True Story - Outperformed by teenage girl on motorcycle

[jiminy]

So I thought I might as well share this as it was a true experience and has been on my mind a lot lately, so basically a one-shot journal entry to help process everything and perhaps make a step towards closure. It doesn't involve any wrestling or fighting. So if you’re looking for that, zone out now.


Here in the UK, if you want to learn to ride a motorcycle, the first step is to complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. Successful completion allows you to ride up to a 125cc bike with L plates on the road. It’s a one day course and lasts roughly 6-7 hours and comprises of 5 elements.

Here is a good video that summarises what a successful CBT looks like.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

So it's 5 elements;

Element A - Classroom-style pep talk about personal safety and riding gear (helmets, boots, gloves, etc) and a general ‘get to know you’ between the instructor and trainee, your motivations for wanting to get a bike, prior experience if you have any, etc.

Element B - You go outdoors into the “yard” - about half an acre of enclosed asphalt and have a practical introduction to the bike itself - a geared 125cc machine. The controls - brakes, clutch, accelerator, lights, horn, etc. The safety checks you should do each day before riding - ie look at the tyres, check there are no fluid leaks, that the steering and suspension is good. Finally you’ll practice taking it off the kick-stand, wheeling it around while switched off and putting it on & off the centre stand.

Element C - Time to finally get going on the bike, off-road in the yard. Fire it up and have a go. Ride around in circles, getting used to the weight and balance of the bike. Then go in a circle the opposite way. Then weave in and out of cones practising your slow speed controls, figure of 8s. U-turns and emergency stops. Finally you'll simulate a road junction turn, using Indicators, mirrors and shoulder checks aka ‘lifesavers’.

- lunch break- (time for a well-earned spliff)

Element D - Back in the classroom for a talk on road safety, the highway code, road hazards, importance of visibility, etc.

Element E - A 2+ hour road ride putting your morning’s “training” into practise for real.

Upon successful completion, you will then get your CBT certificate.

Now then. There is this politically correct spiel that’s parroted around that you “cannot fail a CBT”, that it’s “not a test” and that it’s “piss easy”.

Utter bollocks.

If you’re struggling to control the bike, keep stalling, too wobbly and tentative or are deemed unsafe on the road - pulling out in front of traffic, not stopping at red lights and generally a liability to yourself and others, then you won’t get a certificate. And if you don’t get a certificate you have basically failed. Yeah, you can try again or "continue training" another day until you’re up to snuff, but that’s basically like re-taking your driver’s test, isn't it. You get a certificate, you pass. If you don’t you’ve failed. It means you’re not up to snuff. It’s not easy if you’re a complete novice as I found out myself.

Well, for some it is... And some it isn’t. It’s all about who’s riding the bike. lol.

-


So the day started at 9am. I drove to the motorcycle training school in my car and had all the gear and no idea. The weekend prior I had excitedly gone shopping for a helmet, jacket, gloves and shoes and was weighing up what bike to go for once I'd acquired my CBT certificate. I used to ride dirt bikes as a teenager as well as BMX and mountain bikes. Loved it. I had always wanted a motorcycle, but for a long time kept putting it off. Next year... Next spring... And the years slipped by... Approaching the big 4-0, forty years old next year, I guess you could call it an early mid-lift crisis of wanting to finally start motorcycling.

Get myself a nice cruiser for the weekends.

I met up with the instructor, Bob. I’ve changed the names of everyone involved but he looked like a Bob… Jolly fat man of about 45. Yeah, I’d label him fat. He was a bit more than chubby but not 'obese' ... A big, round, solid beer-belly and big puffy ball like head. Standing around my height of 5’8. Short salt and pepper greying hair, but good coverage and no balding with a speckled goatee to match.

Already there was one of my fellow trainee classmates for the day, a light skinned Indian chap that introduced himself as Rav. He was a little older than me at 40 and his hair was showing the signs of ageing with receding corner pockets at the temples. Probably a Norwood 3. Much like me, he was at that stage of his life where he liked the idea of adding a bike to the garage for weekend fun.

I wanted to stress that I hadn't been on so much as a bicycle for 20 years. Rav was very much in the same boat, not having even ridden a motorbike of any kind before, only a bicycle when he was a kid.

I asked Bob if it was just the 2 of us learning that day; Rav and I, as we all seemed to be getting on well. The instructor said we were waiting for 1 more.

Soon enough a young teenage girl turned up. Cream hoodie, black leggings and white converse shoes. Blonde with some pink highlights and short pleats and braids in her hair. Kind of punk-rock looking with nose and brow piercings. Kind of reminiscent of Pink during her ‘Missundazstood’ album era.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

Only taller. In fact she was the tallest of the group at an athletic, slim, 5’9. Bob and I were both an inch shorter and Rav was even shorter at about 5’6.

She was chewing gum and had no gear of her own. The instructor said her leggings were not appropriate and would encourage her to use some kit the school had in storage. She suited up with loaned trousers, jacket, gloves and helmet. Her converse shoes were also not ideal but a helmet is the only absolutely essential piece of equipment you need by law. Bob asked if she still wanted to ride in her converse shoes however and she said that she did.

Some might have thought she was a lesbian, but i didn’t think so. She was just a bit tomboy-ish, artsy and had her own style.

Her name was Ava, by the way.

Bob had to take some details from Rav and Ava whereas I can already done mine on the online app. So I overheard their dates of birth.

