Walked away from CBT

[-Killian-]

No real drama here [fortunately], but having waited a month to do the CBT I had to walk [drive] away today.

tl;dr - tired; ill; shit at it / suck under (my own perceived) pressure; want to book more time, alone.


Tediously long version if you're bored, no exciting diatribe here but I know I like to read tales of woe / experiences on cbt:

I've been ill the past fortnight, and wasn't really recovered enough. So tired / run down start to the day and an hour's drive to the site. Rebooking means months of wait time so went for it instead of cancelling.

I did, as expected, pretty shit - I have no problem with doing shit, it was exactly the performance level I expected of myself. I had originally planned to book more time but chickened out at the last minute into just one day of CBT. My big fuck ups were failing to balance the throttle / clutch especially turning - right more than left - and finding the rear brake proved an unexpected challenge. Much as I'd been made aware I should keep off the front brake at low speed, I had no option when I found no contact / response in the rear brake.

They did the sit down talk, show you scary videos and damaged equipment part - this is not really a good way to initiate confidence - I'm not entirely dim, I know the risks, my ego was last seen in my 20s and then it wasn't big enough to fuck around with a motorbike. If I'm starting at negative confidence level, pushing the needle down doesn't do me any good.

Then the equipment and walk around the bike / maintenance section. I think it was a Honda CG125 but wasn't explicitly told. Didn't matter much - it had the parts that resemble a motorbike and it went!

The frustration really came in doing a slalom. We had done maybe four or five laps of just a basic circuit - turning left only - and that was it, move on to slalom (weaving along a coned section, looping round and coming back).

That's where things broke down for me. What I wanted was to spend time just moving off, stopping, moving off, stopping, turning right, turning left. Weaving without any street furniture, really nailing low power control and accustom myself to the simple act of being on a bike in a totally unfamiliar position. What I got was the understandable screams of 'throttle' 'clutch' etc. as I spluttered in more of a zig zag than a smooth weave and actually got progressively worse instead of better.

The instructor was very insightful about the lines I should be following, but while he was talking lines and turning circle - which I understand in theory - my simple brain was still thinking "this one makes me go vroom vroom, left hand clutch, right foot stops me (and boy did I need more time to 'feel' the rear brake), can i feel that gear lever..".

I've got a lot to learn and need time to internalise the theory into action, and really wish I could just take a parking lot for the day and play alone. I do better with having someone to ask, rather than having someone directing me. Gave me flashbacks to the driving instructors I had to deal with and my terrible performance under instruction - yet flew through the test much to everyone's surprise. Not to equate driving a car and riding a bike of course.

I feel somewhat bad for the instructor, as perhaps he was used to more compliant students, I just wasn't willing to do what I wasn't ready for. The other pupil was much more competent, although I wasn't really concerning myself with him (all due respect, he was excited/nervous and seemed a good guy with some previous experience off road).

I stopped the slaloming and drew things to a close after I took a break, to leave the instructor and the other student to go about their business. I just knew where my skill level was at, what time it was, and that there was no way I was going to feel confident enough to go on the road - especially not the hilly nightmare that I would have had to face around those parts. Although I doubt the instructor would have encouraged that either had I tried to persevere.

Now I'm back to almost square one and if I want to rebook with this instructor it may be June+ before I can catch him. Or take an incredible commute somewhere else if I really feel like I should give another instructor a go. For clarity, I don't think the instructor was at fault here - I just should have trusted my instincts and booked more time and booked it alone so I could chill out more.

Next time I'm going to have to figure out what to do about the helmet - it was comfortable in the first try - but by the end of the short time riding my head was in a vice / feeling sore (from the weight on my forehead?... no idea).

[Bigvern72]

You're thinking it through too much. You just need to get on and do it rather than think about it.

Try a twist and go scooter just to get the feel before going on to geared maybe?
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Tracer 700 (66) and Triumph America (65) - current rides
Yamaha xj600 diversion and Honda cb125f (65) - both 'retired'

[stinkwheel]

Do your CBT on a twist and go moped.

