Adventures in Motorcycle Training

This past weekend I participated in a Motorcycle Training Course. The Motorcycle Riding Program, as it is officially called, is held at Confederation College each weekend from May until September. Due to the reputation of the course, it sells out quite early.  At the end of day 2, each participant is tested using the Ministry of Transport regulatory testing process and, if successful, issued an M2 license. Basically, what this means is that you are legally licensed to drive a motorcycle as long as you have a blood alcohol level of 0.

At the time, registering seemed like a good idea. I went with a friend of me who is undeniably going through a mid-life crisis, although may not be aware of it himself just yet. :) (Further, he is going to kill me for saying that)  The training started in a classroom setting on Friday evening, and opened with three questions:

1) What is your name?

2) How long have you been riding?

3) What kind of bike do you own?

Ya. So, this is where I got the slightest sensation that maybe, just maybe, I was a bit over my head. My response: "Hi everyone, my name is Nadia. I have never driven, or even been a passenger on, a motorcycle in my life. In fact, the first time I put on a helmet was this afternoon when I bought the one I need to use for this course."

Silence.

Then, the throat clear of the instructor. "Ahem. Well, great! No bad habits to break then!"

By the end of the following day I was driving a motorcycle, provided by the college, for the purpose of this training.  Scary stuff.  At the end of the first day we drove our bikes back to the storage garage and that is where I think the film crew for MasterCard really missed their mark on the new commercial. They should have been there to film me as I spun out on some gravel, hit a curb and went sailing through the air. You can all see it now:

Motorcycle Course: $425

Personal Protective Equiment: $1100

The opportunity to test said equipment while landing in a ditch in a perfect, face-down, 5 point starfish formation: Priceless

I have experienced all sorts of pain in my 29 years but this was a whole new level of painful embarassment.  After I'm done this entry I'm going to write the nice people at Joe Rocket and tell them that their new spring line of women's bike jacket does the trick quite nicely.

And yes, I passed. I am now M2 licensed so everyone get out of my way. :)