Female Learning 2B for Fun at Age 35 (But Its Beginning to Give Me Stress Instead)

[GREYS]

Hi everyone,

 

I dont know if anyone would be reading this but i thought it might be a good space for me to talk about my experience so far and hear some insights from anyone whos willing to share or join in the discussion.

 

Learning to ride a bike has always been a dream of mine since i was a young lady but it did not happen. Conventional Asian parents- girls shouldnt ride a bike, bikes are too dangerous. Naturally, i obtained my class 3 license 17 years ago and have been driving ever since.... thus the dream of riding a bike drifted further into the back of my head until recently!

 

It started ok at the beginning.... The beginners thrill of getting on the bike.. and learning something new for the first time... it was all fun. As i proceeded further into the course... what i thought would be a really fun thing for me started to give me stress. The strict rules and regimental way of learning unconsciously gives me a form of stress. I remember fondly of the days learning my class 3 manual license under a private instructor and had sooooo much fun every lesson.... Also most of my life i grew up and studied overseas where learning felt more free and flexible. I had no idea being in a regimental school environment would cause me the stress i'm currently facing.

 

Failing subjects do make me feel lousy about myself from time to time... so far the most i had to repeat was up to three attempts for obstacles like the Pylon (the first 2 instructors, believe it or not... didnt explain the technique needed to get through the pylon. All they said was "dont look at the cone" and ask you to pick up the cone everytime you knock down a cone. At one time, there were 3 classes sharing the plank/pylon.... the que was really long.... each time someone knocks a cone, they park the bike, pick it up, go back to their bike and move off.......

 

It also doesnt help on the days when you meet instructors whom i personally feel lack a sense of passion in their job- they give no detailed instructions, they would do the bare minimal by giving the class a demonstration and leave it to you to trial and error, hoping you get it right by the end of 100 minutes. There are also those whom would give in-constructive feedback or make unnecessary passing remark not related to the lesson instead of giving constructive feedback to help correct your mistake as you go. Its days like that.... that really puts me off. Trainees only focus should be to receive constructive feedback and constantly correct themselves to master whats needed to get through every obstacle. All the disrespectful remarks, authoritarian attitude feels uncalled for and counter productive for learning. It makes the experience unpleasant when it doesnt have to be this way.

 

Its unfortunate there isnt an option to select a fixed instructors time table... or hire a private riding instructor to allow myself to learn in a way i find would help me better. And i do get that it is what it is, i need to learn to accept and deal with it.... Yesterday i had one of my worst days so far and went home just feeling like crap and wondering why i needed to take crap comments for something im paying for and wanting to do for the fun of it...... Decided to take some time off from the lesson to recharge myself enough before going back for lesson again.

 

Perhaps you had or am facing similar feelings, would be great to hear from you guys?

Thank you for reading.

Edited February 29, 2020 by GREYS

[kokseng_wong]

Hi everyone,

 

I dont know if anyone would be reading this but i thought it might be a good space for me to talk about my experience so far and hear some insights from anyone whos willing to share or join in the discussion.

 

Learning to ride a bike has always been a dream of mine since i was a young lady but it did not happen. Conventional Asian parents- girls shouldnt ride a bike, bikes are too dangerous. Naturally, i obtained my class 3 license 17 years ago and have been driving ever since.... thus the dream of riding a bike drifted further into the back of my head until recently!

 

It started ok at the beginning.... The beginners thrill of getting on the bike.. and learning something new for the first time... it was all fun. As i proceeded further into the course... what i thought would be a really fun thing for me started to give me stress. The strict rules and regimental way of learning unconsciously gives me a form of stress. I remember fondly of the days learning my class 3 manual license under a private instructor and had sooooo much fun every lesson.... Also most of my life i grew up and studied overseas where learning felt more free and flexible. I had no idea being in a regimental school environment would cause me the stress i'm currently facing.

 

Failing subjects do make me feel lousy about myself from time to time... so far the most i had to repeat was up to three attempts for obstacles like the Pylon (the first 2 instructors, believe it or not... didnt explain the technique needed to get through the pylon. All they said was "dont look at the cone" and ask you to pick up the cone everytime you knock down a cone. At one time, there were 3 classes sharing the plank/pylon.... the que was really long.... each time someone knocks a cone, they park the bike, pick it up, go back to their bike and move off.......

