So, I wondered if you can Teach an Old Dog, New Tricks … and purchased a motorbike!
As is usual for me I decided not having ever ridden a motorbike to purchase a 650cc monster – Honda Transalp 650XL. She is a real beauty as you can from the photo. There was of course one minor glitch in my plan and that was I do not have a motorcycle license and had to make a plan to be able to ride her.
This was the plan:
1) New rider course – 8th July (2hrs riding time) [COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY]
2) Compulsory Rider Training (CBT) – 19th July (4hrs riding) [COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY]
3) Theory Test – 21st July (PASSED)
4) Direct Access Training – 3rd Sept (6hrs riding)
5) Direct Access Training – 4rd Sept (6hrs riding)
6) Direct Access Training – 5th Sept (6hrs riding)
7) Direct Access Training – 6th Sept 10:10 MODULE-1 TEST
Direct Access Training – 6th Sept 13:15 MODULE-2 TEST (Cancelled)
So I would have to reschedule my MOD 2 for another day having had it cancelled because of what can only be described as atrocious weather!
My fellow student and i Were well Miserable and cheesed off so our instructor decided he would lead out ride home rather than ride at the back. It was on the way back that a car pulled out with it’s driver side windows totally steamed up, completely unable to see, and knocked our instructor off his bike sending him down the road!
We called ambulance and police an stood in rain for hours waiting for this and that.
Our instructor was knocked out an suffered a broken collar bone and 3 broken ribs but is now recovering well.
My test was rescheduled which I failed having left an indicator on which really depress me.
This was a real challenge to me teaching me humility and patience because I have usually pasted tests and exams 1st time so have to deal with a re-sit has been a helpful Experiance I think.
Today I had that re-sit an have discovered YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS!
I PASSED!!!!
I now plan to ride to 50 capital cities in the next 5 year (by my 50th birthday) with my great friend Liam Clark. You can follow our progress on our motorbike blog 50Cities at www.50cities.org.uk