Bob began “element A” talking about helmets and safety. He presumably thought Rav was a lot older than me, because he started referring to him as “the Dad of the group”... He passed a sawed-in-half helmet around, letting us see the inners of what it is composed of. Rav was the last to look and Bob was saying “pass it to Dad” … “let Dad have a look”.

He then made the flippant comment that Rav was bound to have more experience on the road than “the 2 kids”.

On one hand i took it as a compliment that he assumed I was closer to Ava’s age than Rav’s but it also smacked of a little disrespect.

Ava was 19 and studying drama at College. She said she wanted to be a voice actor. She was quick to pipe up when questions were asked, but Bob rarely accepted them as correct.

Rav seemed very clued up and was answering all the safety questions and seemed to be impressing Bob the instructor whereas I was somewhere in between, a bit reserved and quiet.

Soon it seemed Ava was getting fed up with Bob correcting her and she began tutting and sighing like she was bored.

Asked why she wanted a bike, she said to get to and from college and so that she could “see her mates and take her boyfriend around.”

So there. She wasn’t a lesbian.

Bob was quick to say you can’t ride with a passenger on a CBT certificate drawing another eye roll and sigh from Ava.

... But from there, once we got outside, Ava absolutely aced it.

Rav on the other hand went from hero to zero. He struggled like hell to get the bike up on its centre stand. Having to stop and take a breather and get his strength back between trying to yank and heave the bike.

He then made an extremely surprising and chauvinist comment that Ava would never need to do this because her “boyfriend or dad will probably do it for you” .

She screwed her face up and replied “U WOT? I DON’T THINK SO. IT LOOKS EASY TO ME.”

When it was her turn next she just put her foot on the stand and pulled it up. Done. Easy. Then took it back down with smoothness and returned it to the kick-stand.

“Simples.” She bragged with a smirk, knowing full well she would have hurt Rav’s pride. See, it really is best to just keep your damn mouth shut sometimes. It may well backfire and make you look the fool.

Again, I was somewhere in between. The bike was about 125KG. You do need a level of strength. It takes technique and strength. I was surely the strongest of the group. Stronger than Bob too, but it’s technique as well. Just using brute strength can get you there, but it’s more of a struggle.

Rav had good technique but was clearly physically weak. I had good strength but hokey technique whereas Ava had good technique and decent strength so she made it look the easiest.

“I think she’s done it before.” Bob remarked, perhaps a little shocked himself.

But Ava insisted it was her first time and was simply “easy”.

By the time we got onto the bike, Ava left us in the dust. She got on and just started riding. A few wobbles and stalled a couple of times but corrected every mistake and never seemed to make the same mistake twice. Within minutes she was a biker. Easy.

To begin with, I just couldn't turn the bike while riding. “Look where you wanna go.. Keep your head up.” Bob encouraged. But I was so tense. My neck, shoulders and spine were so stiff I just couldn’t turn the damn thing. I had to put my feet down and stop before I rode into the fence.

Finally I got going around in circles. Started to get some confidence. It’s all coming back to me. Then I’d have a wobble and another “moment” ... But luckily didn’t fall off. I was getting there.

Poor Rav was really struggling though. He just didn’t have the confidence to get his feet up. Looked wobbly and unsteady as hell.

“You have whiskey for breakfast?” Bob was poking fun at him. It wasn’t helping loosen him up though and honestly seemed disrespectful.

Bob pointed at Ava going around. Whizzing around. “Come on lads. She’s showing you both up.”

We moved on to the other exercises - riding the opposite way before weaving in and out of the cones.

Again, Ava aced it like a pro. I wobbled my way through, hokey as hell but getting there... And poor old Rav just wasn’t picking it up. Missing the cones, hitting the cones, putting his feet down, stopping, stalling, wobbling, head down. All fingers and thumbs on the controls. A sorry sight. Especially compared to Ava.

It really compounded it that Ava - a 19 year old girl that had never ridden before either, but was picking it up so much faster and to rub salt into the wound, also bragging how easy she found it to be.

I mean, this is a manly activity. Man and machine. Combustion engines. Horsepower. Exhaust fumes. A bit dangerous, right. No place for females, let alone teenage girls. She's got no right to be better. I know it’s stupid and wrong to think like this, but in the heat of the moment I longed for the days when girls didn’t compete with boys at everything. I know how those high school boys must feel getting pinned by girls. Younger girls. You wish they'd just stay the hell off the mat and respect men. Or at least know their place and lose.

No woman can ride as well as Valentino Rossi, but just being a man doesn't mean you can be as good as Rossi, either.

The teenage girl was supposed to be the one struggling. Bursting into tears and getting emotional. But that’s no longer the world we’re living in.

Anyway, by lunch time I felt like I was making progress. I was more confident turning, changing gears, keeping my head up and I hadn’t fallen off... but still having a few wobbles and moments... My riding was still nowhere near where I wanted it to be. No where near Ava’s... And I was nervous about going out on the road with cars and vans and cyclists and pedestrians... Was I ready? I'm not sure that I was.

Bob, Ava and I took our helmets off and took a break while Rav was keen to keep practising.

4 hours in, he was basically approaching the level Ava was at after her first 2-3 minutes, and where I was after maybe an hour... Finally getting his feet up and tentatively, slowing going around in circles.

