March 2004
Meet Nottingham's biker babe |
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| Biker Babe |
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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 |
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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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