1st IAM ride as observer.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by chazzyb

FWIW, the most off-putting OR I ever had was one where the observer had rather loud cans on his Duke.

John Webster?

but anyway, I'm really interested to know why you found it off putting? did you not appreciate that extra sense letting you know where he was & what he was doing? or was it just distracting? intimidating?

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

tee hee.

Although I was actually wanting to know. I'm considering doing some advanced training and just wanted to know what level of expertise the observers have. Anything that can improve safety is worth it.

IAM observers follow the police riders handbook of riding, the test at the end of training is done by police grade one examiners who expect you to ride safely while making good rapid progress but not exceeding the speed limit. Also adherance to and observation of signs and road markings must be carried out. forward planning and observation as well as road positioning must also be good. The further training to become an observer entails a theory test in three parts, Road signs, riding theory and knowing about the IAM. A riding assessment with a senior observer is next and then 2 runs as the senior observer shadows an associate. next is a run following the associate with the s/o following, then 3 runs alone following the associate. the s/o then follows again for 1 more ride and the last run is to observe a mock test behind the s/o. Simple really.

Hope this answers any questions, all i can add is that i am glad i did the IAM test and can reccommend it to anybody.

Daryl

Daryl, I've got my bike licence test booked for the beginning of May. I'm interested in further training (once and if I pass!) 'cause as Dan and Ian said, anything thing to improve safety and gain experience can only be a good thing. How long do you suggest I wait until I should start IAM training?

Alex

Originally Posted by Rhiwbina_Squirrel

Daryl, I've got my bike licence test booked for the beginning of May. I'm interested in further training (once and if I pass!) 'cause as Dan and Ian said, anything thing to improve safety and gain experience can only be a good thing. How long do you suggest I wait until I should start IAM training?

Alex

I think you have to have held your licence for 3 months before you can start with the IAM, and you have to be on a bike capable of reaching the national speed limit too. On the other hand, I don't think the same applies for BikeSafe (which will give you similar advice), and theres nothing stopping you from buying RoadCraft and reading it on your own until you can join up.

I would be suprised if your local IAM group wouldn't let you ride with them until you could join up properly anyway - mine let me join when my bike was off the road, although thats probably because the accident that put me there was on a group ride organised by them.

Originally Posted by orose

See above!

I'll phone around, I've got a month until my test which should give me enough time I've got the Roadcraft book, I'm only two chapters in and already I feel I've gained a lot from it (even if I don't have a bike!) Thanks for the advice .

Alex

Originally Posted by Stu

John Webster?

Not had the pleasure.

Originally Posted by Stu

was it just distracting?

Was it ever! He was all over the place; hacking up one side, dropping back, hacking up the other. There's me, setting up for an overtake, and suddenly with the noise he's making, I thought he was going to come past me first! I mentioned this to a senior obs later; he told me that he'd almost come to blows with the bloke with his attitude. The observer in question is/was an observer with Wey Valley as well as LAM (my group)

Originally Posted by Rhiwbina_Squirrel

I've got the Roadcraft book, I'm only two chapters in and already I feel I've gained a lot from it (even if I don't have a bike!) Thanks for the advice .

Alex

You've learned from the first 2 chapters? All I can say is - well done for not giving up. The first few chapters are preachy, boring crap. After those, it gets a lot better.

It's does drag just a bit! It made me realise that I was to blame for slip I had last year, not so much the road conditions, which I blamed at the time. And the other bits and pieces about approaching hazards was pretty useful.

Alex