Signed up to RoSPA Training

[jenros]

good nes guys,keep nus informed on how it goes,
lonewolf- good luck with ya ride mate ,hope it goes well for you

[Lonewolf]

So, ROSPA is, in the main, favoured by the forum over IAM ?

Apparently so, but each to their own. Just go with what you fancy doing.

[Nok12rs]

Thanks Mr Wolf

[cpettifer]

So, ROSPA is, in the main, favoured by the forum over IAM ?

For me, yes, but it's up to you! Before I came to the decision I had read and heard a lot about both groups. My feeling was that IAM had more of a focus on making progress, where RoSPA have a tendency towards riding safely, if that makes sense. They both follow the Roadcraft book, so buy it first and have a read through; although it helps to have some practical application from a tutor who knows what they are talking about too. :)

Also, IAM is a one time test, pass / fail I believe.

RoSPA give you an award depending upon ability, Gold, Silver or Bronze (or presumably fail!), that lasts 3 years, then you need to retest. So RoSPA encourages you to maintain your skills!

[Nok12rs]

Thank you for that CPettifer and all the very best with your course.

[patrick]

My feeling was that IAM had more of a focus on making progress, where RoSPA have a tendency towards riding safely, if that makes sense. They both follow the Roadcraft book,.............

That comment made me chuckle as my local IAM group often tend to suggest that my local RoSPA group are only interested in making progress!

Having trained with both groups, passed both tests and been an observer / tutor with both groups I would simply add that I have had a trainee with the Rospa group who lost a gold award due to not getting upto the National Speed Limit as soon as he could have.

To get Rospa Gold you have to show that you have the potential to do well on a Police Riding Course so naturally making progress, within speed limits, is expected.

Any group , is only as good as the people in the group who are providing the training. When I did my training I felt that the Rospa group people were more committed (in comparison to IAM) to helping me to get to the highest standard that I could acheive.

Speaking of the three year re-test with Rospa, i need to get my bum into gear and arrange mine!!


P

[cpettifer]

Any group , is only as good as the people in the group who are providing the training. When I did my training I felt that the Rospa group people were more committed (in comparison to IAM) to helping me to get to the highest standard that I could acheive.

This is a good point. I think when I've been speaking to people (rather than reading) about the difference they are generally relating their experience to specific groups in particular areas. A friend of mine who lives round the corner did IAM locally, I'm doing RoSPA, so we'll compare notes at some point!

[Andy]

RoSPA is probably cheaper. Join your local group for about £10 a year. Training is "free" (you could maybe help your tutor with petrol) exam is about £50. IAM "Skills for Life" is about £130. I've done both. You learn just as much when you progress onto observing others IMHO 

[Lonewolf]

I have to admit that although I am enjoying my RoSPA training and I feel it has benefited me enormously they do seem obsessed with speed, you exit a 30 limit and get into a National limit for example and they want you rapidly to get upto speed. Now in my book thats fine if you have a vehicle behind you, crack on so that you dont impede anyone else but if there's only you on the road, whats the point? Whats wrong with a gradual increase in your speed bringing you upto national speed smoothly and safely?

My tutor and I have discussed this, I perceive this type of riding on occasion as being aggressive (not always) but it can come across as such to others. My tutor simply explains that with RoSPA they are looking for flair, (they like that word a lot).  

Having said this though, I would still recommend the training to anyone who expressed an interest.

[kwarrgtr]

you exit a 30 limit and get into a National limit for example and they want you rapidly to get upto speed

In my experience with the IAM this is exactly the same. but boy oh boy do NOT even think about getting upto the nsl until your rear wheel has passed the signpost!!

in my group the msg is ... its a NSL so why wouldn't you get upto it asap. (Of course providing its safe etc etc..)
Dunno about rospa but in the iam group i am in some rules and regs (laws) seem to be sacrosanct, and others seem to be optional..
The fisrt group ride I did another newbie mentoned to me when we got back 'wow great ride, first time iv'e ridden in the rain, 1st time iv'e ridden in a group and the 1st time iv'e doen 90+ mph.' Didn't think much about it, but afterwards decided it was lucky for everyone there were no 'incidents'.....

[Andy]

you exit a 30 limit and get into a National limit for example and they want you rapidly to get upto speed

In my experience with the IAM this is exactly the same. but boy oh boy do NOT even think about getting upto the nsl until your rear wheel has passed the signpost!!

in my group the msg is ... its a NSL so why wouldn't you get upto it asap. (Of course providing its safe etc etc..)
Dunno about rospa but in the iam group i am in some rules and regs (laws) seem to be sacrosanct, and others seem to be optional..
The fisrt group ride I did another newbie mentoned to me when we got back 'wow great ride, first time iv'e ridden in the rain, 1st time iv'e ridden in a group and the 1st time iv'e doen 90+ mph.' Didn't think much about it, but afterwards decided it was lucky for everyone there were no 'incidents'.....

http://www.motorcycling-uk.com/riding/groupride.html

[Lonewolf]

Hmm, many pitfalls for group riding described in that link...

