[slackline]

In light of the rights and wrongs of cyclists I thought I'd start a poll to see how many people have done their Cycling Proficiency Test (now rebranded as The National Standards for Cycle Training).

I have, when I was about 10 (just before I left junior school), I can still remember having to do emergency stops going down a gentle hill and trying not to go over the handlebars.

Also, use this thread to slag off/defend cycling behaviour  (so as not to further pollute Room 101)

[SA Chris]

No, no such thing in SA, but Yes, got cycling proficiency badge at scouts, does that count?

I voted Anasazi.

[Bubba]

I did it in the 70's - all I can remember is riding round in circles. It didn't teach you important stuff like how to wheelie, ride no-handed or build jumps out of bricks and planks. Crap.

[slackline]

  You didn't do the advanced test then 

[SA Chris]

I did it in the 70's - all I can remember is riding round in circles. It didn't teach you important stuff like how to wheelie, ride no-handed or build jumps out of bricks and planks. Crap.

How about how dangerous your chopper was at high speed? or do you learn that at the school of hard knocks.

[Drew]

My bloody headteacher was leaving our Primary School in the year that I was due to do mine, and as such, he forgot to organise it! I never got the opportunity.

[webbo]

i always thought it was for mollycoddled kids whos mums wouldn't let them out of the garden on their bikes until they passed it.

[Mike Tyson]

I remember doing mine, my mum couldn't have bought me a worse helmet. It was a skid lid and I pretty much resembled that mushroom fella from super mario bros.

It was bloody awful. On a side note I was a runner up in one of the Blue Peter cycle-right competitions and won a high-viz vest and a Blue Peter badge. I was gutted as the star prize was a Raliegh Activator 2 

[jfw]

we did this at school in the playground. first go i was failed for having non working brakes. i remember we had to weave in and out of cones and practise indicating. also the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

we didn't have helments.

[cofe]

i did mine. it has pretty much nothing to do with riding a bike in the real world though. or - as bubba says - wheelies, endos etc etc

[dave]

i've got for pain au chocolate since there's no option for pain aux raisins.

[Falling Down]

also the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

Err I still do that sometimes..

 

[erm, sam]

Err I still do that sometimes..

Yeah. Keep it real! I remember being really embarassed when my mum used to do it when we were all out for a bike rides. You get bonus points for still doing it, in my book. It harks back to a better time, I think I might start doing it again myself.

[lagerstarfish]

Sheffield Council are still offering free cycle lessons if anyone's interested

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/cycling-and-walking-and-prow/cycling/cycle-coaching

Sadly, the pedestrian training is only available for kids

[slackline]

also the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

I still do that to this today (did it this morning actually).  Its great fun, because most idiots don't have a clue what it means and think you're turning right, but you then pull over on the left.  Had bus drivers looking very pissed off at me.  On one occasion after having got my morning Irn-bru and hoping back on the bike I caught up with the bus so took the time to explain to him what it meant and that he might benefit from re-reading his highway code again 

Its a perfectly legal hand signal which you can use in a car if your indicators fail.  Circling you're right arm means you're turning left too.

[lagerstarfish]

the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

I do it with both arms at once to prove that I am sober enough to cycle home

[webbo]

the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

I do it with both arms at once to prove that I am sober enough to cycle home

or pissed enough to think you can fly.

[magpie]

we did this at school in the playground. first go i was failed for having non working brakes. i remember we had to weave in and out of cones and practise indicating. also the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

we didn't have helmets.

That's pretty much the same as my experience.  By the time I got back on a bike, this year, I had forgotten anything I learned though.   

You still need to know all those hand signals and stuff to pass your driving theory test now, I know because I am currently revising for mine. 

[webbo]

 the only hand signals i've ever used whilst driving involve two fingers or

[slackline]

the only hand signals i've ever used whilst driving involve two fingers or

  I regularly exercise these hand signals too (and the later in the privacy.... )

[Drewski Rootbitch]

I've still got my cycling proficiency badge.... ....I don't wear it very often now though.

[fatdoc]

with my history..

er.. no

never done it

[lagerstarfish]

the waving your hand up and down to indicate slowing down!!!!! (who has ever done that??)

I do it with both arms at once to prove that I am sober enough to cycle home

or pissed enough to think you can fly.

same thing

[slackline]

with my history..

er.. no

never done it

  Worth considering?