BIKESAFE WALES

 

I did it! With a little nudge from friends, I got on a BikeSafe course, run by South Wales Police, & ticked this off my "to do" list.

Firstly, on signing up you get a link to 9 online modules to do as pre work. These are based on the police system of risk reduction, IPSGA (not snappy, I concede) as used by their riders, and outlined in their manual, "Motorcycle roadcraft".

It's all about Identifying & eliminating risks

The day was fab, lovely, sunny, dry & the scenery was stunning. a few bods were no-shows, so I ended up having one instructor to myself for 4 hours on a spectacular drive through the South Wales Valleys

My take-aways?

• The importance of road positioning in different circumstances
• Using high revs & a low gear to balance the bike in turns
• Not stopping in "Pole position" after filtering
• Not having to overtake - wait for the right time, if at all
• Sign up for the next course in a few months, or maybe next spring - The Dragon Rider Scheme from NPT is good & cheap, apparently
• Try giving a running commentary whils riding to identify hazards & plan to avoid them
• "Drive like Eeyore - everyone is trying to kill me

The route

First order of the day - brekkie 

20 Sturmi Way, Pyle, Bridgend CF33 6BZ

Coffee stop

and back for debrief

The thing the above misses is the joy. The sheer joy of doing something great fun with others who feel the same way. With great views, the zen of motorcycling.

:-)