Passed IAM today!

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Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

165 months

Tuesday 6th September 2011
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erdnase said:
Synchromesh said:
On a side note, the last thing Andy taught me just before we finished was how to change gear without touching the clutch. Not an AD technique I know, but insanely cool nonetheless.
How do you do that?
I'll go through how Andy taught me (I'll take no responsibility if it all goes wrong etc...)

1) Find a quiet dual carriageway
2) Go to about 50 in 3rd gear
3) Hold the revs at a constant amount, then lift off accelerator by about 1cm
4) Just apply some pressure to the stick (in the direction of neutral) and it should just slot out. Continue to apply pressure (in the direction of 4th) and after about half a second the stick will slot itself into 4th.

Just remember though, if you hear grinding, stop applying the pressure.

I've had a few tries since my lesson and have to say it only works for me about 70% of the time, and once the revs have fallen too much it's not going to go in, and you'll need to use the clutch to get it into gear. Also, for me, sometimes there is a very slight jerk when is goes in.

Just thought I'd say. What made it even cooler was that the first time Andy mentioned it was after he'd just done it. With me at the wheel and without being given any instruction or even forewarning. Without the slightest jerk or grinding - just a fall in revs. All I could do at that point was laugh...

Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

165 months

Tuesday 6th September 2011
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S. Gonzales Esq. said:
It's a technique that works particularly well in hired or loan cars.
hehe

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Friday 9th September 2011
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Well done on the HPC stuff. I'd like to get into that, but have too many other things to take up my time.

re: clutchless gear shifts, I taught myself how to do them as a natural progression after I'd taught myself how to double-de-clutch.



When riding a bike, a clutchless upshift when driving enthusiastically can give a very quick, smooth change that allows the bike to be kept relatively balanced.


iphonedyou

9,234 posts

156 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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Synchromesh said:
I also hope to be able to show my face at a few ADUK days by the end of the year. I'd love to go into observing for my local group but I've missed the boat for a while (and not being 'in' with the influential members doesn't help my case)
Is it as 'cliquey' as it's reputation around here would suggest?

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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iphonedyou said:
Synchromesh said:
I also hope to be able to show my face at a few ADUK days by the end of the year. I'd love to go into observing for my local group but I've missed the boat for a while (and not being 'in' with the influential members doesn't help my case)
Is it as 'cliquey' as it's reputation around here would suggest?
Blimey!! - are there still groups like that?

S. Gonzales Esq.

2,556 posts

211 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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I don't think it's a case of not 'being 'in' with the influential members', more a question of timing.

Part of developing consistency of standards among Observers is formalising the training process, so that all trainee Obs go through the same process. With a small organisation staffed entirely by volunteers there's a limit to how often these formal courses can run, so Bristol only operate one intake per year.

Don't give up hope though - there may still be a way to make it happen. In the meantime there are still many opportunities to help out within the group - there are always things that need doing.

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Tuesday 13th September 22:58

waremark

3,241 posts

212 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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iphonedyou said:
Synchromesh said:
I also hope to be able to show my face at a few ADUK days by the end of the year. I'd love to go into observing for my local group but I've missed the boat for a while (and not being 'in' with the influential members doesn't help my case)
Is it as 'cliquey' as it's reputation around here would suggest?
Not sure what you are suggesting is cliquey - a particular local IAM group or ADUK? In either case, I expect the answer is probably no. In the case of ADUK, these are people who drive quite a distance to meet up to go driving! What they/we have in common is being nutty about driving, and anyone who can put up with/enjoy that is very welcome.

ScoobyChris

1,667 posts

201 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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iphonedyou said:
Is it as 'cliquey' as it's reputation around here would suggest?
I suspect it'll be down to how the individual IAM groups operate as to how you get on. My advice would be to approach them and see how you get on - not all are like it and there are plenty of good'uns out there biggrin

Chris

guillemot

321 posts

164 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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waremark said:
Not sure what you are suggesting is cliquey - a particular local IAM group or ADUK? In either case, I expect the answer is probably no. In the case of ADUK, these are people who drive quite a distance to meet up to go driving! What they/we have in common is being nutty about driving, and anyone who can put up with/enjoy that is very welcome.
I'm doing an ADUK day later on this year so fingers crossed it's not cliquey. It certainly doesn't appear to be.

I read the comment to apply to IAM, and as others have said, I think that although you can find the odd one like this, it's not prevalent and I think you'll find most are quite open to new members/ideas etc.

iphonedyou

9,234 posts

156 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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I don't mean to offend. I've just seen numerous posts on the forums that particular IAM groups can be terribly cliquey. Not ADUK as a whole. Thanks for the responses! smile

It's something that interests me, and that reputation had previously put me off a little.

guillemot

321 posts

164 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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iphonedyou said:
I don't mean to offend. I've just seen numerous posts on the forums that particular IAM groups can be terribly cliquey. Not ADUK as a whole. Thanks for the responses! smile

It's something that interests me, and that reputation had previously put me off a little.
If it interests you don't let that put you off - there is always more than one group within reach - whereabouts are you?

There are people in my group that I suspect don't agree with my views, and I don't always agree with theirs, but if everyone has a shared interest in what they are doing, then there will be people that you will get along with.

Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

165 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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I wish I'd never made 'that' comment now...

