Advanced riding

[Mark_h]

Folks,

For those of you who were considering signing up for the TVAM advanced riding, be warned, the IAM fees are about to go up again. I think it goes up about £20-30 from April. So if you are umming and ahhing about joining up and are likely to do so this spring, you can save some money by doing it in March (16th is next open day).

If you are lucky enough to be under 25 then you can save a few more quid by buying the skills for life package from IAM directly then joining the club that route.

Alternatively you could just spend the £100 on a cheap end-can and make a bit more noise rather than being a bit safer on the road :)

For those who did sign up, how's it going?

Cheers,
Mark

[SoulKiss]

Alternatively you could just spend the £100 on a cheap end-can and make a bit more noise rather than being a bit safer on the road :)


And then they wonder where the "IAM are up themselves" image comes from........

[injury_ian]

I did both :) WVAM tho. test ready just need polish.

[Mark_h]

Sorry you see it like that Soulkiss, was just trying to put the £100 into perspective as some were saying it was quite expensive last year. Personally I got a lot out of it and thought it was good value for money. But each to their own.

[N8te rider]

I joined WVAM last month. Nice bunch of riders, learnt a lot and had a good ride around the twisties. Long way from advanced though, think I joined a bit too early. Think I paid 80 squid, but did see a thread around here somewhere for a discount voucher?!?!? Memory is a bit naff

[flibble]

I did both :) WVAM tho. test ready just need polish.

snap.. did cross check last week and about to hand in form to apply for the test

I can imagine it's not suitable for everyone, but for me as a new rider only riding for a few years, I'm up for joining everything that will improve my riding. It has been good, have had some good advice from observers and like most things you sort of have to take the key bits that you feel are right for you (and to pass the test)

[ASM-Forever]

We saw some IAM people at the Shire Horse when we were meeting for a rideout.

I have to say i didn't like the look of them. They seemed to meet every cliche and i'm certainly in no hurry to join. :)

If i was serious about 'improving'(making safer>therefore more boring?) my riding i would go to a pro who i know/trust.

I'm in no way against the IAM, its just not for me.

[flibble]

lol.. that means I must fit into that cliche :smt101

bah! :)

[ASM-Forever]

lol.. that means I must fit into that cliche :smt101

bah! :)

You have the beard. :p

[ogden]

snap.. did cross check last week and about to hand in form to apply for the test

Doors to manual?

[flibble]

You have the beard. :p

Was going to say something about shaving, but that's just going to sound wrong in all maner of ways.

Ending this now... (I don't ride a bmw neither)

[flibble]

Doors to manual?

Eh?? Eh? EEeeeehh??

[ASM-Forever]

Was going to say something about shaving, but that's just going to sound wrong in all maner of ways.

Ending this now... (I don't ride a bmw neither...although i aspire to)

I did consider it might take a seedy twist, especially with deviants like the ape lurking.

The ones(IAM beardies) we saw did have pan euros and other ugly touring types.

Boooooo to IAM. :mrgreen:

[flibble]

I did consider it might take a seedy twist, especially with deviants like the ape lurking.

The ones(IAM beardies) we saw did have pan euros and other ugly touring types.

Boooooo to IAM. :mrgreen:


On a serious note, the social side may be a bit like that. But the free training is well worth having bearing in mind it's free.

[ASM-Forever]

I shouldn't really criticise something i havn't attended myself, but i'm told they expect you to do the speed limit etc, which for me is a complete contradiction of what motorcycling is about.

Also i'm not sure i could subject myself to 'investing' my weekends with all those old men. :)

[Mark_h]

Yea, you're right. It's all fat old beardy blokes on Pans never going over 30. We bimble about looking at squirrels and wondering what else we can do to make motorcycling as boring as possible.

All the blades, R1's, Gixxers, Zed1's must just turn up week on week by accident. The track days are obviously just taking a wrong turn while looking for the slipper shop.

And it is terribly embarrassing when an old, fat beardy bloke rides rings around you on any route you choose, but then again he needs to get a shift on before the pilot light goes off on the inbuilt aga on his goldwing keeping his Sunday lunch warm.

