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.
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