Two-wheel Tom hits the road: SLIDESHOW
Over the next few weeks, motoring writer Tom Sharpe will be undergoing training towards gaining his full motorcycle licence. Here, he sets out on his first lesson.
Since learning to ride a 125cc machine 18 months ago, my experience in the saddle had been limited to an hour-long assessment at Darnall-based ATB Rider Training, in October.
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Hide AdNow, following an invitation from Dave Munt, the boss of B&M Honda, at Barlbrough, I was starting out on the road to my full motorcycle licence.
A warm greeting from ATB instructor Jonathan Hinchcliffe, and a cup of tea, calmed my nerves and after getting myself into my protective clothing and helmet I went outside to complete some slow manoeuvres on ATB’s training area.
Before long we were heading out of the gates...
We were riding to the DSA Test Centre, Barbot Hall, Rotherham, to run through the manoeuvres required by Module One of the two-part Direct Access test, via B&M Honda.
Jonathan’s instruction and commentary over the radio system offered some much-needed reassurance.
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Hide AdThough nervous, the more I concentrated on my observations and co-ordinating accelerator, clutch and brakes, the more I felt at ease.
With my kit keeping me amazingly warm, the freedom offered by two wheels starts to make sense.
We arrive at B&M, without incident, just in time to see Andy Murray getting beaten on the showroom’s big screen but it’s congratulations all round as Mr Munt acknowledges my command of the bike.
The ride to Rotherham takes us through Wales, Aston and Whiston and the test centre’s cones are already set out when we arrive at midday.
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Hide AdThe odd wobble interrupts my early progress on the slow figure of eight but I soon get the hang of it and, to my relief, the infamous 50km/h “avoidance swerve” is completed twice without trouble.
It’s with a sense of relief that I arrive back at ATB’s base after six hours out and about but I have no trouble telling Jonathan that I’ve enjoyed myself.
I’m still not sure bikes are for me but I am enjoying the learning process.
I’ll be back for more of the same on February 14 and Jonathan must be confident ... he’s already pencilled in my test for four days later!