Basically this started off as a brief note telling those who showed an interest last year that the prices are about to go up. Advanced riding from the IAM does not suit everyone but perhaps you should go and take a look before blindly slating it. I've met very few people who did not get something out of it despite the pre-conceptions they may have had when they got there.

Anyway, I'll leave this thread alone now. Prices go up in April. -nuf said.

[ogden]

Uh-oh, I think that pipe and slippers just entered orbit.

[ASM-Forever]

Uh-oh, I think that pipe and slippers just entered orbit.

Indeed...everything i said was either tongue in cheek/my personal opinion. No offence was offered or should have been taken.

Mark i'm sure those that are interested appreciate you posting. ;)

[StreetHawk]

I may sign up but not this month as my bike is having some more work done leaving me very poor indeed. I've been to an open day and got the observed ride , reckon I could learn a lot from it being a relative newbie..

[SDMF]

i'm told they expect you to do the speed limit etc, which for me is a complete contradiction of what motorcycling is about.

Also i'm not sure i could subject myself to 'investing' my weekends with all those old men. :)

I heard that they expect you to keep to the limits in built up areas, but then ride like you'd normally ride once you get to the national speed limit areas... Which'd be somewhat faster than 60....

I want to join this year, could I go along in march without a bike, sign-up, pay less. Then wait till I'm able to ride again- which should hopefully be april sometime?

[Mark_h]

Yep. Just turn up and tell tham what's going on and the membership team will work out the best way for you to do it. If you prefer, PM me and I'll put you in contact with the membership secretary so you can work it out in advance.

Now you need to work on growing a decent beard.

[DanAbnormal]

Thanks Mark for the heads up. I'm not sure about IAM yet. Am doing Rospa as I think(hope) the 3 year re-test will keep me fresh. Not that any of the sensible stuff sinks in but I hope that when I need it the skills will be there. Has anyone heard more about hte DSA's Enhanced Rider scheme? Seems to be a DSA approved shceme but will cost about £300!! Not sure it will be all that popular.

[flibble]

Would also recommend Rapid Training (http://www.rapidtraining.co.uk/).

Can never learn too much :smt023

[Warthog]

Mark, pay no attention to ASM, he rides with his gob. :-P

[ASM-Forever]

Mark, pay no attention to ASM, he rides with his gob. :-P

Best way isn't it? :cool:

[philbut]

I keep saying i'm gonna go along to one of these things and then never do. I will have to put the 16th in my diary. i'm already an advanced car driver but can't hurt to do a bit more. I don't tend to speed in 30 or 40 zones anyway, so as long as they don't mind three figues in a 60 ;) hehe.

Still dreaming of a blade next november and the IAM will help the insurance a bit too.

[ogden]

Blade schmade. You want a nice little 250. Quicker than most things round here ;)

[N8te rider]

Oh dear, have I just joined the Institute for Aging Motorcyclists?
I did see a lot of younger riders there. Can't you be safe and fast?

[philbut]

Blade schmade. You want a nice little 250. Quicker than most things round here ;)

rrrrriiinnnnngti ti ti tinnnnnnnnnnng. I'm sure it would be fun, but I don't fancy touring on a 250 ;-) the blade wil be a tad more comfy

[ASM-Forever]

Oh dear, have I just joined the Institute for Aging Motorcyclists?
I did see a lot of younger riders there. Can't you be safe and fast?

Its probably possible. :p

[Warthog]

Meh™

HAHA quality ;)

[Mark_h]

Oh dear, have I just joined the Institute for Aging Motorcyclists?
I did see a lot of younger riders there. Can't you be safe and fast?

