Hi-Viz for Kids

No, I didn't buy one for my lad for Christmas!

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Bollards

It has, occasionally, been said that I talk a load of bollards.

So, today, I am pleased to continue that long tradition, with pictures of one of the most weird bollards I've ever seen.

The pictures don't really do it justice, so some explanation, to give a sense of scale, is in order.  The bollard is placed to prevent vehicle access to a bridge.  The main platform of the bridge is about 8 feet across, and the side walls about 5 feet tall.  The 'normal' handrails show how much higher the bridge sides are!

It's not just the 'outline' shape that intrigued me, but the 'fluting' down one side.  It's a piece of art masquerading as a bollard, hidden down a footpath where (relatively) few people will see, and even less appreciate, it.

So, ladies and gentleman, the bollard!

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Timing - The Secret of Comedy

It's often said that good timing is the secret of great comedy. A similar principle applies while riding, careful timing helps the road work for you rather than against you.

 

On the road, Time = Distance = Space. Also, these factors are directly affected by, and influence, 'Speed'. Also, timing is an important part of 'positioning'.

 

'Space' is one of the keys to surviving on the road. Imagine if there were always huge spaces around you - you'd have removed any risk of conflict!

 

 

Adjusting your timing can improve your safety and give you greater safety margins from the same position on the lane width.

 

Adjusting your speed as you identify hazards will affect your thinking and braking distances. A small reduction in speed will give you more reaction time, and reduce your braking distance.

 

You can use careful timing to help you manage situations, by separating hazards which you would otherwise encounter together.

  

 

In the zone

 

The distance you can see ahead will affect how you plan your ride. Roughly, there are three 'zones':

• If anything happens 4 seconds ahead or closer is an immediate emergency - it needs instant reactions rather than planning
• 5 - 12 seconds gives you time to plan, prioritise, then act
• Over 12 seconds gives you plenty of time to consider all options and plan the optimum course of action

  

These time zones are only a guide - the actual time will vary according to your own reactions - they show the way in which planning ahead is limited by the time available, and that time depends on the speed you're using up the distance you can see ahead. They also show the potential benefits from looking significantly further ahead when it’s possible.

 

Your reactions can vary too, partly with your physical state - for example whether you're alert or tired - and whether you're mentally prepared to take action.

 

Remember, these timings are for your 'space' - there will be situations when that time and space can be 'invaded' or 'reduced' by other road users.

 

Two examples:

• On a narrow, winding, country lane, with limited forward visibility, 4 seconds ahead may be sufficient for your reactions and skill, but leaves no margin for any oncoming vehicles 

• In an urban situation you may be able to see some way ahead, but the situation closer to you can change quickly. A car waiting in a side road could emerge close to you - your planning must allow for that likelihood

 

 

Backwards' and Forwards

 

When dealing with hazards, there are two ways of using timing when planning: 'backwards' and 'forwards'.

 

'Backwards' involves deciding the amount of space you need to complete a manoeuvre. You decide time (and so distance) 'back' from the hazard to work out how much space you will need, and decide where to start the actions you'll need to complete.

 

For example, if you're approaching a corner you'll need time and space to change position in the lane, brake to an appropriate speed, select a gear for that speed, then start to open the throttle - all before you enter the corner. These actions need space - and that distance will vary with your initial speed and the speed you choose to go around the corner.

 

'Forwards' is planning for the circumstances you can't immediately control. You time your riding to arrive at a situation at the optimum time for you - when risk is the lowest you can manage.

 

Typically this might be as you approach a side turning, with one car waiting to turn out and another waiting to turn across in to the junction. Adjusting your speed could allow time for one of the cars to move, so you'll then only have to pass one car.

 

Either 'forwards' or 'backwards', it's managing the situation ahead of you.

 

But just to complicate matters, you might have to plan for a situation involving both aspects; for example:

 

You're riding along a busy dual-carriageway, and there's a junction where you'll need to cross to the right-hand lane to then enter a short right turn lane - but to do that you will have to plan twice':

 

'Backwards' to give enough time and space for signalling, moving across, and slowing;

 

'Forwards' for the other traffic which is closing from behind you, predicting where it will be while you're moving and slowing.