 

It also doesnt help on the days when you meet instructors whom i personally feel lack a sense of passion in their job- they give no detailed instructions, they would do the bare minimal by giving the class a demonstration and leave it to you to trial and error, hoping you get it right by the end of 100 minutes. There are also those whom would give in-constructive feedback or make unnecessary passing remark not related to the lesson instead of giving constructive feedback to help correct your mistake as you go. Its days like that.... that really puts me off. Trainees only focus should be to receive constructive feedback and constantly correct themselves to master whats needed to get through every obstacle. All the disrespectful remarks, authoritarian attitude feels uncalled for and counter productive for learning. It makes the experience unpleasant when it doesnt have to be this way.

 

Its unfortunate there isnt an option to select a fixed instructors time table... or hire a private riding instructor to allow myself to learn in a way i find would help me better. And i do get that it is what it is, i need to learn to accept and deal with it.... Yesterday i had one of my worst days so far and went home just feeling like crap and wondering why i needed to take crap comments for something im paying for and wanting to do for the fun of it...... Decided to take some time off from the lesson to recharge myself enough before going back for lesson again.

 

Perhaps you had or am facing similar feelings, would be great to hear from you guys?

Thank you for reading.

 

are u still attending lesson? i passed my 2A a wk ago. mayb can gif u tips

Edited March 2, 2020 by kokseng_wong

[buttbutt8]

@GREYS

Not sure if this is constructive feedback, do you want to try confronting the Instructors or lodge complaint against the egregious ones? On the other hand, I do feel that riding, to a large extent, is really about exploring until you find the right technique. The instructions can’t really teach you “how to ride” but advice u on how to get to finding the right technique faster. Take the pylon for e.g, “don’t look at the cone” is a right advice as if you look at the cone, you will hit it.

 

Don’t give up and Jia you. You will only fail when u give up (very motherhood I know....)

[Md Iszaki]

Wana share us the part of the lesson that is most challenging? then we could share our experience? Im a noobie rider too.

 

The challenge to me was controlling the bike to wad i wana do? and we keep changing bike so need to change accordingly. My instructors at ssdc were generaly nice but need to take a pinch of salt to their comments. Coz some instructors have different opinions but the bottomline, they want us to be safe.

 

Then for regimental ones are those like check back, check mirrors, check blindspot, check oncoming vehicles. I think, this habbit has to be drilled. I keep practicing the drills on the bed till I fall asleep. Then when test came, it became 2nd nature. But this habbit is necessary in road situation, im glad the instructors were harsh on this.

[Pisces44]

it is the phase that all trainee have to go thr...

 

dun let all these "noise" distract u...

 

Stick to your goal & push on...

 

fyi, i'm 45 & just starting prac 7 at SSDC.

[kokseng_wong]

it is the phase that all trainee have to go thr...

 

dun let all these "noise" distract u...

 

Stick to your goal & push on...

 

fyi, i'm 45 & just starting prac 7 at SSDC.

 

gd luck to your pract 7

[kitsura]

Just want to chime in to not give up. I am 40 and also just started 2B. In comparison to class 3 which i completed and passed TP in 1 month i think it is so much more difficult due to getting riding experience and also safety aspect. I have already renewed for the 2nd year so i have am already taking a long time yet still stuck at lesson 4. I fell so many times and got so many injuries including a fractured rib but i would be damned to give up now after attending so many lesson (i think i repeated lesson 1 around 9 times). So i won't give up now and i don't think you should. I have heard from the instructor of someone repeating lesson 4 more than 20x so i think i am still behind the curve on being the most repeats.

[Pisces44]

gd luck to your pract 7

 

Sibei sian....i think will repeat many many times ....

[kokseng_wong]

Just want to chime in to not give up. I am 40 and also just started 2B. In comparison to class 3 which i completed and passed TP in 1 month i think it is so much more difficult due to getting riding experience and also safety aspect. I have already renewed for the 2nd year so i have am already taking a long time yet still stuck at lesson 4. I fell so many times and got so many injuries including a fractured rib but i would be damned to give up now after attending so many lesson (i think i repeated lesson 1 around 9 times). So i won't give up now and i don't think you should. I have heard from the instructor of someone repeating lesson 4 more than 20x so i think i am still behind the curve on being the most repeats.

 

where u learning your 2b?