Philbut
I keep saying i'm gonna go along to one of these things and then never do. I will have to put the 16th in my diary. i'm already an advanced car driver but can't hurt to do a bit more. I don't tend to speed in 30 or 40 zones anyway, so as long as they don't mind three figues in a 60 :wink: hehe





Yep. Basically when training red speedlimits are followed (20, 30, 40, 50, 60) In an national speed limit it'll be down to how you and your observer get on. Once you've proved you are likely to keep it all together you'll start hearing things like "We'll be too busy looking where we're going to look at the speedo". or "If you see me getting smaller in your mirrors you may want to
consider slowing down a bit"

An observer is very unlikely to say that you can ride faster or to set a higher limit as that could be considered as encouragement to break the law. When you get to your test, some testers (mostly police riders) say keep it legal, some say legal + 10% some say "just get on with it".

Most of my training consisted of me going as fast as I fancied in the nationals often well into three figures and it's fair to say my observer never got smaller in my mirrors.

Can be a bit frustrating in the 50s but typically routes are worked out to take in as many nationals as possible. Also a lot of the technique is learned on "technical twisties" which are the country roads that you'd be hard pressed to get over 40 on at some times.

Give it a go. If you don't like it, don't join.

And if you do like it, pass and then go on to be an observer you get free training from Rapid too :) that way you get extra training by professional advanced trainers and not a bunch of well meaning amateurs like us IAM lot.

[ogden]

Institute of Advance Motorcyclists
Rockingham Forest Group February Ride-Out



The group met for the second ride-out of the winter months. The venue
had been arranged for Tesco's car park, Corby, 8:30 a.m. After a
couple of phone calls it became apparent that some of the group had
convened at the Asda car park and had reported passing another group
in the B & Q car park. The Tesco group travelled in Convoy to Asda and
then on to B & Q. Unfortunately, the B & Q car park was empty except
for one elderly gentleman who wanted to know if we were the Triumph
owners club, who had arranged to meet there for their nine o'clock
ride out. He joined us as we went back to Tesco's to see who else had
turned up. After a short break for coffee and roll-ups, the group
eventually departed Tesco's carpark at 9:15 heading north towards
Rockingham. The old gentleman with the even older Triumph, Stan as we
came to know him, accepted our invitation to ride part of the way with
us hoping to meet up with the other Triumph riders.



The group was led by Mike, our chair, and comprised two senior
observers, four group observers and eight associates, plus Stan.
Normal group ride rules were observed by all riders, except Stan who
had not been briefed. The route had been planned to take in some
"technical" features, including a couple of five-way roundabouts, some
NSL dual carriageway and a particularly "interesting" blind T-junction
on a one-in-three gradient. In retrospect, this was perhaps too
ambitious for the group, some of whom had not attended the training
session the preceding Wednesday evening.



The trouble started on the five-way roundabout when, according to
group ride rules Terry, the convoy leader, attempted to park at the
second exit to direct the rest of the group along the indicated road.
His manoeuvre proved to be a little too abrupt for Mike (group chair)
behind him. A nose-to-tail collision ensued causing both riders to
drop their bikes. Fortunately no lasting damage was done by the
collision, although the resulting scuffle left Mike with a nasty gash
on his chin. Thankfully our guest rider, Stan, was able to step in and
prevent an ugly incident from developing. Mike has since had the
fairing plastic re-welded and tells me he will have the stitches out
of his chin in time for the next committee meeting. (It should be
noted that Terry has given notice of his intention to leave the group
to devote more time to his police career, we wish him well).



Leaving Mike and Terry to wait for the ambulance, the rest of the
group pressed on. Leaving the 30 m.p.h speed limit and embarking on
the ring road, the group spread out a little. Group A (let us call
them) attempted to keep up with Stan with the intention of explaining
our policy on speed limits. Group B were content to make safe progress
to the next way-point. Group C apparently became confused over the
directions and headed back into Corby.



Groups A and B met up at the East Carlton Country Park where it had
been agreed with the park-keepers that a slow-ride of the Park lanes
would be followed by a machine control session. Unfortunately, this
had to be abandoned after three of the first five riders fell off on
the wet leaves that were coating the paths. First aid was administered
to machines and riders. Our new friend the Guest rider Stan, proved to
be very resourceful in this respect with a plentiful supply of gaffer
tape, steel wire and sterile dressings to hand. Once the patching up
was completed, it was found that the wayward group C had arrived from
one direction and PC Terry had cuaght us up from the other. The
coincidental arrival was fortuitous as Terry was able to explain to
Group C's police escort that despite the appearance, they were not
attempting to block the road, nor was any un-licensed demonstration
under way.



By now it was nearly noon and only twenty of the planned 150 miles
were behind us. A breakfast break had been scheduled at the Little
Chef so the group set off along the main westerly route towards the
by-pass. Arriving without incident at the Little Chef, we were able to
meet up with the Northampton group who had arrived a little earlier.
The main conversation was around the injuries and damage suffered by
each group in getting this far. The rumour that the county had
implemented their major disaster plan was rife, although later found
to be false.



After the traditional bacon bap and roll-up, both groups went their
separate ways, and then re-rendezvoused back at the cafe so that the
associates from Corby could re-join their group and the newbies from
Northampton rejoin theirs.



It was at this point I became worried about old Stan. He appeared to
have been drinking, his face was several shades redder than when he
joined us that morning and he was giggling uncontrollably, sometimes
bending double and clutching his stomach, as if about to vomit. In
between these fits, I asked him if he was o.k.. He replied that
everything was alright, and that he had just remembered an old joke. I
let it lie at that point as I was called away to help untangle two
bikes whose panniers had become interlocked while leaving the car park.



The trip back towards Corby passed without incident, that is until the
first bend. Several plastic road cones had been dislodged from their
position occupying the line around a right hand bend. In swerving and
braking to avoid these cones the first senior observer high-sided his
BMW and was catapulted into the air. Fortunately a thick hedge broke
his fall and he was unscathed from this incident. His injuries were
actually caused when the second senior observer, in attempting to
avoid the prone BMW, mounted the pavement and ran him down. Our
commiserations to them both and we wish them a speedy recovery from
their injuries. Our thanks also to the Northampton air ambulance
service for their speedy response. Our thanks also to the Royal Air
Force who had to scramble a rescue helicopter to deal with two similar
unfortunate incidents suffered that morning by our colleagues in the
Northampton group.



It was only another hour or so before we were on our way once again,
this time with a police escort of four handsome Pan-Europeans which
drew much envy from most members of the group. Behind these was a BBC
Northampton news team. "Top cover" was provided by the Northants
Constabulary surveillance helicopter. (Incidentally, I have received
news that copies of the police video can be made available at a
nominal cost, apparently there is much demand for them). The trip back
into Corby was made at a steady rate of progress, providing plenty of
opportunity to admire the scenery and views. It was perhaps this
degree of inattention that caused our two group observers leading the
ride to collide with the machines of the police escort who had stopped
at a major road junction. To be fair though, it had not been explained
to us that even with two-tone sirens and flashing blue lights, police
riders and drivers are still expected to comply with traffic signals.


It was getting dark and foggy when the convoy reached the Tesco car
park. Some ice was apparent too so there was little resistance to the
Deputy Chief Constable's suggestion that we secure our machines in the
car park and accept his offer of a lift home in a bus which was able
to commandeer for this purpose.



Has anybody seen or heard of Stan, by the way? The last thing I
remember him saying was that he hadn't had such a good laugh in ages
and he'd love to come out with us again. He told me he never passed
his test on a bike and I think he might benefit from one of our
fixed-length courses.

[StreetHawk]

I can't believe I just read ALL that...

5 mins i'll never get back.. :o

[ogden]

Hammerite.

[philbut]

PMSL!!!:smt044:smt044

[Stig]

I really should edit that to stop others wasting as much time as I did reading it. But then where's the fun in that.

[SoulKiss]

I really should edit that to stop others waisting as much time as I did reading it. But then where's the fun in that.

Who said its a waste of time.......

[Stig]

Who said its a waste of time.......

I did. :wink:

[ASM-Forever]

I enjoyed it! :)

[Stu]

Who said its a waste of time.......
+1 ROFL

[Mark_h]

Don't know what all the fuss is about sounds like just about any run report.

[DanAbnormal]

That was quite amusing.

But it left out the incident between Stan and Ron when their beards got tangled. Terrible mess. :p