We had a discussion a few weeks ago about advanced rider training. Well I've gone and signed up to the Gloucester RoSPA group for riders and drivers. I'm about to be assigned a trainer and thought people might be vaguely interested in how I get on, so I'll post to this thread with updates.
So far I've had a phone call with a chap who is trying to assign me a trainer, to find out what my riding experience is, what I want to get out of doing it and how often I ride etc, plus my availability.
To answer some of those questions... I've been riding for 4.5 years or so. I estimate that I do around 10k miles a year (although this could be more on the GTR than on previous bikes). Most of my riding is commuting on the motorway, all year round and in most weather. I want to do RoSPA to be a better, safer rider.
It would be great to have updates and hear how you get on..I still haven't heard back from RoSPA and TBH I've not done anything about it yet...but I will :yes:
Wishing you all the best with the training - hopefully you will find it worthwhile I know I did.
I occasionally travel up to join Gloucester RoSPA on some of their ride outs.
Kind regards
Steve
You'll enjoy it if it's something you really want to learn from. I have my last assessment with the senior trainer before my test coming up shortly. So far I've been told I'm a very strong silver and 80% of each of my rides are of a gold standard. I've been told I'm more than capable of getting a gold. Time will tell!!Ultimately I wanted to become a safer, more competent rider. I feel that I have already achieved that target, therefore whatever the outcome now I'll be very satisfied with it. Most of my feedback has been positive, yes I've had a few points to address and work at to improve, but thats what its all about.
Please do keep us all updated with your progress and just enjoy it. :clap:
I totally recommend advanced training, of any nature, as having done IAM and RoSPA i know both of these tests contributed to my safe graduation from a 600cc Hornet via a CBF 1000 to my GTR.
Its 3 yrs since i acheived my RoSPA Gold so I need to get my finger... and bike ... out and do the 3 yr re-test.
Good luck with your training.
P
I've now been assigned a tutor, I just have to arrange for my first meet up.
For those not in the know, at the first meet, besides going for a ride there's some admin stuff to do. My tutor needs to check my documentation, i.e. my bike is road worthy (MOT etc), taxed, insured etc and that I can legally ride it (i.e. check my driving licence), plus do the basic eye test to make sure I can see as per the highway code! :-)
It's been recommended I get a copy of Motorcycle Roadcraft – The Police Rider's Handbook to Better Motorcycling (ISBN 978 0 11 341143 6), which the training is based on (as is IAM I believe), but I already have this so I dusted it off! ;-) I will also need to brush up on my highway code.
Finally, they are sending me a training log for me to record the stuff we cover and keep a record of everything.
Hey good luck with that.
None of us are born able to ride a bike ( we may be born to ride, but not born riders) so what we learn along the way is so important.
I consider myself to be very lucky in that the job I chose gave me as much driver and rider training as I could ever wish for.
I am now an Examiner for the Advanced Bike Test for RoSPA so if there is anything you want to know about the test, when the time comes then just ask.
Enjoy it, and well done for signing up.
Well I had my final training session today with my tutor, it was more of a leisure ride than a lesson, no dramas or issues raised, I should have my PTA, (pre test assessment) next week swiftly followed by my test. Apparently the senior trainer likes candidates to take their test very soon after the PTA.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I'm already wondering what new challenge I can set myself!!
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 28, 2012, 11:26:13 PM
I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I'm already wondering what new challenge I can set myself!!
well now Steve....I reckon that you've just asked the $64,000 question :mfr_lol:
Anyone got any ideas :huh:
for a good days training check out i2i motorcycle academy MC1 and MC3 are great courses and i really enjoyed them and learned alot of new stuff :clap: :clap:
I've got my first ride next Saturday. In the mean time I've received a log book to record progress etc and I need to start swotting up on Roadcraft...
First ride report
I delayed my first ride for a week as I had a cold when it was initially scheduled, so I went out on Saturday. I met up with my lovely tutor at a pub in Tewksbury. We arrived at exactly the same time, which was good! He seems like a really nice chap, so that's a good start. First off we just had a bit of a chat about bikes and stuff, he has a lovely R1 (W reg I think) which is in top condition. Then he checked my licence and insurance etc and we nattered about the GTR.