 

lesson 4 is plank pylon slalom ebrake.

techniques :

plank : change to 2nd gear before u move up the plank + open a bit throttle at the same time n remain open thru the plank.

legs grip as tight as u can to the tank to maintain stability

don lock your elbow in order to swing the handle bar left n right

eyes look straight at least end of plank or the cones at pylon slalom or further.

use rear brake to control the speed.

don bother abt timing 1st until u learnt the technique of not falling off the plank then u can time your yourself at least 6s

front wheel touch plank time start back wheel touch ground time stop

 

pylon slalom : change to 2nd gear before u cross the yellow line then use footbrake to control the speed like how u did in fig 8.

front wheel cross 1st yellow line time start front wheel cross yellow line 2nd yellow line time stop

try to speed up at the last cone to meet timing

 

ebrake : increase your speed to 3rd gear n speed at 30km/h. once front wheel cross white line, close throttle n footbrake at the same time.

when almost reaching red line for 2b clutch in n apply both brake to stop before the red line.

then left leg down. check back right then right leg down. change to 1st gear, check back left then left leg down. then signal right 1st then check back right ,move off

Edited March 7, 2020 by kokseng_wong

[kokseng_wong]

Sibei sian....i think will repeat many many times ....

 

u cleared all the obstacles oredi. pract 7 is nothing la.... cos after u pass. u wont be riding in the circuit mah. public roads more dangerous. there wont be instructors with u anymore once u got your license. u must show your confident to the instructors. just tell yourself if others can do it, y cant i. some more there r girls riding class 2 bikes.

 

just ask the instructors any questions u haf. i also just got my 2A 2 weeks ago. from my orientation day until my TP day i sure haf questions for the instructors...haha...n i just ask any bike instructors.

 

always check blindspots when turning left, right, before approaching bends n change lane

Edited March 7, 2020 by kokseng_wong

[kitsura]

where u learning your 2b?

 

lesson 4 is plank pylon slalom ebrake.

techniques :

plank : change to 2nd gear before u move up the plank + open a bit throttle at the same time n remain open thru the plank.

legs grip as tight as u can to the tank to maintain stability

don lock your elbow in order to swing the handle bar left n right

eyes look straight at least end of plank or the cones at pylon slalom or further.

use rear brake to control the speed.

don bother abt timing 1st until u learnt the technique of not falling off the plank then u can time your yourself at least 6s

front wheel touch plank time start back wheel touch ground time stop

 

pylon slalom : change to 2nd gear before u cross the yellow line then use footbrake to control the speed like how u did in fig 8.

front wheel cross 1st yellow line time start front wheel cross yellow line 2nd yellow line time stop

try to speed up at the last cone to meet timing

 

ebrake : increase your speed to 3rd gear n speed at 30km/h. once front wheel cross white line, close throttle n footbrake at the same time.

when almost reaching red line for 2b clutch in n apply both brake to stop before the red line.

then left leg down. check back right then right leg down. change to 1st gear, check back left then left leg down. then signal right 1st then check back right ,move off

SSDC. Lesson 4 is circuit assessment.

[kokseng_wong]

SSDC. Lesson 4 is circuit assessment.

 

just remember what the instructors taught u.

im not sure abt ssdc. i can only tell u areas that need to check back RIGHT & LEFT before move off are start point, fig 8, crank cos, bottom of slope.

Signal 1st then check back right or left depends on where u r turning

check back left or right when u are negotiating bends depends on right bend or left bend

If there are 2 arrow heads form up 1 row if 1 arrow head form up 2 rows.

Always check back right before u are moving off from stationary even when the distance is very short.

i referred to the ssdc circuit map. quite clear cut. u just follow the arrows of where to check blindspot & check back, check R + L should be no problem.

1 2 is the line up for 1st n 2nd bike. Some areas u need to check back R + L for 1st bike then 2nd bike onwards only check back right. u haf to check with the instructors.

 

theres legend at top left hand corner to guide u.

there also timing shown u should meet for obstacles

 

 

fig 8 less than 11s change to 2nd gear before cross the line front wheel cross line time start back wheel cross line time stop

crank less than 6s same as fig 8.

plank more than 6s front wheel touch plank time start back wheel touch ground time stop

slalom less than 6s front wheel cross line time start front wheel cross line again time stop. try to speed up at last cone to meet timing

 

if u see any oncoming moving vehicles when exiting from any obstacles cos, stop n gif way to them. Unless they stop n signal to u to proceed.

