Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Class 2B Traffic Police (TP) test

Today is finally the day, I tried my best to sleep at 1030pm the night before (LOL) so I can get ample rest for my Class 2B Traffic Police test on this very day. I woke up at 2am and 4am, prolly cos I was so nervous and then at 5:45am. At this point my heart was beating so fast, the feeling was so much more nerve-wrecking than taking my university exams hahaha. Prepared and got changed quickly, very thankful my mommy agreed to send me to BBDC so I don't need to wait for the bus and all.

Reached BBDC at 7:15am, scanned my IC at the kiosk and got my slip of paper. Went to the motorcycle office, checked this long list of attendance for my number tag, which was 29.

Incase you don't know during TP, the number tags are arranged from number 1 all the way to the last number by the order of: Foreigners, Singaporeans aged the oldest all the way to the youngest. Today there were 46 of us taking our TP test!

We were given this clear plastic holder to put our IC/passport + PDL, which had to be given to the TP testers after.

Then we went for our warmup session, which was about 30-40 mins? I couldn't rmb cos I wasn't wearing a watch. My warmup session was terrible!! Went for narrow plank and pylon slalom course first, and you know what... I dropped off the plank hahaha that's an immediate failure lah! I've made some horrible mistakes, such as dropping of right foot, ebrake exceeded red line and such.. Not only me, I saw some of my fellow testee right footed, drop plank etc. Nerves got to most of us I guess hahaha. Went back to park our bikes and took a short 5 mins break. Then at 0900, we had a briefing by the instructor on what to look out for, when to start our courses and the circuit and public test route.

At around 0930, we went out and gathered accordingly to our row numbers, where the TP personnels will check our IC and ask us to recite our IC number hahahha idk why but the scene was damn funny.

Since I was number 29, I had some time to kill. Occasionally I'll glance out the window and see the earlier number tags from 1 to 20 going for their courses or coming down the slope etc. At this point I wasn't as nervous already! Maybe cause I told myself, "leave it to fate".

Then my row was gathered outside, took our bikes and we got ready at the starting point. Only 1 bike will be at the starting point, then the second bike will be behind the cones (around 1 car length away from the first bike). So only 3 bikes can wait before the first bike at the starting line! Whenever the bike at the starting line moves off, the second bike will move forward etc. The tester will normally signal for the bike to move off around 2-2.5 minutes interval to avoid having to wait at circuit courses.

The very first tester was sitting on a high chair on my left, I looked at him and he gave me the sign to move off. But there was an oncoming vehicle on my right so I waited.. After that I moved off. I was damn unlucky lah.. Cause we had to lane change to the right after the very first bend and there were 2 bloody cars, one on the left and one on the right, moving at the same speed SIDE BY SIDE WTF. I couldn't overtake and shit... So I remained in gear 2/3 all the way on the left lane.. Upon reaching the bend, suddenly the car infront of me on the left lane went to hazard light, (OMFG YOU KIDDING ME)?!?! The car on the right went much slower before the bend... I was so freaking afraid of not being able to lane change in time to the right. Then the left lane car went faster and I lane changed after the bloody slow car on the right lane *PHEW*there were alot of colourful words in my head already that time hahahah.

Turned right in, lane changed to the left and turned left to head to the slope. When moving up the slope after releasing my clutch and brake, I think I wobbled cos ganchiong or what damnnnnn.. Engine brake down the slope, braked and clutched in. Turned left and headed straight for my Figure 8 "S" and crank courses. The TP tester gave me the sign to go and I went! Did my "S" course, stopped and then proceeded to the crank course. Upon exiting the crank course, the traffic light was green so I immediately rev my throttle, junction check and here comes the right turn.