I encouraged Rav to take a break. I’m a big believer in breaks... Letting stuff process in the ol’ brain and then having another crack later... But he was frustrated and wanted to keep going.

So we were all having a drink while Rav kept practising. He was on the far side of the yard when suddenly he must have snatched the front brake and the bike dumped him off. A clumsy, sorry looking crash and he was down on the deck.

It looked a lot like this:
[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

“Oh dear.” Bob quietly said as he took off, walking over to check on Rav.

“Pfffff…” Ava sounded with a girlish giggle, covering her mouth. “Oh my goooooood.” She then said... “Some people just have no business being on a bike, do they?.”

“Come on Ava, it’s harder when you’re older... He hasn’t been on a bicycle for over 20 years.” I tried to reason with her dismissive attitude. “He just needs more time... Same as me, really. But we’ll get there.”

Again she just tutted and seemed to have absolutely zero sympathy for him.

But I got talking to her and complimented how well she was doing to which she continued to say how easy she had found it.

I said that even if you have a family member or friend that has a motorcycle and lets you practice clutch control and revving on the driveway, it’s a huge advantage. I was kind of angling that she must have SOME experience to be this good so quickly but she had said stuff like she thought you operated the clutch with your foot like a car. In theory she seemed clueless and was also blasé about safety.

She said no one in her family and none of her friends had a motorcycle. She was just doing it because it was much cheaper than learning to drive, buy and insure a car. She said she’d rather get a car but couldn’t afford one so she’d “have a go” on a motorcycle.

Asked if she was a voice actor, if she was any good at regional accents and she threw out a mere few words like “Liver-pewl”. I did my Brummie impression and it drew a giggle from her.

“What do you think to Bob?” She then asked.

“He seems alright, I suppose” I said ... He wasn’t really my cup of tea and was a bit “jumped up” ... The type that when given a bit of power it goes to their head.

But I was trying to keep it friendly... I could tolerate him for a day. So I said he was "all right".

“He’s a prick.” Ava came back, completely unwilling to sugar coat her feelings. “If he gives me anymore shit I think I’ll knock him out.” She brazenly threatened before continuing to rant and call him a “fat fuck”.

I tried to reign her in and thought about asking if she had been in many fights or practiced martial arts, combat sports as she seemed to have the attitude for it, but Bob and Rav returned from the other side of the yard.

Luckily Rav wasn’t injured or hurt but his pride must have been hurting more than anything.

Bob parked up the bike and took Rav inside for "the talk" in private — basically would have been telling him he wasn’t up to snuff. That he wouldn’t be getting his certificate that day and would be too much of a liability on the road. Basically that he had to go home at that point and that he’d failed to demonstrate that he was up to the required standard.

Rav was a sorry sight as he said his goodbyes to the group sloped back to his car. Head drooped down, dragging his feet.

“Ah. The ol’ walk of shame.” Bob commented.

Ava made a mock crying face. I got the impression at this point she could be a horrible bully and you certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her.

I said I hope he sticks with it and has another go.

"Nah I don’t i think we’ll see him again." Bob said. "We usually don’t when it goes that badly."

Bob then moved on to talking about the road ride, element D. He asked how I felt I was doing and I said I was nervous about it and not sure I was ready to be on the road myself. Not sure if I had the bike fully under control in the way I needed it...

"Yeah you’re one of them, aren't you." Bob said, folding his arms with a frown.

"How do you mean, one of them?" I inquired.

"Well, you might do alright, or you might not." He said. "I’ll take you out but if you’re anything like that (nodding to the other side of the yard, implying 'like Rav') then we’ll have to bring you in."

“Come on, you’ll be alright.” Ava encouraged, putting her arm around me, shaking and encouraging me.

"I’ll give it a go." I said meekly, praying I could get through without making a fool of myself. But I wasn’t confident at all.

We went back inside and had a highway code and road safety chat... Again, Ava seemed clueless what certain signs meant such as ‘national speed limit’ or ‘no passing’ ... I was able to answer the questions before bob started singling Ava out and demanding that she get involved which merely drew stroppy sighs and eye rolling from her. He eventually said "do you even know which side of the road you’re supposed to be riding on".

"Yeah, duhhh… Can we just go out now."


Finally we went out. The instructor follows the trainees.

Another thing that hit me was that 40mph on a bike feels fucking fast. The wind resistance starts picking up and you’re hanging on, hands clamped so tight to the handlebars your arms soon start aching from the intense grip.

“Ava, slow down and give Jimmy a chance to catch up.” Bob had to say multiple times as Ava seemed a lot more confident at picking up speed. I’m sure she was tutting and sighing every time she heard this through the bluetooth intercom earpiece.

"Jimmy, try to keep up with Ava."

So we settled down and had 2 successful hours on the road.

I made it.

Ava and I both got our certificates. I can now do some semblance of motorcycle riding and can legally ride a 125cc bike on the road.

The plan is to skill up over the summer, then put in for my theory and A1, A2 licenses. DAS, etc. And get that big engined cruiser I always wanted.

I honestly think though, that had I not had that dirt bike experience 23-24 years ago, I would have been just like Rav. To put it into prospect, that 2 decade gap was longer ago than Ava has been alive!! ...There does come an inevitable point where you just can’t beat youth and it’s sad to know your “prime” is in your rear view mirror.

I should’ve done this years ago... But if the best time to start was then, the second best time is right now.

