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Well, despite storm Gareth causing some disruption to this months training, I'm please to say that it was still a busy month both with my training and with my local RoSPA group.
Training kicked off on the 4th with Mr R from West Yorks on his VFR1200F DCT. This was a first for me regards a DCT bike but it did mean that as there was no clutch or gear lever, there was less for me to watch for! It was a really good session and the lack of a clutch lever certainly didn't detract from the smoothness of the ride or slow speed manoeuvring.
Training was put on hold from the 7th to the 11th whilst Kim and I enjoyed a short break in Rome, no bikes involved unfortunately and gosh that woman can walk! It was a fantastic few days, packed with sight-seeing and other touristy things, including breakfast at the Vatican!
Here we are at the Trevi Fountain.
Following Rome, came a few days of storm Gareth, but training resumed on the 18th with Stuart on his BMW GSA, Stuart wants to explore the possibility of becoming a Blood Biker so is taking the first steps towards an advanced qualification which is required for the Blood Biker role.
Stuart followed up his first session with a second session on the 25th and is booked in again for 1st April.
On the 22nd I had to get security checks and passport control on the job as Mark came for some training from no other than.......Lancashire! Mark suffered a (non fault) bike accident a few years ago and after a break from the bike he is now back on 2 wheels and wanted a riding 'health check'. We met at Pateley Bridge and despite the councils best efforts to sabotage my intended route, with various road closures and diversions, we managed a fair few miles around the Yorkshire Dales. Hopefully Mark sets a trend and I have to change my website strap line to 'Delivering quality advanced rider training throughout the Yorkshire AND Lancashire region'!
March was also a busy month RoSPA wise, with me helping with 'training the trainers' at my local RoSPA group where I am the Training Officer. We are training 3 new Tutors for this year and part of the process is for them to undergo scenario training, this is where myself or another Advanced Tutor play the role of an associate and the trainee Tutor goes through the pre-ride briefing and then follows the 'associate' for a short ride and then critiques the ride. It was a good day and the trainee Tutors worked well and then moved on to the next stage of shadowing regular Tutors with 'real' associates. All is going well and they should be 'signed off' in the coming weeks.
Here's a selection of photos from the group and the Tutor training.
And finally, one for your diary, I have been invited to 'Ride the Wolds' on the 14th April. It's an event being organised by RoSPA group, East Yorkshire Advanced Riders and Drivers (E-Yard) and is being promoted as an 'advanced taster day'.
There will be Tutors and Observers from RoSPA, the IAM and Humberside BikeSafe Team as well as displays from Miles Kingsport Honda and 5-Ways Motorcycle Centre.
The event being held at the Wolds Way Cafe, Market Weighton YO43 3LW between 10am and 3pm, so, if you'd like to come along, say hello and have a taster ride with either me or one of the other guys, then please get intouch direct with E-YARD at yardenquiries@gmail.com, it should be a cracking day.
And that is March, thanks for reading and ride safe everyone.
Ian S
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