Failed Module 1 For The 3rd Time

[psychodame]

Okay, help needed here. I failed the Mod 1 again yesterday morning for the 3rd time. I am more than capable of riding the course perfectly, but;

1st time = Not really ready, so was epic fail, but had dreadful nerves.

2nd Time = terrible nerves, sailed through with no minors until the swerve and I kicked a cone over.

3rd time = Worst nerves ever and put foot down on the U turn

So... apart from being totally gutted, ashamed, demorolised, angry, very very upset, frustrated, etc etc what can I do about the nerves? In fact I was so upset yesterday that I wasn't going to post on here coz I couldn't face the thought of possible teasing, but MCW said I should, so here I am!

I KNOW I can do the damm course, I was out practising every night last week on the GPZ500 I'm using for the tests, but on the day I stuff it up.
I tried using Bach rescue remedy but that didn't work, I've tried singing a song to myself, and talking myself thro it... things like "steady... don't grip so hard... relax... breathe... calm down... easy tiger..." to no avail. I've also tried visualising the examiner signing the form and me walking away happy, but that part of the dream escapes me in the real world.

I've got attempt 4 booked in 4 weeks or so, and I thought I'd take a break from stressing about it for 10 days, and then get back out there and practice again, but I'm truly at a loss as to combat feeling so nervous.
I have considered places where I can experience lots of stress such as doing my practice outside a school at chucking out time, on a motorway roundabout, or in the middle of a riot, but these options aren't really very practical, so that brings me back to where I began... how do I combat the nerves??

I am generally considered an outgoing person with nerves of steel (if only they knew) but I am normally able to bluff my way through things, but seemingly bike tests don't come under that heading. I passed my car test on the 2nd go, so I'm not totally useless.

Any ideas/help/advice... please?
____________________
Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous

[Speed]

I’ve always found that talking things through in my head made it a lot worse as I wasn’t giving my full attention to the job in hand. It’s normal to get nerves on any exam/test etc but the trick is not letting the nerves take control. Have you tried Calms? If you look at all the problems you’ve ever faced as a person and got through them then doing a little Mod 1 test is a walk in the park. When you pass you’ll wonder why you was ever nervous to begin with. Despite what some people say, the examiners are fair and are also bikers in and out of work and want to see you pass, so no need to be nervous on that part.

Just keep practicing and practicing and with experience comes confidence

[thepuma]

To be honest I was really really nervous for my Mod1, ridiculously so) . Nervous cos I knew I could do it, but the fear of failure enters my head and then doubts start creeping in. Strangely for me though, as soon as I rode into the compound my nerves just went and it wasa weird feeling like just going through the motions cos I'd done it perfectly hundreds of times before whilst practising.


Obviously the difference for you is that the nerves continue into the test as well.

The only advice I can give is to take your time...there's no time limit, there's no rush. Listen to the examiner but while he's saying his bit, just take a deep breath, look at what you've got to do, visualise yourself doing it perfectly (just like you've done countless times in practice) and then hit it head on.

Just take everything slow and in a controlled manor. For some reason when I did my mod1 practising, I got into the habit of doing the observations really slowly and controlled before moving off, this tended to just keep me calm and feel under control, rather than rushing the obs and feeling like you've got to rush into the next part.

Most of all, keep at it, don't let it get you down, stay positive and the best of luck with the next try.
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[Matt-]

I had the same problem with my driving test...

I was a nervous wreak, my solution was going down to my Local chemist and buying some nerve pill's to calm my nerve's and relax me.

They worked great and quickly, i took one before my test and i was fine i passed with 1 minor.

Good Luck buddy
____________________
RIP jack (wheelie king), you will never be forgotten.
Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

[Flatbadger]

I can't remember where I saw it but there's a video somewhere with good advice, for instance tell as few people about the test as you can - then there's less pressure. Another is maybe you have a nice large bike waiting for you to get through your tests and you're dying to get out there - that won't be helping!

Good luck for #4
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[tbourner]

Embrace the fear!!

When sitting in the waiting room you SHOULD be nervous, your heart should be racing, pumping adrenaline, sweaty palms, needing the toilet, dry mouth etc. etc. this is your body preparing you for hunting wild animals, getting your muscles ready for attack, clearing out your waste system, lubing your skin so your enemy can't hold on .
What you need to do is understand that, and get to a point that you know in your head as soon as your name is called that's it, you're going to war, and it's time for all that prep work to fade away so you can get on with it focused and alert.

