Rapid training - opinions?
Discussion
Has anyone done a rapid training course recently? (As in rapidtraining.co.uk)
It's quite expensive, so interested in getting a testimonial before I stump up the cash. I found one or two threads here, but nothing super recent.
I was looking at the 'bespoke' 1 day course, so if anyone has done that, would be super interested to hear what you thought of it, but also generally interested if you've done any of their road based courses.
It's quite expensive, so interested in getting a testimonial before I stump up the cash. I found one or two threads here, but nothing super recent.
I was looking at the 'bespoke' 1 day course, so if anyone has done that, would be super interested to hear what you thought of it, but also generally interested if you've done any of their road based courses.
TL:dr I have done some training with Rapid, really enjoyed it and plan to do some more..
The long version:
I’ve not done a bespoke, but Bikemaster level 1 a fortnight ago.
It’s expensive, but the level of instruction is excellent, I’d say. My instructor is a Police advanced rider (and advanced driver), and instructor, and works in royal protection, so is clearly a very handy rider. My understanding is that Rapid is comprised of people of a similar calibre, people with a track record of advanced riding as well as good training skills.
The training took the form of talking through key concepts (early, detailed, continuous observation, limit points, etc) then watching my riding at first, followed by demo rides where he took the lead, then sections where I got to put those ‘new’ skills into practice. My trainer doesn’t get hung up on The System, though, and seems much more pragmatic in approach.
My ‘flow’ has improved massively by getting my eyes up and breaking corners into phases. Also, overtakes are much more frequent (using that observation to good effect!) and brisk.
My riding wasn’t bad per se, but the remarks were that it was a bit dull and uninspiring. I feel that I’m enjoying my rides a lot more, and make a lot more progress.
The long version:
I’ve not done a bespoke, but Bikemaster level 1 a fortnight ago.
It’s expensive, but the level of instruction is excellent, I’d say. My instructor is a Police advanced rider (and advanced driver), and instructor, and works in royal protection, so is clearly a very handy rider. My understanding is that Rapid is comprised of people of a similar calibre, people with a track record of advanced riding as well as good training skills.
The training took the form of talking through key concepts (early, detailed, continuous observation, limit points, etc) then watching my riding at first, followed by demo rides where he took the lead, then sections where I got to put those ‘new’ skills into practice. My trainer doesn’t get hung up on The System, though, and seems much more pragmatic in approach.
My ‘flow’ has improved massively by getting my eyes up and breaking corners into phases. Also, overtakes are much more frequent (using that observation to good effect!) and brisk.
My riding wasn’t bad per se, but the remarks were that it was a bit dull and uninspiring. I feel that I’m enjoying my rides a lot more, and make a lot more progress.
Edited by bgunn on Wednesday 6th July 21:01
I did Roadmaster level 2 recently, was 2 great days out with a superb coach, who oddly lives 200m from me, which I didn't even know!
Highly recommended, and money well spent in my opinion. I have been riding over 40 years and done loads of advance stuff (cars and bikes) and it was still great to polish up on things and get an independent appraisal of how I was doing.
Highly recommended, and money well spent in my opinion. I have been riding over 40 years and done loads of advance stuff (cars and bikes) and it was still great to polish up on things and get an independent appraisal of how I was doing.
I did a half day but it was a few years back and yes, very good. What I really noticed was the quality of instruction as much as riding. Not so much teaching the 'system' as using it as a starting point but with pragmatic flexibility encouraged.
I had the same feedback about being a bit dull, but my trainer suggested that might be down to the bike I was riding. Heathen, the Deauville is plenty exciting enough for me thanks.
I had the same feedback about being a bit dull, but my trainer suggested that might be down to the bike I was riding. Heathen, the Deauville is plenty exciting enough for me thanks.
bgunn said:
TL:dr I have done some training with Rapid, really enjoyed it and plan to do some more..
The long version:
I’ve not done a bespoke, but Bikemaster level 1 a fortnight ago.
It’s expensive, but the level of instruction is excellent, I’d say. My instructor is a Police advanced rider (and advanced driver), and instructor, and works in royal protection, so is clearly a very handy rider. My understanding is that Rapid is comprised of people of a similar calibre, people with a track record of advanced riding as well as good training skills.