All we had planned to do on this first meet was to meet, have a short ride and then chat over a coffee. So, we went for a brief spin around the block:
http://g.co/maps/yhpe6 (http://g.co/maps/yhpe6)
Which took 20 minutes or so, then had a coffee and chat! From my point of view the ride was OK, pretty gentle bimble on a number of roads. He commented that it was a smooth, progressive and safe ride with nothing to cause him any concern! So a good start then.
Things to work on for next time, when we will ride for longer, are to use less gears on these roads (i.e. only a couple most of the time) to allow for better overall control rather than dancing around the box and a minor point to plan my route to avoid man holes and white lines as much as possible. Then we discussed a couple of chapters to read in Roadcraft before next time, such as the observation one, as he sees that as the key to everything else falling into place; although he did rate my observation as already being very good. Finally, to get into my head the roadworthiness and daily riding checks.
So far so good. We should be meeting up again in a couple of weeks for a ride back over the same route (to see my improvement of the couple of areas mentioned) and then onto a longer route around the area.
Our local ROSPA co-ordinator sent me an email a couple of weeks ago that I really must reply to but I'm too busy to do any training at the moment :(.
Kevin
So, ROSPA is, in the main, favoured by the forum over IAM ?
I still haven't had any reply from my local RoSPA..
I'll havce to chase them up
Thanks for the update which makes good reading
good nes guys,keep nus informed on how it goes,
lonewolf- good luck with ya ride mate ,hope it goes well for you :clap:
Quote from: Nok12rs on March 19, 2012, 06:05:48 PM
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.
Thanks Mr Wolf
Quote from: Nok12rs on March 19, 2012, 06:05:48 PM
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!
Thank you for that CPettifer and all the very best with your course.
Quote from: cpettifer on March 20, 2012, 03:10:21 PM
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
Quote from: patrick on March 20, 2012, 06:45:13 PM
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!
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 :smiley:
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). :mfr_lol:
Having said this though, I would still recommend the training to anyone who expressed an interest.
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'.....
Quote from: kwarrgtr on March 21, 2012, 03:32:30 PM
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 (http://www.motorcycling-uk.com/riding/groupride.html)
Hmm, many pitfalls for group riding described in that link... :nono:
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...!
Glad it's going well. :clap:
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.
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 :clap:
Steve, shame you are getting inconsistency.
There will always be variances in riding techniques/styles/confidence, advanced riding (and driving ) is about arming yourself with the right tools to do the job - the test is an incidental and safety is paramount.
You are with the newly fromed West Yorks bike section I believe, which I also understand is very rigidly structured. I am surprised you have had such inconsistency and if I were you would raise it with Mike (senior trainer if I am right?)
Put in for your test but specify out of your own area so you get independant examin ation. I do a lot for Midlands / Lincs region and have also done some Cleveland and North Yorks test too.
Apply for Cleveland area, Steve Darby and Nick Walker are spot on and very consistent in their approach. They are also very balanced and pragmatic.
Don't give up on it, but feed back or the consistency will never be acheived.
Or come and join our group in Hull! 1930hrs 1st Tuesday of the month (3 April!!)
Totally off post (now there's a surprise) but ............ah! Hull.
The love of my life (we met in 1985) was bought up at Anlaby where I spent many a great weekend with visits to Hull and also all that beautiful Yorkshire stuff; Dales 'n hills 'n moors 'n whatsits.........gateposts made of horse shoes.....more daffs than a Dutchman's nursery... Kate Bush running buck naked searching for ............Brill pubs and amazing cish and fips plus mushies :banana:
Though no longer together we are still best of friends.
I taught her to ride five years ago; she did a CBT, came out with me (intercoms) for three days, then one day on the schools 600 and passed!!!! Scored 100% on the computer based HC test. (very bright!!!!!) :smiley:
Rides a 300cc Vesper now. Bless :rolleyes:
Indeed NoK - Hull's a great place actually that suffers with a reputation it doesn't deserve.
Quote from: Winston Smith on April 02, 2012, 09:08:18 PM
Indeed NoK - Hull's a great place actually that suffers with a reputation it doesn't deserve.