 

Timing also works with 'positioning' on a 'local' and immediate level too - how you place yourself relative to other road users can improve the separation you have, giving greater safety margins.

 

This space can be in front of you, behind, and to the sides. The amount of space you keep from other vehicles will vary with your speed, and the degree of risk that you judge the other road user to be.

 

 

More examples of using 'timing':

• On a dual carriageway or motorway, as you close on a slower vehicle ahead you may have to wait for another vehicle to pass before there's room for you in the right hand lane. Plan your move to the right hand lane so that the vehicle in the right hand lane is just passing the one ahead in the left lane - so you maintain the maximum clearance ahead.
• Approaching a roundabout, adjust your speed so that you can flow in to a suitable gap as you arrive at the 'give way' line. 
• Ahead you see a pedestrian approach a zebra crossing, slowing earlier could allow you to arrive at the crossing just as it's clear to continue.
• If you intend to turn at junction just after a bridge or crest, signal before the crest so that following drivers can react earlier, and don't lose sight of you - only to drive over the crest to find you slowing down . . .
• Make rear observations when there isn't a hazard immediately in front; 
• Give signals early enough to inform, but not to confuse.

 

'Timing' can enhance your safety - by maximising clearances from other vehicles, or make riding easier - by reducing the amount of work you have to do.

 

However, when planning for other road users' actions remember that you're not doing their driving for them - you must allow for unplanned actions.



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Ice on the Roads Easing Congestion

On the Welsh 'Daily Post' news web site:

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/12/08/ice-causes-more-problems-on-north-wales-roads-55578-27786735/

BLACK ice caused traffic chaos on the A55 for the third day running.
North Wales’ busiest road was closed for more than five hours yesterday after an articulated lorry jack-knifed into crash barriers near Llangefni on Anglesey.
Until repairs are completed just one lane will be open in each direction for a short distance.
The crash, which also involved a black Renault Clio, happened at 6.50am and police were forced to close the carriageway in both directions while the wreckage was cleared.
The last pieces were removed shortly after midday and one lane in each direction was re-opened on the stretch between junction six at Llangefni and junction seven at Gaerwen.
One eye witness said: “It was a huge Boots lorry which had jack-knifed across the whole carriageway.
“I spoke to one of the traffic officers and he said it was suspected black ice. The lorry had obviously hit a patch of it and skidded. The roads are treacherous.”
The fire service and paramedics were also called to the scene, but no-one was hurt. A diversion was put in place on to the A5 at Pentre Berw.


Now have  a close look at the truck  . .

(Click to enlarge the image if necessary)

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Ice Preparation for the Car

Since I've recently given advice for cold-weather biking, it only seems fair to give you my tips for cold-weather car preparation.

My car has a diesel engine, and seems to take an age to warm up on cold mornings.  Also, it doesn't have the modern techno-luxury of heated door mirrors.

These two combined mean that de-icing can be a long process.

So I take the time to decorate the car in the evenings :)

First on: plastic sheet across the windscreen; it keeps the worst of the frost and snow off, with the added benefit that the screen doesn't mist so badly on the inside.

Next: 'protect' the wipers.  Windscreen wipers are easily damaged by trying to use them - even by accidentally knocking their switch - if they're frozen to the screen.  Worse still, the wiper motor and mechanism won't know they'r frozen, so will keep trying to move them.  The result can be a burnt-out motor.  SO rummage in the paper recycling tub, and get some cardboard - the 'waxy' type used in packaging works well - tear small pieces and tuck them under the wiper blade keeping it off the screen.  I find 3 pieces per blade, each piece about 3 or 4 cm long will do the trick.

