I've been asked to help improve anothers riding...

... and thought I'd put my thoughts before the wisdom of the .Org before I do.

Most of those that know me, know that whenever I've been asked to comment on someone else's riding, I've shy'd away from it. That's because I have never (and still don't really) seen myself as being in a position where I'm any better than anyone else.

I've generally refused point blank to give specific assistance mainly because I'm quite mindful of the fact that whilst someone comes asking for help, they could easily turn around afterwards with the sentiment of "I did what you said, and I wrote my bike off, it's YOUR fault."

So what's different this time? Well, I know the rider in question very well. We've been out a number of times, and they've proven time & time again that they have the 'right' attitude towards riding (ie, they don't feel pressured to keep up). Even so, my initial thoughts on helping were "no thanks, just observe what others do, not only me, and take in what you want." But things have moved on since then.

The rider in question has basically asked me to improve their cornering ability, and I've witnessed them "jigsaw" around a few corners due to being unsure of the line to take.

So, given that I'm considering doing this, I went back to basics first with my own riding. Re-taught myself how things should be done in theory, then applied it to my own bike, and hopefully I've ironed out some of my bad habits (more than the ones I've noticed).

So far, I've been going over pretty much every theoretical aspect of riding for the last two months. Almost all my spare time has been spent on this, and it's something that I'm actually pleased I've done for my own riding.

Anyway, my rough plan with this other rider is as follows (though I'm not going to go into detail on the .Org as to the methods to achieve the below as I don't want people reading this & trying to put it into practice - coming back to my thoughts on liability there):
- Stability & basic rider input. Position on the bike, counter steering. This will be done off the public road.
- Lean angles (as this is primary concern for the rider), which means roundabout work on a quiet industrial estate.
- Hazard perception/awareness & braking. Again, this part will be done off the public road.
- Throttle control & engine braking - also link into RoadCraft elements about vision ahead and therefore line to take around the bend.
- Turning point & peripheral vision - when & where to turn to get the line, where to look (ie, not at the apex but at the vanishing point).
- What to do in a constantly tightening bend, especially when it catches you unaware - which it will at some point even with amazing observation.
- What to do to pick the bike up & get on the power out of a bend early (CSS dub this as 'pickup drill').
- Climbing all over the bike, timing & technique. Understanding what input it has on the bike, from the pegs through to upper body/head.

I'm fully aware that this rider could (and probably should) go to someone for formal instruction, or even BikeSafe etc, and we've done that discussion to death.

Any comments (constructive or otherwise) most welcome as a sort of 'peer review' as to what I'm planning, which is the whole reason for posting this.

TIA.

[fizzwheel]

Have you thought about getting them to do a bikesafe or IAM observed ride to get a 2nd opinion on their riding ?

That'd be my prefered route. I hate giving riding advice and I'd be mortified if I didnt exlpain myself and the person I was giving advice to fell off because they hadnt understood or I hadnt made myself clear enough.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Have you thought about getting them to do a bikesafe or IAM observed ride to get a 2nd opinion on their riding ?

Yup, as I said above, the conversation has been done to death. The rider has stated they don't feel confident having someone else "scrutinise" their riding. Funds also come into play unfortunately. I think they've asked me partly because of my attitude of "I couldn't care less how you ride, so long as you get to where we're going."

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I hate giving riding advice and I'd be mortified if I didnt exlpain myself and the person I was giving advice to fell off because they hadnt understood or I hadnt made myself clear enough.

Exactly my thoughts on it, which is why I'm putting so much effort into it.

I often train people at work, and I'm told by new starters that out of everyone on the team, they prefer my approach to tuition (letting people get hands on where possible, explaining thoroughly etc). So explaining my understanding is less of an issue after putting effort in to actually understand all the theory.