going back to basics with advanced on-road motorcycle training - classroom board

If there is one aspect that makes a good driver or rider different from a regular driver or rider, it is additional training and commitment to put what they have learned into practice.
Looking carefully, when they ride or drive more calmly, you will find that they are on the road and seem to be taking advantage of every opening in the traffic and every safe overtaking opportunity, always under control, always plan ahead.
Their speed isprecisely -
When they enter the limit of 30 miles/hour, 30 miles per hourif safe -
When the limits allow, they will accelerate away intelligently and confidently.
Their ride will flow.
Even faster than the people around you.
They don't seem to pay much attention to traffic.
Ask them how they did it, they went out with the police on a safe day of the bike, received IAM RoadSmart training, or similar training.
After a day riding with the most qualified motorcycle coach in the UK, I understood why.
When I signed up for advanced rider training for Phoenix motorcycle training at Crystal Palace Park, it was all a bit surprising.
I am looking forward to a slow day of "Old Man" riding, just like the training I experienced in my advanced driving test more than 30 years ago.
I was wrong, even with a meeting with Mark Jeff, director of Phoenix motorcycle training at Crystal Palace, when he explained how we put the "ipsga" into practice, he did start with an inevitable whiteboard class.
Information, position, speed, gear and acceleration form the cornerstone of advanced riding or driving and are-
At least in theory. simple enough.
"Information" means thinking about what is happening around you;
Collect data on roads and other roadsusers.
"Location" means moving to the right side of the road to handle your actions.
"Speed" means adjusting it so that you can be ready to do things before you reach the danger, while "gear" means, no surprise, to be in the right gear at the right time.
"Acceleration" means that when you see that it is safe to do so, increase your speed, taking into account the road conditions. . .
Once on the road, I do a lot more than I expected.
We drove the bike.
I'm on BMW rymrs Sport SE and Mark is on BMW gs101 and Mark is coaching coach Ben Cox in his advanced tests --
We traveled to a maze, large and small, in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
First of all, we followed mark and noticed his smooth and easy progress, easily filtering the slow of the past --
Mobile traffic, through a rigorous observation of the 30-mile/hour and 20-mile/hour speed limits on the outskirts of London, and the odd habit of constantly moving from one side of the lane to the other.
Then he waved at me in front of me and let me lead the way.
Under careful inspection, I felt that my ride had deteriorated, but it was not too bad, and after 20 minutes we stopped to listen to the report.
Mark said: "It's not bad at all, but you need to look further along the way so that you can react faster to dangerous and changing environments. And -
Even on a slower road
Don't just go straight.
Move from one side to the other to maximize your view
This way other drivers can also see you better because the eyes are attracted by the movement.
You don't want to disguise yourself by constantly queuing up.
This explains Mark's previous 'weaving '.
Taking turns leading with Mark and Ben, by observing their route on the curve, the use of speed, and the interaction with other traffic, my ride quickly calmed down.
In our second time.
In short, it is time to speed up the pace.
I was instructed not to gradually drop from the 40 or 50 mph area to the upcoming 30 mph limit, but to lower the speed more subtly when the new limit takes effect.
For example, I was also instructed to speed up under the 30 mile/hour limit.
"The goal is to make the most safety progress," Mark said on the intercom inside my helmet.
Now it feels like riding a horse.
"To make the engine work harder --
More speed in the low level;
"You will be surprised how it gives you more control, especially in the corners," Mark instructed, who is the chief examiner of the motorcycle driving coach Association, it is also a key member of many motorcycle road safety density advisory groups.
I followed his advice.
Confidence growth-
I ride far less slowly than I did 30 years ago.
As we venture into the narrow, winding, hilly roads of Sussex, I feel like my ride has never been as sharp and self-conscious as it is nowassured or (
This is unexpected)
More pleasant.
We try to overtake to make sure-in the build-
Until passing through another car
For fast, safe actions, I am always in the best position and ready to withdraw again if necessary.
"You don't always need to point out when overtaking," Mark suggested . ".
"Others may think you're turning right.
In advanced testing, even if you don't actually overtake, the examiner will want to see you doing it.
As mileage accumulates, we often stop to discuss things like "vanishing points "(
Methods used to measure the severity of bending)
The braking before bending is stronger, how to safely bring the speed into the bending, how to maintain a more constant speed, and how to proceed safely to the maximum extent.
We often in the road
While resting at the roadside or tea room, Mark also directed police intervention classes (RiDE)
-For those who are found to be in violation of traffic rules, and for those who are allowed to receive additional training by law, rather than having points on their licence.
Mark is also the chairman of London's senior motorcyclists, often training candidates for IAM Roadsmart and Diamond advanced riding tests.
Mark has seven Phoenix centers in various locations in the South East, with 40 coaches working for him, teaching novices until those who wish to take the ride to a higher level.
He even led regular "social" rides on the continent, including the German and Pyrenees, to serve former students, coaches, friends and other enthusiastic riders.
When we stopped by the side of the road for a chat, Mark said: "It's road safety that really makes me drive . ".
"It's all about making riders safer, helping them get more from their motorcycles, and making them like it more.
Mark, 55, said regular riders need 6 to 8 training sessions to meet the criteria they can take for advanced riding tests.
This will last for about six months, and the candidate will also invest a lot of single-person riding time.
It's not necessarily cheap, but Mark insists that the rewards of a safer and more enjoyable ride outweigh the cost.
If you take the diamond course, the cost is 600.
Alternatively, you can join the local IAM RoadSmart branch, which requires approximately £ 250 or dvsa ers (
Plan to strengthen rider)
About 170 a day.
We set off again and went back to London on the winding road around egsom mutt in Kent.
I am determined to put my overtaking training into action and lead the team of three of us, I close the door in the car in front of me and then-
Confident, fast
Then Mark and Ben.
Then we passed by again.
"The overtaking is very good," Mark said on the intercom . ". “No gung-
How to speed up, you just have to continue to live quietly
In the final report, Mark has more suggestions.
"You have done very well;
"Two or three classes plus practice, you can prepare for the exam," he said . ".
"You need to work hard on the road;
Maximize your position for safety, vision and progress.
It needs to be second.
Natural, muscle memory.
"When we are riding in the saddle and running things, there is a last point of advice. “Remember -
This is all practice-go out and ride!
"With new confidence, with some new skills to put into practice, and an exciting day under my belt, that's exactly what I want to hear. More here.