This is the last lesson by the book and I took it seriously.
...To a point that I finally didn't put my right foot on the ground at all times!!
Only for once I did an emergency stop in front of the amber light, and had to land and switch gear. I am not sure if this will be counted as "landing right foot" or "unable to switch to correct gear"... I'll ask.
Not problem on the incline figure-8. I noticed that some of the footbrakes of some bikes are not functioning good enough. Really need to check more.
Also that there were TWO junctions I passed where the sign for directions were changed due to road work. The lanes ended up not getting you to do your turn. So my plan is to ride once more in the morning before the exam.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
L-plate Lesson 14: May 20 (Tue) 2.30-3.30pm
Yup, riding in the rain again. It wasn't too heavy so it was manageable.
Overall the lesson is going smooth, apart from the following few hiccups:-
1) I can't start the engine...!! It was "cold" as the instructor-in-charge said, and I had to slowly throttle up at N gear to let it warm-up. Spent the first 5-10 mins doing it...
2) I was on the N gear on the first set of traffic lights - totally forget I've switched and have to swtch back.
3) My right foot landed after turning into the residence square on one of the routes. Argh.
For both 2 & 3 I know it's because of lacking focus. Really I need to remind myself I'm sitting for the exam every time I drive..!
Overall the lesson is going smooth, apart from the following few hiccups:-
1) I can't start the engine...!! It was "cold" as the instructor-in-charge said, and I had to slowly throttle up at N gear to let it warm-up. Spent the first 5-10 mins doing it...
2) I was on the N gear on the first set of traffic lights - totally forget I've switched and have to swtch back.
3) My right foot landed after turning into the residence square on one of the routes. Argh.
For both 2 & 3 I know it's because of lacking focus. Really I need to remind myself I'm sitting for the exam every time I drive..!
Monday, May 19, 2008
L-plate Lesson 13: May 19 (Mon) 11.30am-12.30pm
It's raining man!
Okay, not too heavy. I've managed worse.
But this is a taught class mainly training up people's incline figure-8 skills. We stayed within the enclosed area.
Two others were in my class. One bigger boy in late 20s, another a French-accent woman at late 30s. They were both frustrated because of the rain, and also that their exam is scheduled tomorrow... I'm surprised that so many people squeeze all their classes to the day before the exam. Obviously they can't manage well with even the figure-8 part (they will simply be sent home without going on the roads).
This annoyed me as well, because this is the last taught class and I only have 2 more self-study classes to go to. No more mock exam - how am I supposed to know if I am doing everything that meet the exam criteria?
My figure-8 is fine, even with the slippery road. But my counter-steering skill is so pretentiously overdoing that, the instructor (the bad cop, at the first L-plate class!) was telling me off! I was bending so far in, unnecessarily. What I should do is to lean the bike in, but my body should remain square.
I slipped and fell off three times because I don't want to step on the ground. Nothing serious. But I got what the instructor said, and managed the corners better. I should also use the full length and width of the inclined slope. Previously I took pride in turning very sharp and narrow, but I should really do the exam requirements. It's not like I'm 100% not going to fall doing the advanced stuff.
Also for starting on the slope I lost the friction point when I panicked. Kinda makes me wonder how bad the exam pressure can be.
OK - two more classes. Let's hope it's not going to rain.
Okay, not too heavy. I've managed worse.
But this is a taught class mainly training up people's incline figure-8 skills. We stayed within the enclosed area.
Two others were in my class. One bigger boy in late 20s, another a French-accent woman at late 30s. They were both frustrated because of the rain, and also that their exam is scheduled tomorrow... I'm surprised that so many people squeeze all their classes to the day before the exam. Obviously they can't manage well with even the figure-8 part (they will simply be sent home without going on the roads).
This annoyed me as well, because this is the last taught class and I only have 2 more self-study classes to go to. No more mock exam - how am I supposed to know if I am doing everything that meet the exam criteria?
My figure-8 is fine, even with the slippery road. But my counter-steering skill is so pretentiously overdoing that, the instructor (the bad cop, at the first L-plate class!) was telling me off! I was bending so far in, unnecessarily. What I should do is to lean the bike in, but my body should remain square.
