Best route for first ride following CBT?

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi all.

As i said when i introduced myself i'm the newest type of newbie you can get and i have no fellow biker mates for advbise so i'm going to be doing a lot of posting on here!!!  I'm doing my CBT on Saturday and getting my bike hopefully on Sunday.  I live in Cwmcarn (cross Keys-Newport) and i'm wondering if anyone can advise me on the best ride to do once i get it.  Should i go to a large carpark or something and get a feel for the bike first and if so does anyone know of one locally as i dont want to be travelling down the dual carriage way on my first ride!  Also can anyone recommend a local route for me to trunnel along or would anyone like to escourt me next week incase i have a total lemon moment and who knows what could happen to me and my bike !!!!! 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hiya,

Glad to see you've taken the first step!  Congratulations!   

When I had my 125 I rode it home.  Was an interesting challenge and since I was 'green as day' I got my brother to drive the car behind me for a bit of moral support.  I spent my time just driving on roads and don't worry about the dual's, if you can drive in a straight line and are comfortable (and watching for those pesky 4-wheel vehicles ;-)) then you will be fine.  An hour or so on the bike and you will feel comfortable enough.

Regarding the slow manouvers (is that spelt right?) then I recommend just quiet roads, there are plenty around.  Trick is to take your time and above all enjoy it!     

I don't live that far from you (just outside bargoed) and would gladly lend a hand if you like (time permitting!).

Cheers,

Dylan

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Cheers Dylan

Moral support is brilliant, i'm so excited yet also shitting myself too!  I'm gonna be the slowest bike on the road for a while but hey ho everyone else can just queue behind me :)

I shall defo get a friend to follow me in the car when i pick it up as i'm getting it from South Wales Superbikes and will have to negotiate the SDR in Newport and then some pretty big roundabouts. 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

im up for helpingand going for a run  i dont work so anytime ok for me i will pm my mob no

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Good Luck on the CBT Sam.

Like Dylan I live in Bargoed. I'm quite happy to join you and follow along to make sure you're avoided by the following cars. You're probably safer (certainly more visible) on the road when there's a few of you.  If you want maybe we could arrange a couple of us to join you.

Andy.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi sam i live in risca, how are you collecting your bike and where from.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Thanks Shazza thats great, i'll defgo be in contact!

Andy - i think thats a great idea, safety in numbers especially when you are out with a n00b!  I'll let you all know how i get on with my CBT on saturday and how confident i feel about going out on the road and then try to arrange something.

Thanks so much everyone for being so helpful and accommodating to me, tis so nice to know there is support out there for us 125 babies!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Rumble, Bike is from South Wales Superbikes off Leeway Industrial estate - Newport, hoping to pick it up on Sunday Morning as long as they have got it all registered and ready for me.  I'll be popping in after the CBT on satiurday to arrange pick up the next day.  Planning on a taxi down there and riding it back 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Rumble, Bike is from South Wales Superbikes off Leeway Industrial estate - Newport, hoping to pick it up on Sunday Morning as long as they have got it all registered and ready for me.  I'll be popping in after the CBT on satiurday to arrange pick up the next day.  Planning on a taxi down there and riding it back 

You are on a trading estate when you get your bike and it'll be quiet on sunday, i did the same thing when i collected my bike from SWS i just rode around that estate for 10 or so minuets (after not riding for 12 years) got used to the bike and happily rode home (being very careful) I have since done over 6000 miles in just 6 months. 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi Sam 

        First of all good luck on your CBT. Just listen to what the instructors say and I am sure you will be fine.
And they will only take you out on the roads if they feel you are safe to do so.

So, when you pick up your bike no need to worry as you would have had a "little" bit of experience out on the road. Just enjoy it, and no need to avoid duel carriageways, just crack on. And to be honest, you'll be straight out onto duel carriageway when you leave SWS, just take your time 

As Rumble say's have a ride around the estate for a while to get used to the bike, then away you go

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi Sam, good luck for Saturday. you'll be fine, like Dylan &  A.D.Jenkins, I'm also in Bargoed, and happy to help out, (and as I'm running the bike in, slow is good for me) I'd take Shazza up on her offer if i was you,

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Update on my CBT:  I was useless, took me all day to get my confidence and therefore control of the bike.  Was getting pretty good towards 1.00pm but the other guy doing it was a returner who needed more roundabout experience to get his certificate and my trainer didnt want to take me out on the road with them.  Going back on Saturday to do a little more training and then hit the streets.  Its harder than it looks, but i didnt fall off or drop the bike so theres a start.  I can now do u-turns, Slaloms, figures of 8, left and right turns and an emergency stop!  I got the hang of pulling off and stopping and my clutch control was really good by the end.  I just had to concentrate so hard to always look into open space (found out the hard way when i saw the guy putting out some cones and i rode into one ROFL!) I was shit scared to begin with but loved it by the end!   Even if i made a mistake i could correct it without freaking out and planting my feet down!!! Roll on next weekend so i can get on the road!  Not sure i'd recommend my training school thou, the guy was nice enough and has taught me what i need to do but it was a bit of a cowboy outfit (the clutch lever was half snapped off on my bike and the gear pedal was soo cllose to the foot rest i could bearly get a foot under it to change gear, not that i got out of first anyway).  I'm sure that if the repeater hadnt turned up (or he hadnt have wanted to knock off at 3) he'd have had another hour for me to practise then 2 hours on the road but hey ho, you live and learn.  It wasn't the one at SWS it was the one between the transporter bridge and the new bride at Liswerry in Newport (rider training wales).

I really hope that i get it right next weekend cause i'm gonna look pretty stupid with all the gear and a bike i cant ride. 

Anyone else struggle like this with their first go or am i really just rubbish?

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hey, don't get disheartned.  Every one learns at a different pace.  It is better to go out on the road knowing that you have the necessary skills rather than rush it and hope you can prevent an off!

The biggest thing is that you come away with is the fact that you LOVED IT!!!   

This is what is referred to as "the grin factor"   

Don't worry you will ace it next week, you'd be surprised by how much confidence you will have when you sit on the bike!

Are you still picking up your MC tomorrow?

Cheers,

Dylan

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Well done Sam, you're doing just fine.  If you're enjoying it then the rest will just come naturally.

Andy.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Cheers, I just feel like a fraud as i look the part in all my new gear and cant ride the damn thing.  Leaving MC at SWS till i get my certificate and can Legally ride it home!  Popped in there for a chat with Colin and he was great, told me I was a stress head and to chill out, i'd be fine next week.

I'm so disappointed but you are so right in what you say.  I'm too busy concentrating on me to deal with traffic as well.  I will be great next week!!!