Few things I did different this time:
#1: Wore my new Kabuto Avand 2 helmet! The cheapo brandless helmet I got from CDC had been causing me a lot of pain around my temple after riding for just 30 minutes... with my new helmet, no such pain... just pure comfort and feeling stylo milo!
#2: I managed to find my favourite bike! Only problem was the amber light on the front of the bike kept lighting up whenever I go beyond 30km/hr... i thought i was staying too long at one gear... later, the instructor told me that the light is mainly used when checking the speed during e-brake test... so no worries if it's on during road test...
#3: I chose to be the first rider and it was a good decision (the rest in my group hesitated to be the first)! Why? Because you get to see the instructor in front doing the right things like checking blind spot (BS), signalling, etc. Only thing that first rider has to worry about is to know when to form in twos (if single arrow lane) or single bike column (if two-arrow lane). Most importantly, first rider get to go immediately when making right turn at junction... so lots of benefits provided you know the basics and not panicky...
The instructor conducting the briefing was so much better ( I think he is new)... he was patient and his explanations were clear... unlike that guy who kept making snide/sarcastic remarks everything a learner gave a wrong answer... glad he was in-charge of circuit revision tonight...
The route is a bit different this time round... so let me cover some points that I could recall:
#1) Be alert at the zebra crossing near the bike registration counter. The 4th ride got penalised for not stopping when a pedestrian was waiting to cross... don't follow blindly! Go slow here and prepare to stop!!! Sucks to get immediate failure here.
#2) At the CDC main gate, form in twos behind the white line. After that, only inch bike forward (full bike length) if there is traffic. Signal right, check right check left, then turn. If traffic is clear when you are already at the stop line, don't inch forward. Just make the turn immediately after doing the checks.
#3) For the first right turn at the traffic light junction without pocket, form a single row, Bike 1 and Bike 2 should be inside the box. Bike 3 behind the stop line. Bike 2 must ensure that Bike 1 has given enough space for Bike 2 without the rear tyre touching the pedestrian crossing line. At this junction, traffic is heavy enough that you'll have to wait for the right green arrow. Once green arrow is on, Bike 1 and 2 moves off (check right and right BS), Bike 3 should follow suit. Bike 4 and 5 must stop if green arrow starts to blink. Don't rush!!! Better be slow here then trying to catch up. For Bike 4 and 5, if you stopped next to a divider or chevron, check left BS first before moving.
#4) For the second right turn at the traffic light junction (with pocket), instructor this time chose to go to the right most single arrow turning lane. So... must form in twos when behind the stop line. There's only space for two bikes in the pocket if this lane is chosen... check left BS before moving. If Bike 1 and 2 are behind cars that are already in the pocket, simply move off when they start turning when green arrow is up...
Note: previously, instructor chose centre lane to make the right turn. This lane is a two-arrow lane so form a single row instead and check right and right BS before moving.
#5) Instructor will then slowly change lane to the left so do check left BS before making the lane change... from here just follow the front and enjoy the ride. Do keep pace...
#6) After a short ride along Bartley Road East, you'll make left filter lane at the first junction turning into Upper Paya Lebar Road. Form in a single lane when entering the filter lane and stay in the middle. Stop before the zebra crossing line if necessary. At the give-way line just after the zebra crossing, check right and stop if got traffic. Check right again, check left blindspot and then move off.
#7) After turning into Upper Paya Lebar Road, just follow the instructor, signal, checking your BS, etc. When moving around the industrial area, instructors will check on three things:
(1) Stopping before the solid white line at every non-traffic light junction
(2) Formation (form in twos if you are in a one-arrow turning lane; single if shared lane)
(3) Signal, check right, left and BS before turning... don't worry about the instructor who sometimes stops just next to you... it's unnerving but just stay cool... you may need to inch your bike forward after the stop line if the instructor blocks your view... if there are two of you, just communicate to the other biker on who should move first. Instructor said it doesn't matter who goes first as long only ONE bike moves at a time...
For stopping distance, stop when you can see the rear tyre of the bike in front of you. If you can't see the tyre from the three front lights... then you are too close to the front vehicle.
For those who are riding at the back (Bike 3, 4, 5), you'll often have to catch-up with the front bikes who will wait on the left side of the road. Let the front bike move first and don't overtake... so always form behind in an orderly manner...
If your bike stall at the junction inside the box... well, you only have one try to restart to bike to avoid immediate failure... those behind the stalled bike has to make a quick decision on whether to overtake or just wait at the stop line. If you are the Bike #2, no choice but overtake if the person can't restart bike... you need to clear the junction before the right green arrow disappears... Bike #1... sorry, please repeat lesson... that's why must choose a good bike or at least try practicing stalling your bike and restarting during circuit revision...
Finally when going back to CDC, once inside, make a right change lane after the No-Entry sign near the building lobby area. Form in SINGLE column here... signal left, check right, check right BS, then as you move in, signal right, check right BS... only two bikes can queue at the junction so Bike 3 must wait.
Okie... that's all I have to share... glad to clear this lesson. Ultimately, the above is not a concrete or 100% correct solution so don't memorise... everything is situational so don't rush... just don't commit immediate failures kind of mistakes...
Next is Lesson 7 and there are quite a number of dates available, unfortunately, mostly at 1245pm time slot... oh well... no rush since my TP Theory test is late October :(