Self Study 2: Oct 21 (Sun) 3.30-4.30pm

This was a holiday weekend and I felt like a ride.

In fact, this has been the best ride so far.

Warming myself up with a few rounds at the practice area, I moved on to the "examination area" with the 30-meter butterfly course permanently set up.

There were 2 other boys practicing for their exam on the following day. The taller one had some trouble letting go of the clutch and was driving on a wavy line, smashing some cones along his way. On the contrary, I was SMOOTH. Out of the 5 mock exams I gave myself, I've only messed up with the clutch twice (engine died off, right foot off peddle)... For the rest of the time, my starting, turning, gearing, stopping were having zero problem. Excellent! I wish the boys good luck. Looking at them reassured myself that practice really makes perfect. It was a long way.

Feeling rather excited, I carried on to try out the roads within the motoring school area. It felt great to be able to ride alongside other 4-wheelers and big coaches, and it was even better to speed up (to 30km/h at one point...) going against the wind.

I've rescheduled my compulsory exams to 29 Nov. They have some staffing problems at the Department of Transport it seems... But anyway I think I'll give it one more go the weekend before the exam. Haven't really catch up with the "8" or starting uphill, and I should.

Self Study 1: Oct 7 (Sun) 10.30-11.30am

Almost took a month off not doing any biking activities, as I've been on holiday at the end of Sept.

The new bicycle I just brought (for about 2 months) has been STOLEN from the racks at my apartment block. It annoys me, but then I have to get on a real bike anyway.

So this Sunday morning, I hired the bike at my motoring school, and drive on my own. Since I haven't take the compulsory exam yet, I am still training at the enclosed area at school and not on the road.

The day has been hot and sunny, and I sucked at the first 15 mins or so for my hour's time (and it's expensive to rent!).

But then after warming-up, I have no problem with the clutch. (Concentration is the key)

Some intensive training I give myself to do - whenever I fail to do something, I keep doing the same thing until it has been corrected.

I still have problems turning left due to my wrist injury, and therefore at one time I just keep turning left at the corners of the enclosed area. It's hard to keep my hands at a stable position when I turn, and also keeping my body slightly tilted at the same time. Eventually I managed to not drop my foot for support. Great.

Next thing I fix is stopping without choking... It's been good practice on my right foot brake and stopping distance. I also find out the correct force to be applied on the hand brake. Really "smooth" is what I need to get hold of.

Stopping and restarting, sorted. Actually I enjoyed hearing the "friction point" so much better, now that I get what it means.

The attempt at the 8-shape lines were not so satisfactory. Need more work on there.

Haven't shift gears today (no major problem on that during classes), so I'll leave it for next round. I enjoy speeding up, and that's my problem when I turn at the last class - so I try turning at snail speed for now.

Let's see what I am up to next week. If I remember everything from today and work on the rest next time, I don't think I'll be too far away from the compulsory exam. (still haven't reschedule it)