Finally, the door mirrors.  They're always a pain to clean off, as teh scraper never quite fits into the mirror housing.  So avoid the problem by putting a plastic bag over the mirror.  For my Vauxhall's mirrors, the 'tie handle freezer bags' fit well!  Additional hint here: if it's just misted rather than iced or frosty, leave the bags on the mirrors until just before driving away, otherwise they're likely to mist up by the time the rest of the car's cleared.



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Have a Shay Day

Received by email a few moments ago:



Two Choices
What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?


At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its
He offered a question:
'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'



Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning..'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.  Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the Plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.  The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.  He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!
Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!



AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.
The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:
Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

You now have two choices:

1. Delete
2. Forward
May your day, be a Shay Day.

Keeping Warm on a Bike

I hesitate to suggest that anyone should even consider riding a motorcycle when there's snow or ice on the roads, but the last few mornings have prompted my - while de-icing the car - to think about advice on keeping warm while riding your motorcycle.

There's a couple of things to consider, which can be make a big difference to how warm and cosy you are while riding - but as with many aspects of riding it's planning that's really important:

First: in really bad conditions is your journey really important?  You and your boss may have different views on this!  So perhaps consider alternative transport, even to walking and thumbing a lift, or using public transport.  Often it's side roads that are difficult to ride along, especially if untreated and with little traffic, but bus routes may be clearer (and falling off a bus is less likely).

Next, if the roads are icy - but you think you can cope - what's the route going to be like?  Can you phone ahead for 'inside information'?  Perhaps there's a security guard or recepptionist who can tell you what the roads near work are like.  Or use the Highways Agency 'Traffic England' web site and view the information provided; OK, it's mainly only for motorways, but it can still give weather and temperature information, and camera images to see how clear the roads are.

The, keeping warm.  There are two aspects to this: keeping heat in and cold out!  Seal any gaps - especially try to avoid a breeze up you trouser legs!  If you have a velcro'd storm flap over a zip, make sure it's fully pressed down flat as it'll help keep the cold air out.  A neck tube or similar covers up that vulnerable gap between your jacket and helmet.  If you have a jacket with 'storm' cuffs (where the inner part of the cuff goes inside your glove and the outer layer goes over the glove) thaey can great for keeping the wind (and rain) out.

But you only have a limited amount of 'heat', so manage it the best you can.  If possible - considering theft issues etc. - try to load your bike then go back inside to get warmed up before riding off.  Perhaps hang your jacket over a radiator to get the lining warmed up so it's not your body heat warming it.  usual caveats apply to potential damage to leather should you over-heat leathers or leather gloves.

Finally: add heat.  The two most common ways of achieving this are with heated grips fitted to the bike or from heated clothing such as gloves or waistcoats.

I've used all three.  Be aware that you're likely to get some mick-taking - but 20 miles later when you're the only one who can ondo their helmet strap because you still have warm fingers then it's all worthwhile.

A couple of years ago I bought an EXO2 heated waistcoat, and it was a revelation.  Partly because of how it transformed winter riding (after the first ride using it, 122 miles in 2C temperatures, through sleet, drizzle and winds, with just one T & P stop, I arrived home with cold toes - I'd even switched off the heated grips!) but also because of raised awareness that it's impossible for a person to create the amount of heat which the jacket can - heat which must be being lost as you ride.

Thoroughly recommended!

So put one on your Christmas present list!


http://www.exo2.co.uk/exo2.html#stormrider



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More On "Safety Is"

As an addendum to my recent 'Safety Is' post, Nikos said...


The UK CAA obviously have a better script writer - "Safety is no accident".

And quite right too :)


I was asked many years ago: "Is a 'good' rider a 'safe' rider?"  The knee-jerk instant answer qould be to blurt out "Yes, of course!".  But I didn't, I managed to restrain myself long enough to think about it first.

Of course, if safe is 'no accident', then you don't have to be particularly 'good' to achieve that.  Assuming that 'luck' plays no part, then it could quite simply be a case of recognising you're not a 'good' rider', and keeping with what you can achieve.

In fact, when I taught with the MSF on their Experienced RiderCourse they advised keeping within the limits of the road, your bike, and - most importantly - your own limits.

