IAM
 

I start my Advanced training on saturday, woo hoo. Does anyone here have the IAM qualification and do you find it useful?

Re: IAM
 

Yes,
Yes I find staying alive quite useful
HTH


Enjoy hope you really get on well with it.

Re: IAM
 

lol

Yeah staying alive is useful. Did you find it changed you a lot as a rider though and do you find you make better progress most of the time?

Re: IAM
 

I hope you learn lots and have fun. But please for the love of fluffy kittens don't think it automatically makes you a riding god. Just check out the attendance when it rains.;) Anyone can be fast in the dry.

Re: IAM
 

I don't think it will make me a riding god. The idea is just to become safer and more aware. I don't mind riding in the rain and intend to learn rain, hail or shine!

Re: IAM
 

i would love to do it , how much is it and how many days is it for

Re: IAM
 

I have the badge (OK, card). An invaluable experience and thoroughly recommended. My local group (LAM) is good socially too. Which is nice. Bit far for you though. ;-)

Re: IAM
 

I have a local group (NAM) the instructor is following me on saturday. As far as i know I only have to cover the petrol, coffee and bacon butties.

Re: IAM
 

I am doing the IAM and am doing the test on sat oct 13th. i would reccommend anyone doing it, for the cost (£85), you get as many observed rides as the observers think necessary to pass the test, it has to be be taken within 1 year of joining. i am sure i am now a safer, faster and more confident rider, faster cos i am taking the best lines on the road, safer cos i am much more aware of what's going on around me and so react to hazards quicker than before, and this leads to more confidence to go quicker, within reason, and where the circumstances allow. my observer says my riding has improved loads and my othet half who pillions with me has backed this up saying it is now more relaxing for her on the back as i am so much smoother. if someone is not sure wether it is worth doing then contact your local group and ask for a free assessment ride. The biggest thing they teach you is observation which can be a lifesaver on a bike. the groups also do rides when people have passed and they do not hang about either. Statistics show that advanced riders have 7 times less accidents than other riders.

Daryl

Re: IAM
 

Try:

http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/grou...colchester.htm

for Colchester area contact details.
It isn't normally a formal course, it's usually weekend or evening meetings when you go off for observed rides for the cost of a fuel donation (after paying the initial membership/test fee etc.).