Thanks for the new header photo Irondad.
I passed my skills test this morning and get to move forward with my training, although I did not receive a "perfect score" I was well within the passing curve.
I went out with Trobairitz after coffee Saturday and practiced the off set cone weave just to make sure I had the technique down before the test today. Trobairitz mastered the technique and was doing the weave on her bike within a couple of passes.
There is a swivel of the hips required to master the maneuver that a certain instructor in the Advance Rider Training taught us. If you ask him and no one is looking, he does a great Elvis impersonation, even wearing full gear.
Fortunately the class today was full, so there are only twelve bikes allowed on the range at a time, which meant I had to share a bike with someone and was able to pick the bike. Oh darn, I guess I'll share the TU250, heh heh.
Needless to say, I nailed the off set cone weave, the emergency braking and the avoidance swerve portion of the test. ART class paid off, but the instructors just wouldn't overlook the fact that I came into the cornering portion "a little hot". I was afraid I may have been a wee bit too fast into the turn but they did say "to exit rapidly" and that little TU250 is just too willing. Can you blame me?
I also have to work at shaking that dirtbike mentality in the tight 90ยบ turn, even though I made it, they dinged me points for not turning my head. Stupid move, because I knew it the moment I did it too. Had the instructor asked me, I could've have told him exactly what I did wrong before he told me.
So I'll keep practicing. Besides, it's for the better, a perfect score would have gone to my head and this keeps me humble. I'm looking forward to auditing my next class and the interview.
Troubadour:
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these training posts, simply to compare yours and my experiences! Failing to swivel my head at right angles whilst doing tight loops was the first thing I got pinged for on the first assessment!
Keep up the excellent work!
Humble pie is tasty......I ahve eaten heaps of it lately so fare not! Looking forward to hearing more details of your coming adventures, and lastly welcome to the club!
ReplyDeleteAnother instructor in the make. Bravo! Please continue sharing your experiences as it will certainly help me in improving my skills by learning from you.
ReplyDeleteTroubadour - I have meant to comment on your post for a few days. I have been so engrossed in my own little Moto universe of late. It's good to hear that even the soon to be instructors do some of the same things us newbs do. You are right about it being humbling. It is a gift to pass on your knowledge to eager students and I admire you for it. Maybe some day I will think about teaching, but or now I would just like to have a successful road test and continue learning to be a proficient, skilled, and humble rider.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of your course!
Congratulations. Both on your skills test and the newly charted course.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get my hands on ( er, to work with you ) this coming weekend!
Thanks everyone for the accolades. Dar, it is students and new riders like you that make the instructor's jobs so rewarding and encourages new instructors to teach.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Irondad's threats and intimidation. If you don't hear from me by Monday, I'll be in a corner of a padded room quietly rocking and whimpering to myself. Can't sleep, Irondad will get me, can't sleep, Irondad will get me, can't sleep, Irondad will get me, can't sleep, Irondad will get me.
Hope Irondad doesn't grind you into the ground. I am sure you will do great! It must be an amazing feeling when you see a student 'get it' and they click with what is being taught. My instructors were very cool, the gave criticism with kindness & reinforced concepts, they also gave praise. It meant so much to me when my instructor hollered "Well done!" after I completed something that challenged me. A little praise goes a long way to creating success. I am awed by those who teach and teach well, it truly is a gift. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteTroubadour - how is your course going this weekend?
ReplyDelete