I’m sure Ava is now riding around with her boyfriend on he back of her little bike, if she has bought one yet. I imagine she is absolutely one of these girls that chose a Bieber-like pretty boy based on whether he’ll look good next to her on an Instagram picture and she is very much the boss in that relationship.

[....]

Originally Posted by jiminy [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

So I thought I might as well share this as it was a true experience and has been on my mind a lot lately, so basically a one-shot journal entry to help process everything and perhaps make a step towards closure. It doesn't involve any wrestling or fighting. So if you’re looking for that, zone out now.


Here in the UK, if you want to learn to ride a motorcycle, the first step is to complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. Successful completion allows you to ride up to a 125cc bike with L plates on the road. It’s a one day course and lasts roughly 6-7 hours and comprises of 5 elements.

Here is a good video that summarises what a successful CBT looks like.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

So it's 5 elements;

Element A - Classroom-style pep talk about personal safety and riding gear (helmets, boots, gloves, etc) and a general ‘get to know you’ between the instructor and trainee, your motivations for wanting to get a bike, prior experience if you have any, etc.

Element B - You go outdoors into the “yard” - about half an acre of enclosed asphalt and have a practical introduction to the bike itself - a geared 125cc machine. The controls - brakes, clutch, accelerator, lights, horn, etc. The safety checks you should do each day before riding - ie look at the tyres, check there are no fluid leaks, that the steering and suspension is good. Finally you’ll practice taking it off the kick-stand, wheeling it around while switched off and putting it on & off the centre stand.

Element C - Time to finally get going on the bike, off-road in the yard. Fire it up and have a go. Ride around in circles, getting used to the weight and balance of the bike. Then go in a circle the opposite way. Then weave in and out of cones practising your slow speed controls, figure of 8s. U-turns and emergency stops. Finally you'll simulate a road junction turn, using Indicators, mirrors and shoulder checks aka ‘lifesavers’.

- lunch break- (time for a well-earned spliff)

Element D - Back in the classroom for a talk on road safety, the highway code, road hazards, importance of visibility, etc.

Element E - A 2+ hour road ride putting your morning’s “training” into practise for real.

Upon successful completion, you will then get your CBT certificate.

Now then. There is this politically correct spiel that’s parroted around that you “cannot fail a CBT”, that it’s “not a test” and that it’s “piss easy”.

Utter bollocks.

If you’re struggling to control the bike, keep stalling, too wobbly and tentative or are deemed unsafe on the road - pulling out in front of traffic, not stopping at red lights and generally a liability to yourself and others, then you won’t get a certificate. And if you don’t get a certificate you have basically failed. Yeah, you can try again or "continue training" another day until you’re up to snuff, but that’s basically like re-taking your driver’s test, isn't it. You get a certificate, you pass. If you don’t you’ve failed. It means you’re not up to snuff. It’s not easy if you’re a complete novice as I found out myself.

Well, for some it is... And some it isn’t. It’s all about who’s riding the bike. lol.

-


So the day started at 9am. I drove to the motorcycle training school in my car and had all the gear and no idea. The weekend prior I had excitedly gone shopping for a helmet, jacket, gloves and shoes and was weighing up what bike to go for once I'd acquired my CBT certificate. I used to ride dirt bikes as a teenager as well as BMX and mountain bikes. Loved it. I had always wanted a motorcycle, but for a long time kept putting it off. Next year... Next spring... And the years slipped by... Approaching the big 4-0, forty years old next year, I guess you could call it an early mid-lift crisis of wanting to finally start motorcycling.

Get myself a nice cruiser for the weekends.

I met up with the instructor, Bob. I’ve changed the names of everyone involved but he looked like a Bob… Jolly fat man of about 45. Yeah, I’d label him fat. He was a bit more than chubby but not 'obese' ... A big, round, solid beer-belly and big puffy ball like head. Standing around my height of 5’8. Short salt and pepper greying hair, but good coverage and no balding with a speckled goatee to match.

Already there was one of my fellow trainee classmates for the day, a light skinned Indian chap that introduced himself as Rav. He was a little older than me at 40 and his hair was showing the signs of ageing with receding corner pockets at the temples. Probably a Norwood 3. Much like me, he was at that stage of his life where he liked the idea of adding a bike to the garage for weekend fun.

I wanted to stress that I hadn't been on so much as a bicycle for 20 years. Rav was very much in the same boat, not having even ridden a motorbike of any kind before, only a bicycle when he was a kid.

I asked Bob if it was just the 2 of us learning that day; Rav and I, as we all seemed to be getting on well. The instructor said we were waiting for 1 more.

Soon enough a young teenage girl turned up. Cream hoodie, black leggings and white converse shoes. Blonde with some pink highlights and short pleats and braids in her hair. Kind of punk-rock looking with nose and brow piercings. Kind of reminiscent of Pink during her ‘Missundazstood’ album era.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

Only taller. In fact she was the tallest of the group at an athletic, slim, 5’9. Bob and I were both an inch shorter and Rav was even shorter at about 5’6.

She was chewing gum and had no gear of her own. The instructor said her leggings were not appropriate and would encourage her to use some kit the school had in storage. She suited up with loaned trousers, jacket, gloves and helmet. Her converse shoes were also not ideal but a helmet is the only absolutely essential piece of equipment you need by law. Bob asked if she still wanted to ride in her converse shoes however and she said that she did.

