As mentioned in an earlier post, I had signed us both up to undertake a two-day course to learn how to ride a motorcycle, in the belief that this training would help us to ride Arthur (our new electric moped) more safely.

We were quite nervous as we headed off on Day 1. It was going to be a hot day (32°C), and we had been told to wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt. Add gloves and a helmet and enclosed shoes, it made for a very sweaty experience, even aside from the nerves.

The Q-Ride Pre-Learner Course is designed to help you gain basic riding knowledge and
motorcycle handling skills in a safe environment before learning to ride on the road.
Designed for people with no riding experience, the course is conducted entirely off-road
encompassing theory elements, demonstrations, coaching and riding practice. The course
covers the basics of riding including protective gear, riding curves, controlled braking
and good roadcraft.
The course aims to ensure you have the knowledge and skills to manage routine riding
situations under supervision, to instil good riding attitudes, and to minimise the
likelihood of harm due to inadequate riding knowledge or skills.

QLD Motorcycle Riders Guide 2022

The venue was The Big Pineapple overflow carpark. Now those of you unfamiliar with this tourist attraction in Queensland could click the link I’ve added, but suffice it to say, that it is not the attraction it once was. The overflow carpark is now leased to a motorcycle riding school. These next photos show why it is an ideal, off-road venue for such a course.

There was a little bit of shade where we could sit during demonstrations by the instructors, but apart from that – it was very sunny, and very exposed – but most importantly, free from hazards. About 300m from the carpark was an old house that had been converted into office space and a classroom.

There were five of us enrolled for the two-day course – the maximum number. Mick was the eldest (with me of course running a close second), the other three participants, two men and a woman, were all in their thirties. And each of them had had some riding experience with dirt bikes. Mick and I were total novices.

After a safety talk and completing some paperwork where we basically signed away any responsibility for the company in the event of us having an accident and injuring ourselves, and an understanding that we would have to pay for any damage to the bikes were we to cause any, we headed down to the carpark to be assigned our bikes.

Mick and I were assigned the matching white ones, so there would be no fighting. These were also the smallest (125cc) bikes.

We were shown how to control the bike while it was turned off – which meant how to push it from one spot to another while sitting astride it. Our motorcycles weighed about 115kg, 25kg heavier than Arthur, but for some reason I found the motorcycle a little easier to manoeuvre.

Next we learnt about the controls on the bikes before we actually started it and rode around the course in first gear. Plastic witches’ hats, faded a little from the strong sunlight over the years, were used to guide where we rode.

Most of the theory sessions were delivered in the classroom, and it was a welcome relief from the sun to spend some time inside, even for our morning tea and lunch breaks.

I forgot to reapply sunscreen after lunch and ended up a bit sunburnt on my face – the only part of me left exposed. Mick is modelling beautifully the gear we had to wear in this next photo.

The last riding challenge on Day 1 included the use of second gear and a STOP sign and a GIVE WAY sign; this really challenged us both, but we mastered it in the end. Coming to a complete stop and then moving off “gracefully” did not always go hand in hand. But at least, we did not fall off.

The weather for Day 2 was a little cooler, and our instructor thoughtfully decided that we would do all the practical sessions before lunch. Unfortunately, the first task was a repeat of where we finished on Day 1, and it took me a few laps around the small course to get back into the rhythm of changing gears and releasing the clutch….gently.

The next task was to ride slowly – at a walking pace, taking at least 10 seconds to ride 5 metres. This involved adjusting the throttle, the clutch and the back (foot) brake at the same time so that we balanced on the bike as it moved at a snail’s pace.

And, we did it!!

Pleased with our efforts, our instructor Luke placed lots more witches’ hats on the track which we were required to weave around, while NOT looking at them. One very important lesson I learnt, and hope I never forget, was to “look where you want to go”. Object fixation, is a very real thing. If you look at something, you WILL hit it.

We also had a task where we were required to use our indicators to exit a lane and then re-enter a different lane. Remembering to turn off the indicator seems simple, but not when you’re entering a bend and need to change gears!!

The final part of the course was not really part of the mandatory requirements, but this was the most fun, especially for our instructor, who was a dyed-in-the-wool bikie, and the ‘youngsters’. They loved it.

We were given a number, or a position in the line, that was to follow our instructor around the whole carpark. I was given Number 6 (or last), as I was the slowest.

We set off, now expected to change up gears as far as we could, after only having used first and second gears so far, and to go fast!! Luke expected us to be able to get to at least 60km/hour in some parts of the carpark.

Mick made it to that speed briefly, and confidently. I reached a top speed of 40km/hour (ever so briefly) and successfully found four gears; changing up and down gears as I zigged and zagged across the carpark. Now I understood why bike riders love riding their bikes so much. This was fun.

There are three licensing stages to obtain a motorcycle licence in Queensland. We achieved the first level by completing and passing the two-day Q-Ride Pre-Learner Course, which cost us each $550. It was a further $27 to do the online knowledge test of 30 questions, which was also required as part of the process. W now have an RE licence, which basically means we are able to ride learner approved motorcycles. We are now at the third step in this process, and that is going to do us.

Each day was exhausting, both physically and mentally. Mick ended up with a sore jaw from clenching his teeth, others ended up with sore hands and aching all over from being so tense.

While I didn’t suffer from those afflictions, it was not because I was not nervous.

There was no smiling while riding. Ever!!

I may have spoken too soon about not suffering from being tense during the riding sessions, because less than 24 hours later I put my back out by bending over to pick up something weighing less than 1kg.

No riding Arthur now until my back is better!