I was so nervous about attending BikeSafe
I was so nervous about attending BikeSafe
I think today has to go down as one of my top 100 day’s of my life. I was so nervous about attending BikeSafe and less than two weeks ago, I had been contemplating selling my motorcycle. I’m so glad that I attended this police workshop today as it really has made all the difference and at the perfect point in my nearly short lived motorcycle story.
From the start I was made to feel extremely welcome and I was soon able to relax and begin to take in the information being shared with me by the West Mercia Police BikeSafe team. The classroom part was informative and was actually lots of fun. Not being a lover of classroom things, I was surprised by how much I learned from this session and by how quickly the morning flew by. Marcus McCormick (known to all as Cus Cus), could make a fortune as a stand up comic – a BikeSafe presenter with that perfect balance of knowledge, wit, humour and an ability to get the message over to us all regarding what it takes to stay safe on a motorcycle.
Then it was time to head out on the road for the observed ride part of BikeSafe and I don’t mind sharing that I was extremely nervous – but as soon as we got on the bikes, it was absolutely fine. I didn’t feel under pressure and really enjoyed my observed ride.
The laughs, banter and bike chat at the end of the day was the best. Loved all of it. Thank you BikeSafe and West Mercia Police. But special thanks to you Marcus and Jeremy Tromans – you guys encouraged me to attend and I am so glad that I did. No longer motivated to sell the bike and that has to be a good thing. After just one day, I feel significantly safer on my motorcycle and have a better idea on the benefits of continuing training. Who knows, perhaps I will move on to some advanced motorcycle training.
Challenges, self-doubt and good times - Michelle Waldron
I like to enjoy life and new challenges. Learning to ride a motorcycle was a big challenge. I completed my CBT on the 13th July 2018, soon after acquiring my first motorcycle – a Suzuki Marauder (called Mercia) and taking my first solo ride, nine days later (went for a coffee and to a car boot sale). Thirteen months on, I became a fully fledged biker, passing both my Module One and Module Two first time and with a clean sheet. Very soon after that, I took my first ride without learner plates on my shiny Honda Rebel.
The truth is that every moment of this journey had challenges, with many moments of self-doubt and wanting to hand the bike keys back. I’m glad that I persisted and happy to be sharing a few of my stepping stones with you via this BikeSafe blog. Crucial to my journey has been choosing good instructors and this especially true, having attended my first BikeSafe and opting to advance my skills through my local IAM RoadSmart group in Redditch (RAMG). Michelle Waldron.