I slipped and fell off three times because I don't want to step on the ground. Nothing serious. But I got what the instructor said, and managed the corners better. I should also use the full length and width of the inclined slope. Previously I took pride in turning very sharp and narrow, but I should really do the exam requirements. It's not like I'm 100% not going to fall doing the advanced stuff.
Also for starting on the slope I lost the friction point when I panicked. Kinda makes me wonder how bad the exam pressure can be.
OK - two more classes. Let's hope it's not going to rain.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
L-plate Lesson 12: May 17 (Sat) 2.30-3.30pm
Had a rather focused day after the comments from the mock exam.
Changing gear in a CORRECT manner was not that difficult. I can manage gearing up without making funky engine noise now, reminding myself to stop throttling and pull the clutch then kick... The only gearing mistake was on my last minute before entering back to the school - suddenly I wanted to go up one gear but not aware of the "N" for some reason. A second of doing that would caused me the license!
Also I had the other killer - "land the right foot" - at the residential area with a giveaway on the right coming in. Basically whenever there's traffic jam I panicked.I wanted to stop but somehow landed my right foot there... When I should just relax and stop as normal...! When I restarted I was on N gear and looked like an idiot trying to escape from the vehicle behind me. It sucks to have people thinking that I am a beginner girl who can't really manage a bike!
Changing gear in a CORRECT manner was not that difficult. I can manage gearing up without making funky engine noise now, reminding myself to stop throttling and pull the clutch then kick... The only gearing mistake was on my last minute before entering back to the school - suddenly I wanted to go up one gear but not aware of the "N" for some reason. A second of doing that would caused me the license!
Also I had the other killer - "land the right foot" - at the residential area with a giveaway on the right coming in. Basically whenever there's traffic jam I panicked.I wanted to stop but somehow landed my right foot there... When I should just relax and stop as normal...! When I restarted I was on N gear and looked like an idiot trying to escape from the vehicle behind me. It sucks to have people thinking that I am a beginner girl who can't really manage a bike!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Mock Exam: May 13 (Tue) 1.30-3.30pm
The same instructor who leaded me out to the routes last time, was the one taking care of the two of us doing the mock exam class.
We were pretty alright when we do our figure-8. I jerk a little but no big problem.
The other student went on the route first, followed by the instructor and then me. He got the short route while I have the longer one.
Then it was my turn. My first mistake was at the immediate exit of the school. Vehicles in examination was there and I stopped too close to it. I should have stayed further away, at least enough for me to change lanes if the vehicle ended up dead on the road.
Slightly disturbed I speed up a little. My clutch skill turned out to be horrible... I was making a loud sound changing gears... Afterwards the instructor say I shouldn't be holding on the throttle when I pull down the clutch. Argh... Now I know. I should have done things step by step: up throttle, pull clutch, kick gear, release clutch.
At the end of the long straight road came the end of another highway at the left. I'm surprised that we ended up with a traffic jam at that roadwork sign - with a lot of coaches and trucks. I panicked when I wanted to stop - and LANDED ON MY RIGHT FOOT. Aaaaawwwwwwww!
The best way was to follow the same lane until we reach the residential corner we have to turn. No change of lanes required at all. The residential area was okay. There was another truck popping out at the lights, luckily my breaks were working fine this round. But I should have stayed at the right side of the single lane to have a better view of the road.
I made more sounds when I was on the way back. Made another mistake of taking the wrong lanes at another sets of lights. And then I change lanes right after the lights because of a slow moving L-plate car... While I should have used the other lane, empty, that can be used to turn too. Argh...
Really I should make the slow-down part step by step too, to avoid getting stuck at once but at the wrong gear. I did it at the last sets of lights and got this remark.
Engine off but we finished with all these disappointing reviews. Now I really need to pay more attention at what I am doing on the road, while my confidence is still there...
We were pretty alright when we do our figure-8. I jerk a little but no big problem.
The other student went on the route first, followed by the instructor and then me. He got the short route while I have the longer one.
Then it was my turn. My first mistake was at the immediate exit of the school. Vehicles in examination was there and I stopped too close to it. I should have stayed further away, at least enough for me to change lanes if the vehicle ended up dead on the road.