Edited March 7, 2020 by kokseng_wong

[Pisces44]

u cleared all the obstacles oredi. pract 7 is nothing la.... cos after u pass. u wont be riding in the circuit mah. public roads more dangerous. there wont be instructors with u anymore once u got your license. u must show your confident to the instructors. just tell yourself if others can do it, y cant i. some more there r girls riding class 2 bikes.

 

just ask the instructors any questions u haf. i also just got my 2A 2 weeks ago. from my orientation day until my TP day i sure haf questions for the instructors...haha...n i just ask any bike instructors.

 

always check blindspots when turning left, right, before approaching bends n change lane

 

Today prac 7

2 immediate fail for the test road

24 points....

 

Long way to pass....hahaha

[icaruse]

my record is 5 attempts for 2 different subjects.

 

hope you feel better now:weep:

[kokseng_wong]

Today prac 7

2 immediate fail for the test road

24 points....

 

Long way to pass....hahaha

 

since u r learning at ssdc, your instructor must haf given u the circuit map + the test route outside. i google the circuit map, it shown where to check blindspot, left & right. u haf to remember where to check. try to save the demerit points at stations where they hf timing in case u cant meet. e.g. fig 8, plank, pylon slalom. minus dat 6 demerits & the 2 IF, u are almost there.

pract on your weak areas when u go for revision. If u think u cant remember, note down.

 

do not haf the same feeling or think dat if u see ppl who didnt make it, or it's difficult. it may not apply to u.

 

instead of thinking dat way, might as well u think about those who made it & how they made it.

 

it's doesn't matter how many times are your practs as long as TP is 1 time.

 

TBH, since my 2A orientation until TP dat day, i asked the instructors a lots of questions. The scenarios i encountered during my self revision & practical lesson. Then i noted down. Even until now, though i passed, i still keep the notes.

 

Know your mistakes. Correct them n improve on them.

Edited March 12, 2020 by kokseng_wong

[magicj]

I took 1.5 yr to got my class 2B at CDC, 3 months for class 2A at SSDC, 2 months for class 2 at BBDC. I'm intentional to choose new school for having an experience for each driving school. For my personal experiences, all of schools' instructors are nice enough and helpful. Less negtive mood, more understanding, asking with smile, will help you work out the situation.

 

Eyesight is very important for riding motorcycle, the bike will follow your eyesight.

 

While cornering, it needs to lean your body with bike to balance the centrifugal force. if kept the bike and your body straight up, it will be very uncomfortable for cornering.

 

You could ask instructor let you be a pillion rider and do the course with instructor together to experience how to control the bike.

 

For the pylon slalom course, you could seek instrutor's help to lie down some auxiliary cones on ground to help get right point for cornering or mark a wet track to follow. Once you find out your own 'rhythm', it will be very nature to go through the pylon slalom.

 

For the narrow plank, it needs to lean forward a little bit, looked like giving the tank a hug，relax your elbow and not fly outwards, knees hug the tank tightly, keep body straight up, use elbow and handlebar to balance instead of your body, never open knees, open a little bit more throttle ( needs to hear a little bit loud engine sound than usual) and maintain it, keep half clutch, use only rear brake to control speed.

 

For the S course and crank course, seek instructor's help for eyesight, open a little bit more throttle (needs to hear a little bit loud engine sound than usual) and maintain it, lean your body with bike a little bit, use only rear brake to control speed.

 

Your also could ask your classmates for their tips / experiences, regardless the class level. This will also help work out the situation.

 

Practice, practice and practice, but it needs to practice in the right way.

[kitsura]

Finally cleared lesson 4 at ssdc after 3rd try.

[kokseng_wong]

Finally cleared lesson 4 at ssdc after 3rd try.

 

so your pract 5 is on public road. different feeling driving car n riding bike on public road

[kitsura]

so your pract 5 is on public road. different feeling driving car n riding bike on public road

Road is always crazy. Last time when i was taking class 3 got taxi try to brake check me on road, then got stupid bicycle originally facing me suddenly turn 90 degrees and chiong across the crossing when i was about to move off causing instructor to ebrake. I think road will have lots of crazy people just want to cause you to have accident unlike circuit where everyone so friendly and give way.

[kokseng_wong]

Road is always crazy. Last time when i was taking class 3 got taxi try to brake check me on road, then got stupid bicycle originally facing me suddenly turn 90 degrees and chiong across the crossing when i was about to move off causing instructor to ebrake. I think road will have lots of crazy people just want to cause you to have accident unlike circuit where everyone so friendly and give way.