[cpettifer]

Back to the point of my thread...

I had my second ride out with my tutor on Saturday and first "proper" rideout, i.e. more than just 20 minutes round the block. :-)

We met at the same point in Tewksbury and we chatted briefly about what we were going to do including some simple directions to follow. We were to ride approx 15 miles to a petrol station then have a chat about what to do next. I was wondering how we were going to do directions on longer routes, but the route was such that I basically only had to remember where to turn at the end of each road (besides the first turning just up the road), so this was good.

The ride was along a few lovely A and B roads that I'd not ridden before. There was a mixture of National, 50, 40 and 30 limits. The roads were of varying quality, some a bit bumpy, others nice a smooth and a mixture of corners and hazards and junctions. I was quite happy with my ride to the petrol station.

We stopped and had a chat about the ride there... and he was very complimentary of my riding. There were a few things to take on board:

• Positioning for cross roads (where the road we are on continues, but junctions on left and right) to be more central, i.e. down the middle line to allow for extra room should near side person edge out
• No need to brake (for now) when approaching 40s, 50s etc, just use acceleration sense (engine braking to a degree) to manage speed. Only need to show brake lights if really necessary for idiots behind!
• Although he was happy I was doing it, exaggerate helmet movements when checking mirrors to indicate to observer that I am checking mirrors, making sure I do this when entering and exiting speed limits

On the plus side, he was impressed with my observation and positioning generally, slowing for junctions / crossroads where it was sensible. Observing that a national speed limit past a load of houses doesn't mean ride through at 60... slowing for a horse appropriately etc. Also, taking on his comments from the first brief ride, I was using less gears and generally in the right gear for the situation.

We discussed what to do next and decided to go back over the same route to our start point. There were a couple of corners that were rather tight that I could have ridden better and we thought it would be good to practise what we had discussed on the same roads (just going the other way). It turned out to be a great ride back...

On the way back I pretty much hardly used my brakes at all, only for the few junctions we had to go through. I took the corners in question better and took on board the positioning advice. On one of the cross roads we even had a large van edge his way out as we passed, so with me being in the middle of the road instead of the middle of my lane, I had better clearance and was as a result safer.

We then had a coffee and a further chat - he again was complimentary about the riding today, particularly being the first proper ride. I gave him some petrol money and we arranged to meet again in two weeks.

From my point of view... the riding we are doing makes sense. I can already see that I am smoother and probably faster through the bends. It's good that it makes sense to me as otherwise I think I'd struggle! I need to make sure I get some practise in (pretty easy as I ride to work), and then we'll do a longer run next time I think.

I recorded my track with my phone. Not sure if I should share - it says I did 61.7 mph...!

[Lonewolf]

Glad it's going well. 

So far I've been out with three different RoSPA trainers, the first guy who is a senior trainer who did my initial assessment and more recently FAILED me on my Pre test assessment, my normal trainer who I have had a number of training sessions with and even had some social rides with and one other trainer who apparantly takes you out to make sure they concur with the original trainer in respect of you being ready for your pre test assessmement.

I have noticed that even with these three individuals they all have a totally different riding style and attidude to riding.  My normal trainer has no issue with breaking the speed limit slightly and always encourages an overtake where it can be done safely. On a session with this rider he once failed to stop at a STOP sign and instead Gave Way, (endorsable offence) and then went over, rather than around a mini roundabout. 

The other trainer who I have only been out with once almost dropped their bike as they were turning around in a car park as they hit a bump.  Additionally, once due to a wet road surface they wouldn't go over 45mph in a 60 limit despite it being safe to do so and then later on the same ride criticised me for not getting up to 60 on a twisty, greasy stretch of country road with obscured bends due to high, dry stone walling.

The Senior trainer more recently however accused me of being an impatient rider, (I'm the slowest rider I know, ask anyone on here) criticised an overtake I did despite it being conducted without impacting on anyone else on a straight stretch of carriageway governed by NS, (60). Then told me I could have gone faster on one stretch of carriageway. Subsequently he wouldnt put me through for the test, which I told him I was very disappointed with.

I've thouroughly enjoyed the training and I have undoubtedly benefited from it. But those who train to the RoSPA model need to all sing off the same hymn sheet because the signals and methods they are sharing differ significantly. 

I've set up one more training ride with my trainer which will be followed by another pre test assessment with the senior trainer. If it doesn't work this time, I wont be spending any more time on it.

[Nok12rs]

Quoting Mr Lonewolf:

I've thouroughly enjoyed the training and I have undoubtedly benefited from it. But those who train to the RoSPA model need to all sing off the same hymn sheet because the signals and methods they are sharing differ significantly. 


To read the above after that which came before, says to me that you, Mr Wolf, are a laid back easy going puppy and I admire your attitude.  However, I find your experience a little alarming and would not now necessarily see it as the confidence regaining process I had at first thought possible.  Hey ho and power to your elbow