Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Isle of Man TT Guy Martin commentary

For those of you who have yet to experience this awesome event & for those of you who have yet to become addicted ............




Appetites whetted?

All the best, Jim.

Excellent value "season" opener @ Cadwell

A reminder for those folk that need one, that a week today the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are holding one of their "Performance Plus" days @ the circuit, Wednesday the 6th of April. -- microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lrsp/section.asp?docId=63394

Whilst this will not be a full day on track; mixture of class room theory, skills sessions and full circuit riding, it is one of the most cost effective ways of getting to ride around Britain's best track, (cue bleats from my fellow countrymen & women from Yns Mon!). You also get an opportunity to refresh your bike maintenance skills/knowledge with the help of experienced mechanics.

Cost £75 for the entire day!

So, if you can get there next Wednesday, the 6th, sign yourself up. I'm told there are still places, you'll not be sorry that you did. A most useful & exciting start to the fair weather riding season.

All the best, Jim.

ps. - the reason it's so cheap - the course is heavily subsidised from speeding fines garnered in Lincolnshire, so get some of your money back from "the man"!
__________________


Enhanced Riding

Sunday, March 27, 2011

BMW Club trackdays

Following last year's successful return to running a track day for members, the BMW Club have arranged to hold two such days this year.

On the 8th of July @ Cadwell, and on the 22nd of August @ the vastly improved Snetterton.

Last year's event saw more than 40 "track virgins" take to the circuit and, with luck, these two events will attract even more new to the delights of riding in safety whilst exploring both their & their bike's capabilities.

Contact Robert Bensley, the BMW Club's "Sporting Secretary", via e-mail for further details - robertbensley@btinternet.com

All the best, Jim.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Breaking news - the BMW "Better Riding" course @ The 'Ring looks doubtful

Just received this update from Barry Salmon, one of the instructors @ the BMW course : -

"Motorrad Action Training, Nürburgring 2011

Despite 48 successive years of providing driver/rider training courses at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the BMW Club Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, along with several other long established clubs, are currently experiencing significant difficulties in securing dates for their 2011 training school. Whilst negotiations with the Nürburgring GmbH are ongoing, the likelihood of an acceptable contract being offered seems to be remote.

However, to maintain continuity for those motorbike riders who have been with us on previous BMW courses, we have the opportunity to participate in a Motorrad Action course in September. The Motorrad Action team have held motorbike training courses at the Nürburgring Nordschleife for many years, they have first class (English speaking) instructors, and they have very high safety standards.

The dates for the course are 4th – 7th September inclusive – arrival and registration on Sunday 4th, departure on Wednesday 7th, with 5th & 6th on track. The first day on track begins with a review of safety procedures, followed by training in two sections prior to instructor led total lapping for the rest of the day, breaking only for lunch. Day two begins with training in two more sections, followed by instructor led total lapping for the rest of the day, again breaking only for lunch.

The costs are as follows:
€849 (including 3 evening meals in The Dorint)
€190 3 nights B&B in The Dorint, double occupancy
€325 3 nights B&B in The Dorint, single occupancy

For anyone preferring not to stay at The Dorint, you are entirely free to make your own accommodation arrangements elsewhere.

As a further enticement, you might like to note that round 10 of the World Superbike Championship takes place at the Nürburgring on 4th September. What could be better than a weekend watching the professionals in action, followed by two days riding the Nordschleife whilst it is closed to tourist traffic?

We have places on hold with Motorrad Action for a limited period, but to secure the option we do need to respond fairly quickly. To gauge the level of interest, and to exercise our option with Motorrad Action, can I please ask that you respond to me before the end of March with an indication of yes/no/maybe – at this stage there is no commitment, but a positive response would help move the planning process forwards.

If I can help with any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards, Barry Salmon
T: 020 8871 3953
M: 07802 478 780"

Barry is a fine instructor, one of the best & will keep us all posted as matters develop.

The Motorrad Action courses are very good and much cheaper than the BMW Club run course, if a little shy on the section training front by comparison.

All the best, Jim.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Group riding

Riding in a group can be amongst the most taxing and dangerous riding that most of us will ever experience, and can have unfortunate consequences if we get it wrong.

On several bike related forums you can read all about recent tragedies that have accounted for the lives of fellow riders, and learn about other riders who are being prosecuted for being culpable in that loss of life.

It is not my intention to comment on any of those specific cases, and I in no manner wish to criticise anyone who has, or will, ride in a group. It remains however, a cause for concern that bikers can find themselves engaging in a form of riding that places specific demands upon them, and that requires them to adjust their usual riding habits in order to reduce those additional risks to an acceptable level, without the benefit of specific training or preparation. Group riding is seldom taught as a separate skill, and is absorbed by most of us by trial & error. The I.A.M. will cover aspects of group riding and some of their observers are competent in this regard, but the level of ability varies from area to area and I would argue that this type of riding requires additional thought and preparation. RoSPA has less opportunity to address this aspect of riding given its lack of large groups, coupled with it being thinly spread across parts of the country.

The normal practice in this country appears to be for a group of riders to set off for a set destination of choice and "make progress", each responsible for themselves, and every wo/man for themselves. This quickly becomes a race to see who gets left behind, arrives first, arrives last etc. - followed by the usual round of excuses, tall tales and justifications. Unfortunately this atmosphere can contribute to riders less experienced/capable/smooth/quick/lucky feeling that they have to "prove" themselves to their friends on subsequent rides, & hence putting themselves under considerable pressure to ride beyond their comfort zone/safety bubble on the next group ride.

In the above example it is usually found to be the quickest rider who takes the lead, followed by the next quickest and so on, until the last rider who has; for whatever reason, less speed available. In a group of four riders, if the group is to remain as a cohesive group and not resort to the "drop-off system", the fourth rider in the group will have to travel at least 25% quicker than the lead rider at certain points in order to stay in touch. Ergo - the less able is asked the most, the most able the least. A certain recipe for the pushing of limits, and sometimes tragedy.

Now how might we adjust this mode of riding in order to reduce the risks, maintain enjoyment, and develop all our skills and abilities?

What if we put our most competent rider in the lead, with the task to lead the group safely & smoothly to our destination whilst maintaining the group as a group? Next comes the least competent, least able, most nervous rider in the group, s/he tasked with riding within their safety bubble and not expected to push themselves to the point where they become uncomfortable. Next comes a more able rider who "watches the back door" in addition to maintaining their own usual safety checks/routines. And finally along comes the rider who would, in the first example cited, be either leading the ride or in second place, with the brief to act as tail end Charlie and ensure that everyone found their way safely to the destination.

Rider 1 gets to test themselves by riding at a pace and in a manner that allows the 2nd rider to enjoy the ride - works wonders for both your forward and rearward observation skills. Rider 2 gets an enjoyable and instructive ride during which they learn masses from the riders around them. Rider 3 similarly gets much from watching how rider 1 ensures that rider 2 is able to achieve a smooth & progressive ride. And rider 4 can enjoy the relative freedom that being at the back can bring. With a modicum of luck everyone arrives at the destination having enjoyed a swift, safe and instructive ride - no need for the excuses & justifications, but with plenty of room still for tall tales.

Some might argue that such rides would be boring and lacking in opportunities to "prove" oneself. Boring? No, try leading a group of 4 with the task of ensuring that the group can safely stay together - it is not easy. And, if competition is needed, or someone wants to see who is better/faster/smoother/quicker - take it off-road, or onto the track - much safer & a more reliable result.

Riding in a group can be both fun & safe, all we need to do to make this happen is to adjust our group riding habits to take account of the differing risks - a bit like we do when we are riding on our own.

All the best, Jim.

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Buccleuch was always excellent, but now they're superb!

Since my last visit to the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Moffat, they have installed ten bike garages, kit lockers, jet wash facilities, chamois for drying your pride & joy, and tyre gauges & pumps for the use of guests.
Now you can secure your bike & your kit in your personal garage, together with any luggage you do not want to take up to your room - no more lugging wet riding kit into the hotel, only to have to trail it all back to your bike when you come to leave.





And the Smith family who own & run the Buccleuch have not finished with their attempts to provide the very best welcome for motorcyclists - they are intending to install hot air bike dryers, so that you don't have to toil away with a chamois having washed your bike!

You'll understand when I say that I always look forward to my time @ the Buccleuch, (pronounced, Buck-lew)

All the best, Jim.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Latest Danny MacAskill

Good to see him back, fit, well and continuing to defy both gravity & belief.

Danny MacAskill - if you've not seen him before, prepare to disbelieve.



His last compilation, just before his nasty accident eighteen months ago approx.

Watch & marvel.