Sounds easy when you say it . . .

On one of the internet forums (yes, I know . . . 'fora' :) ), someone has a signature line which reads that 'advanced driving isn't just avoiding accidents, it's avoiding the situations where they might occur'.

This is similar to the idea of near miss recording, where a large number of near misses may eventually result in a few minor accidents but perhaps one serious accident.  I haven't explained that very well, if you want to know more about accident theory, Google 'swiss cheese accident theory' :)

One UK construction company (Balfour Beatty) has a variation on the '  . . . no accident' line, they demand 'Zero harm' from (and for) their staff, and adjust procedures to suit.

Perhaps I should do a third post 'Moron safety'?  :)





PS:  Nikos!  Why isn't this blog listed on your profile?



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So, You Think You're Funny?

One of my pet hates (an ever-increasing list, it seems, as I become a grumpier old man :) ) is the 'you can do or be anything you want' mantra which has produced (perhaps aided by reality TV such as 'X Factor' and 'Britains got talent') a belief amongst some young people that they can be anything they want, and can do anything they want - but without the application of any effort.

Every now and again there's some home video footage shown on TV of a present-day star 'before they were famous', emphasising that 'overnight success' can take some considerable time . . .

Which leads, in a roundabout way, to a news story from my local paper, featuring a 53 year old chap called John Duffy.  You may ever have heard of him - I certainly hadn't.

His 'overnight success' is a very successful Twitter page which has led to a book deal with a publisher.

But Dave's overnight success - partly due to an element of luck - has followed on from a part-time career of submitting one-liner gags to various TV and radio shows.

His latest creation eclipses those one-liners.

It features the 'tweets' of someone who - apparently - is something of a celebrity: Cheryl Kerl.  She's Geordie who comments knowledgeably on many things.

For example, on cyber attacks:

"Willyam Hague's wurried aboot cybah attacks, aye itz a wurry aall reet buh leik if the Daleks torn up wor propah stuffed pet"

The book's out in time for Christmas, titled: "Woath it?  Coase Ah Am, Pet"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Woath-Coase-Ah-am-Pet/dp/1444715151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291121385&sr=8-1

It even has a chapter entitled "Grumpy Erld Cheryl'.


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Photographs Photography and Photographer

A quick mention of one of my 'imaginary' friends, one of the many who I have more contact with on the internet than I do in real life (aka IRL).

She's Helen Rushton, and - perhaps rare for a photographer - turns her hand, and lens, to many types of photography.

These include:

http://www.seelifethroughthelens.com/

See LIFE through the LENS isn't just about buying professional, limited edition fine art prints, you can also join us on photography workshops in Dorset and Hampshire to learn how to create stunning images yourself.
The photography courses aren't about the latest must have technology or how to change images in photo editing, they are about creating fantastic images, in camera, by using some simple techniques that you will master through the course. The photography workshops are open to both beginner photographers looking for help on how to make the most of your camera through to more experienced photographers who are looking for stunning new places to capture in Hampshire and Dorset; everyone is welcome.

"I had a fantastic day out with Helen taking landscape photos. I learnt a lot at a pace that suited me and had a lot of fun as well. Helen listened to what I wanted and tailored the shots to cover my requests. She did all the driving leaving me to concentrate on the photography. She even let me loose on some of her filters! Thank you Helen for such a great day and for sharing your wealth of knowledge, I hope to book with you again in the future." Elaine, a recent participant on See Life Workshops
For fine art prints use the galleries to view images and easily purchase various sizes and effects to hang in your own home or workplace.
In addition we are producing a series of How to Photograph... weather-proof guides for you to purchase to get those shots even when on a tight schedule and don't have the time to join us on a photography workshop. Visit the How to... section for more information. See Life Through The Lens is also pleased to be able to offer gift vouchers, calendars and other gifts.




http://whippersnappers.me.uk/

Whippersnappers will be running professional underwater baby & toddler Photography sessions at Fleming Park on Monday 22nd December, Tuesday 23rd December and Wednesday 24th December between 10 – 11am.


