Final lesson from Total Advanced (Mick Jones)

Back again with more two wheeled tomfoolery.......

So, I find myself back at Boreham services and await the master of ceremonies, Mr Mick Jones. Another lad turned up called Steve - we sort of recognised each other and by a mad coincidence, we both did the Bikesafe day a few months ago together - spooky......!

Steve and I grabbed a coffee in Ronald McDonald's finest eatery and there it was - a magical vision of two wheeled beauty..... Mick had turned up to instruct on his Hayabusa! Hallelujah! This instructor has style!

Mick parked up next to my Hayabusa and Steve's Aprilia and joined us in the golden arches for a coffee and to brief on today's training. I told Mick that I'd been practising as much as possible and felt confident that I'd improved on my road craft in  the two weeks since we last went out.
The weather was as good as it gets - blue sky, 27 degrees and forecast hot and dry all day - oh yeah, bring it on!

Steve and I were both kitted out in decent riding gear - I had fully armoured goretex trousers, decent boots,gloves and an armoured fluorescent yellow jacket. My Helmet is newish and conforms to all UK legislation - important for my safety and from a legal view point.

Mick asked us about our bikes - Steve and I gave a run down on tyres, pressures, fluids, drive chain, electrics, lights and we ensured that we had topped up with BP's finest 98 Ron super unleaded (other brands of fuel are available!).

On with the headsets and a quick check from Mick that we can hear him loud and clear and we're off out on the roads. Steve took the lead as Mick wanted to assess his riding standard and I brought up the rear. We went down some windy country roads and this was a good opportunity to demonstrate road positioning and observations. The road had no road markings in the middle, so it was great to follow Mick and see his positioning and where safe to do so, we were using the whole road to good effect, making swift progress and positioning ourselves to see the road ahead and also to be seen by oncoming traffic.

I won't go into all details of the instruction and road craft - or I may as well write a book and make some money!! (and I'm not good enough to do that, or indeed qualified!)

Steve and I took turns in leading as did Mick and we were never out of communication with Mick or sight of each other.

We headed out to Mersea Island for a nice coastal lunch and talked about the riding so far. We left the island and waded through up to 6 inches of sea water to exit on to the main land - all the cars were stuck in a huge queue both ways until the tide went out again - all recorded on Micks DVD camera set up - great stuff!

We continued with the instruction for the rest of the afternoon and Mick was pleased with our progress - so pleased that he suggested that based on my riding today, I'd be ready for the Rospa test. Gulp.......!!

I am fairly confident in my ability and Micks training has really brought me up to speed with what's required to become a safe competent rider and attain a good grade in the Rospa advanced riders test.

Mick debriefed us at the end of the day and suggested that I brushed up on all my Highway Code literature and studied for the test. It's satisfying to know Mick has faith in me to pass after a relatively short amount of instruction - approx 30 hrs (3 days) but this is a reflection of his tuition skills and my ability to learn and put all of this in to practice.

Having spent countless days on the race track (well over 100 races here and abroad, numerous trackdays etc..) I was confident in handling my machine and  ability to ride swiftly. What total advanced offers is a complete assessment of your riding at whatever level you are at and adapts to get a decent shot at whatever it is you want to achieve - be it refreshing your skills if you're new to biking after a long absence, just passed your test or want to get an advanced riding qualification.

After racing flat out for a few years, I wanted to do the reverse of most riders, ie, slow down and make my riding safer and enjoy learning to ride in a responsible way (after all, I'm 40 this year!). Two very differing disciplines and a bit weird to get my head around to begin with.

In no particular order, this is what I've learnt from Total advanced in my time under Mick's beady eye and tuition:

To place a 'bubble' of safety around myself - distance from surrounding vehicles and to position myself to maximise my safety and visibility to other road users/pedestrians etc...

Safe overtaking and where and when it's safe and permissable to do so.

Observing and remaining within the speed limits at all times - it's not always easy to exit a 60mph limit and enter a 30mph limit downhill on a Hayabusa! Using your observations, reading the road and gear selection to reduce speed makes for a smooth transition.

Observations - we're bloody vulnerable out there and with good anticipation and observation, we can ride defensively and greatly reduce the risk to ourselves. Yes, we all cuss the idiot on the mobile phone in his safe car or the idiots who don't indicate or cross on to our side of the road - BUT - we've got the most to lose....

Road craft - crikey, this is a biggy....... common sense is a major player in this one. Mick improved my road craft ten fold - he's about as highly qualified as you can get - I won't tell you some of his achievements, because it's not my business to and besides, he can tell you himself when you book him up!!

