Given that there were no available test dates at my old school, I took a move to another school 3 miles up the Tyne. It takes me about an hour and a half to get there which is a bit of a bummer.
When I got there the guy seemed nice and went through all my documents. I understood changing schools was a really bad idea, given that they'd both have different ways of teaching which could cause issues with ambiguity (both schools preaching the opposite thing and not knowing who to believe). However I relished that I was given the opportunity to test a wider spectrum of teachers.
The first day I set out with the school's boss. He wasn't so highly critical which was so much better than having someone constantly moan at you in your ear. The only bad part about this is that you may not be told what you're doing wrong. I only annoyed myself when something went wrong. The absence of a moaning instructor sustained my confidence, so I was able to stop it from happening again.
The main issues I was struggling with first day were a few lifesavers, getting the hang of a few local 'difficult' roundabouts and road layouts. I personally feel my new instructor was a bit bitter that I'd transferred from his rival. For instance, he told me to turn the fuel tap off - I hadn't been told this as my old instructor would always set it up for me - he was truly shocked that I didn't know. Also, I asked whether or not the bike had a side stand because I couldn't see one - he then went on to say that CG125's never have side stands. On every CG125 I've used, they've all had side stands! I took everything in my stride though. It's a lot better to be accepting of all advice and criticism because you build up a layer of respect with your instructor. Other bitter remarks were made when I struggled to get the 125 on its centre stand and when I put a leg down on the U-turn. The lesson was cut in half when my headset battery ran out and we had to go back to the school, from this point he became more forgiving. I was happy to be back on the bike but was slightly annoyed that I was being ballsed for going with a local competitor.
I went back for my second day of training in expecting much the same that happened the first day but was relieved to find it was a different story. I had a different instructor this time and we set off as though I was in test conditions. Therefore to start, I was told where to go, then I was to commence individual riding to 'said' location. The instructor didn't criticise me at all the entire time but instead gave advice (perhaps this was because I did nothing wrong!). I personally believe I did two things wrong, one was not entering a box junction (mind-lapse! it's been a while since I've entered one on the road) and the other was when I took my time in changing lanes because I followed the wrong sign (I took the one to Gateshead Quayside instead of Gateshead). Neither however would have been a fail because I corrected them in time and didn't hold any traffic up. I still need a bit of practice on the hill start because I end up dragging my foot instead of bringing it up quicker in front of the peg.
I did however nearly get 'SMIDSY'ed twice. It keeps the mind active I guess and giving that discerning shake of the head on a bike makes you feel like an expert :) I was luckily travelling at a safe enough speed to not cause an issue. Both times were white vans who believe they can get in the gap in front of you because you're a learner. They don't understand that learner riders rarely have issues with speed unlike learner car drivers, meaning the gap closes a lot quicker than they expect. My instructor said the best thing to do is get eye-contact with drivers - theres some thought of subconscious connection when you make eye contact that forces drivers to stay where they are.
So! Test is booked for tomorrow, the 13th... Fingers crossed - I'm running out of time! However, I'm feeling truly confident. First time I took the test I was still worrying about braking in time for junctions and other minor things - this time its unusual circumstances that are the only things I believe can fail me tomorrow.
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