http://oursecretboudoir.co.uk/

Boudoir Photography is an intimate and sensual way to photograph women of all shapes and sizes, it’s fun and flirtatious and a great way for you to celebrate your body in a tasteful and relaxed setting.
At Our Secret Boudoir we pride ourselves on providing a very warm and comfortable studio set up in a private house where you can rest assured you will not be disturbed during your photo shoot. Having been on boudoir shoots ourselves, we are very much aware of the hang ups and concerns you may have prior to your shoot and always offer a pre shoot consultation to ensure we aknow what you are looking for from your results and ensure that you are prepared and relaxed before and during your shoot allowing us to give you the fantastic boudoir shoot experience you are looking for.
Hair and makeup is provided by Emma, a professionally qualified beautician who is really friendly and absolutely wonderful. Emma will listen to your ideas and create stunning hair and make up looks for you – stuck for inspiration? Don’t worry Emma has lots of fantastic ideas to compliment all ladies to their best.
Photography is provided by Helen, a professionally qualified and experienced photographer. Not being a perfect size 10 herself, Helen fully understands the worries ladies may go through before their shoot and can promise that she will help pose you in the most flattering ways to suit you and your body shape – everyone can look absolutely gorgeous through Helen’s lens!



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Blondie - "The Tide is High"

Blondie's "The Tide is High" was on the radio this morning.  I remember Blondie from when her records were first in the charts . . .  :(

However, and not wanting to make it sound like I'm always knocking local radio, I did think it an odd choice for the presenter to play as he talked over the tune's instrumental intro . . . talking about the recent flooding in Cornwall . . .


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"Safety is . . . "

I've posted a couple of times about things said on my local BBC radio station, Berkshire (here's the most recent: http://the-ride-info.blogspot.com/2010/10/open-prison.html ).

Yesterday morning I had the radio on, and heard possibly the best yet.  The presenter was Debbie McGee, and she was talking to a fireworks supplier about health and safety, during which she said:

"Safety is a double-edged sword"
 
Errr . . . really?
 
Well, if you say so.  But it reminded me of a badge I found many years ago, one Sunday morning during a BMF-RTS training session based at a local school.
 
Very simply, the button badge stated:
 
"Be safe with fireworks"
 
So ever since then I've made a point of carrying fireworks in order to be safe.
 
 
 
 
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World's Fastest Mobility Scooter

Yes, a World Record!

The fastest mobility scooter in the World - powered by a 125cc motocrosser engine!


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DSA - No more theory test Q&A availability

Latest update from the DSA:

DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests

• Candidates need to understand theory
• End to memorising answers
• Unpublished questions used from 1 January 2012

The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.

 

This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers.

 

The move follows the introduction of independent driving into the driving test and the DSA's decision to stop publishing test routes in October 2010, to make sure the test assesses a learner's ability to drive and not their capacity to memorise routes.

 

Mike Penning said: “The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

 

“No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers.

 

“I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads.”

 

In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

 

Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

 

Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

 

Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests.

 

 

 

What I find of concern with this is that some of the multi-choice questions are, well, 'odd'.  May favourite example is - for car drivers [probably] - this:

"What should you do when driving into a tunnel?"

 

I won't give you the full list of options, but the answer is 'Turn on your car radio' . . .

 

I can assure you that I didn't know that until I read a theory test Q&A book!

 

 

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Riders for Health

I mentioned Riders for Health in the Ross Noble tour post.

In case you don't know about RfH, here's some info from their web site:

http://www.riders.org/default.aspx

http://www.riders.org/about.aspx

Vision and Mission


Riders for Health’s vision is of a world in which no one will die of an easily preventable or curable disease because barriers of distance, terrain or poverty prevent them from being reached.

Riders for Health manages and maintains the vehicles used in the delivery of health care and other vital services to rural communities in Africa . We manage them on a planned, preventive basis so that the vehicles do not break down however difficult the conditions. In this way our partners can deliver their services predictably and cost-effectively.

