Improovin skillz innit

[McClure]

In an attempt to do this biking thing properly and develop the various skills needed for safe road riding and hopefully eventually decent track riding, I've booked in for this year an advanced road course, some track tuition and an off-road course.

Does anyone have any other recommendations or good tips for how to develop? Eg does anyone know of a good basic maintenance/mechanical witchcraft course? (preferably lincs/east midlands but will travel if it's worthwhile).

Thanks.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Local colleges usually have evening classes for bike maintenance.

For track day riding take advantage of the free instruction.

Road riding riding I don't have a clue who to ask but all I would say is look well ahead and keep your head up and look where you want to go, do all your braking in a straight line and if you feel you're going to run wide lift your head up again, keep off the brakes and lean it over.

Just keep talking that through in your head while riding and you will see an improvement.

Don't listen to music through headphones while riding.

[zmike]

All of the above.

Plus always have a plan B.

[RizzoTheRat]

If you're doing your road skills course through the IAM or RoSPA then ask them about maintenance stuff, my local IAM lot do a basic maintenance course, although I think it only covers really simple stuff.

Another option is to buy a cheap bike that needs some work and get stuck in with the aid of a manual, I went from never having done anything more complicated than an oil change, to changing piston rings and valve stem guides that way.

Worth looking at owners forums too, the lot I'm with have occasional "fettle days", when someone needs to do a service or other work on their bike we'll arrange a get together and get through loads of bacon sarnies and cups of tea while those who know how to do various jobs help out. Works really well.

[crofty1984]

I generally ride to the rule "don't ride faster than you can stop"
Can't see that the road's clear around that blind bend? It's not.
Tyres a bit cold/road a bit wet? Hang back a little.
Not sure if you should go for that overtake? Don't.

By all means, if you can see the road's clean and clear, crank it over and wap the throttle back, but be aware how vulnerable you are, and make sure you have a plan B.

[moanthebairns]

Buy a collapsible chair for trackdays

Honestly it's the best mod I've ever done.

You get the weight off your feet. You can sit and relax and come the end of the day you wont be fked.

I was like the only person with one and the weekend and I couldn't figure out why.

[McClure]

Wonderful, lots of good tips, thanks. The road course is with Bikesafe.

RizzoTheRat said:

Another option is to buy a cheap bike that needs some work and get stuck in with the aid of a manual, I went from never having done anything more complicated than an oil change, to changing piston rings and valve stem guides that way.

That's a cracking idea. I will definitely look at an evening class (per BN) but as I intend to get a track bike for next year I might bring that forward and then spend this year stripping and re-building. Before paying some other poor crash test dummy to give it a shake down for me

[moanthebairns]

As much as I like a good bash at the iam it really has a place for newer riders.

Do the into 2 hour free observation ride.

If they say all is good don't bother. If your st go for training.

[bogie]

If you are in NE Midlands/Lincs then the RoSPA group is good, Ive been a member for a few years, the instructors are all good blokes and its virtually free unlimited training once you have joined

[McClure]

bogie said:

If you are in NE Midlands/Lincs then the RoSPA group is good, Ive been a member for a few years, the instructors are all good blokes and its virtually free unlimited training once you have joined

Thanks, I'll look into that.