I don't think my local IAM group is 'cliquey' as such, just that I'm not a well known face in the group, so probably don't command the respect of those who are regularly involved in the group's workings.

I'm slightly going off the idea of HPC at the moment, purely because is costs so much for what it is, and the entry 'course' is just the start. I will try to observe for the IAM (perhaps for another group) though.

WhoseGeneration

4,090 posts

206 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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Synchromesh said:
I wish I'd never made 'that' comment now...

I don't think my local IAM group is 'cliquey' as such, just that I'm not a well known face in the group, so probably don't command the respect of those who are regularly involved in the group's workings.
This is what is called "Group dynamics" and, once you understand it, you will have no fear of entering that group.
Go googling and understand.


Mr Grayson

159 posts

174 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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Trying to work out who you are ....

Don't give up. There will be points of excitement, and troughs. You don't have to go at it all the time to enjoy it.

Interested in this idea of AD-UK being cliquey. In my experience, what it is, is a group of people who very much enjoy driving, and because some of them go to many events, they have ended up being a group of friends. For that reason, there can be a lot of catching up taking place when they meet, and a newcomer may feel it takes a little while to break into the circle. Don't worry, if you're interested in improving your driving, you'll soon be one of those who can't stop talking!

waremark

3,241 posts

212 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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Synchromesh said:
I'm slightly going off the idea of HPC at the moment, purely because is costs so much for what it is, and the entry 'course' is just the start. I will try to observe for the IAM (perhaps for another group) though.
Re cost of HPC, you pay something like £300 per day for the time of a coach of the absolute highest standard. I can accept that that is expensive by many standards, but not that it is expensive for what it is. After entry, accepted that all driving is expensive, but if you want to drive for recreation at all the value for money is exceptional.

Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

165 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
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Mr Grayson said:
Trying to work out who you are ....
How can you call yourself a PHer if you can't find the name of my first pet through your internet detective skills type

I drove with you first on the HPC YDD this year. The lad with the silver Polo (and smooth gear changes if remember your praise correctly). wavey

Mr Grayson said:
Don't give up. There will be points of excitement, and troughs. You don't have to go at it all the time to enjoy it.
Thanks for the support. As with most things in life it has it's ups and downs.

Mr Grayson said:
Interested in this idea of AD-UK being cliquey
I think there's been a little confusion on this thread. A poster incorrectly inferred I was accusing my IAM group of being 'cliquey'. This was then once again misconstrued to mean ADUK. I have never been to an ADUK day, but after exploring the forum, the word cliquey would not come to mind. I look forward to attending an ADUK day in the future, when the next one appears locally (let's say within an hour of Bristol).

Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

165 months

Thursday 15th September 2011
quotequote all
waremark said:
Synchromesh said:
I'm slightly going off the idea of HPC at the moment, purely because is costs so much for what it is, and the entry 'course' is just the start. I will try to observe for the IAM (perhaps for another group) though.
Re cost of HPC, you pay something like £300 per day for the time of a coach of the absolute highest standard. I can accept that that is expensive by many standards, but not that it is expensive for what it is. After entry, accepted that all driving is expensive, but if you want to drive for recreation at all the value for money is exceptional.
This is the oft-repeated mantra I hear, and fully understand. However, that doesn't make it anymore affordable in my current situation, especially as I wouldn't be able to afford any of the benefits (track days etc) that being a member of the club brings.

ScoobyChris

1,667 posts

201 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Synchromesh said:
This is the oft-repeated mantra I hear, and fully understand. However, that doesn't make it anymore affordable in my current situation, especially as I wouldn't be able to afford any of the benefits (track days etc) that being a member of the club brings.
As well as the formal events, there are also plenty of informal road-based events which will only cost you fuel/lunch for the day and give you the opportunity to get "free" coaching from more experienced members as well as being offered the opportunity to drive other member's cars. The cost of the entry course kind of falls into insignificance when you look at the long term view, but I'll agree it is a significant spend at the time!

Chris

iphonedyou

9,234 posts

156 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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Synchromesh said:
I think there's been a little confusion on this thread. A poster incorrectly inferred I was accusing my IAM group of being 'cliquey'. This was then once again misconstrued to mean ADUK. I have never been to an ADUK day, but after exploring the forum, the word cliquey would not come to mind. I look forward to attending an ADUK day in the future, when the next one appears locally (let's say within an hour of Bristol).
I didn't say it was cliquey, to be fair. I asked IF it was, that's all smile

Guillemot - I'm in Belfast. There seems to be a fairly active group local to me. When I change car I think I'll pay them a visit. At the minute I drive a loud Integra DC5, and there wouldn't be much point bringing somebody out with me, as it wouldn't be much fun for them really.

guillemot

321 posts

164 months

Friday 16th September 2011
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iphonedyou said:
I didn't say it was cliquey, to be fair. I asked IF it was, that's all smile

Guillemot - I'm in Belfast. There seems to be a fairly active group local to me. When I change car I think I'll pay them a visit. At the minute I drive a loud Integra DC5, and there wouldn't be much point bringing somebody out with me, as it wouldn't be much fun for them really.
Nah, take the Integra along... We have an Observer (who also posts on here) with a fairly loud GT4 - only problem being he has to shout his commentary... biglaugh