Despite the fact that access to public health, as well as prevention and cure for disease, are basic human needs, men women and children in Africa die of easily preventable and curable disease because they do not have that access. The knowledge and resources exist to prevent this waste of human life and the associated suffering, but those resources routinely fail to reach the people who need them because of lack of reliable transport.

Riders works with ministries of health and other agencies working to improve the health and lives of rural communities in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, the Gambia, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.

The management of transport is the most neglected and yet one of the most vital aspects of development. It enables the Millennium Development Goals to be addressed and conserves the high costs of vehicle purchase and operation, so that resources can be refocused on direct humanitarian support.

Their shop http://www.riders.org/shop.aspx has some interesting ideas - rather than just buying something there's also the option of 'sponsorship' so that if you make a donation you'll know exactly what level of support that money will offer them, such as £55 - the most expensive option - buying a day's training for a health worker.

So if you're looking for an unusal Christmas or birthday present for the biker (or motorcyclist :) ) in the family, look no further!



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Ross Noble - Nonsenory Overload!

Last week I was thoroughly entertained for two hours by the man that is Ross Noble, during a performance from his Nonsensory Overload tour.

Rather than try to describe the show, here's a quote from his web site 'reviews' page:

“All good comics are adept at weaving the odd heckler or late-comer into a stream of material. But I have never before seen anyone create an entire first half - about 50 minutes - from rapport with a couple of customers in the front stalls.” Daily Mail


Put it like this:  a few people arrived late (I don't recommend you do that).  From them came disabled Ninja warriors in wheelchairs causing grievous head injuries to a person waiting for critical medical test results, and the spectre of hooked lip poercings being used to display AlphaBeti Sphagetti . . .

If you get a chance - get tickets and go see!

And if you go see, spare some change for Rider for Health, who is is supporting.

http://www.rossnoble.co.uk/

http://www.rossnoble.co.uk/tour/


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Open Prison

This week, the former Huntercombe Young Offenders Institution became Huntercombe Prison, with a change in the ages of its clientele.  The former young offenders institution in Oxfordshire had been housing 15 to 18-year-old males since 2000, but because of a drop in the number of younger people being imprisoned it was decommissioned and has now reopened as a Category C prison for up to 370 adults.


Intriguingly, the BBC reporter who interviewed the new Governor said "It opens its doors today".

Errr . . . Hang on . . .


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US Police Training Video

OK, it's not actually a 'training' video in that it isn't intended to 'teach' you the viewer.

What it 'is', is a US police instructor and one of his two trainees, practicing tight turns under 'adverse' camber.




Worth noting that, in the words of the instructor . . .

"One of my trainees wouldn't even attempt (a wise move) and the other one did great until he had a HUGE brain fart and grabbed a whole lot of front brake while still in a turn. After the bike went over it slid downhill about 5' until we grabbed hold of it."



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Save!!!

Raffaele De Rosa making an incredible save, and in the process showing that - given a chance - the bike doesn't want to crash, it's down to the rider to keep things under control.

Bet he's glad of the metal plates on the knees of his leathers . . .



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Scooter Safety

From the BBC's 'Odd Box' weekly video collection:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/newsbeat/newsid_7875000/7875393.stm

[The videos are changed weekly, so I'm not sure how long this link will remain active]

This particular collection features a BBC News report on scotter safety, withe orange-jacketed and be-helmeted kiddies on their small-wheeled scooters in the playground of a Brighton school.

Sadly, all didn't go to plan:

What's that old showbiz saying?  Ah yes, "Never work with . . . . "



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Belstaff 'Iron Man'

Belstaff - a name from UK biking history, now owned by an Italian company.

Italians - renowed for style.

"Fail", as the modern saying goes, when they release the Iron Man range . . .


IRON MAN JACKET MAN


Fabric composition: 100% Leather


GBP 1189.00


The official Belstaff Iron Man Jacket has been created using Belstaff’s trademark design of combining protection with style. Every Iron Man Jacket is hand-made (just like the Iron Man suit) using the most durable yet finest leather in the Iron Man signature colours of red and gold, with each limited edition jacket tagged with its’ own unique number and official Marvel trademark.

