Motorcycle Diaries

As part of the placement I'm likely to have to use a motorcycle to get around some of the time. Which would be swell, except that I've never ridden one before, nor do I have my license. While from what I hear, riding a motorcycle without a license will probably be less of an issue in Thailand than it would be here, I'm still definitely concerned about the safety implications of using a small, light, fast vehicle without previous experience in a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road. Also, I've been told traffic regulations tend to be viewed more as passing words of advice than strict rules of the road. Those of you who've spent any time driving around Montreal will likely have some idea what I'm talking about.

I am not sure whether or not I will be given any formal motorcycle training by CUSO during the initial few weeks we're required to spend doing in-country training in Bankok so I've decided to take matters into my own hands. I'm trying to find a motorcycle training course to take some time in April. It should be interesting to try and cram a weekend long motorcycle course amid the insane levels of scrambling I'm doing to try and keep up with school and placement preparations, but as they say, safety first, right?

In searching the web for a suitable course, I've learned a few things.

1. Motorcycles have a graduated licensing system in Canada, just like regular drivers licenses. (M1, M2, M)
2. Taking your M1, like your G1 does not require you to do any sort of on the road training, you just get the training book, study, and take the test.
3. To take an M2 training test, you need to have had your M1 for a minimum of 60 days.

Number 3 presents me with a pretty serious problem. My potential departure date is exactly 44 days from now, so even if I went out and got my M1 TODAY, I wouldn't be able to get my M2 before leaving.
This being the case, I've decided to try and find an M2 course that I can take without my M1 license, with the understanding that at the end of the course I would not go for my M2 test. All I really want is the safety training and motorcycle riding experience anyway. I think I've found one place that will let me do that, but I will need to call them Monday to make sure it's okay, and to sign up for one of the courses.

I never realized getting your license would be so expensive though. On top of the course fees, you're required to wear a Department of Transportation approved motorcycle helmet, leather jacket, heavy leather pants or jeans and heavy duty work boots that covered your ankle. I always just assumed that biker gear was all about style. Turns out the leather also conveniently helps you keep your SKIN on in the event of an accident.

I guess this is why it's so important to do all the research you can BEFORE taking a huge trip like this. Looks like I'm going to have to add to my list of "Things to buy before leaving" which is growing depressingly quickly as the departure date draws closer and closer. My bank account sobs bitterly as it remembers better days. Fortunately, the IDS program at UofT and CUSO are both AWESOME about paying for as many of the essential departure purchases as possible (Travel Visa, Water Filter, Mosquito Net, etc), so my costs are way less than they could be.

My only reservation about the motorcycle gear is the comfort factor. According to theweathernetwork.com, today in Chiang Mai, the high is 36 degrees celcius. Current relative humidity? 89%. Have you ever gone outside in a leather jacket, heavy helmet, jeans and work boots when it's 36? I can't say I've tried it either, and there's probably a reason most people don't. Heat stroke anyone? This being said, you can all rest assured that there's no way on earth I'm going to compromise safety for comfort at any point on my trip. I'll figure something out.

Now if you'll excuse me, these millions of essays and assignments aren't going to write themselves.