TVAM Open Day

Now, whilst to my knowledge there is no one in our Centre who is a bad rider, there are many who's riding could be improved. The problem is, where driving and riding is concerned, none of us like to be told we could be doing things differently or better. The first step to becoming a better rider is to acknowledge that your riding can be improved, and deciding to do something about it.

Towards that aim, TVAM held their second annual Open Day on the 20th June at St Crispin's School Wokingham. Four Vultures rode with me to the school to get a glimpse of what Advanced riding is all about. Two took part in a Slow Speed Manoeuvring Course, whilst the others went for a one on one assessed ride to have their riding evaluated. I am sure they all enjoyed and benefited from the experience: -

Roger and I tried our hands (and the rest of our bodies!) at some slow riding skills. By the time we'd finished I found it quite tiring on my arms and neck trying to keep looking where you're supposed to be going next! I didn't see much of Roger's manoeuvring but I expect he had a good laugh at my initial wobbliness. I couldn't even keep my balance in a straight line at walking pace at first. How embarrassing. However, after some good tuition and a bit more practice I was doing the circles, figure of eights, (after a fashion!) and weaving in and out of each cone instead of every other one. We also learnt for definite that the bike goes where you look, as when doing a circle and then being told suddenly to look at a point in the opposite direction to what you were looking, the bike whips up and follows your head. Nick Ball

This was a very enjoyable morning, even though it rained. I certainly felt it was worthwhile. Little Nick and I did the slow rider training and were both pretty useless to begin with. But we were surprised at how quickly we improved once given a technique and some coaching.

It seems the art of controlled slow riding is to firstly look where you want to go and not at the floor, which seems to be what most people do. If you look where you want to go you will go where you look. Then you must keep the throttle above tick over, feather the clutch and use the back brake, only, and in conjunction with the other disciplines you find slow manoeuvring quite easy.

Within 15 minutes they had us doing figure of eights, tight circles, U- turns and riding in and out of cones.

We also watched some videos on advanced riding and got to sit on the Triumph Rocket III, which I have fallen in love with! Big Rog.

OK, Dave fcuked up the bacon sarnies, Roger rode like an old blind woman, Nick didn't want any one to tell him how to ride, but me and Keith went on an assessed ride with an open mind and a full tank of fuel.

My instructor was very friendly and very quickly told me all about the TVAM and what to expect from the day. The ride took about 45 minutes and was very educational, I was told what I was doing wrong and praised for what I was doing right .

All in all it was a very good day and I learnt a lot of things that will help improve the way I ride. Since taking this assessed ride I have now decided to go on the TVAM Course, as this can help me ride better and get better insurance quotation etc.

If anyone is interested in improving the way they ride I can recommend to go on this assessed ride as they are friendly and helpful and do not make you feel awkward and uncomfortable. Keith and I really enjoyed the day had great fun and I would advise anyone in the club to have a go, it's not half as bad as you think it is. Ffff Pete

A brilliant day, the stands were good, pity I didn't know the tyre bloke was going to be there as I could have saved myself £30 oh well. The ride out with the instructor was nerve racking at first. After a while you stop for a talk where you discuss your riding skills and then carry on and at the end he talks you through your assessment. I was well pleased with the result as I got a 'B'. I recommend all club members should have a go.

Went to Beaulieu on Sunday, took Ashley and had a fantastic day we both got burnt, never seen so many bikes in one place, over 400 trade stands selling everything you could think of and at good prices, excellent bike show. I showed my face at the Virago Star Club Stand (bet it didn't win a prize!....Ed) Keith Stone

	As you know I am a born again biker and well aware that a lot of motorcycle accidents nowadays involve riders from this category. It is for that reason I joined TVAM, our local Institute of Advanced Motorists training group. They offer training, free of charge to their members, up to Advanced Test standard and beyond. Whilst I never thought I was a particularly bad rider, I was amazed how much there is to learn and know about riding, which I was oblivious to. Now, whilst to my knowledge there is no one in our Centre who is a bad rider, there are many who's riding could be improved. The problem is, where driving and riding is concerned, none of us like to be told we could be doing things differently or better. The first step to becoming a better rider is to acknowledge that your riding can be improved, and deciding to do something about it. Towards that aim, TVAM held their second annual Open Day on the 20th June at St Crispin's School Wokingham. Four Vultures rode with me to the school to get a glimpse of what Advanced riding is all about. Two took part in a Slow Speed Manoeuvring Course, whilst the others went for a one on one assessed ride to have their riding evaluated. I am sure they all enjoyed and benefited from the experience: - Roger and I tried our hands (and the rest of our bodies!) at some slow riding skills. By the time we'd finished I found it quite tiring on my arms and neck trying to keep looking where you're supposed to be going next! I didn't see much of Roger's manoeuvring but I expect he had a good laugh at my initial wobbliness. I couldn't even keep my balance in a straight line at walking pace at first. How embarrassing. However, after some good tuition and a bit more practice I was doing the circles, figure of eights, (after a fashion!) and weaving in and out of each cone instead of every other one. We also learnt for definite that the bike goes where you look, as when doing a circle and then being told suddenly to look at a point in the opposite direction to what you were looking, the bike whips up and follows your head. Nick Ball This was a very enjoyable morning, even though it rained. I certainly felt it was worthwhile. Little Nick and I did the slow rider training and were both pretty useless to begin with. But we were surprised at how quickly we improved once given a technique and some coaching. It seems the art of controlled slow riding is to firstly look where you want to go and not at the floor, which seems to be what most people do. If you look where you want to go you will go where you look. Then you must keep the throttle above tick over, feather the clutch and use the back brake, only, and in conjunction with the other disciplines you find slow manoeuvring quite easy. Within 15 minutes they had us doing figure of eights, tight circles, U- turns and riding in and out of cones. We also watched some videos on advanced riding and got to sit on the Triumph Rocket III, which I have fallen in love with! Big Rog. OK, Dave fcuked up the bacon sarnies, Roger rode like an old blind woman, Nick didn't want any one to tell him how to ride, but me and Keith went on an assessed ride with an open mind and a full tank of fuel. My instructor was very friendly and very quickly told me all about the TVAM and what to expect from the day. The ride took about 45 minutes and was very educational, I was told what I was doing wrong and praised for what I was doing right . All in all it was a very good day and I learnt a lot of things that will help improve the way I ride. Since taking this assessed ride I have now decided to go on the TVAM Course, as this can help me ride better and get better insurance quotation etc. If anyone is interested in improving the way they ride I can recommend to go on this assessed ride as they are friendly and helpful and do not make you feel awkward and uncomfortable. Keith and I really enjoyed the day had great fun and I would advise anyone in the club to have a go, it's not half as bad as you think it is. Ffff Pete A brilliant day, the stands were good, pity I didn't know the tyre bloke was going to be there as I could have saved myself £30 oh well. The ride out with the instructor was nerve racking at first. After a while you stop for a talk where you discuss your riding skills and then carry on and at the end he talks you through your assessment. I was well pleased with the result as I got a 'B'. I recommend all club members should have a go. Went to Beaulieu on Sunday, took Ashley and had a fantastic day we both got burnt, never seen so many bikes in one place, over 400 trade stands selling everything you could think of and at good prices, excellent bike show. I showed my face at the Virago Star Club Stand (bet it didn't win a prize!....Ed) Keith Stone