Well apparently CBT isn't an abbreviation for Cerveza, Burritos & Tacos, it's the DVSA's Compulsory Basic Training, which is the first step on the road to a motorbike license in the UK for someone who either already has a provisional or full car license. I chose to do the one-day course with ADT Motorcycle Training based purely on good online reviews. The course cost £180 and that included use of the motorbike, helmet, gloves, fuel etc.

There were three candidates on the course (one didn't turn up) with one instrutor (Ian). The morning was spent doing slow speed maneuvers around a re-purposed tarmacked outdoor sports court. After this the two other candidates headed out with the instructor for an hour whilst I had lunch, after they returned I went out with one other candidate for an hour, then out with the other candidate.

We all passed and are now allowed to head out on the road on our own!

A bit of self-reflection - clutch control came a bit easier then I was expecting, especially as it's different to using a clutch in a car, as I've been doing for the last quarter of a centuary 😲. Less easy was simply remembering the sequencing of throttle/clutch/brake, and also cancelling my indicator. Nothing that won't come with time, I hope. I also learnt that my walking boots have a sole that is pretty chunky and I struggled to get it under the gear lever, and my legs are a bit too long for a YBR125.

So, on the shopping list is - some thinner boots, jacket, helmet and some sort of 125cc bike 🙂.

Speed data is inferred from GPX plots, so may not be accurate.