Some might have thought she was a lesbian, but i didn’t think so. She was just a bit tomboy-ish, artsy and had her own style.

Her name was Ava, by the way.

Bob had to take some details from Rav and Ava whereas I can already done mine on the online app. So I overheard their dates of birth.

Bob began “element A” talking about helmets and safety. He presumably thought Rav was a lot older than me, because he started referring to him as “the Dad of the group”... He passed a sawed-in-half helmet around, letting us see the inners of what it is composed of. Rav was the last to look and Bob was saying “pass it to Dad” … “let Dad have a look”.

He then made the flippant comment that Rav was bound to have more experience on the road than “the 2 kids”.

On one hand i took it as a compliment that he assumed I was closer to Ava’s age than Rav’s but it also smacked of a little disrespect.

Ava was 19 and studying drama at College. She said she wanted to be a voice actor. She was quick to pipe up when questions were asked, but Bob rarely accepted them as correct.

Rav seemed very clued up and was answering all the safety questions and seemed to be impressing Bob the instructor whereas I was somewhere in between, a bit reserved and quiet.

Soon it seemed Ava was getting fed up with Bob correcting her and she began tutting and sighing like she was bored.

Asked why she wanted a bike, she said to get to and from college and so that she could “see her mates and take her boyfriend around.”

So there. She wasn’t a lesbian.

Bob was quick to say you can’t ride with a passenger on a CBT certificate drawing another eye roll and sigh from Ava.

... But from there, once we got outside, Ava absolutely aced it.

Rav on the other hand went from hero to zero. He struggled like hell to get the bike up on its centre stand. Having to stop and take a breather and get his strength back between trying to yank and heave the bike.

He then made an extremely surprising and chauvinist comment that Ava would never need to do this because her “boyfriend or dad will probably do it for you” .

She screwed her face up and replied “U WOT? I DON’T THINK SO. IT LOOKS EASY TO ME.”

When it was her turn next she just put her foot on the stand and pulled it up. Done. Easy. Then took it back down with smoothness and returned it to the kick-stand.

“Simples.” She bragged with a smirk, knowing full well she would have hurt Rav’s pride. See, it really is best to just keep your damn mouth shut sometimes. It may well backfire and make you look the fool.

Again, I was somewhere in between. The bike was about 125KG. You do need a level of strength. It takes technique and strength. I was surely the strongest of the group. Stronger than Bob too, but it’s technique as well. Just using brute strength can get you there, but it’s more of a struggle.

Rav had good technique but was clearly physically weak. I had good strength but hokey technique whereas Ava had good technique and decent strength so she made it look the easiest.

“I think she’s done it before.” Bob remarked, perhaps a little shocked himself.

But Ava insisted it was her first time and was simply “easy”.

By the time we got onto the bike, Ava left us in the dust. She got on and just started riding. A few wobbles and stalled a couple of times but corrected every mistake and never seemed to make the same mistake twice. Within minutes she was a biker. Easy.

To begin with, I just couldn't turn the bike while riding. “Look where you wanna go.. Keep your head up.” Bob encouraged. But I was so tense. My neck, shoulders and spine were so stiff I just couldn’t turn the damn thing. I had to put my feet down and stop before I rode into the fence.

Finally I got going around in circles. Started to get some confidence. It’s all coming back to me. Then I’d have a wobble and another “moment” ... But luckily didn’t fall off. I was getting there.

Poor Rav was really struggling though. He just didn’t have the confidence to get his feet up. Looked wobbly and unsteady as hell.

“You have whiskey for breakfast?” Bob was poking fun at him. It wasn’t helping loosen him up though and honestly seemed disrespectful.

Bob pointed at Ava going around. Whizzing around. “Come on lads. She’s showing you both up.”

We moved on to the other exercises - riding the opposite way before weaving in and out of the cones.

Again, Ava aced it like a pro. I wobbled my way through, hokey as hell but getting there... And poor old Rav just wasn’t picking it up. Missing the cones, hitting the cones, putting his feet down, stopping, stalling, wobbling, head down. All fingers and thumbs on the controls. A sorry sight. Especially compared to Ava.

It really compounded it that Ava - a 19 year old girl that had never ridden before either, but was picking it up so much faster and to rub salt into the wound, also bragging how easy she found it to be.

I mean, this is a manly activity. Man and machine. Combustion engines. Horsepower. Exhaust fumes. A bit dangerous, right. No place for females, let alone teenage girls. She's got no right to be better. I know it’s stupid and wrong to think like this, but in the heat of the moment I longed for the days when girls didn’t compete with boys at everything. I know how those high school boys must feel getting pinned by girls. Younger girls. You wish they'd just stay the hell off the mat and respect men. Or at least know their place and lose.

No woman can ride as well as Valentino Rossi, but just being a man doesn't mean you can be as good as Rossi, either.

The teenage girl was supposed to be the one struggling. Bursting into tears and getting emotional. But that’s no longer the world we’re living in.

Anyway, by lunch time I felt like I was making progress. I was more confident turning, changing gears, keeping my head up and I hadn’t fallen off... but still having a few wobbles and moments... My riding was still nowhere near where I wanted it to be. No where near Ava’s... And I was nervous about going out on the road with cars and vans and cyclists and pedestrians... Was I ready? I'm not sure that I was.

Bob, Ava and I took our helmets off and took a break while Rav was keen to keep practising.

