March 2004
Meet Nottingham's biker babe | |
|  | | Biker Babe |
| | From day one I always wanted a bike - I couldn't wait to get my first ride.
Louisa Trotter, biker babe
A NTU Plaform magazine article |
| | | In this age of general traffic nightmares, especially in Nottingham city centre, it's not surprising more and more people are turning to two wheels as their mode of transport. This means that there are now two kinds of rider on the road - the motorcycle driver and the biker.
The motorcycle driver is the converted commuter; the practical driver who wants to cruise through traffic jams and not arrive home ready to kill someone. They see the advantage of two wheels but don't ride for the hell of riding - bikers do!
They get up at three or four in the morning just because they know the roads will be clear and a blinding ride is guaranteed.
Basically you're one of a huge family; at traffic lights general tips and random banter are exchanged; if you break down bikers will slow down to see if you're okay. On the road the difference is clear - motorbike riders ride to live; bikers live to ride.
I am of the latter - the real petrol-in-the-blood biker. From day one I always wanted a bike but, not unsurprisingly, my parents were against this 'phase'.
Like a junkie though, I had to have my fix so I resorted to molesting any and every biker I met for a ride! Finally on 17th May 2002 I achieved my dream and became the proud owner of a brand new Honda CG125.
With a top speed of 65mph the occasions I could roar through traffic with my hair streaming out behind me were rare but the thrill, rush and freedom were there every time I started the engine.
Riding a bike is a great experience and each ride is different. It's more physically and mentally demanding than driving a car and, believe it or not, not everyone can do it. However, if you can and you want it, it'll hit you like a drug.
Whether you're after the speed and getting your knee down on corners or getting caked in mud tearing through the countryside, the possibilities are endless. If this doesn't appeal to you, you can always have a giggle as you cruise past all the poor peeps stuck in their cars in jams and roadwork's. It's whatever turns you on!
Getting started...
So, how do you "get your leg over" a bike? Firstly, get all the paperwork sorted - make sure your driving licence has the motorcycle category and do the theory test.
Then you have to pass your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) which consists of basic maintenance instruction and a few hours spent off road (typically a school playground) getting used to driving and then a few hours on the road.
When you've passed this you'll receive a certificate and then you have three years in which to take the right practical test for you.
Unlike cars, with motorcycles you can be restricted to a certain power depending on your type of licence, of which there are four.
For more info on your CBT and DAS you can visit www.getbike.net or pop into your local newsagent and pick up a copy of Bike Trader for all the info you'll ever need. | | | |
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