A bit like Bradford..... :whistling:
:mfr_lol:
:mfr_lol: No to mention Leeds :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Winston Smith on April 02, 2012, 09:08:18 PM
Indeed NoK - Hull's a great place actually that suffers with a reputation it doesn't deserve.
there's an expression..."Hull, Hell and Halifax :mfr_lol:
Quote from: olde coney on April 03, 2012, 06:04:14 AM
there's an expression..."Hull, Hell and Halifax :mfr_lol:
:mfr_lol:
Quote from: Lonewolf on April 02, 2012, 04:19:51 PM
(I'm the slowest rider I know, ask anyone on here)
you have not seen me yet :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: aldav on April 03, 2012, 06:37:59 PM
you have not seen me yet :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Massive respect to ya :biker3: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Winston Smith on April 02, 2012, 08:16:06 PM
Steve, shame you are getting inconsistency.
There will always be variances in riding techniques/styles/confidence, advanced riding (and driving ) is about arming yourself with the right tools to do the job - the test is an incidental and safety is paramount.
You are with the newly fromed West Yorks bike section I believe, which I also understand is very rigidly structured. I am surprised you have had such inconsistency and if I were you would raise it with Mike (senior trainer if I am right?)
Put in for your test but specify out of your own area so you get independant examin ation. I do a lot for Midlands / Lincs region and have also done some Cleveland and North Yorks test too.
Apply for Cleveland area, Steve Darby and Nick Walker are spot on and very consistent in their approach. They are also very balanced and pragmatic.
Don't give up on it, but feed back or the consistency will never be acheived.
Or come and join our group in Hull! 1930hrs 1st Tuesday of the month (3 April!!)
Another option if you are short of time & have the money you can pay for your training and take your test at a later date :smiley: I can recommend Steve & Nick also :smiley: Ex-copper's but they're not all bad :smiley: http://www.ridewellteesvalley.co.uk/ (http://www.ridewellteesvalley.co.uk/) I did the required training with them before my RoSPA test. I'd already done IAM etc.
Right... session 3 with my tutor. Figured I would just post a map from session 2, so here it is:
http://g.co/maps/aubyw (http://g.co/maps/aubyw)
Another delayed ride out, we were due to go out the previous Saturday, but my tutor's bike was stuck at the garage being serviced and they'd ordered the wrong part. Doh!
Weather was really mixed. When we met in Tewksbury there was a nice hail downpour. We stood under cover and discussed where we were going to ride - essentially the same start as the previous ride, but continuing on to include some different roads and a motorway stint. Once the hail had stopped we left and had the odd shower while out, but generally stayed dry, although the roads were mixed wet and dry, which was really useful...
Once more my tutor was very complimentary about my riding. I didn't have any problems myself riding, but these were the sugestions to help me improve this time:
- A couple of minor pointers on road position down particular stretches of road - on one straight road I could have positioned myself right down the road centre (the far right of our lane) to give a great view with the added benefit of being further away from the edge should furry animals run out.
- When the road is generally wet but has a dry line, ride on the dry line (unless there's some good reason not to) as the grip is better. I did this some times, but not always.
- When moving back over to the left hand lane on motorway / dual carriageway there's not always a need to indicate.
- Right foot down at junctions to allow for quicker getaway if required (i.e. something doesn't look like it's going to stop behind you).
I think that was it, I'll edit when I get my feedback on e-mail if there was anything else.
Here was the route we took this week, essentially an extension of the route we did before. The roads north of Gloucester are pretty good, if you're ever riding in this neck of the woods. They are all new to me though, even though I live fairly locally.
http://g.co/maps/x2fsq (http://g.co/maps/x2fsq)
We're meeting again in three weeks, because I'm too busy in between, and running from a different start point earlier in the day. This is likely all to be on roads I don't know, so it'll be good to see how I read them.