Then get your geared bike and practice somewhere quiet.

If you feel the need to, go back for some actual lessons on your own bike once you're happier.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure a CBT still counts for riding a manual 125, even if you did it on an automatic moped. It always used to anyway.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kidjal]

Agreed - over thinking, and you're playing yourself down too much, presumably to combat disappointment when you fail, but it will only really help you do just that.

If you don't feel you're gelling with the instructor why not look somewhere else? Everyone learns differently, and lots of people instruct differently.

Bear in mind that lots of people are just batshit with this kind of thing and with repetition sometimes it just "clicks"..maybe thats you, too - just need to spend more time doing it.

[stevo as b4]

IMO, wait until you feel better from whatever man flu or bitch excuse you had today.

Then before you even book another CBT, beg, borrow, buy or steal a 125cc or bigger bike, and take it to an empty industrial estate on a Sunday etc. Put all the proper gear on, and start with the basics.

Starting, stopping, u turns, figure of eight, and practice changing up and down the box without looking at your hands or feet. To get confidence for slow speed manoeuvring, try holding the throttle wide open and controlling the bike in 1St with the clutch, while doing slow circles and eight circuits.

Then try doing progressively harder stopping from 30-40mph, until you feel consistent at braking hard and controlling the bike on the brakes.

Until you can do all that easily, I see no point in you or any other learner booking or attending a CBT.

[pinkyfloyd]

So in a nutshell, you were unwell and felt patronised by the instructor for telling you how dangerous this world is and the risks involved?

It's a good job you didnt get to Element D as it is a good 45 minutes + if done with all the parts to the elements included about how to stay alive out on the roads. You'd never had made it through that.

And then you actually gave up.

Truth of the matter is, you drove there, fully expected it to be easy and gave up when you found out it was harder than you expected.

Your instructor can teach you to ride but from the sounds, he was fighting a battle of wills against your attitude. Saying things like you expected to do shit is something no instructor can fix.

Change your attitude or do not ride a bike. It is as simple as that. Most of riding a bike is your attitude. If you think you cannot, then dont. Stay away from our world.

Or decide you have a set of bollocks and come with a positive attitude. Hell come down to Gosport and I'll teach you personally and shake the negative attitude out of you.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[-Killian-]

Thanks for the thoughts and comments all.

pinkyfloyd, you sound angry and hostile. I thought I'd been pretty clear I don't have any blame for the instructor. I don't recall saying I felt patronised, just that my confidence level was drained. Perhaps you are looking for something that's not there, or you have unspent aggression you need to vent on the internet. Either way, you have my apologies and I wish you well.

I did a CBT a long time ago and completed it without any particular issue and I still don't blame the instructor. I don't doubt he can teach me [or anyone] to ride and I'd happily recommend him.

I expect to be able to hire an instructor to help me take the time and space to gain the confidence I need before I touch the road - that's it. My error was in not booking the right amount of time - as I said - and I would have held back the other guy / instructor so I called it a day.

I may never reach that confidence level and will happily walk away and leave you to 'your world', but an instructor's perspective is only part of the story and there's a limit to how far I rely on another person's say-so as far as my readiness goes.

Thanks again for the insights, they're great - I really just wanted to share a neutral story in a new biker forum as one possible avenue the CBT can go down - just one of those days. Apologies if you've managed to read some negativity into it.

[Alan1986]

I did the CBT in Jan and had to do it over two visits,
I was with three other guys and they were using mopeds whilst I rode a geared bike,

They all made it to the road ride and got there certificates and I didn't,
Could not do a right turn for a very long time myself,
Didn't really put me off, but I was abit annoyed that my body was overruled by my mind with the turn,
I would tense up, ride straight and lean my body,
Kinda funny looking,
Cracked it by the end of the day and spent the first day practicing the basics whilst the moped gang got there Road rides done and certificates issued,

Felt like I got the biking bug after, it was my first ever go on a bike, Didn't complete the Cbt in one visit like the moped lot but still couldn't stop grinning whenever I spoke about bikes after,
Loved it, completed CBT the week after
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Cbt Done, Currently wobbling around on a Cbf125 and love it
DAS some time soon

[P.]