4 hours in, he was basically approaching the level Ava was at after her first 2-3 minutes, and where I was after maybe an hour... Finally getting his feet up and tentatively, slowing going around in circles.

I encouraged Rav to take a break. I’m a big believer in breaks... Letting stuff process in the ol’ brain and then having another crack later... But he was frustrated and wanted to keep going.

So we were all having a drink while Rav kept practising. He was on the far side of the yard when suddenly he must have snatched the front brake and the bike dumped him off. A clumsy, sorry looking crash and he was down on the deck.

It looked a lot like this:
[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

“Oh dear.” Bob quietly said as he took off, walking over to check on Rav.

“Pfffff…” Ava sounded with a girlish giggle, covering her mouth. “Oh my goooooood.” She then said... “Some people just have no business being on a bike, do they?.”

“Come on Ava, it’s harder when you’re older... He hasn’t been on a bicycle for over 20 years.” I tried to reason with her dismissive attitude. “He just needs more time... Same as me, really. But we’ll get there.”

Again she just tutted and seemed to have absolutely zero sympathy for him.

But I got talking to her and complimented how well she was doing to which she continued to say how easy she had found it.

I said that even if you have a family member or friend that has a motorcycle and lets you practice clutch control and revving on the driveway, it’s a huge advantage. I was kind of angling that she must have SOME experience to be this good so quickly but she had said stuff like she thought you operated the clutch with your foot like a car. In theory she seemed clueless and was also blasé about safety.

She said no one in her family and none of her friends had a motorcycle. She was just doing it because it was much cheaper than learning to drive, buy and insure a car. She said she’d rather get a car but couldn’t afford one so she’d “have a go” on a motorcycle.

Asked if she was a voice actor, if she was any good at regional accents and she threw out a mere few words like “Liver-pewl”. I did my Brummie impression and it drew a giggle from her.

“What do you think to Bob?” She then asked.

“He seems alright, I suppose” I said ... He wasn’t really my cup of tea and was a bit “jumped up” ... The type that when given a bit of power it goes to their head.

But I was trying to keep it friendly... I could tolerate him for a day. So I said he was "all right".

“He’s a prick.” Ava came back, completely unwilling to sugar coat her feelings. “If he gives me anymore shit I think I’ll knock him out.” She brazenly threatened before continuing to rant and call him a “fat fuck”.

I tried to reign her in and thought about asking if she had been in many fights or practiced martial arts, combat sports as she seemed to have the attitude for it, but Bob and Rav returned from the other side of the yard.

Luckily Rav wasn’t injured or hurt but his pride must have been hurting more than anything.

Bob parked up the bike and took Rav inside for "the talk" in private — basically would have been telling him he wasn’t up to snuff. That he wouldn’t be getting his certificate that day and would be too much of a liability on the road. Basically that he had to go home at that point and that he’d failed to demonstrate that he was up to the required standard.

Rav was a sorry sight as he said his goodbyes to the group sloped back to his car. Head drooped down, dragging his feet.

“Ah. The ol’ walk of shame.” Bob commented.

Ava made a mock crying face. I got the impression at this point she could be a horrible bully and you certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her.

I said I hope he sticks with it and has another go.

"Nah I don’t i think we’ll see him again." Bob said. "We usually don’t when it goes that badly."

Bob then moved on to talking about the road ride, element D. He asked how I felt I was doing and I said I was nervous about it and not sure I was ready to be on the road myself. Not sure if I had the bike fully under control in the way I needed it...

"Yeah you’re one of them, aren't you." Bob said, folding his arms with a frown.

"How do you mean, one of them?" I inquired.

"Well, you might do alright, or you might not." He said. "I’ll take you out but if you’re anything like that (nodding to the other side of the yard, implying 'like Rav') then we’ll have to bring you in."

“Come on, you’ll be alright.” Ava encouraged, putting her arm around me, shaking and encouraging me.

"I’ll give it a go." I said meekly, praying I could get through without making a fool of myself. But I wasn’t confident at all.

We went back inside and had a highway code and road safety chat... Again, Ava seemed clueless what certain signs meant such as ‘national speed limit’ or ‘no passing’ ... I was able to answer the questions before bob started singling Ava out and demanding that she get involved which merely drew stroppy sighs and eye rolling from her. He eventually said "do you even know which side of the road you’re supposed to be riding on".

"Yeah, duhhh… Can we just go out now."


Finally we went out. The instructor follows the trainees.

Another thing that hit me was that 40mph on a bike feels fucking fast. The wind resistance starts picking up and you’re hanging on, hands clamped so tight to the handlebars your arms soon start aching from the intense grip.

“Ava, slow down and give Jimmy a chance to catch up.” Bob had to say multiple times as Ava seemed a lot more confident at picking up speed. I’m sure she was tutting and sighing every time she heard this through the bluetooth intercom earpiece.

"Jimmy, try to keep up with Ava."

So we settled down and had 2 successful hours on the road.

I made it.

Ava and I both got our certificates. I can now do some semblance of motorcycle riding and can legally ride a 125cc bike on the road.

The plan is to skill up over the summer, then put in for my theory and A1, A2 licenses. DAS, etc. And get that big engined cruiser I always wanted.

I honestly think though, that had I not had that dirt bike experience 23-24 years ago, I would have been just like Rav. To put it into prospect, that 2 decade gap was longer ago than Ava has been alive!! ...There does come an inevitable point where you just can’t beat youth and it’s sad to know your “prime” is in your rear view mirror.

