exagerate the action of looking at the vanishing point through the corner solved this problem.

Other than that I turn my head a lot more than other riders and am extra careful about blind spots.

Welcome to the club, you'll be fine. Always ride at a pace that you're comfortable with and don't forget to have fun.

**buellbabe** · 8th February 2011, 11:05

Good for you Holly!

My advice is simple, just get out there on roads you know and enjoy yaself. Get comfortable with yourself and your bike before you start riding with other people and trying to "do as they do". This site is full of people that can answer pretty much any question you might ask so feel free to do so. But I really do think that you need to be confident riding on your own before you ride with others. And when you do ride with other people who might tell ya to "do this" or "do that" by all means take it on board but don't treat it as gospel, you will soon find out what works and what doesn't!

As for other road users, thats easy, think of every other road user as a complete idiot and expect the unexpected.

BTW, I thought it was a wee bit funny to read that your former "ride" was an SS Commodore...reason being that I have always considered Commordore drivers to be the worst drivers on our roads (no offense intended LOL)... I'm sure you were the exception to the rule...hahahahahahahahahahaha

**davebullet** · 8th February 2011, 13:18

Coming from an SS commodore to I presume a 250 - you won't get the respect and you won't have the power to get out of situations but even more important - people won't see you. You'll even find you might have more people try and push you around / aside. Own your lane and prepare for people pulling out unexpectedly. Get used to the bike at quiet times as buellbabe said on familiar roads. Buy the best protective gear you can afford (everything covered - proper gloves, jacket, boots and pants with armour). Always wear all your gear all the time - even for that 1km trip to the dairy.

Enjoy - you'll love it. We all do

**GPXchick** · 8th February 2011, 13:52

Thanks everyone. OMG i can't wait I have budgeted 900 for riding gear. been looking at cycle treads and was wanting to ask a receommendation: Leather or gortex. I feel a tiny bit restrcited in the leather however i know this will eventually mol to me and fit great. I like the idea of the gortex/material looking jackets. Are they as safe as leather. Thanks everyone you have been so welcoming, SASS sounds awesome too. Im in Mt Wellington. Close enought i thnk in a month a two to attend this great idea. Being free is awesome as i have spent so much already.

**GPXchick** · 8th February 2011, 13:57

Originally Posted by jimichelle

however my daughter is Monocular (left eye)and after trying to get her to school on a pushbike and just not seeing the truck/car/skateboard/anything else she just about went under she had the dubious honor of a ride to school up till her last day in year 13
much to our horror the ltsa gave her a licence for a car
try teaching reversing out a long drive
just look over your shoulder i say but dad i cant see!
but in saying that shes great in a car on a dirt bike at the river and quads on the sand
I shudder at the thought of her on a motorcycle on the road

G'day if your daughter wants a driving lesson from someone with one eye im happy to help. I ws born this way so everything is very natural to me. My depth perception is fine and i still to this day have to stick my head out the window to see when reversing down long driveways. I found that if you look around and slightly down you get a clear view. I'm know in my family as rubber neck. Not becuase i do 5ks past accidents. Becuase i natural have a maluble neck from whipping it around to see over my right shoulder.