Whilst on the topic of Mr Mick Jones, he has an utterly outrageous collection of bikes - the jammy beggar!
I'll always be indebted to Mick for bringing me on as he has - he has a great sense of humour, is very good at what he does and learning to ride as he has taught me has totally transformed my riding.

Mick, if you read this Blog mate - not only did I take my Rospa advanced test on August 1st 2011 and get a pass standard of 'GOLD' - I also made a good friend in meeting you.

So, all in all, how's that then? From Bikesafe bloke a few months ago who didn't really have much of a clue, to a fully flared and accredited member of Rospa with a GOLD pass. I hope this Blog hasn't made this Rospa award sound easy - it was far from it. The test is intensive, fairly long in duration and to attain Gold, you really can't make an error of any substance for the entire test.

I'm off for now - I could blabber on all day, so congratulations if you've managed to read all of this so far!

One more thing that I'd like to add. Apart from the excitement and utter joy of passing the test, Mick had this to say to me and a comment I'm immensely proud of:

'If I never knew you Chris, and I or a Police rider/instructor followed you, they would instantly know that you're an advanced rider.'

Cheers to Mick, Total Advanced and Bikesafe for my journey thus far - I'll do my best to keep up the good work you've put in to get me this far.  A 'virtual internet pint' for all of you!

All the best - Christian.

Rospa Advanced Training - Mick Jones, Total Advanced.

Following on from the 'Bikesafe day' back in May 2011, here is my blog on the subsequent advanced training that I undertook in June and July 2011.

After completing the Bikesafe Day with Essex Police, I decided that going the advanced route would be beneficial as I'd learnt so much on the day and wanted to improve my road craft and gain a Rospa advanced riding certificate.
I got in touch with Mick Jones of 'Total advanced' (www.totaladvanced.co.uk) as he had been recommended by many of the instructors on the Bikesafe day, and I was his pupil on the day as well, so I knew him and his capabilities of tutoring me.

Mick returned my initial enquiry within a few hours and a date was set in July for a 'one on one' day of instruction. We met at Boreham services and had a cup of coffee and Mick briefed me on the day's activities. Weather was fine and warm - soon to change - more on that later!

Mick asked me about the maintenance of my bike - fluids, tyres, electrical, throttle, brakes etc... All of which I managed to explain were fit for purpose. This is an important part of the Rospa advanced test, so you're expected to list your machine's road worthyness' prior to riding out and how you have established this.

So - on with the communication head set and Mick follows me out on to the roads to establish some of my weak points and to determine which areas of my road craft need tweaking. The headset is quite comfy and unobtrusive and works very well - you can only hear though and can't respond (suits Mick fine as I understand!) I often nod my head in gesture to his comments and instruction - especially if he says there is a sharp bend ahead or a notoriously dangerous junction approaching.

We ride for about 40 minutes and Mick overtakes me and we park in a lay by and have a debrief (and I may have had a sneaky cigarette - but then I may not have, because I may not smoke......ahem!)

Mick discusses where he feels I need improvement and comments on other aspects of my riding that have either improved or are more than satisfactory. Mick then takes the lead and shows how it's done. He is very vocal and physical - pointing and talking you through why he's positioned where he is and what his reasons are - all very logical and he is repetitive throughout the training - which does make it all sink in.

We stop for another debrief and a delicious sandwich/coffee at Cannon's BMW in Braintree (did I smoke another fag? Nah - just my imagination...). Okay, lunch all finished and we're ready to go out and ride Essex's finest highways once again. During the lunch stop, Mick has his camera system all set up to record my riding (Rospa/Total advanced do not expect/condone wheelies/burnouts etc - so now's not the time....!)

Time to put Mick's tuition into practice (on film, so no pressure eh?!).

Did I mention the weather was fine earlier?  Waddya expect mid July? Yep, torrential rain and it didn't let up for the entire afternoon. Even the inside of my visor was getting wet and misty. On a positive note, it gave me more experience in riding in the wet, increased stopping distances and less grip etc..On a negative note, my hands now had a mild black full tattoo from the colouring of my summer race gloves.....it was blooming wet. Of course, Mike had his BMW GS 1200, fully equipped panniers/top box with waterproofs/mitts and so on. I'm sure I glimpsed a hair dryer in there somewhere.....!

