My Class and my MST test

July 2, 2008 begins the classroom portion of the course. I of course forget the book but am able to borrow a copy which is a good thing. Now, it's not all that exciting but classroom time is one of those things that should just be done. As a driver it was a good refresher as I was finding myself trying to remember what some of the road signs were, etc. Before I studied for my written exam I never even knew that it was legal to turn left onto a one way street on a red light in BC. I got my drivers in Alberta eons ago so I would have never known that.

So the next week we start the actual parking lot practice. I'm all excited to try a cruiser style of motorcycle so they decide to put me on a Virago 250. My first U-turn and I dump it which is very embarrassing being one of the few in the class that had some riding experience! At least I got to do the "how to pick a bike up" lesson and was a lovely example for all. After that they put me on a different Honda 250 that was more of a standard motorcycle like the one I had at home. I was feeling fairly comfortable with the bike after a little bit and seemed to do fairly well with it by the end of the first day. It was just those darned pylons that kept psyching me out in the U-turn!

Sunday morning comes around and we have the MST (motorcycle skills test) to do. The plan was to practice in the morning, take the test, then go for a ride in the afternoon. Much to my relief they ended up scoring the test themselves and didn't bring another tester in to mark me which probably would have freaked me right out. After putting my foot down in the U-turn the first time he told me that I, "must complete the U-turn competently to pass". Well, determined as I am, I sailed right through it that time so I very happily got to take my paperwork down to the motor vehicles branch to get my highway and supervisor restrictions lifted. OH HAPPY DAY! That afternoon was spent in an enjoyable ride around town to get some road practice.

Next,

THE ROAD TEST!!!!!