Is your whole life full of failure?

It's only a cbt. Just rebook, don't be a mong and all will be fine.

[-Killian-]

Alan1986 - some of that sounds rather familiar. Glad to hear you nailed it - and that's a pretty fast turn around time on the complete!

Thanks Paddy. that's great. Sorry for the eeyore level of self deprecation, I find coming to forums like this sounding like a cocksure dick rubs people the wrong way, thought I was just taking ownership of what I did wrong. Apparently I went too far the other way and I've made it sound like I give more fucks than I do instead of just trying to share a story. All's good.

[ADSrox0r]

Do you want to ride a bike? As in, is it a burning desire or just a 'meh'? Or is it that you need to ride for cheaper commuting etc?

If you want it, remind yourself of that. Not many people just magically take to it their first time, it takes practise.

The CBT is just a very basic introduction to 'how not to spaz yourself on the road', not an intensive training course. The training comes afterwards wobbling around back roads and car parks on your shiny new shitty chinese 125.

Biking is something we do because it gives us a big fat shiteating grin every time you throw your leg across the saddle, no matter the weather no matter what's gone wrong at home or work. Your ride will always take you on an adventure and you'll feel alive every time you twist the throttle.

Get your shit together, don't be afraid to fail or look a fool it's just a stepping stone to a whole new world of fun.

TL;DR stop being ghey, it's not quantum physics.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[Alan1986]

[stevo as b4]

Pinky, I think you've spoke about this before with regard to teaching both car drivers and people with bike experience, be it race, off road, stunters, or just people that can jump on a bike and ride with good balance and not be scared of them.

But basically how do you like your learners, and what are the ideal types of people to teach a CBT and road riding training to?

Are total greenhorns best if they have a good positive attitude and listening skills.

Or do you find ex trials and MX riders better or worse, and people who have lots of experience of ragging around on bikes legally or not?

I personally would hate to train anyone that can't ride a bike and needs help with the basics of starting a bike and how to use the clutch and gearbox etc.

Do you find ex motocross or trials riders to be arrogant know it all, that actually disadvantages their learning ability?

[Evil Hans]

Does anybody remember the good old days when you just got on a bike at sixteen and rode it?

Sometimes I'm glad I'm old.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[-Killian-]

[supZ]

[-Killian-]

[ADSrox0r]

You'd maybe benefit better from paying a few bob extra for a one-to-one CBT and explaining your hiccups and concerns. Then tell him exactly what you want to work on and get out of the way, just feathering the clutch and fannying around until you're ready.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[pinkyfloyd]

Stevo, I'm at work (other work) at the moment, I'll answer you when I get home after midnight, to the op. Wait for my reply to Stevo and it'll explain my matter of factneas. No offence but I see it in black and white and tell it how it comes across. My reply when I can sit at the computer and go through it will explain more.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[-Killian-]

[Rogerborg]

[Alan1986]

Quick question

Did you literally walk out half way through?
As I said with me I stayed and used the time to keep doing slow control,
Paid for the day so had the day,
We did have two instructors though so one was able to take others out alternating the pairs
____________________
Cbt Done, Currently wobbling around on a Cbf125 and love it
DAS some time soon

[Ayrton]

I had an incredibly shit time on my CBT and took about 3 (or maybe 4, i cant remember) days. What sorted it for me was finding an instructor that would take me and my brother on by ourselves and go over everything slowly and more relaxed.

I think a lot of people would benefit from having a break in between the practice and road riding. It's a lot of stuff to learn in a single day.
Dont be put down by it though. It's a course to learn from, not a test.

[pinkyfloyd]

[Ribenapigeon]

Its ok. Its different for everyone. My CBT was a day of hell as is the case for many of us. So, just dust yourself down rebook get back on the horse and go again.

Welcome to the cult.