No cars in sight, great! Moved out, lane changed to the left and went into the bus bay. Here comes the narrow plank and pylon slalom course. TP tester signalled for me to go, blindspot and up my bike went onto the plank! Tried my very best to kiap my fuel tank really tightly, looked super far ahead and clutch+rear brake when I felt I was going too fast. Before I went onto the narrow plank, all that was in my head was.. "DON'T FALL OFF THE PLANK!!!". Pylon slalom next, thank goodness I didn't strike any cones haha. Ebrake course was last...

Rev throttle from gear 1, kicked up gear to 2, then 3.. Maintained at 30-31km/hr then ebraked! Luckily I didn't pass the red line like what I did during my warmup session harharhar.... Moved out of the ebrake station and went straight, signalled left to go out to the public test route... Silly me had forgotten to check my left blindspot before my left turn to head out to BBDC SIGHHHH. When I realized that, I was like 1/4 into my left turn then I checked my blindspot. So silly... In my head I knew confirm 4 points gone already :(

Very unlucky, there were 2 cars infront of me heading out to BBDC as well. My low speed control is not excellent, so I have a higher chance of wobble and all. Stopped at stop line, saw another TP tester RIGHT INFRONT OF ME!! Tried my very best to not look at him...

Reached the left filter lane, thank goodness the oncoming traffic on the right stopped cos it just turned red light, quickly moved out of the filter lane, accidentally saw another TP tester sitting at the filter lane area and tried my best to not look at him. Lane changed to the right, reached traffic light junction, signalled right and went for uturn. There wasn't any bike so I stopped at the stop line, accidentally turned my handlebar way too early so my bike's position was in quite a "sharp turning" position. Lotsa oncoming vehicles, waited for awhile and at the same time, took lotsa deep breaths... Because to me uturning is the scariest out of everything! Traffic was clear, and I did my uturn in such a way I was damn proud of myself HAHAH, so smooth, no wobble no wide turning oh my gosh!! After my uturn, I felt so stress-free and even smiled to myself LOL crazy, I hope the tester didn't see my smiley face hahaha.

Right turned at the traffic light junction, went straight and rode passed the hometeam ns golf ranch and there were pedestrians crossing at the zebra-crossing so I stopped, saw another TP tester sitting near the hometeam ns bus stop. Wanted to turn left after passing hometeam, but there was a lorry infront of me LOL. Thankfully I rmbed to stop behind the stop line incase I cannot make the left turn in time, but luckily the lorry went off fast while green light and I turned left.

Rode back to BBDC happily knowing my TP test is coming to an end, turned left into BBDC, turned left again and after the mechanics shop, turned left into the end point, switched my bike's engine off and pushed the bike through the circuit to park it. The whole test took me about 25 mins or so! Since the results will only be out at 1130am, I went for a short break with 2 of my friends. Headed to level 3, classroom 3 for results.

At 1145am, a bike instructor walked into the classroom, holding some papers and shut the door behind him. Suddenly the classroom was so silent. He told us that whoever's number tags that were being called to go to another classroom.

If your number is being called, means you failed!!!

My heart was beating like crazy at this point. Furthermore, he said the numbers that were being called will be jumbled up, added more stress! Everytime he said "twenty..." I got damn ganchiong lah since I was tag number 29. There were lotsa females' tags being called consecutively at one point, gosh.. After this girl was called, the instructor waited for her to shut the door and he said, "Those who are still in this classroom, you have passed your TP" hahahah!!! I WAS OVER THE MOON! People started cheering, giving each other high fives, handshakes etc.

There were 46 people taking TP today, of which 27 people passed (4 females, including me, made it. YAY!!) Its a rough estimation lah, I counted how many people passed cause the Expressway Familiarization Ride (EFR) course had limited slots so I counted to see if there are enough slots anot hahahah.

Watched a video on road accidents for riders, how to safeguard our motorcycles etc. We took a Riders' Pledge as well. I couldn't remember the entire pledge but the last paragraph goes something like this..

"We pledge as riders to ride safely and to stay alive."

