Hi everyone,

Following on from Julene's adventures in our last newsletter, I would like to tell you about a couple of ladies who recently came here to complete the second phase of their compulsory training, the P's test.  For those of you who might not have any idea of what I'm talking about, rider training is compulsory now for anyone who wishes to obtain their motorcycle licence.  This has been the case for about 15 years now. It is done in two parts. There is the 7 hour Pre-learner course and the 7 hour Pre-provisional course.  At the end of the P's course one has to sit for what is known as the Motorcycle Operator Skill Test ( MOST).  Pass all that and you get your licence. It's the skill test that everyone seems to be all worried about.

To pass the MOST one needs to be able to perform a jump over at least one moderately sized school bus, ford a moderately fast flowing Pirahna infested river whilst balancing your motorcycle on your shoulders. The Pirahna have been fed and your wet weather gear should keep them from biting. Oh and by the way, you'll have to do all that on your first go or you'll never have a motorcycle licence. LOL

Only kidding, but I'm sure it's what most people think. The MOST test actually consists of low speed exercises, first gear, an emergency stop, and an obstacle avoidance exercise ( quick swerve).  The highest speed one does is 30kph, and there are no limits to the number of times you can attempt the test. ( Although you only get one go per visit).

Now let me tell you about Melissa and Debb. These ladies did the L's course, the P's course and the MOST on their first attempt. What's more, they did it all without asking for or expecting any special treatment just because they were women. And they didn't get any either. Melissa is not a former SAS Commando and Debb has never won the Tour De France. They are not possessed of X-Ray vision or Flash Gordon reflexes.  And they were both riding what most people wrongly believe is a motorcycle that "won't make it" on the test - the Yamaha Virago 250.  Well let me tell you something; these ladies creamed it. They took on every task with enthusiasm and confidence and they used " The System". Those of you who have had training will know what " The System" is.

The question is, "How come they could do it when others can't ?"  Well I'm the first to admit that riding a motorcycle is not for everybody. It does take a certain amount of co-ordination skill and balance, and some people just don't have that, but most people do. So what else could be a factor? Well after the course was over, I spoke to Melissa and Debb, and they came up with the answer. Lots and lots and lots of riding. Between finishing the L's course and coming back for the P's course these ladies had documented in a little log book 380 hours of riding time each. And I gotta tell you, it showed. They earned their licence and bloody deserve them too.

I've always been of the opinion that a competant motorcycle rider should be at least as good as a competant car driver. Minumum. Most people reckon they should be twice as good. I agree. A new learner driver has to complete 120 hours of driving before they are allowed to sit the drivers test. Twenty hours of this at night too. If we need to be twice as good, then we should do twice as much. I recommend that any learners reading this now should seriously consider how much riding they are doing at the moment and raise the bar. I recommend 250 hours before coming back to do the P's. And here is a sexist comment, but I'm going to say it anyway - woman find it harder, especially if they are over 40. There - said it. So you need to do more. Take some inspiration from Julene, Melissa and Debb and get out there. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO RIDE THE MOST CRASH THE LEAST. Don't be like the guy who turned up here for the P's course last week with a perfectly good GPX250 Kawasaki road bike on the back of a ute. He said he put it on the ute because he had come from such a long way to get here for the course. I'm thinking Sydney, Wollongong. No. PORT MACQUARIE.

One event I do remember with fondness is when a big tough male student on Melissa and Debb's course looked at the sky and said "Geez I hope it doesn't rain. I've never ridden in the rain". I just looked at the girls and they looked at each other and said " Wouldn't stop us "

GO girls.

Shane.