Yes, that's £1189 of your Engleesh pounds!
 
 

 
 
 
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CBT by Distance Learning?

Have to admit, this had me confused.

One of the forums (yes 'fora', for the experts) I use is funded partly by advertising, with content-specific 'Ads by Google'.  Every now and again, it (the software driving the advert allocation) will understand  the content but not the context.

For example: it was with some confusion that I noticed - in the header of a motorcycle training forum - an advert for CBT;

CBT Training Course Diploma Through Distance Learning Leading UK College, Find Out More!

So, interested to know howDSA-controlled rider training could be managed on-line, I clicked on the ad.

It led to:

http://www.oxford-learning.com/product_info.php?cPath=11&products_id=355&gclid=CKnGmrbHtqQCFQFI4wodayKI1g

This Ascentis Quality Assured Level 3 Diploma course is the fundamental foundation for people looking to offer cognitive therapy either via Counselling or Psychotherapy. Many counsellors use a person centred approach, but many are now using cognitive therapy within their sessions.
This course will be a pre-requisite to further studies in this area. The course offers the student great knowledge of the subject areas in which to progress from. The course is a fascinating insight into the world of both cognitive therapy and psychotherapy and asks the students to look inwards as well as outward during their studies.

The course comprises of a series of assignments, a thesis and concludes with an online examination.

Ah!  That sort of CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy!
 
However, I was also intrigued to note that the final exam is an on-line multi-choice, after a series of assignments.  When I was involved in the Edexcel-accredited BTEC L3 Advanced motorcycle instructor courses, we were heavily into observation of actual training, whether real or role play.  How much easier if we could have done it all from teh comfort of our homes . . .
 
 
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Commuter Survival Guide for Motorcyclists

A new DVD, suposed to be hitting the shelves soon (well, Amazon), from the makers of the Highways Agency 'Great Roads Great Rides'  and 'Max Rider'.

The Commuter Survival Guide for Motorcyclists will be a fresh approach to providing practical tips and guidance for today's commuter rider.

More info here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=153777&id=109569872423252

Not to be confused with:

http://www.commutersurvivalguide.com/


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Independant Riding

Although it's been fairly well publicised that there's a forthcoming change to the driving test - the inclusion of 'Independant Driving' - I don't think it's so well known that this also applies to riders taking the accompanied test motorcycle.

Further details of independant driving and riding in the test here:
http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/MPTC/2010/dsa_atb_newsletter_issue_22.pdf
In a DSA newsletter.

And more info here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_189979


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Quiz Answer

Thanks to Voyager for providing the correct answer and also suggesting chevrons - which since that bend is preceded by a long straight might actually be beneficial. That said, I can't ever recall hearing of a crash there.


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Cornering - The Missing Link

OK, here's the 'answer' to yesterday's question, what was missing from the scene featuring a bend?

'A bend sign'

Here it is, in yesterday's photo it's half hidden by trees, some way in the distance. But a careful assessment of the scene from what was visible on the approach would have made this sign almost unnecessary.

Visible: a bend to the right
Visible: a railway viaduct
Visible: a bus stop, with waiting passengers

Add to that some general knowledge and common sense ( :) ), and the hidden details are already coming to life:

If the railway builders made a hole in the embankment and put a bridge in . . . that's where the road's likely to go.

If the railways almost crossing perpendicular to the road you're on - but you can see a bend to the right, there's likely to be a bend to the left.

Older bridges often weren't built for large lorries and double=decker buses - which have to pass through the centre of the arch.

But the signs are there for everyone, however good they are, to read and use. But often - as is almost the case from a distane with this one - they get overgrown. Then you need to rely on what you've seen earlier, combined with good assessment based on what you can see.



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Cornering . . . Continued

So, over the last few posts I've suggested my updating of a couple of well-known systems.