Took our results back and I BARELY MADE IT THROUGH!! I got 18 demerit points hahahah. Half of my 18 points came from wobble lah... The rest was abrupt lane changing and blindspot. Anyway I was so excited. This is very first attempt for my Class 2B TP and I DID IT!!!!  
I FREAKING DID IT!!!




After 1230 (that's when the EFR course is open), went to the computer terminal at level 1 to book our compulsory (& FOC!) Expressway Familiarization Ride (EFR) course at 1320 before I can officially be a qualified rider!

Izhardi and Vincent took our group of 6 people out for ERF! We rode to KJE, discovery centre, SAFTI, Qian Hu area and some other places I don't remember. The feeling of riding on the expressway was so exhilarating!! I loved every minute of it really. Best day ever!!



After my EFR at about 3pm, I went to the TP office to get another row added to my license!! The wait was terribly long lah... Waited for 1 hour 30 mins until it was my turn hahahha. Since I already have a class 3 license, the whole sticker pasting process was really quick. By the time I was done with everything, it was already close to 5pm. So I spent almost 10 hours at BBDC today hahaha madness, since 7:15am-5pm.


WHOOPPPP NEW ROW ADDED TO MY EXISTING CLASS 3 LICENSE!

I've enrolled in Class 2B on 15th Sept 2014,
Started my very first practical lesson on 23rd Sept 2014,
Ended my last practical lesson on 22nd Dec 2014

And now...

Passed my first attempt of Class 2B on 17th Feb 2015!

Took me 5 months to clear everything! I worked really hard for my 2B license... Went for pracs 2 times a week diligently during my initial orientation stages, when I reached stage 3 onwards I still go for pracs once a week and weekly practices during my wait to TP. Being a female rider, people tend to doubt my abilities to ride since male riders are always more superior. Although I didn't suffer from any major falls during my learning journey, I did drop my bike, mount kerb on crank course 2x and once in the "S" course HAHAHA.

Even though I barely made it through my TP with 18 points, I'm so overjoyed and grateful for this experience. I definitely will not forget this 5 months of learning 2B! Extremely thankful for all the help, tips and guidance given by the friendly motorcycle instructors at BBDC.

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Anyway this is the overall breakdown of my Class 2B practical lessons I took over the span of 5 months at BBDC!


1.01: 1x (START: 23/09/14)
1.02: 1x (passed with 2nd attempt of 1.01)
1.03: 2x
2.01: 2x
2.02: 3x
3.01: 1x
3.02: 2x
4.01: 1x
4.02: 1x
5.01: 1x
5.02: 1x
6.01: 1x
7.01: 2x
8.01: 1x (END: 22/12/14)

Total paid practical lessons: 20

RC: 6x
SP: 7x
RR: 3x

TP: 1x

Total amount spent: SGD $1,192.30
They consist of..
- Practical lessons: $990.82
- Theory (basic + riding theory lessons, riding theory practice + evaluation, defensive theory lessons): $143.38
- BTT: Exempted since I took it during my class 3 days back in 2010!
- RTT: $6
- TP: $52.10

Since I passed my 8.01 final evaluation quite early, I went for many practices weekly throughout the wait to my TP!


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Time to start looking for bikes lo!! Although I already know what bike I want to get. Can't wait to start riding a motorcycle with my sister and maybe.. Just maybe we might go and take our Class 2A one year later? :D Would love to try the Super Four at BBDC heehee. A really happy Chinese New Year indeed!!

Do drop me a comment or ask me anything on askfm if you guys have any doubts on the 2b course! I'll try my best to answer them. To those learning 2B now, have fun with it and ride safe! :)

Monday, February 9, 2015

SP #6 and RR #2

2 pracs for yesterday and today!

SP #6 - 8/2/15
RR #2 - 9/2/15

My second road revision (RR) today! How was it? It was really bad, but not as bad as my first RR last wednesday. Took my 2nd RR with 5 other guys, of which 4 of them are having their TP test tmr gosh. Only 1 of the guys and I are gonna take our TP next week....

