My Thoughts on Rider Education (long)

Message

Grey Thumper · Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:30 pm

Brackstone wrote:That's exactly what I'm talking about.

A Mentoring program would be great. That is something I know I would volunteer for.

This is an awesome idea. I basically learned on my own; I took the classes and practised on parking lots then near-empty streets for maybe a month before taking the bike out on an average road on an average day.

With a bit more experience, I tried riding with a group, but didn't really enjoy it. Yes, they were helpful and gave lots of tips, but IMHO, a group ride isn't really conducive to helping one or two newbies. Plus, the more people there are in a group, the greater the chances of there being a coupla squids who'll teach bad habits and an even worse attitude.

I really learned a lot about riding by going on rides with this one guy (old scubadiving buddy) who I knew was also into bikes. I didn't just learn skills; I thought the more important lesson was attitude. One of the favorite gems I picked up from that dude was "it's better to learn how to go fast on a slow bike than to be slow on a fast bike" (dunno if those are exact quotes, but you get the drift). I learned to focus more on cornering skills than outright speed because "anyone with a working right wrist can go fast in a straight line".

Anyway, point is, I really appreciated the one-on-one mentoring, and hope to do that for an interested new biker one day.

ofblong · #42 Unread post by **ofblong** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:39 pm

CaptCrashIdaho wrote:
ofblong wrote: I went from riding during the MSF to picking up my bike 50 miles away and then having to RIDE it back on 70mph speed limit highways where if your not doing 75-80 your getting run over. So my first ride was about 40 miles of divided highway. I kept it at 70mph but it took me the first 10 miles to get into the "groove" of it. Does that mean I felt I was an "expert"? Heck no not even close. I am a stronger/better rider than I was 3 years ago but I am still no expert. Heck I used the MSF course where you jump the 2x4's that allowed me to properly jump a deer that had just been hit by a vehicle going the other direction.
Woof. Baptism by fire. That's a tough ride but you found out you could do it didn't you! Congratulations!

Yes it was quit scary. not only did I have to learn about the curvature of the road but that wind at 70mph is not very forgiving lol. But this past summer I did my first "group" ride and it was almost 400miles of pure fun

.

Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:56 am

As far as mentoring, there are a number of folks on this site, and others, who would be happy to shadow/mentor a new rider, if only asked.

Hmmm. Where to put a thread/topic to match folks up???

P

#44 Unread post by **MZ33** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:58 am

who would be happy to shadow/mentor a new rider, if only asked.

Newbies aren't likely to throw themselves at an experienced rider. Who'd want to ride slow and boring rides with me?? And, um, what if the experienced rider is not such a safe rider, and how will I know? So, yeah, it would be great to establish a site where willing mentors and interested newbs could meet up.

beginner · #45 Unread post by **beginner** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:49 am

MZ33 wrote:Newbies aren't likely to throw themselves at an experienced rider. Who'd want to ride slow and boring rides with me?? And, um, what if the experienced rider is not such a safe rider, and how will I know? So, yeah, it would be great to establish a site where willing mentors and interested newbs could meet up.

All valid points. If the point of having a mentor is getting skills how about some PLP time. If the mentor doesn't practice he's not as good as you need him to be anyway.

#46 Unread post by **MZ33** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:29 am

Having a mentor would not replace parking lot practice.

tymanthius · Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:33 am

MZ33 wrote:Having a mentor would not replace parking lot practice.

But the two compliment each other nicely. The mentor is much more likely to see the little things you are missing. Even if you watch video's of yourself, you don't have the years of exp. that a good mentor is likely to.

#48 Unread post by **MZ33** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:48 am

But the two compliment each other nicely.

+1

beginner · #49 Unread post by **beginner** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:13 am

tymanthius wrote:
MZ33 wrote:Having a mentor would not replace parking lot practice.
But the two compliment each other nicely. The mentor is much more likely to see the little things you are missing. Even if you watch video's of yourself, you don't have the years of exp. that a good mentor is likely to.

Mentor implies free lessons. Good luck. Just go practice. If somebody joins you in that you'll be able to watch each other. You don't want somebody for a mentor who doesn't practice.

#50 Unread post by **MZ33** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:20 am

Mentor implies free lessons.

No, it doesn't. If you have never had a mentor, or been one, I suppose you could make that assumption. But it is different.

Just go practice.

I do practice, both on my own and with a couple of other friends who are newer than I am. But, as in golf, beginners are not the best coaches.