Just had my comments through from my tutor... additional comments this week were to do with making sure I am learning the Highway Code and Roadcraft fully. I have both... so had better get reading! :-)
Oh, also, I've heard we're going to be riding a route similar to this next time:
http://g.co/maps/ajpzt (http://g.co/maps/ajpzt)
Right another ride with my tutor. Much longer this time, took in 52.4 miles starting in Gloucester and ending in Tewksbury but via Dursley, the edge of Stroud and then the M5. Here's the map:
http://g.co/maps/87tpm (http://g.co/maps/87tpm)
I haven't had any comments through on e-mail yet... but here's my summary.
I wasn't really in the right frame of mind this week. I've had a poor sleeping week and I think this probably had an impact. I also hadn't been out on the bike at all and I think this too contributed to not such a good ride. However, my tutor is still really positive about things.
Main points were looking to make progress a bit more as we rode through and out of Gloucester (it was reasonably busy and I just pottered along happily in the inside lane when I could have been overtaking on dual carriageway). Then A38 was good (I know it well, which probably helped), then off this through Dursley and round some twisties making our way to the M5. Here he commented that I wasn't as smooth as previously, perhaps slowing later than usual for some corners. I was just aware in myself that I wasn't riding as well. Still, overall it was OK. Motorway blast back up to Tewksbury was great. He said you could tell I rode on motorways all the time and he had nothing really to note at all there.
Overall it was OK I think.
We're going to ride a similar route again in a couple of weeks and, provided all back to "normal" we'll arrange a pre-test ride with another tutor after that.
We sat and went through a number of Roadcraft and Highway Code items. We did a pre-ride check before we set out, which he was happy with. I talked a bit about my machine, which I will get asked apparently. Then I have to know where to check various bit and pieces, fluids, electrics etc. We also discussed the system, to test my knowledge of it (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) and an example of how I might use it in a particular situation.
Highway Code, we just had a chat about a few things. Did some road signs and stuff like that. All OK. I've not finished reading the Highway Code yet, but general knowledge of it is OK. Hope to be fully up on it by next time.
Hey folks - I'm back!
Well it's been a REALLY long time since I've logged in here as so much has happened. I'm still doing my RoSPA training, but really close to taking my test. I am, in fact just about to book it. So, what has happened:
1. The summer came, including holidays etc, so I wasn't able to meet up with my tutor as often as we liked. We probably only met once a month at best over summer / autumn. This meant it took us ages to book me a pre-test run.
2. I got a new job - this complicated things and it the main reason for me not being on the forum for ages.
3. After continuing to have some very complimentary sessions with my tutor we put in for a pre-test check with another tutor in the group. I met with a guy who is a diploma holder and we ran through what would effectively happen on a full test. So it started with a weekly check of the bike following the POWER (or rather POWDER) acronym that the book mentions. This is something I need to practise before my test (although it went ok). Doing this check I noticed I hadn't put my new tax disc on my bike - oops.
We then went for a good 40ish mile ride that would be typical of a test run. This included a motorway stretch and town stretch and some flowing A / B roads. I was quite familiar with the roads and had a good run largely. We then parked up for a cup of tea, a run through a few highway code / advanced riding technique questions, which were also OK, and a debrief of the ride. Main points to take away were that he was very impressed with riding generally, knowledge of highway code and advanced riding book good (with some advice to polish up on specific terminology). Only point about riding was that I used gears to slow down a lot, rather than losing speed first, then changing to the correct gear for the hazard ahead. It makes sense when I think about what I had been doing and going away have worked on ridding myself of this habit.
4. I then contacted my tutor to find out next steps to book a test.
5. Waited...
6. I then heard back from the group coordinator that my tutor was having a break from tutoring! So he was taking on my training for the last bit leading up to the test. He sent me through the stuff I needed to book my test and we arranged to meet up. One thing I haven't actually done any of during training was overtaking (bizarrely never had the opportunity), so we arranged a long ride on a road that was likely to give lots of opportunities. We did this ride last Saturday.
7. Last Saturday we rode from Tewkesbury to Oxford and back! There were lots of opportunities for overtaking and we stopped a few time to discuss this and filtering and took it in turns to lead. He was able to demonstrate good (and bad!!) overtaking and filtering. I then had a go in the lead and did some, which gave us some points for discussion over one of our several cups of tea!