The training took the form of talking through key concepts (early, detailed, continuous observation, limit points, etc) then watching my riding at first, followed by demo rides where he took the lead, then sections where I got to put those ‘new’ skills into practice. My trainer doesn’t get hung up on The System, though, and seems much more pragmatic in approach.
My ‘flow’ has improved massively by getting my eyes up and breaking corners into phases. Also, overtakes are much more frequent (using that observation to good effect!) and brisk.
My riding wasn’t bad per se, but the remarks were that it was a bit dull and uninspiring. I feel that I’m enjoying my rides a lot more, and make a lot more progress.
This is the sort of thing I was looking for. I've done 8 or 9 IAM lessons, I got a massive amount out of it, but as the lessons went on, I felt it was starting to focus a little too much on highway code and remembering acronyms rather than out and out riding technique. I don't want to appear that I'm beating on what IAM has to offer, I'm not , they taught me a huge amount , I just felt I wanted to go in a slightly different direction The long version:
I’ve not done a bespoke, but Bikemaster level 1 a fortnight ago.
It’s expensive, but the level of instruction is excellent, I’d say. My instructor is a Police advanced rider (and advanced driver), and instructor, and works in royal protection, so is clearly a very handy rider. My understanding is that Rapid is comprised of people of a similar calibre, people with a track record of advanced riding as well as good training skills.
The training took the form of talking through key concepts (early, detailed, continuous observation, limit points, etc) then watching my riding at first, followed by demo rides where he took the lead, then sections where I got to put those ‘new’ skills into practice. My trainer doesn’t get hung up on The System, though, and seems much more pragmatic in approach.
My ‘flow’ has improved massively by getting my eyes up and breaking corners into phases. Also, overtakes are much more frequent (using that observation to good effect!) and brisk.
My riding wasn’t bad per se, but the remarks were that it was a bit dull and uninspiring. I feel that I’m enjoying my rides a lot more, and make a lot more progress.
phatmanace said:
This is the sort of thing I was looking for. I've done 8 or 9 IAM lessons, I got a massive amount out of it, but as the lessons went on, I felt it was starting to focus a little too much on highway code and remembering acronyms rather than out and out riding technique. I don't want to appear that I'm beating on what IAM has to offer, I'm not , they taught me a huge amount , I just felt I wanted to go in a slightly different direction
Whilst the 'Rapid Way' uses 'the system' as the basis of its methodology, it is a fair bit more flexible than the likes of IAM RoSPA type coaching. They very much put ideas to you to try, but don't try and force you into doing things in a specific way. I'd say it is coaching in the real sense, rather than coaching by other organisations who use the word instead of calling it instructing. Rick448 said:
Whilst the 'Rapid Way' uses 'the system' as the basis of its methodology, it is a fair bit more flexible than the likes of IAM RoSPA type coaching. They very much put ideas to you to try, but don't try and force you into doing things in a specific way. I'd say it is coaching in the real sense, rather than coaching by other organisations who use the word instead of calling it instructing.
This. Having read roadcraft, it's obvious that the Rapid way espouses these points but I'd say in a much more pragmatic and sensible (for me) way, rather than drilling the concepts monotonously..A case in point raised by my coach/trainer is that people who are disciples of the system take the idea of road positioning for visibility to extremes, without the flexibility that is implied in roadcraft - i.e if selecting position 1 for a right hander, and the gutter/nearside of the road is very rough and the road surface is poor you should sacrifice a bit of visibility (and thus speed) for better traction and safety. A lot of people slavishly seek visibility without thinking this through.
I'm going to book Bikemaster level 2 soon. If nothing else, it was obvious my coach was completely passionate about bikes (and driving) and it came through in the pride he takes in doing it well. I must say, I found it quite hard to keep up with him on NSL sections where he was demonstrating skills, too
vindaloo79 said:
Do the overtakes have to be within the confines of speed limits, as is the case with IAM?
I can't comment for all of the Rapid trainers, but mine was comfortable with making progress if I was equally comfortable. As long as it was safe and appropriate. He had a great term "meeting the expectations of the public". I.e. nobody expects to have you buzz by a junction on a fast A or B road at 90..
I’m on lesson 9 ish of IAM and just about test ready. Thoroughly enjoyed and benefited, but I am looking forward to getting it over and done with.