 

driving centre has its speed limit that u haf to observe. your instructor or other instructors will watch over learners. thats y it's very safe in circuit. even on outside road, there will be 2 instructors following. they are responsible for your safety. thats y sometime u can see instructors block traffic for learners to proceed.

[icaruse]

my record is 5 attempts for 2 different subjects.

 

hope you feel better now:weep:

 

but i pass the TP one shot, so keep pressing on it, it may just work out.

[teocekn]

Hi everyone,

 

I dont know if anyone would be reading this but i thought it might be a good space for me to talk about my experience so far and hear some insights from anyone whos willing to share or join in the discussion.

 

Learning to ride a bike has always been a dream of mine since i was a young lady but it did not happen. Conventional Asian parents- girls shouldnt ride a bike, bikes are too dangerous. Naturally, i obtained my class 3 license 17 years ago and have been driving ever since.... thus the dream of riding a bike drifted further into the back of my head until recently!

 

It started ok at the beginning.... The beginners thrill of getting on the bike.. and learning something new for the first time... it was all fun. As i proceeded further into the course... what i thought would be a really fun thing for me started to give me stress. The strict rules and regimental way of learning unconsciously gives me a form of stress. I remember fondly of the days learning my class 3 manual license under a private instructor and had sooooo much fun every lesson.... Also most of my life i grew up and studied overseas where learning felt more free and flexible. I had no idea being in a regimental school environment would cause me the stress i'm currently facing.

 

Failing subjects do make me feel lousy about myself from time to time... so far the most i had to repeat was up to three attempts for obstacles like the Pylon (the first 2 instructors, believe it or not... didnt explain the technique needed to get through the pylon. All they said was "dont look at the cone" and ask you to pick up the cone everytime you knock down a cone. At one time, there were 3 classes sharing the plank/pylon.... the que was really long.... each time someone knocks a cone, they park the bike, pick it up, go back to their bike and move off.......

 

It also doesnt help on the days when you meet instructors whom i personally feel lack a sense of passion in their job- they give no detailed instructions, they would do the bare minimal by giving the class a demonstration and leave it to you to trial and error, hoping you get it right by the end of 100 minutes. There are also those whom would give in-constructive feedback or make unnecessary passing remark not related to the lesson instead of giving constructive feedback to help correct your mistake as you go. Its days like that.... that really puts me off. Trainees only focus should be to receive constructive feedback and constantly correct themselves to master whats needed to get through every obstacle. All the disrespectful remarks, authoritarian attitude feels uncalled for and counter productive for learning. It makes the experience unpleasant when it doesnt have to be this way.

 

Its unfortunate there isnt an option to select a fixed instructors time table... or hire a private riding instructor to allow myself to learn in a way i find would help me better. And i do get that it is what it is, i need to learn to accept and deal with it.... Yesterday i had one of my worst days so far and went home just feeling like crap and wondering why i needed to take crap comments for something im paying for and wanting to do for the fun of it...... Decided to take some time off from the lesson to recharge myself enough before going back for lesson again.

 

Perhaps you had or am facing similar feelings, would be great to hear from you guys?

Thank you for reading.

When feeling down, remember/look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel.

when having to fail& repeat a lesson, it means u havent mastered the technique, do the lesson again to perfect it. it's better than scrapping thru with half-ass skills/technqiue and go onto the road. on the road ( the real road) , there is no chance for mistake/error.

[wishforastar]

I read some of the posts here and I totally understand because I also took many lessons and I started about 2 years ago. However I have to say its partly because of work that I was unable to book the test immediately after lessons ended. I have since taken TP 2 times and I'm going for revision lessons to prepare for my next attempt at TP. As the centre might close due to the virus situation, I guess this wait might be a bit longer....

 

 

Most importantly, do not give up !

Edited April 4, 2020 by wishforastar

[SBF]

@GREYS @wishforastar

How have things been going on the journey of getting your 2B license? A lot of exam dates are backed up due to the Circuit Breaker situation. Hope all has been well?

Good luck for your TP and hang in there, it's not a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN!

[wishforastar]

On 12/7/2020 at 2:30 PM, SB said:

@GREYS @wishforastar

How have things been going on the journey of getting your 2B license? A lot of exam dates are backed up due to the Circuit Breaker situation. Hope all has been well?

Good luck for your TP and hang in there, it's not a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN!

After a few attempts at TP, I have finally managed to pass !

Edited December 10, 2020 by wishforastar