Melrose Training
Four of our motorcycle observers attended this event from 13 to 15 March. It is organised by individuals from the EDAM Group and is open to all motorcycle observers and trainee observers. The instructors, who generously give their time, share a professional riding background which gives them a wealth of experience and perspective to pass on.
The Friday afternoon was spent in the classroom being reminded of various aspects of advanced riding. The two elements that stood out for me were: Firstly the importance of the use of mirrors when approaching any hazard. Driveway entrance ahead: mirrors. Bend ahead: mirrors. Cyclist ahead: mirrors. Secondly the value of considering not adopting the traditional one second overtaking position in favour of holding back for maintaining a safety bubble and affording a better view. Using a responsive gear and the acceleration available from most bikes minimises time in the opposing lane. This advice was repeated from a different instructor during the Tuesday night Glasgow North Winter Theory Zoom session on overtaking. Mirrors!
We also had a talk from an observer whose professional background relates to the psychology of learning. Being aware of the fact that different people benefit from different approaches to learning and tweaking our coaching style accordingly can make a significant difference to learning experience and outcomes. Some of us are not geared to reading the book and benefit more from seeing or doing. For others it is more about the conversation. Most of us work with some sort of balance of the four approaches.
Saturday was spent out on the road in groups of four observers with an instructor. Depending on the group, we covered between 170 and 200 miles around the Border roads. Feedback on our riding and observing was useful, as was the opportunity to talk with other observers at coffee and lunch stops.
For those who were able to attend on the Sunday morning, Mother's Day, there was a meeting of the Scottish Motorcycle Forum. This is an annual gathering of IAM RoadSmart motorcycle volunteers who take the opportunity to share information and views on our experience of operating at group level and how best to be of use in our aim of making better safer riders.
The journey down and back was long and chilly but the effort was worthwhile and made for a positive start to the observing season.
Seoras Mackenzie