We discussed positioning and being in the right position enables me to make better decisions about whether an overtake (or filter) is on or if the situation is a risk, rather than an opportunity. Just the way we spoke gave me confidence and on the way back I was able to demonstrate good overtaking and filtering at appropriate times. We actually split or journey back and parted half way home as he was confident we had achieved what we had set out to at this point. In total I covered 125 miles - which is by far the longest session I've had with RoSPA.
8. So what's left is I need to book a test. I'm looking to take it in January now. I'll head out another couple of times with my new tutor between now and then so he can badger and pester me and polish up the small points. He is very positive that I should achieve a high grade, provided I demonstrate the same riding and knowledge that I did to him on Saturday.
Fingers crossed eh?
Will try and keep this post better updated leading up to my test.
I wish you luck on the test. I do intend to do mine again just for the hell of it as I was extrememly disappointed with my final grade. Some weeks after my assessment I did have another session with my tutor and he couldn't understand how I'd not achieved a better grade but thats life.
Ironically I did have to wait at one stage for my tutor who was obviously a gold standard rider to get his bike back from the workshop as he misjudged an overtake and ran into the back of a HGV, it seems nobody is perfect! He was ok, just a few aches and pains but his GS was a bit battered.
I enjoyed the training though despite the outcome. :mfr_lol:
Quote from: cpettifer on December 03, 2012, 01:57:01 PM
Only point about riding was that I used gears to slow down a lot, rather than losing speed first, then changing to the correct gear for the hazard ahead. It makes sense when I think about what I had been doing and going away have worked on ridding myself of this habit.
Now why is that supposed to be wrong? I don't think it makes sense at all.
Using the engine to reduce speed saves fuel as well as brake pads and discs. :ohplease:
Quote from: mecki on December 03, 2012, 06:02:19 PM
Now why is that supposed to be wrong? I don't think it makes sense at all.
Using the engine to reduce speed saves fuel as well as brake pads and discs. :ohplease:
Basically I had a tendency to try to lose too much speed by changing down gears, putting more strain on engine etc, which is more expensive to repair / replace than a set of pads (although they ain't as cheap as I imagined, having just done this).
Anyway, I now roll off throttle, so am using engine braking still (acceleration sense), but if I'm not going to lose all the speed I need for hazard (corner, etc), then I'll apply some brake, then change down to the correct gear. It's really just muddling up the system (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) by switching the Gear and Speed phases round. There were a couple of specific occasions where I got in the right gear for a corner, but still needed to lose some speed before I got there; a specific observation about my ride really and a habit I'd got into.
Sorry, but I think whoever told you this is full of :shit: .
Engine braking doesn't put any more strain on the engine than accelerating.
Especially if you know how to change down properly.
Switching down through the gears while approaching a corner has to be much more effective than closing the throttle in overdrive while applying the brakes and then switching three or four gears down just before the corner with the clutch pulled.
Maybe you may save a split second on the racetrack if you pull the clutch, slam on the brakes hard at the last possible moment and while doing so switch down a couple of gears, but on the road?
:listencarefully: It is a public road and not a racetrack!
No wonder some people change their brake pads and discs like other people their underwear. :mfr_lol:
Well I definitely have more control doing what I'm doing now... and that's the point.
Mecki, you miss the point.
It is quite an art to learn and can't be explained very well in a few short sentences on here.
It isn't a load of shit as you so eloquently put it but a sequenced and slick way of making progress and being in the correct gear at the correct time and at the correct speed for any given hazard.
Nothing to do with the race track, infact quite the opposite, but it does help safe and progressive riding without strain on the gearbox and drive train, and can be quite economical too.
It is part of the system and when used in conjunction makes perfect sense.
Interesting thread.
Thanks for the blog cpettifer - keep it coming.
I am a member and tutor, so very interested in your perceptions, experiences and feelings. Very valuable feedback and opinions prompted.
Hey folks, been a long time again.
Sorry to say that I've not completed my training due to simply not riding my bike enough... So I've stopped my RoSPA training. Hopefully at some point I will pick it up again as I was pretty close to taking my test.
Please do pick it up again .... Any training is good, for all of us as it helps not just when we are on 2 wheels but 4 too. Train train train ride ride ride and it falls into place ! :smiley: