F*cking roundabouts

Well, did my theory test. No problems. Had my first day on a
bike. Not too bad - got the CBT. OK, here we go. I'm over 21, so
2 days on a 500 then did the practical test.

Failed.

Pretty harsh I thought, but I'm not bitter - will just sit it
again as soon as I can get a day off work and a new appointment.
Failed because of a mini-roundabout that I arrived at, at the
same time as a car. Three exits - 12, 3 and 6 o clock. I arrived
at the 6 o clock exit, indicating right (3 o clock). The car
arrived at the 12 o clock exit, not indicating (going straight
on). I know you give way to vehicles on the roundabout coming
from the right, but he wasn't on the roundabout yet and neither
was I. Anyway, we both slowed and stopped at the entrance to the
roundabout for literally 1 or 2 seconds. Then he went straight
on and I went round to the right. At the end of the test I had a
couple of minors but he said that I shouldn't have stopped - I
had right of way over the car, because I was going to come from
the car's right - and he gave me a serious for undue progress
and failed me.

So, took a 125 out a few days ago to get some more riding
experience near the test centre in Northampton, prior to the
next test. When I finally got to the front of the large queue of
traffic waiting to get on a roundabout, just about to go, the
car behind me looks straight through me as if I were invisible
and sets off right into my back wheel - shunting me onto the
roundabout, despite the back brake being applied. Bit shook up
but fortunately no damage to me or the bike.

Maybe I should just avoid roundabouts. 5 days on a bike, one
test fail and one crash!

 

Sounds like it though.

"Insisting' on the right of way on a bike is a good way to die.

 

Not at all, though I would like to know if others think it was a
bit harsh too. It happened a few weeks ago now and I never
mentioned it - the only reason I posted today was because of the
idiot in the car who drove into the back of me.

If it hadn't been for the test fail it's unlikely I would have
been on a bike again before next spring/summer. At least now
I've been back on a bike again already and will be doing so
again every weekend until I can get a test. All clouds have a
silver lining, etc.

Yeah well, if I want to pass my test, looks like I have to!
That's what the examiner wants from me.

 

Unlucky but...

....this could support the examiners position. Although the car driver
can have no legitimate excuse, many drivers (and riders) make
assumptions on whether the vehicle in front will go or not based on
their own driving style, and typically their attention is focussed to
the right rather than on the vehicle in front.

If you were a little too hesitant in taking a gap, this could have led
to the bump; still the drivers fault, but a reasonable explanation as
to why the examier may have failed you.

I'm fairly sure I was chastised by my instructor for the same thing
half way through my DAS, and it wasn't until I had more confidence that
I could pull away without risk of stalling, falling or crashing that I
improved!

Stick at it.

 

I failed my car test first time round because the instructor told me to
"take the second exit at the roundabout ahead" which was jut over the
crest of the hill. As it came into view I saw that the second exit was a
right turn, not straight ahead, so I checked mirrors, moved into the right
hand lane, and took the roundabout nicely. He failed me for changing lanes
too close to the roundabout. The sneaky Bastard.

My dad always told me to check the right coming to a roundabout, then to
keep looking at the car in front until it actually moved off before
allowing yourelf to look again. It stood me in good stead for years until
I came up behind a woman at a large r'bout in oxfordshire. She moved off,
I checked right and there was plenty of room for both of us so I went too.
SMACK. She'd stopped again, ON THE FUCKING ROUNDABOUT!. Some people...

Don't worry about the fail, the examiners have quotas to meet. Just ride
around and gain more confidence for taking the gaps, and you'll more than
likely pass next time.

 

Put it down to experience , I failed my test twice and both times it
wsnt my fault (so i say). I got annoyed and felt like ripping the
examiners head off. Then I passed the same examiner I almost hugged.

I am learning more now than I ever did training. Some near misses even
kicked off some womans wing mirror, for cutting me up then blaming me.
(I know Im a naughty boy).

It will stop you being to arrogant at passing first time

--
______________________________________________
Ken
ZX636 ninja
*Remove knickers to mail me
______________________________________________

 

My roundabout story.

A friend was doing her CBT and the instructor drew a schematic of a
standard four exit roundabout and ask her which one was a left-turn.

"All of them" says she.

"Ah, I see what you mean", say the instructor.

 

Roundabouts can be good fun - don't write them off just yet.

I think your examiner was a bit harsh. Waiting to see what the guy in
the car was going to do wasn't a bad idea. Sometimes you need to make
the decision for everyone when you get to a roundabout stalemate, but
making sure he's seen you and you know what's going on will be a good
thing once past the test.

 

<Chuckle>