I would prefer use of headsets to using mirrors for directions, and I find spending so long looking at speedo takes away from some of the enjoyment.
I would prefer use of headsets to using mirrors for directions, and I find spending so long looking at speedo takes away from some of the enjoyment.
vindaloo79 said:
I’m on lesson 9 ish of IAM and just about test ready. Thoroughly enjoyed and benefited, but I am looking forward to getting it over and done with.
I would prefer use of headsets to using mirrors for directions, and I find spending so long looking at speedo takes away from some of the enjoyment.
Yeah, you won't do that. 30 in 30, 40 in 40 and you'll be mercilessly ribbed for straying above (or below when not appropriate!) that.I would prefer use of headsets to using mirrors for directions, and I find spending so long looking at speedo takes away from some of the enjoyment.
But otherwise, you ride appropriately to the conditions and vision, and in the main rather briskly. It's awesome.
I’m an IAM observer and did a day with Rapid recently (the club pays for this for us every 2 years as a perk/thankyou for being an observer). It was great fun and I picked up a couple of useful tips.
Rapid don’t have the constraints of being a road safety charity, so can coach in a slightly more real world way, speed in NSLs being the obvious difference. They’re also OK with offsiding, which the IAM aren’t.
Other than that, the principles being coached were really no different to what I try to get across to IAM associates. I’ll concede that the Rapid guys may be better at it than me. OTOH I am a lot cheaper !
I've done the Bikemaster 2 and booked in for Bikemaster 3 this summer 
. Also an IAM member (passed the test a couple of years ago). You can tell by the fact I'm doing the level 3 that I rate it
We chose to do our level 2 in a different area and made it a bit of a holiday - so did up in the North York/Lancashire area which was fab. Doing the Level 3 locally with a different coach and looking forward to it.
They aren't *that* different to IAM fundamentally; concepts are concepts, but then I've been very lucky with my IAM observers and people I ride with. There are differences in attitude I think.
. Also an IAM member (passed the test a couple of years ago). You can tell by the fact I'm doing the level 3 that I rate it We chose to do our level 2 in a different area and made it a bit of a holiday - so did up in the North York/Lancashire area which was fab. Doing the Level 3 locally with a different coach and looking forward to it.
They aren't *that* different to IAM fundamentally; concepts are concepts, but then I've been very lucky with my IAM observers and people I ride with. There are differences in attitude I think.
I would mention that IAM / Rospa there is what is taught and what is done
Whilst learning, the rules / limits are strictly stuck to
There are some members who also do this after passing the test / on ride outs but there are also a lot who don't
I was trained with comms but the test is done with mirrors / indicators which I agree means that I'm riding worse than usual as I have one eye on my mirrors and one on my speedo leaving little time to look at the road
Whilst learning, the rules / limits are strictly stuck to
There are some members who also do this after passing the test / on ride outs but there are also a lot who don't
I was trained with comms but the test is done with mirrors / indicators which I agree means that I'm riding worse than usual as I have one eye on my mirrors and one on my speedo leaving little time to look at the road
I've just completed IAM and have been plodding my way through Roadcraft. The IAM handbook is lifted straight from Roadcraft, although obviously not going into the same depth or detail. There's been no slavish dedication to anything other than Safety, and the law. Bear in mind as well as the fee, there's fuel contributions and the odd cup of coffee, I've just counted up £44 for observer fuel costs. For eight evening sessions, one mock test and the exam, for the money you pay, it's really good value.
I'm investigating doing Masters at the moment, not sure how much more it adds, or how it compares to Rapid or i2i, both of whom I'd still consider. I quite fancy CSS1&2 as well at some point.
I'm investigating doing Masters at the moment, not sure how much more it adds, or how it compares to Rapid or i2i, both of whom I'd still consider. I quite fancy CSS1&2 as well at some point.
snagzie said:
WTF has rospa and IAM got to with anything? Go suck each other off in your polite vests in another thread
i must admit, i did burst out laughing at that responseanyway, done a bespoke course three times over nine or so years. I just telephone them, pick an area to train i don't always ride in, discuss areas of my concern and then go from there - simple
i just put it down as CPD on my CPD form
not intersted in forrmal courses
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