First we went for warmup of 2 rounds around the circuit test route. For the first round, I entered the "S" course in neutral gear wtf. Guess I didn't kick it high enough or the gear just dropped to neutral on its own zzzzz. For my second round at my ebrake when I wanna stop, I didn't turn my handlebar to the centre and thus.... My right foot drop wtf. My instructor was standing infront and he gave me that "orh hor that's an immediate failure" look hahahhaa. Then we went out to the road.. When queuing up to exit bbdc, we had to do low speed control to slowly move up whenever vehicles exit bbdc and.... My right foot drop again wtf is wrong with me?!?! My instructor told me, "wah this stage already still right foot drop ah." Listen already I also feel stress.

Did 4 rounds today for our public test route and this time my uturning wasn't as bad as my 1st RR. But I guess nerves got the best of me, when I wanna move to the stop line at the uturn... I dropped my right foot for 2 rounds (out of 4) lah. *SHAKE MY  HEAD* fail liao lor really, well done joyce well done.

Before returning our bikes, we went to do 1 round of narrow plank, pylon slalom and ebrake. I think I went too fast for ebrake and step too much on my rear brake and guess what happened... My rear wheel kena locked, I ALMOST SKIDDED.. ALMOST!!!!!! My handlebar was moving left and right already and I immediately released my brakes and braked again.. Of cos I exceeded the stop line by ALOT.

I guess the toughest circuit courses for me will be the  S course, whether I'll hit the required timing and I still try my best to not exit the course so fast and Ebrake, sometimes my posture is wrong or I still do clutch in early. Practice practice practice!!!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

RR #1

RR #1 (Road Revision) - 4/2/15

Its been 6 weeks since I last rode on the public road, cos 6 weeks ago when I was riding on the public road was because I was taking my prac 8.01 final evaluation! So yeah since my TP is nearing I decided to go for a session of RR. Anyway first of all I wanna say , I DID HORRIBLE. Really really horrible!!!

Took my RR with 2 other girls and 1 guy, our instructors were George and Izhardi! Think we did about 5 rounds around the public test route and out of 5, I only did 1 passable uturn during my last round!!! The rest was cos I didn't turn handlebar more, threw my clutch too much or I didn't release enough rear brake so I wobbled really badly when I was uturning. I've done alot of uturn practices in the circuit during my rc and sp prior to today's rr and they were all fine!! When I got on the public road I felt damn bloody nervous!!! Like traffic was heavy and damn unpredictable lah.

Many times I chose to go out of the filter lane at the wrong time = alot of vehicles = difficult to lane change. There was once I got stuck behind this sibei huge truck doing a uturn (I had to stay on the first lane after lane changing after the filter lane), the driver positioned himself on the first lane wtf I know he needs more clearance and all but my instructor said it is illegal to do that. Also I couldn't gauge whether or not the pedestrians wanna cross the zebra crossing so I just moved off, which is an immediate failure lah I should have waited to see if they really wanna cross or not.

So many mistakes!!!! If this was a real TP I think just plainly based on my public test route performance, I would have gotten like over 30-40 demerit points with 2 immediate failures man. TP is coming up in 13 days!!!!! Seriously must go for more RR practices already. Felt extremely lethargic and my head hurt after my RR, think I used too much energy to predict road hazards, wanna move off or not or I just think too much etc LOL.

On the bright side, I made friend with this lady during my RR just now. Knowing she didn't pass her 1st try of TP just last dec, she told me how the TP will be like and stuff. And she's taking her 2nd try of TP on the same day as me! Thankful that there'll be a familiar face during my TP.

Horrible performance today no joke man. Better book 2 more RR and get my shit together hhahahaha!

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Anyway I added a ask.fm section at my sidebar, so feel free to ask me anything you want!!!!! or you can just click on the link below :D

http://ask.fm/dearjoys