Page 88 - 2022-08-01 RiDE
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RATED
It was explained that the format would be ü Loose arms
a ducks-and-drakes arrangement behind are relaxed
the instructor for the sighting lap, followed arms... and
rider...
by each rider in our ‘team’ of four
demonstrating what they’d learned in front
of the instructor. On the start/finish straight p Each session
the leader peeled off and someone else started with a
briefing of the
took their place, so we all got feedback skills to be
when we returned to the assembly area. learned
There were three levels of tuition based
on confidence and ability; I picked the
middle. We were led outside to meet our
instructors and it was then that I met Del,
our friendly ex-Parachute Regiment carrying out each manoeuvre separately to
trainer, who (as you can probably imagine) ensure the bike remains stable. We learned
exuded a quiet confidence that set our about body position, weight transfer and
group immediately at ease. Most of the its impact on the tyre’s contact patch.
instructors had a background in the Police As the sessions flew by, it was clear this
or forces, and I found this to be reassuring. day was being run with military-grade
We headed out for our sighting laps. precision. Timeframes were tight to ensure
The old airfield is a wonderful place to be everyone got the circuit time they were
riding motorcycles — wide, open and fast take on learning from lots of different expecting but this was administered in a
— potentially faster than you’d go on the sources. However, some of it can be friendly way. The afternoon sessions
road of course but allowing you to put your contradictory. Although metered out loosened up a bit, doing away with the
skills into practice without having to worry constructively, I was disappointed to hear line-astern format for the final two. They
about other cars, junctions and the white my arms were too straight and my head introduced safe overtaking, using only the
noise of road riding. Today was about was tilted too far over when cornering. first third of the straights after corners.
improving skills, pure and simple. I can see their point about the arms. Naturally this sped things up but, given
Straight away I was getting feedback. It’s Having them too straight is bad for a the way the syllabus had been applied, it
always hard as a new rider — I love biking number of reasons; firstly it makes it didn’t ever feel risky. Everyone was simply
and I’m desperate to improve my skills, so harder to steer the bike as you lack riding to their own limits, overtaking with
leverage. Secondly, this would affect an courtesy and keeping out of each other’s
emergency situation, the process of having way. In fact, it was only when grabbing an
ü One of only two ways
stiff, straight arms makes your entire body additional gear through Goodwood Corner
to ride round Thruxton
stiff, too. Just concentrating on having that I realised not only was I smoother than
loose, bent arms when you steer makes a before, but I was quicker too.
bike feel lighter and more responsive. During the day, novices like me were
Each of the six sessions was an eye- encouraged to join the charity and
opener, with every one dedicated to a new complete the full Advanced Rider course,
technique and you can’t help but pick up and take advantage of the social aspects of
skills. The learning progressed through use the IAM as well as the tuition. Maybe that’s
of full throttle and hard braking, then on to a lifestyle leap too far at this point in my
selecting a responsive gear, focusing on biking life but I can understand the appeal.
We’ve done it too!
RiDE readers share their experience of the IAM RoadSmart skills day
‘I learned so much — ‘I had no idea my bike ‘A good course to do
and no pressure!’ could do any of that’ every year’
SUE REED, 58, TREVOR JOLLEY, 57, SAV , 54,
Triumph Tiger 900 BMW R1250GS BMW R1200RT
“It was fantastic. I started “I had no idea [my bike] “I have had an absolutely
off a little apprehensive but could do what I’ve just great day. I’ve done these
as the day’s gone on, I’ve really enjoyed it done with it. It’s been really, really clever. sort of courses before, so I had a fairly
and learned so much. There’s been no Del has been amazing with his patience good idea of what to expect. While I’ve
pressure to speed up, for example. and his critique isn’t over the top. He done a lot of training over the years, I
Everybody’s been so kind, very friendly notices stuff and he just points that out fouind this is a really good one to keep
and it’s been very well organised. I have and you try it, and he’s bob-on every refreshing every year or so. This is my
thoroughly enjoyed the whole course.” single time. I’ve come on a lot.” third one so far...”
88 SEPTEMBER 2022
