Never had post test training?

[OverSteery]

Another thread here got me wondering.....

In my early days of bike ownership, I scared myself and started to lie awake at night worrying about ending up leaving a widow and fatherless offspring. I tried giving up bikes for a few years, but the pull was too strong.

When I went back to it, I did some further training with professional organisations (Survival skills and Rapid). I enjoyed it, and I am now a keen IAM member and have done further on and off-road professional tuition. I have no doubt I ride safer and better from the help I got.

How many people here, who consider themselves at least mildly enthusiastic Bikers, have never had any bike training after passing their "licence passing" test? Why not?

[OverSteery]

Pothole said:

Just checking, OP. Has this gone the way you expected?

OP here!

I had vague expectation, but I can't say I am hugely surprised.

Not wanting to hide my agenda, I am an IAM enthusiast and help run my local group. I don't have a beard.

The IAM has an image/stereotype problem. As with most stereotypes, the truth is more complex, but often it's not without some foundation. IAM observers are unpaid volunteers. The quality is variable and some are indeed arrogant, condescending A*rseholes. In my experience they are the minority.

Most people here who have done some IAM (or similar) training feel it's improved their riding and safety. I've never spoken to anybody who completed their training who didn't feel they benefited.

Those who have tried and rejected will probably fall into one of two camps:
1) they suffered under poor observers/trainers (I have been out with a serving policeman, who I would really liked to have punched in his smug face - but I did learn from him)
2) they are think they know better than the System that has been developed over many many years by many groups including the police and can't take being told that they aren't riding gods.

To those who don't like "the system", I recommend they try it, get the hang of it. Then decide whether to use it or not. Most who understand it and appreciate it's flexibility tend to keep using it. Most who criticise, it don't understand it properly.

I observe 10s of riders each year. Most of them enjoy it and ride safer afterwards. I hear all their challenges and disagreements and I listen to see what I can learn. I try not be be a insufferable smug git, but I guess I'm not the one to say. Most activity come back for more.

Do I regard myself as better than the average ride? Too F*cking right I do. I've actively undertake training every year from a variety of source - professional and amateur and constantly self criticise and look to learn. I am better because I work harder than most to be better.
I see the dangers that riders put themselves in all the time and wince. I see those who join IAM become safer riders and usually quicker too.

I check the bikes of riders who believe that checking tyre pressures are the responsibility of the dealer to do annually... "is 10 psi too low then?"

World champions in all areas still have coaches. I am amazed at the arrogance of those who don't believe they can learn from training, when they may pay for their mistakes with their lives.

[OverSteery]

Dr Jekyll said:

I didn't complete my training but still benefitted.

I stopped because it was clear I couldn't progress any further.
I agree with the system but:

Observers on more than one occasion. 'You could have gone round that bend much faster'.
Me 'What if there is a tractor parked round the bend?'
Observer 'What if there isn't?

Also, every monthly meeting featured 'announcements' that were largely a list of members who had crashed in the last month, very often single vehicle cornering accidents. Leading me to believe they weren't riding gods either.

So I went for some professional instruction with Rapid Training instead, they felt I was cautious on corners as well, but didn't regard this as a bad thing.

I've done a couple of days with Rapid and thought them excellent. As is so often, excellence isn't cheap.

Whilst I am not so arrogant so judge an observer's comments taken out of context. Oh hang on - yes I am That is not what an observer should be saying. you are the one who will end up in hospital if you hit a tractor. Ride your own ride and do not be "egged-on" to go faster than you are comfortable.

As has been stated earlier - you must be able to stop in the distance you can see to be safe (whilst remaining on your side of the road). So you should be able to stop if there is a tractor there. Commenting there may not be tractor is bizarre - does he expect you to bet your life on that?

It's true that too much focus is put on speed by some observers.

[OverSteery]

Lindun said:

OP.

This thread has done little to convince me of any benefit of the IAM stuff, not that it would have managed to anyway. However, dern has 100% confirmed my views on the IAM and even your comments above show that you’re picking an anecdote and painting it as if all riders are exactly the same unless they do some training.

Maybe you should consider that some people are possibly better than you would ever give them credit for. Just for clarity, I’m not saying I’m one of them.

Fine - I didn't start the thread to convince anybody - I was interested.

I will consider that. My initial thought was all (no matter how good) who would benefit from training. That doesn't suggest they were poor before, nor do I think that is the case. Clearly some will be, some are very good. If I gave the impression I think all riders at the same, then that was not my intention, nor my view.

I shouldn't have mentioned Mr 10psi.. he wasn't typical and doesn't reflect what the IAM does, although too many observers do bang on about bike checks...

Edited by OverSteery on Wednesday 21st August 14:56