That's why some people like me and thepuma were lucky that it all went away as soon as we got through the gate, that's how it's supposed to work, you're just holding onto the prep for too long. Knowing this is usually enough to click it into place.
____________________
Trev, now a biker?
Looking for first big bike.

[psychodame]

Aww, thanks everyone, you're all really helping, and I like the idea of Calms or somt similar, also the adrenaline explanation appeals. I shall try and leave it all in the waiting room, and ride out to do battle with the cones

Now then, any advice for how/where to practice? Ideally I'd liek to be able to set up a slalom , fig 8 course to ride as practice, but can't think of anywhere locally that I could realistically use. I know the obvious ones are car parks, but I'd like to set up some cones/markers/chalk x's so I can use them to work around.
____________________
Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous

[Speed]

Find a quiet industrial unit/estate that rarely gets any traffic and place some of these down (can easily fit a fair few in a backpack)

https://www.sbksports.co.uk/images/uploads/Umbro%20Football%20Teamwear/marker_cones.jpg

Car parks are ok but tend to get a fair bit of traffic at all hours, plus there is the chance of people staring and putting you off.

I'm sure there is a website about that will give you the correct distances to place the cones. You could even make the distances shorter than the actual test ones, so when you do go for your test it'll be much easier

[psychodame]

....erm, what are they, and more to the point, where can I get some!

I've got a copy of the layout & measurements, and thats what I'd like to do, hence needing to find somewhere quiet. I'll perhaps take a tour of teh local industrial estates tonight and see where might be suitable.
____________________
Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous

[ScaredyCat]

[Speed]

[yaigi]

[bikertomm]

It seems nerves are the recurring issue.

I'm most likely going to be shitting bricks when it comes to my test,

I certainly was for my driving test, but as soon as I got in the car with the examiner it all went and I was fine.

Just think... 'Let's do this'

And jobs a good'un

You've already experienced the worst that can happen 3 times, no biggy
____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[psychodame]

[quote="yaigi"]

[thepuma]

[Alpha-9]

Problem is you care too much, you need to exercise the art of not giving a fuck
____________________
Fzr-600 1999

[Rogerborg]

[goto10]

I just used crushed Coke cans as 'cones' in the local car park.
As said above, learn to appreciate the adrenaline, it focuses your mind and makes your reactions faster. Don't over-think things and just try to enjoy it.
____________________
'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[Alpha-9]

Agree with borgy, in that you should have sex with him to relieve your tension.
____________________
Fzr-600 1999

[yaigi]

[Flatbadger]

[cbaz]

Think to yourself as you walk to the bike ''Right I've fucking got this. No messing around, just get the fucking thing done and dusted''. I was (and still am) completely useless at most aspects of slow speed riding, and during my last 20 mins practice before the test put my foot down twice and locked up the rear wheel on the stop! So its not about being amazing at it, its about going out there with the right attitude. Think positive!

[Alpha-9]

[SnowTigeress]

I really know where your coming from I have finally managed to get my licence just by saying fuck it...................... I also failed 3 times on mod 1 because of my nerves..Passed on the forth

Mod 2 I kept doing the most silliest things

1)forgot to turn my petrol back on
2)giving a cyclist to much room on a blind bend
3)Pulled out thinking the road was clear and as I moved there was a car along side me
4)indicator's (telltale was not working)and stopped behind a car turning right
And 5) I passed

Have a little read if you want
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=214983

You will get there in the end

Also you could go to your doctors for test nerves...I suffer from anxiety so i have beta blockers as my heart feels like its in my throat
____________________
Real bikers build their own Renovated and Riding a 1986 Honda CB125TD-C called the Pup. Full Licence 13/09/2012, 1994 Moto Guzzi 750 Strada
Can-Do Girl that does spanners TOO!
TheSmiler: binning it is better than going around a roundabout the wrong way

[Ribenapigeon]

I don't feel nerves around my bike tests as I see the whole process of learning to ride as an antidote to work stress. Maybe you need to cast your activity of biking in a different light. I failed my theory last week but was more annoyed about the cash than anything else. No bike test is going to be anywhere near as stressfull as work and I'm not going to bother with training for my Mod 1. And once i've done Mod 1 I'm going to do the Mod 2 without training at first and just treat the test as an assesment and if I fail take the failure info to a bike trainer to work on. I suppose what I'm saying is try not to think of biking as a stressful thing. After all if your work sent you off to do a days H+S training would you get stressed by it? No way its just boring crap you have to do for work, biking on the other hand is a leasure activity its fun the tests are just a laugh.