Motorcycle diary

Well if the personal life is a little complicated at the moment at least I should be able to sort out the rest of the practical arrangements before I go with few problems, right?...Oh so wrong!

I couldn't quite bring myself to write yesterday. It was the first day of motorcycling training and though I didn't think it would be easy, I definitely wasn't expecting to be so traumatised by the experience, but honestly it was awful!

Day1:

I arrived at the centre full of enthusiasm and with my 55cm (small) helmet under arm, felt confident I'd have no problem completing this CBT thingymigig. Afterall, countless other VSOers had gone through this and I hadn't heard any real horror stories-and I'm really not THAT bad a car driver! As soon as I got there though, my confidence was quickly shattered. I was to train with James who arrived clutching his brand new licence and at 17 had all the keenness that I didn't for riding a motorcycle and indeed had been riding (albeit illegally) for quite some time 'wiv me mates' ,oh joy!. Anyway, not letting that unnerve me I smiled madly through the first lot of safety drills and exercises and managed to convince the instructor I was far more confident than I was (big mistake). My instructor, Adrian was really patient and made sure we did everything slowly but I couldn't help feeling guilty that I was holding Evil Kinevel back so didn't want to say 'no' when the invitation came to ride out of the centre and into the larger public carpark. So, with Adrian calling out intructions through the radio, I began the ride, sandwiched between 'Evil' and Adrian. At first, I didn't feel too bad just a little crazy as I realised I was humming to myself just trying to keep focus, but then I completely lost it when the exercises began... As I tried to complete a u-turn, my 'slow-control' just didn't happen and I managed to tip the bike over, smash a wind mirror and headbutt the ground which unfortunately did not go on to swallow me up...!

Day 2

Anyway, that was yesterday. Today, despite me wanting to just curl up and admit defeat, I returned. To be fair, it was so much better today as I had one to one training with Adrian who took everything at snail's pace to suit my special needs but I still haven't completed CBT and I've been introduced to the geared bikes which will be the ones I'll have to use in Rwanda...And quite frankly, I feel sick at the prospect of going any further than the gate at the moment! Tomorrow, I'm on the road, oh shit! :0(