I should’ve done this years ago... But if the best time to start was then, the second best time is right now.

I’m sure Ava is now riding around with her boyfriend on he back of her little bike, if she has bought one yet. I imagine she is absolutely one of these girls that chose a Bieber-like pretty boy based on whether he’ll look good next to her on an Instagram picture and she is very much the boss in that relationship.

I can't help but think the girl was probably stronger than Rav too, and significantly so.

[jiminy]

Originally Posted by .... [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

I can't help but think the girl was probably stronger than Rav too, and significantly so.

She was younger and bigger, so that's a good start.

Do you ever mention to other Indian men that they're smaller than the average Latvian, Danish, etc, girls... And if so, what are there reactions?

I work for a company that employs a lot of east-european migrant workers. Occasionally I'll meet a Latvian girl and if we get talking, I bring up that they are the world's tallest women and taller, on average, than certain nations of men.

Most recently I said to a Latvian woman (who was about 5'7 - about average for her nationality) that the average Latvian woman is taller than the average Indian man... Initially her reaction was quite vague .. "Oh yeah?" ... "I didn't know that." ... "Uh huh... Hmm" Like she didn't believe it or wasn't particularly interested.

A few hours later, after lunch, she came back to me, phone in hand, saying she had just looked it up... "Yeah it's true." She beamed with a big smile. "Latvian women are taller than Indian men." Like now she was greatly amused by it... She went on to say she met a lot of men that were shorter than her but would feel weird in a country where she was taller than most men.

[....]

Originally Posted by jiminy [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

She was younger and bigger, so that's a good start.

Do you ever mention to other Indian men that they're smaller than the average Latvian, Danish, etc, girls... And if so, what are there reactions?

I work for a company that employs a lot of east-european migrant workers. Occasionally I'll meet a Latvian girl and if we get talking, I bring up that they are the world's tallest women and taller, on average, than certain nations of men.

Most recently I said to a Latvian woman (who was about 5'7 - about average for her nationality) that the average Latvian woman is taller than the average Indian man... Initially her reaction was quite vague .. "Oh yeah?" ... "I didn't know that." ... "Uh huh... Hmm" Like she didn't believe it or wasn't particularly interested.

A few hours later, after lunch, she came back to me, phone in hand, saying she had just looked it up... "Yeah it's true." She beamed with a big smile. "Latvian women are taller than Indian men." Like now she was greatly amused by it... She went on to say she met a lot of men that were shorter than her but would feel weird in a country where she was taller than most men.

I haven't except a few times online. The men always claimed they would win regardless due to testosterone. It would be interesting to know what your latvian co-worker thinks on whether she could take the average indian guy in a wrestling match. Or her opinion on my posts.

I have brought up this topic with quite a few white women online. They either felt happy about it, and surprisingly for me, many felt their physical superiority was unsurprising and made a lot of sense (american women from the south and european women usually). Only a few felt that the average indian guy around them has a clear strength advantage over them.

[jiminy]

Originally Posted by .... [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

I haven't except a few times online. The men always claimed they would win regardless due to testosterone. It would be interesting to know what your latvian co-worker thinks on whether she could take the average indian guy in a wrestling match. Or her opinion on my posts.

I have brought up this topic with quite a few white women online. They either felt happy about it, and surprisingly for me, many felt their physical superiority was unsurprising and made a lot of sense (american women from the south and european women usually). Only a few felt that the average indian guy around them has a clear strength advantage over them.

Yes - they'll either giggle and seem proud, happy about it or nonchalant like it's obvious.

It was the same when I recall quizzing Justin Bieber fangirls years ago. Bieber was a very small, puny, cutesy guy when he was 17-24... But 14-17 year old girls were swooning over him.

Some of them were big, athletic, Germanic, Nordic girls that probably could've ragdolled him if they wanted to. But their reactions to being told this was "maybe, but I'm not violent like that" or just "so what" like they had this desire to always stick up for him.

I've said before that many women will "play the game" so to speak - tell a man he's strong, capable, masculine, etc, and downplay their own size and strength, but deep down know they're the stronger, more athletic one, but it would hurt his feelings if they challenged him or told the truth. You see the kinds of outbursts of anger and insults, aggressive frustration men can display on forums like this when threads that pop up that deal with real facts, real sports and statistics. It crosses the line and needs to be rebelled against. Ideally silenced and shamed into never mentioning it again.

When it comes to height for example, men typically round up, while women will round down.

Jason Statham is probably 5'8.5 in a decent pair of shoes and rounds up to 5'9. His wife Rosie is probably 5'9.5 in bare feet and rounds down to 5'9. Supposedly they're both 5'9 but seeing them together in flat shoes that is clearly not the case.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register][Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

[....]

Originally Posted by jiminy [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

Yes - they'll either giggle and seem proud, happy about it or nonchalant like it's obvious.

It was the same when I recall quizzing Justin Bieber fangirls years ago. Bieber was a very small, puny, cutesy guy when he was 17-24... But 14-17 year old girls were swooning over him.

Some of them were big, athletic, Germanic, Nordic girls that probably could've ragdolled him if they wanted to. But their reactions to being told this was "maybe, but I'm not violent like that" or just "so what" like they had this desire to always stick up for him.

