CBT Done....Now the DAS

[Drew Carey]

Hello All
Just wanted to post on here for two reasons, firstly, having never ridden bike in any capacity I passed the CBT today. Woooooo Hoooooo.

Secondy, I had a moment which scared the life out of me. Let me explain....... I had spent the time in the car park with no incidents, confidence was really good and was loving every moment. Then came the time to leave the comfort of the car park and move onto the open road. So, got away really well, then the firs place wego is straight onto a national speed limit area. I hear in my ear, "Right lads, open it up and accelerate up to 60", so I did, and though, "This is good, enjoying this. Then went round a small Right hander, then a much steeper left hander.

What then happened scared the life out of me.......I overcooked the left had bend and ended up on the right hand side of the road. Corrected straight away but it scared the life out of me. Frm that point onwards I was a nervous wreck.

We then stopped to do our U-Turn an emergency stop an the guy sat me down and told me off and said "I know you can ride better than this". Somehow, it calmed me, we got back on, and the rest shall we say is history.

The remaining went amazing and I loved it and didn't want to get off.

Afterwards, the chap said he was worried about my confidence and that I may need to spend an extra day on thebig bike (5 days instead of 4).

My question (thank you for reading it all) is....... what can I do to chill out more and improove my confidence??????

Anyway, just want to gain confidence, past full test so I can ride my lovely SV that is sitting in the garage locked up but begging for a ride.

Drew

[Wideboy]

congrats and good luck on you DAS

dont worry mate.Been riding for 20 yrs and still have days when my head is all over the place.just slow down and go with the pace of the day

Could be worse - I did exactly the same in a right, and there isn't enough room for the sort of antics you got up to. Cue grinding metal sounds on the only DAS bike without crash bars in the school...

phew.. you did alot more on your CBT than I did.. I just pootled around the city centre for a while and did some u-turns in a carpark. Didn't go anywhere near a 'national speed limit' zone (dual carriageway was it??)

When I was waiting for my test- I had a few (nerve wracking) days between DAS course and test- I found it was really helpful in settling my nerves to just sit and visualise myself doing things properly. If you know you can do it, you know how to do it, and especially if you have done it, then just take some time to remind yourself. Short of actual riding practice that's the best confidence builder I know of.

Also read things, all sorts of literature on how to ride (internet). It might be novice or advanced, it doesn't matter, it will build your knowledge and a handful of small but meaningful tips will sink in, and you'll get a "hey this might be even easier next time" feeling..... which is nice

Good luck.

best thing i did whilst doing my DAS was shouting the examiners instructors once he had given them.. stopped me from getting into any type of groove where i could make a mistake and kept my focus. Worked wonders for me (someone who starts looking round at the scenary in about 5mins )

Originally Posted by Welsh_Wizard

best thing i did whilst doing my DAS was shouting the examiners instructors once he had given them.. stopped me from getting into any type of groove where i could make a mistake and kept my focus. Worked wonders for me (someone who starts looking round at the scenary in about 5mins )

Did that begin with "ok, go get your gear on now mate"?

"OKAAY!! GO GET YOUR GEAR ON NOW MATE!!!!!!"

I hated taking my test didn't pass first time.....thougth more time on the bike, more you ride the better you are simple. The dsa guys said there was a massive improment from the ride where I failed to where I passed with 1 minor. Just ride and ride and become more at ease on the bike. I did 2500 miles before I passed test, end of the day its down to you.

I would suggest ride as much as you can and sort out your clutch contol as that is the key to slow riding that is what I was taught, i passed. take it easy they just want to see a safe confident rider.
Head up look where you are going are you look is where your bike contol, you control the bike. for the u-turn do it again and again, clutch contol. Emergeny stop east as I did mine in the pouring rain, didn't lock, skid ect.

Though the DSA guy did ask me not throw up on his boots. Being nervous is okay its how you deal with it, is what counts.

Well best of luck, though you won't need it you will be fine enjoy

[Drew Carey]

Cheers Guys for the tips.

I think the strangest thing I have found is that on the way out to watch the rugby I was doing my driving by reflexes but thinking bout what I should be doing on a bike. It all seems to work in my brain better than earlier having had time to think about my mistakes etc.

Will just keep going and need to just relax and enjoy it. (Which I did.....been in a cage for 8 years and it was the most fun I've had on the road since learning to drive!!!!!)