Got This In The Post Today.......Part 2

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by paiste1

Had a search for leicestershire bikesafe They're charging £60!!
In the classroom for most of the morning as well.
I only live 2 minutes from the warwickhire border, do you think that will count?

Well, from April the scheme is being extended to other neighbouring counties, so I've PM'd you his number!

[Mr Speirs]

Sooooooooo, is there full update?

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

Sooooooooo, is there full update?

Lots of miles (200+), lots of laughs, lots of p*ss-taking, lots of fun!

Jester got a puncture so couldn't do it either, so we kidnapped Tilt!

[Mr Speirs]

Ahhh mean really?? Silly Jester eh? I wish I was there today. It was a awesome say fro riding. Saw lots of bike knobbing bout this morning and felt jealous even thought they were on the Motorway.

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

Ahhh mean really?? Silly Jester eh? I wish I was there today. It was a awesome say fro riding. Saw lots of bike knobbing bout this morning and felt jealous even thought they were on the Motorway.

Yeah, he was gutted. He's going to book another day out with Tony around May. Perhaps you two could do it together?

Couldn't have asked for a better day weatherwise.

So turned up at Long Itch to find Tony (the observer) and Jester chatting. Jester had come in his car to apologise in person for getting a puncture on his Gixxer and would not be able to participate.

Luckily Tilt turned up and we pressganged him into attending. Not many people would commit to a whole days riding and paying for the pleasure too.

So paperwork done,earphone and radio fitted a tentative route was decided on. Tony wanted to head Shropshire Herefordshire way as the scheme was being extended to those areas and he wanted to explore some roads.

Banbury first then over to Ma Larkins at Chipping Norton. Not for a brew but for the first assessment, of many, on our riding. I got told that I offsided often too late putting the Duke at risk. Off up to Evesham, but then down to Stow, a dodgy B road to Tewkesbury. Another evaluation stop then a lunch stop at British Camp. More discussion about riding technique, road positioning and why we do things.

Over to Ross, up to Hereford and another stop. Tony rarely used the one way intercom. Usually to give a direction change or very occasionally to suggest trying a new idea. Such as straightlining an empty roundabout.

The day was getting on so we decided to head homeward up to Worcester and then the final stop for all 3 of us at Alcester. On this last section Tony led and we dutifully tried to follow. He was on a brand new Honda cbf600s which he'd only first ridden the night before. He was on the pace though and good run back was had.

We waved goodbye to Tilt as he headed Gaydon bound and a spirited ride down the Fosse and over to Southam was completed by the 2 of us.

After one last natter we headed our seperate ways.

So after 9 hours and 200 miles how do I feel? Was it worth it?

It was like going out with a mate for a days ride, only the mate is prepared to point out some of your faults and has the experience and training to suggest how to rectify them, get more out of your riding and riding more safely. Remember safely does not neccesarily mean slower, indeed it can aid your speed. However it wasn't all about the course. Plenty of banter, tales of yore and general chit chat. Just like any other day out for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. I will endeavour to incorporate all the things Tony suggested from now on.

Recommended for everybody IMO.

Glad you had a good day pete
looks like Tilt got lucky too (or unlucky depending on what way you look at it!)
I found that Tony has a gentle manner when putting his point across which seemed to work well with me and the other candidate I went with.
Hopefully schemes like this will take off and will also reduce casualties.
If every county had the same approach to road safety everyone would get a good days riding and extra instruction.