Some thoughts on advanced riding skills

[SPman]

Well, I've got the books, and they make for interesting reading. Well done Geoff - espec. for bringing it to our attention.
Now, if I could just track down something similar here in Perth...........

[Blackbird]

Well, I've got the books, and they make for interesting reading. Well done Geoff - espec. for bringing it to our attention.
Now, if I could just track down something similar here in Perth...........

Thanks SPMan!

There's an ex-UK instructor who lives in WA called Bob Pinder. Haven't corresponded with him since he emigrated but he might well have been IAM-qualified. May be able to find out if you're interested as I think he still occasionally posts on the UK Blackbird forum.

[raftn]

Well you know what i think Geoff. What you have done is amazing and inspirational. It is a shame though that the very people who should be reading these kind of threads, never venture into this forumn.

Keep it up, youohave a lot more to accomplish yet.


Roger

[Blackbird]

Well you know what i think Geoff. What you have done is amazing and inspirational. It is a shame though that the very people who should be reading these kind of threads, never venture into this forumn.

Keep it up, youohave a lot more to accomplish yet.


Roger

Thanks Rog! However, if it wasn't for our early discussions and a tweak from David Hough; I probably wouldn't have gone down this path either.

[caspernz]

Congratulations Geoff, awesome effort!

I read your summation and you've made some valid points. Why don't more riders upskill themselves? I asked myself that question earlier this year and done a couple of Prorider courses. In the end, the nature of the training, road or track based, is all valid but I'd agree that the IAM approach is a gold standard.

As a professional truck driver, and a trainer as well, the major hurdle with training is firstly to get folks to partake and secondly to implement....you don't seem to have that problem though huh?

[Blackbird]

Congratulations Geoff, awesome effort!

I read your summation and you've made some valid points. Why don't more riders upskill themselves? I asked myself that question earlier this year and done a couple of Prorider courses. In the end, the nature of the training, road or track based, is all valid but I'd agree that the IAM approach is a gold standard.

As a professional truck driver, and a trainer as well, the major hurdle with training is firstly to get folks to partake and secondly to implement....you don't seem to have that problem though huh?

Thanks Casper and good for you doing something about it. You've got it in one . Guess most people have a touch of arrogange in thinking that training is something which applies to other road users, not them. Guess it applied to me too, but I'm an old fart and want to continue riding safely for a long time yet, so something had to happen - simple as that. Perhaps the old notion of personal responsibility is dead and buried too - far easier to blame someone else for anything when it goes pear-shaped.

Guess Darwinism helps to sort out some of the more idiotic riders, but at huge cost to themselves, their family and friends. Oh, and it hits me as a road user, paying higher ACC levies because of someone else's poor standards.

[caspernz]

Well it harks back to a simple concept, circle of concern and circle of influence. I heard about this thru a motivational speaker whose name I don't recall. While I can comment on stuff in my circle of concern, the only stuff I can do something about is what's inside my circle of influence. Now that I've lost the majority of folks on here...personal responsibility and my aim to do exactly as you've done Geoff, to ride for a long time yet, is what motivated me to do something about my own skills.

[Tricia1000]

I now have the go ahead for the subsidised training.
Anyone wishing to take avail of this, please contact me ASAP.
My email is triciaoconnor@xtra.co.nz

or phone 021 269 3246

Tricia

As Geoff probably mentions in his blog (haven't had a chance to read it), getting to IAM level will take some dedication, and work. It doesn't just fall into your lap.
I used to be the Chief Examiner for IAM (Motorcycle NZ), But am now just an ordinary examiner. Philip McDaid is the Chief examiner now.
We are always available to answer questions, or if you would like to do some training, I am currently negotiating subsidised training for those on restricted or full licence, which I hope to have in place soon. Just in time for the nice weather

As well as Geoff's blog,(will get a chance to read it soon) one of my students Roger Fleming did an excellent write up, post advanced lessons, which raised some excellent points for debate.
Advanced training, not only makes you a safer rider, but you will find, that once perfected, you make better progress than others, and you spend less on fuel and maintenance, and the other big factor is the SMILE factor.
If you are not doing anything on this Saturday 26th, come up to Orewa, bring your bike. My shop is celebrating being open a year (business going 5 years in NZ), and enjoy a sausage sizzle, until 2 pm, and then a short ride to finish off the day, with a stop off for afternoon tea. Destination will depend on the ability of those who arrive on the day.
Any questions: 021 269 3246 or check out http://www.facebook.com/events/215389675200245/