Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

Nothing wrong with Joe at all, really good looking bike. And if he makes you smile when you open the garage door or take the cover off then it’s all good.

 

Went for a ride out on my (new to me) Tiger 1050....on the Bikesafe course.

It's a little unnerving initially being observed by a bonafidda police motorcycle rider.... But a really good, useful, informative day.

You know...you CAN cross a solid white line...

I would recommend the course to anyone who wants a bit of a spit n polish on their riding skills...or even a full eyeoppener.

Of the 15 of us, there were about 11 BMW GS 1200s or similar... What is it about slightly more mature men and BMWs!??

I'm not judging.... but I feel I've missed the memo.

 

Other than to avoid an obstacle or traffic going slower than 12mph? Or to enter or leave a road or property etc? (I'm reciting those from memory, so may be wrong!)

 

Has to be stationary...

 

I guess I should have looked it up rather than remembering from memory.
According to the highway code:

You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.​

So it's 10mph not 12mph and just for cyclists. Which is the common situation on country roads I remember looking this up for some time ago.

 

@DanielB I really enjoyed Bikesafe when I did it the other week too, especially as a new rider - I gained a lot; no BMW on mine amongst the participants, but Triumph were very well represented indeed with 11 more mature men and myself.

Today I had a short ride - I was lazy last time I rode and hadn't filled up, so went for fuel this evening. The 8 mile round trip turned into 30 just because it is a nice sunny evening, but just a nice lazy local meander.

 

Those are the best rides @Mrs Visor ! Glad you enjoyed the course as well; any thoughts about a next step?

 

I have the ERS booked in September through Dyfed - Powys council as they are offering places for free if you ride on their roads, which I very regularly do. I am actually toying with the idea of something like IAM but unsure. I am making certain that the feedback from BikeSafe is something that I am very much taking on board, it did wonders for my confidence (I was better than I thought I was - not in an arrogant way!!) and fluidity and I will be really interested to see what the feedback from the assessed ERS rides is after a summer of riding consistently (hopefully).

 

That's great @Mrs Visor that it's inspired you to do further training. Good luck with it! I had a few RoSPA sessions a couple years back and found it really useful; but I think I'm gonna give IAM a go...potential first ride with them next weekend.

Good luck, ride safe....and keep us all updated on your journey!

 

I dunno, but it's real. It's also one of the biggest reasons I ride a Tiger; I refused to buy a GS because that's what *every* other adv rider on the road is on...

 

@Mrs Visor, what are ERS and IAM? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Do they now? . ERS is the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Enhanced Rider Scheme. It involves a few hours' of theory followed by two rides that assess your skills and provides training to help you improve. It's quite an involved scheme so I hope you don't mind but I have included a link as it is more comprehensive than my explanation....https://www.gov.uk/enhanced-rider-scheme. Normally there is a cost but one of the Welsh councils that our county borders is providing it for free to riders who use their roads in bid to improve road safety.

IAM is now IAMRoadsmart I think - formerly Institue of Advanced Motorists, they provide advanced training and assessment https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses. There is a club local - ish to us I believe and you have a number of assessed rides / instruction with your observer, followed by taking a test (if you wish to). They hold skills workshops for things like slow riding technique etc. I am sure if people on here are actually members they'll be able to provide you with far more insight.

 

Good luck to you too - hope you enjoy your first IAM ride.

 

Thanks, @Mrs Visor! Very interesting. Thanks for including the link. I'll take a look at it. It sounds like you have lots of opportunities to do continuing education which is great. And it's even better when it's free!

 

After May finally realized that it is not April, the weather has improved abruptly. Therefore, my Bonnie now accompanies me on the daily trips to the office!

 

I started on the advanced training with doing the Bikesafe course. Then did IAM and then ROSPA, which I have just done my re-test the other week. The examiner now runs the local IAM group. We discussed me doing the IAM masters course, which I might do later in the year.

 

Did you find much difference between the two systems? I did a few RoSPA sessions...but think I will be giving IAM a go as well...

 

When I did my training, the IAM was not very good and in my and my wife's opinion made me a worse rider, so that is why I did the ROSPA course. Things have moved on a lot and now my local group is run by my ROSPA examiner, there wont be much difference in either in my group.
The only benefit of ROSPA IMHO is you have to do a re-test every 3 years. I like to think of it as my MOT to make sure I haven't picked up any bad habits.

 

Thanks @Bolosun . Interestingly some people mentioned that "retesting every 3 years" - or in fact, not having to, was a benefit of IAM. I can see why that may be thought; however, as you say...surely it is a good thing to have yourself "checked" periodically...?

My desire to try IAM is not because I felt RoSPA was in anyway bad, or worse...just different, and as such might that suit me better?

I am sure I'll report back!

 

@Bolosun I'd be interested to hear in what way IAM made you a worse rider, I have a similar experience (not with IAM). Certain type/style of training might not work for everyone IMO.