I've said before that many women will "play the game" so to speak - tell a man he's strong, capable, masculine, etc, and downplay their own size and strength, but deep down know they're the stronger, more athletic one, but it would hurt his feelings if they challenged him or told the truth. You see the kinds of outbursts of anger and insults, aggressive frustration men can display on forums like this when threads that pop up that deal with real facts, real sports and statistics. It crosses the line and needs to be rebelled against. Ideally silenced and shamed into never mentioning it again.

When it comes to height for example, men typically round up, while women will round down.

Jason Statham is probably 5'8.5 in a decent pair of shoes and rounds up to 5'9. His wife Rosie is probably 5'9.5 in bare feet and rounds down to 5'9. Supposedly they're both 5'9 but seeing them together in flat shoes that is clearly not the case.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register][Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

What I found surprising was that white women from europe and the american south found it obvious not only that they personally are stronger than indian men, but also that white women from their demographic or in general are physically stronger than indian men. They didn't find it distasteful that the guy talking to them is weaker than them though. It was a fun fact for them to tease me with.

[jiminy]

Originally Posted by .... [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

I can't help but think the girl was probably stronger than Rav too, and significantly so.

I really couldn't believe my ears when Rav (an otherwise intelligent, mild mannered, gentlemanly, chill guy) commented - quite abrasively - that Ava wouldn't ever have to exert herself in putting the bike on its centre stand because her father or boyfriend would do it for her.

I kind of knew that comment would come back to bite him in the arse. I wished it didn't because like I say, he came across as a nice guy.

But that's what I mean when I say a misplaced attitude towards gender roles will only serve to set you up for humiliation.

Young men hanging on Andrew Tate's every word, believing there's no point women learning martial arts because a man - every man - is too big, strong and aggressive... That's just going to set them up for humiliation when they realise not every man can be the Incredible Hulk and not every woman is a Tinkerbell like fairy.


The whole experience made me feel like I was about 16 again. In some ways good, the exhilaration and freedom of riding a bike, learning new skills, etc. And in some ways bad, being in an environment where people - especially a teenage girl - had dominion and authority over me because she was superior at the task in hand. At the point she put her arm around me, shaking encouragement into me, I felt like I was being "big sistered" by a 19 y o girl as a 39 year old man.

I honestly got the feeling she got into plenty of fights (perhaps with guys) or just intimidated people until they cowered... And that she felt physically superior to all 3 of us guys that day, like she could take over control of the group any time she wanted.

She didn't thank Bob either when he gave her the certificate. And there was an awkward silence in the final classroom talk where they just starred at each other with a long, awkward silence -- and it was Bob that looked away and broke eye contact first...

I was the only one she smiled at and said goodbye to and it was probably because I acted submissive towards her. This kind of fills me with shame.

So yeah, this is how the dynamic is changing these days. It's becoming more common for females to feel a sense of authority and that males are just buffoons they can "use"... I'm sure her boyfriend is some feeble, little Bieber type pretty boy that is smaller than her. Cute, artsy, twinky, musical type guy, probably. These types of guys are incredibly abundant too - noodle arms, skinny jeans, bony, soft and emotional. Unisex converse shoes, floral unisex fragrance wearing. I'd bet big time on it. She didn't like men that challenged her or tried to exert dominance over her. She was very rebellious and liked marching to the beat of her own drum and would just bulldoze anyone that got in her way or tried to steer the direction of that march.

Girls these days think they're impressing males by being physically stronger than them (hence the amount of girls into bodybuilding, powerlifting, 1 rep maxes, smashing PBs, showing off muscle), getting tattoos, etc. And will more commonly now brag about sporting prowess. Maybe they are impressing them, but for old dinosaurs from my generation, it just feels strange and frightening.

In the work environment, I've become accustomed to having authority because it's a domain I'm skilled in; depended and relied on. Respected. I'm used to giving young temps and junior employees instructions and guidance but like I say, under these circumstances she was the one that had the skill and bragging rights, therefore the power.

[Notsure4321]

Do you really need to title the thread "true story" when it's a fake story? 125 CC is basically a beginners dirt bike, which according to your story you used to ride as a teenager.

[jiminy]

Originally Posted by Notsure4321 [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

Do you really need to title the thread "true story" when it's a fake story? 125 CC is basically a beginners dirt bike, which according to your story you used to ride as a teenager.

Plenty of 125cc bikes are made for the road, not dirt bikes.

The bike I rode as a teenager was a friend's 50cc "twist and go" dirt bike - always off road - that would only do around 30mph. It wasn't much different to riding a mountain bike. Plus as I said it was over 20 years ago.

I am a beginner.

And I recently bought a 2021 Kawasaki Z125. Like this, not one of the ugly "pro" versions. I guess you could take it off road, but it's not a proper "dirt bike". I've had it up close to 70mph on the road.

[Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

And if you're thinking of making fun of that, it's just a stop gap until I pass my main tests to get a bigger bike.

[Notsure4321]

Originally Posted by jiminy [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

Plenty of 125cc bikes are made for the road, not dirt bikes.

The bike I rode as a teenager was a friend's 50cc "twist and go" dirt bike - always off road - that would only do around 30mph. It wasn't much different to riding a mountain bike. Plus as I said it was over 20 years ago.

A 50cc bike would be too small for a teenager. a 50cc dirt bike is for like 9 year olds. 110cc is the smallest bike a Teenager would fit on and only if you were short.