Training

[dpex]

I think Jrandom's reply is probably the best so far. The point he makes is, "Learning to go hard on the track expands, dramatically, the riders experience of event horizons and, therefore, enables the rider to better know what his'her bike can or cannot do.'

But his most excellent point is, one does not have to take track speed onto the open road. But is sure as hell is nice to know the width of the envelope when all of your concentration just flew out the window, the rains is pissing down, the corner was tighter than expected, and farmer-Browns cow is having a shit in the middle of the next bend.

Yeah. I'm looking forward to doing the Eastern Creek programme.

Thanks jrandom. Damned good post.

[Katman]

How's about you elucidate say, ten, primary road-craft skills. Explain what they are. What they are for. How to go about practicing them, and how to measure progress.

If I were to pick one Roadcraft skill that will do more to keep you alive than any other it would be the practice of constantly scanning what is around you and identifying and assessing potential hazards.

[bikemike]

Coming in late as usual, but what a great thread!

I'd say most of the relevant limits can be explored at relatively low speeds. That could be in trail off road or closed/private paved. Weight shift, braking, brakes/power/steering transitions, tyre grip, loose and uneven surfaces, suspension factors...

In my case, I feel that the deficiencies in my riding would have been fixed better by more dirt riding than more track riding - and the rest of the more mental(cerebral) stuff can be practised day in day out on the road at safe speeds. In fact, the sheer volume of scenarios and constant self-training that is available in daily riding far outweighs anything you'd get in a month of Sundays on any course; I find it hard to see how any useful road skill can not be taught on the road or at least, off the track. Whilst I see the argument for having somewhere to practice some stuff off the road is invaluable, I also think that this never needs to be on the track, and, learning to handle constant variability and unpredictability is #1 survival skill. In that vein, I'd even play devil's advocate to wonder whether repeatedly covering the same stretch of road on a self-training day with the express purpose of getting-it-right really serves to teach anything relevant? Doesn't it also distort our attitude to the reality we ride in? It won't ever be the same stretch again, and expecting to be the same is #1 folly. I'd practice on the next stretch, and the next...

As far as training is concerned, it doesn't matter where the training is done so long as the exercises and lessons are targeted at and relevant to the road. I wouldn't look to a 'track day' for anything other than entertainment though.

I wondered as I read, and did not see mention nor answer; what do the police do to train to ride quick and safe on the road? Videos, physics, theory, observation, mentoring, practice...?

Do they do dirt riding, or track riding?