Making the change from four wheels to the two wheels of a motorbike was a bigger problem than it seemed, as Leonie Corcorandiscovered at Mondello Park
FROM BEHIND a car's steering wheel, drivers often look at bikers with a sense of disdain, as the bikers nip up the bus lanes - only during legal hours, of course - weave around traffic and overtake with incredible dexterity. Alongside that disdain, there is often a sense of admiration at the "attitude" a biker automatically carries as they dodge around rush-hour commuter traffic with ease and head for the open road.
And like many drivers who have watched bikers zoom past, I have promised myself countless times that I would learn to ride a motorbike and become, in time, a biker.
It was with this in mind that I eventually ventured to Mondello Park last week to begin the process of mastering two wheels, and leaving the days of four wheels behind.
The first thing you learn is that the famed attitude is obviously linked to the gear every biker should wear. The minute you don the trousers, jacket and boots, and swing the helmet over your arm, you feel as if you've crossed into "their" world of cool. Or at least I did.
The second thing to learn is that, if you want to retain that element of cool confidence, you should probably keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, as riding a motorbike is not at all as easy as it looks.
Even keeping it standing upright is a bit of a challenge, especially if you are 5'2", and stretching to reach the ground. My ideas of straddling a BMW K1200R might have to wait for another day.
The images of skidding my knee around the bends of the track by the end of the day were also swiftly dashed, as I struggled to get all the controls together in my mind, and grasp the concept of operating a clutch with my hand and a gear shift with my foot.
Memories of learning to drive a car and finding the ever-elusive biting point came flooding back in the attempts to do it all again. Except this time it involved operating the clutch with my left hand, the throttle with the other, and there was a 250cc Honda between my legs.
It was at that moment (and the many others that followed) that I became very thankful for the presence of my fast moving instructor, whose quick reflexes prevented both bike and I biting the dust. So much for blissfully crossing into the sexy world of biking.
However, like driving a car, once you get moving, things get a lot more balanced.
Then it is all about learning how to change gears - another completely alien concept on a bike - and, of course, coming to a halt without toppling the bike once again. While carrying out this apparently difficult manoeuvre the Honda and I got well acquainted with the ground, in a rather impressive (given that I was meant to be coming to a calm stop) display of squealing tyres and snapping wing mirrors.
It was around that point that I realised why decent safety equipment is a must. Even wearing BMW's Motorrad equipment I was a little bruised and stiff the next day. And my gear really took the brunt of the skid - the telltale signs were all down the legs of the trousers.
Back on the bike, it was time to put on a bike-to-bike radio and head on to the track - yes, the actual Mondello track - with instructor Tom leading the way. Brave enough at this stage to venture as far as third gear and sometimes even up to about 50mph, while the voice in your ear talks you through the various turns and bends, advising all the time how to take them, and allowing the beginner to relax somewhat and enjoy the sensation of wind in your face.
Not quite knee-skimming stuff, but I think with a few more days' instruction that blissful crossing into the world of biking could be just about in my grasp.
For more information, check: www.bmw-motorrad.ie or call 01-8380455. BMW Motorrad Ireland runs beginner and advanced training courses throughout the country, as well as track days