Toot toot!

Much to my mother's dismay, I GOT MY MOTORBIKE LICENCE!

A couple of weeks ago I did the two day course at Q-Ride and (eventually) passed all the competencies. I wish someone had warned me how physically taxing learning to ride a motorbike would be. Though that was compacted by the unusually hot weather all weekend.

I declined offers of Draggin jeans (lined with kevlar) and full leathers from those who doubted me and thought I would come off the bike. Actually, I did come off the bike, but it was in a rather spectacular fashion! We were practising emergency braking at around 40-50km/h, and while I did it correctly the first few times, one time I stupidly put too much pressure on the back break and locked up the rear wheel. I felt the bike going, but then went into autopilot. I somehow managed to jump off the bike as it was falling and run away! I turned around and started apologising profusely to the instructor, but he was clapping my performance and laughing, saying that my escape was brilliant.

Apart from that, everything else went well. However we only had time to go for a one-hour road ride, so I had to go back the following Friday for a four-hour road ride and to collect my certificate. To be honest, it was a little *too* easy to get my licence...

On Wednesday this week I went into Queensland Transport and got my new licence, complete with smirking photo, and yesterday I went to Morgan and Wacker and spent and entire week's wage and then some on a jacket, helmet and gloves.

There was discussion with friends over what I should buy, with a work colleague questioning the money I was spending on it all. But what price do you put on my pretty face? And what price do you put on having your gravel rash cleaned out with a nylon scrubbing brush without any anaesthetic because your cheap jacket was shredded when you were dragged along the bitumen? So, for the sake of my safety and my mother's piece of mind, I went for the good stuff.

Now MattE and I can go out this weekend and test ride bikes!

And would the person who answered the poll on the right hand side offering to buy me a bike please leave their contact details in the comments so that I can pick them up on the way?