The afternoon flew by and we had frequent stops to clear my visor and chat about my riding (Mick insisted that I take up smoking - so I may or may not of had another ciggie). We ended up back at Boreham services at approx 4.30pm and I welcomed a hot coffee in McDonalds to savour and get a full debrief on todays' riding. Mick furnished me with documents relating to the Rospa advanced riders test and we chatted at length about the next steps to take.
I booked up another days tuition for late July - this time on a saturday. It was agreed that I would practice my road craft during the next two weeks and also study what's to be expected in the Rospa test - which is fairly indepth, although all logical. I now had a rotten ride back home on the M25 at 5pm on a friday, in torrential rain - oh the joy! Mick said to text him to let him know I arrived home safe - a nice touch. Mick sent me the dvd he promised - very clear and sharp - most impressive (he even kept up with me sometimes! only joking Mick if you ever read this!!)

The next lesson will be blogged shortly!!! A pic of my beast that has been a superb tool thus far:

Me -  before Mick rescued my road craft........!!

Essex Bikesafe and subsequent training

Hi,

This is a mini-blog based upon the experience I have had thus far with Essex Bikesafe and further training from a one on one Rospa Advanced instructor.

I attended the Essex Bikesafe day in May 2011 on a Sunday, arriving at 9am in Chelmsford. There were about 6 or 7 instructors, either current serving traffic officers or ex-officers.

My day was booked effortlessly online two weeks prior to the day, but I got lucky as these days are usually well booked up in advance. Link to booking: http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Police-Forces/Essex.aspx

Cost was approx £55.00 - Best money I've ever spent and everyone on the day said the same.

Once at the venue, you're approached by an instructor who checks all your details, licence insurance, bike condition, rider attire etc...

I would estimate that there were 20 of us on the course, so rider to instructor ratio was either two to one or three to one for the day.
It all kicks off with a cup of tea/coffee and a chinwag with the instructors, who then throw in 'can you read that number plate over there?' A good way to break the ice and check your eyesight......those crafty chaps eh?!

We all gather in a social club/classroom around a few desks and focus on the big projector screen. A good few videos are shown and comments are invited on road craft, riding kit, road positioning, observations and many other aspects on safe riding. Many would perceive this as the 'boring' bit of the day, but we were all pleasantly surprised on how good and informative it was. The class 'teacher' was a good laugh and added to the briefing, alieviating any fears of Police versus public.

At approx 10.30 am, it's on with the gear and time to saddle up and head off for some tuition. Hi viz vests are provided and worn by all. Some of the instructors are in full liveried bikes and some on their own bikes and there was even a 'covert' unmarked BMW out with us (which you only want to see in these circumstances!).

My instructor was called Mick Jones who has a history on bikes that is quite astonishing. He's qualified to the highest standard - more on Mick later (subsequent advanced training etc..).

Mick followed me for a while to assess my initial riding - this is quite scary being scrutinised, but I felt fairly relaxed and rode pretty much as usual, but obviously respected the speed limits a tad more than usual.

After a period of about 45 mins, we stopped and Mick gave me his brief on my riding. I was good on bike control and my overtakes were fine - Mick then told me what he'd be expecting from a good safe rider, how to observe, position and ride defensively and quite a fair number of things that you really to be doing in order to make life easier and safer on your bike.

Mick then took the lead and demonstrated his road craft, which was stunning - he is very visual, pointing at where you should be and various road markings etc...

We then headed out to Burnham and a lovely cafe where the food we pre-ordered that morning was waiting for us. Spoke to a few of the other lads that were on the course and all said they were having a great day (weather was good - 20c). Food was delicious, lasagne and chips, washed down with a nice sugary coke!

So, on to a few 60mph limit twisties in the afternoon in the countryside and again, more tuition from Mick. He encouraged overtakes where safe to do so and made good swift progress. I could really write all day about the instruction but the best thing to do is get yourself booked on for the day.

We finished back at the Chelmsford venue at about 3.30pm and debriefed over tea/coffee and gathered around the desks for more videos and general chat on the day's events. Our instructors gave us all written feedback on our riding and were invited to ask questions and raise any points on the day's activities. Finally, we were given a 'goody bag' and to be fair, it contained some decent bits of kit.

All in all, I learnt more on the Essex Bikesafe day than I had done anywhere in months. Really enjoyed the day and the instructors are a decent bunch of lads - they genuinely want bikers to ride safe and stay safe.
That's what this day is all about, trying to change the culture around road riding. I have changed my riding significantly lately as I'm getting older, but this day made me think greatly about my riding.

So much so.......that I have now undergone further training with Mick Jones on a one to one basis in order to gain a Rospa advanced riding award/certificate. My exam is in August 2011 - my blog on this is to follow, which is pretty in depth!  

Lastly, I would like to thank the Essex Police and congratulate the Bikesafe folk who made this such a worthwhile day.

Cheers!