Slightly disturbed I speed up a little. My clutch skill turned out to be horrible... I was making a loud sound changing gears... Afterwards the instructor say I shouldn't be holding on the throttle when I pull down the clutch. Argh... Now I know. I should have done things step by step: up throttle, pull clutch, kick gear, release clutch.
At the end of the long straight road came the end of another highway at the left. I'm surprised that we ended up with a traffic jam at that roadwork sign - with a lot of coaches and trucks. I panicked when I wanted to stop - and LANDED ON MY RIGHT FOOT. Aaaaawwwwwwww!
The best way was to follow the same lane until we reach the residential corner we have to turn. No change of lanes required at all. The residential area was okay. There was another truck popping out at the lights, luckily my breaks were working fine this round. But I should have stayed at the right side of the single lane to have a better view of the road.
I made more sounds when I was on the way back. Made another mistake of taking the wrong lanes at another sets of lights. And then I change lanes right after the lights because of a slow moving L-plate car... While I should have used the other lane, empty, that can be used to turn too. Argh...
Really I should make the slow-down part step by step too, to avoid getting stuck at once but at the wrong gear. I did it at the last sets of lights and got this remark.
Engine off but we finished with all these disappointing reviews. Now I really need to pay more attention at what I am doing on the road, while my confidence is still there...
Monday, May 12, 2008
L-plate lesson 11: May 12(Mon) 2.30-3.30pm
Another beautiful day to ride. Really I can't wait getting my own bike and ride to places... Haven't thought of what bike I should get tho.
I'm finally thinking about the purchase because now I am a lot more confident in passing the bike exam. Not very perfect still, but I'm getting a lot better.
Like today, a public holiday, and Day 3 of consecutive self-riding class, I was so smooth! Warming up on the enclosed area and also the practice slope for figure 8 is not a headache anymore. In 10 mins I was out on the road, checking my speed and my move in changing lanes. No right foot landing whatsoever.
Also I found out how to turn and get up the exam slope - just stay further away from it and the turn will be easier. No major problem on there and I was spinning okay.
It's mock exam tomorrow and I really want to know what I can show the instructors and examiners!
I'm finally thinking about the purchase because now I am a lot more confident in passing the bike exam. Not very perfect still, but I'm getting a lot better.
Like today, a public holiday, and Day 3 of consecutive self-riding class, I was so smooth! Warming up on the enclosed area and also the practice slope for figure 8 is not a headache anymore. In 10 mins I was out on the road, checking my speed and my move in changing lanes. No right foot landing whatsoever.
Also I found out how to turn and get up the exam slope - just stay further away from it and the turn will be easier. No major problem on there and I was spinning okay.
It's mock exam tomorrow and I really want to know what I can show the instructors and examiners!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
L-plate lesson 10: May 11(Sun) 4.30-5.30pm
Today was not hot and I had a great time doing both exam routes with better speed (averaging the standard 40 km/hr).
The only hiccup I had on the road once was this L-plate minivan trying to change lanes in front of me, but then turned back to the original lane. My left foot was busy kicking the gear (fearing that the gear was too high for slowing down)... and ended up landing my right foot. Really I shouldn't have done this simple yet fatal mistake! I need to concentrate.
My challenge to the exam slope without the flat platform wasn't going too well either. Maybe I haven't warmed up enough. I need to practice more going 90-deg to the left and up the slope first. When there was 5 mins left, I played at the practice slope and had NO problem whatsoever, starting and figure 8 for 4 times... This is to prepare for the mock exam on Tues!!
The only hiccup I had on the road once was this L-plate minivan trying to change lanes in front of me, but then turned back to the original lane. My left foot was busy kicking the gear (fearing that the gear was too high for slowing down)... and ended up landing my right foot. Really I shouldn't have done this simple yet fatal mistake! I need to concentrate.
My challenge to the exam slope without the flat platform wasn't going too well either. Maybe I haven't warmed up enough. I need to practice more going 90-deg to the left and up the slope first. When there was 5 mins left, I played at the practice slope and had NO problem whatsoever, starting and figure 8 for 4 times... This is to prepare for the mock exam on Tues!!
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