training and coaching » I'm doing some . . . .

Old dog - new tricks, etc.

Putting my money where my mouth is.

Bottom line is - I don't want to be a small paragraph in a Monday newspaper. Seems we have at least one fatality every week.
And my conclusion is that almost every time the rider was clearly responsible (single bike crash), or could have possibly or probably avoided the situation.

It happens to be with IAM, but other options are out there. Had my coach not been a nice chap, I don't suppose I'd have reached session 2, but 4 sessions later, we're getting along fine and now getting pernickety about not riding on white lines or drain covers

I did the IAM last year and found it informative and my observer really helpful. When it came to the test the weather was awful and on roads round Grangemouth I was not familiar with. I was a bit freaked out by the proximity of the serving traffic cop who tailed me on the test. But I passed, just, and found the whole thing very helpful.

Zitat von Joogles im Beitrag #2

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I did the IAM last year and found it informative and my observer really helpful. When it came to the test the weather was awful and on roads round Grangemouth I was not familiar with. I was a bit freaked out by the proximity of the serving traffic cop who tailed me on the test. But I passed, just, and found the whole thing very helpful.

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Long time since I saw this thread.

Long story short ………….. I packed it in with the IAM.

Quit before reaching test day.

I suffered so many differing opinions from 2 different second assessors, and far too many pernickity, unrealistic details, that I said “enough is enough”.

I felt so much better after walking away.

My experience suggests that most IAM folk are unfortunately 2 faced as they have to preach the IAM Gospel while quietly admitting to “exceeding the speed limit” when it suits them outwith training duties.

Fuck all that nonsense.

I got picked up for accelerating too quickly. Not accelerating quickly enough. Exceeding speed limit while crawling past a 56mph HGV when my GPS showed I did not.

The basic training around observation and planning is spot on.

NB - I passed my IAM car test long ago so understand the basics.

But the contradictory bike “coaching” just left me cold.

I felt so much better after I walked away.

Passing the test would serve no purpose.

Here's my story of a course I needed to pass for some work I was doing. I met the Police instructor early in the morning on day one of a two day course . We went through the theory and aims of the course and he sent me up the the road with him following , an unnerving experience being followed and assessed by the Police , so it was strictly within the speed limits , stop at every junction and very careful overtakes. After about 10 miles he stopped me and asked if I always rode like that , he said I wouldn't learn anything at those speeds and to open it up a bit . A green light from the cops , OK lets do it . I still can't believe the speeds he encouraged me to do , at one stage I was clocked at 140 mph on his calibrated speedo . I learnt a bit those two days , mostly that not all coppers are bastards.

Zitat von crossthread im Beitrag #5

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I still can't believe the speeds he encouraged me to do , at one stage I was clocked at 140 mph on his calibrated speedo . I learnt a bit those two days , mostly that not all coppers are bastards.

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I did a one day Bikesafe training with Surrey police in early May. The training was very casual and was fun and police were really friendly and fun. I had a hesitant start and wanted to go by the book and was encouraged to "open it up a little bit" on the national speed limit roads. I think I learned a few things, their tips and advice on overtaking was really good and positioning on the bends was useful although it seemed a bit extreme at the beginning. Coincidentally, I teamed up with another RS rider and riding on some country roads in Surrey and Sussex was great fun.

I joined my local IAM club early this year as well. I joined most of their online workshops and trainings to date and managed to do a one and a half observed ride. Second ride was soo frustrating for both my observer and me and we had to cut it short. I was simply having a bad day. I am not too worried about taking the exam and being qualified and will give it a chance to learn whatever I can.

I'm an examiner with the IAM. I passed my advanced test in 1980 so I've been around the IAM scene a while.... But, I don't wear IAM pyjamas. Our Group here in the NW of England get very few if any people who don't complete the course and I'm sad to hear you say that IAM Observers are two faced. I'm biased but I think we've got a great team. The IAM have gone out of its way in recent years to toughen up and standardise the training for both Observers and Associates. The course materials have been made more applicable to the training given and many of the 'know it alls' who used to be too prevalent in my opinion have been retired or weeded out.

Time and time again I'm examining experienced bikers who came into the IAM with some misgivings or concerns and then embrace the training wholeheartedly. They have nothing negative to say about it.

I'm ex police too but I wasn't a Class 1 rider like many examiners. I've taken different routes and opportunities to keep my skills improving.

I've also worked as a Bikesafe trainer alongside the police.

The IAM can never condone breaking the law, for obvious reasons. That includes when overtaking other road users. This of course makes a progressive ride more challenging, not less.

There is a lot of bullshit and machismo in motorcycling circles. I ride at the pace I ride because I have a duty of care to other road users and I'd prefer to stick around for a bit. I also enjoy the experience hugely. Road safety is the overriding concern of the IAM and bravado has no place within it.

Peter