Safe, Smooth, Style - for an overall assessment of riding

Slow, Settle, Steer - a systematice approach to setting up for a corner

Now for another prompt, this time for assessing bends as part of that 'slow' phase.

Obviously (?) if you're slowing for a bend you'll need some sort of basis on which to decide what speed to slow down to. Mostly riders will do this without conscious thought, but some guidance on what to look for might be useful, both for riders as they start to work on bend assessment and for instructors encouraging the uptake of new concepts.

What should we look for?

A simple set of prompts which cover most aspects of assessment is:

Safety
Sight
Surface

Yup, more 'S's :)

This isn't an 'absolute' list, there's actually an element of overlap between them, and it's certainly not intended to be a 'checklist' to go through in sequence on the approach to a bend.

How might these prompts overlap? Here's an example:
Safety: your safety might be affected by something very obvious, such as gravel on an adverse camber . . . even though they're 'surface'.

Similarly, a blind bend might hide all manner of dangers, but is the greatest risk being from danger you can see or being able [or not] to react in time for a 'fresh' danger as it appears. So here 'sight' closely ties with 'safety'.

On bends where there is no apparent major danger then sight becomes the limiting factor, how much clear road surface can you see? What you can't see becomes a potential danger (remember the old 'Roadcraft' list: "What can be seen, what can't be seen, what may reasonably be expected to happen"), and that's what will limit your approach speed - or, more exactly, how much stopping you can achieve in the distance available.

Surface, when not a major danger on its own, becomes a limiting factor, perhaps due to poor quality surface or adverse camber, perhaps because of inspection covers.

I'll leave you to 'sort' the 'contents' of this post's header picture into the various categories and find the overlaps, but as a starter there are:

- Speed limit sign
- Road markings (hazard line)
- Road markings 'SLOW' x 2
- Junction sign
- Oncoming vehicle
- Bus stop, with waiting passengers
- Junction visible
- Other 'things' (signs, entrances, fences) on the left
- Railway viaduct visible over the trees

But what's missing from this view of a bend . . . ?

Answer tomorrow :)


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Through a Glass, Clearly

In these financially trubled times it's a brave move to start your own business, let alone manage to keep an existing business working well.

And, as with many things from 'D list' celebrities up, publicity - in the form of marketing - is lifeblood to business.

Take, for instance, a company web site. Many companies have web sites to be proud of, but how many actually get the visits they deserve and lead to the business those companies need?

This is where marketing comes in - good marketing, that is. And where Richard Avis has taken that jump to start his own business enabling others to benefit from his extensive knowledge, skill and experience of digital marketing through his new company Clear Digital Marketing:

http://www.cleardigitalmarketing.co.uk/


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More S Theory

Start with yesterday’s post if you haven’t already read it.

In 1992 I became involved the US-based Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which taught a simple cornering ‘system’:

Slow, Look/Lean/Roll

Slow upright and in a straight line
Look where you want to go
Lean the bike (by counter-steering)
Roll the throttle on through the turn

Like the 5xS, I was quite happy with this for several years, but moer recently have found that it wasn’t what I actually did.

So I spent some time analysing my own riding and found that I actually started to open the throttle slightly before looking and steering, although I would still roll on the throttle through the turn.

As with the 5xS, this was part of a longer re-assessment of how I taught successful cornering.

So now I’m pleased to introduce the ‘S’s of motorcycling numbers 4, 5 and 6! (Although, of course, they’re really another 1, 2, 3)

This is the Malc improved cornering system: Speed Settle Steer

Slow: set the speed for the bend, select the appropriate gear to suit

Settle: both bike and rider
– off the brakes
– check you’re relaxed and comfortable
– open the throttle to balance the bike

Steer: head and hands, look where you want to go, press to steer, roll on the throttle

This allows a rider a little bit of ‘breathing space’ as they approach the bend, which encourages a riding style where the bike enters the bend balanced and under control.

It also acknowledges that all three of head [look], hands [bars & throttle] are important elements of steering.



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How Many ‘S’s in Motorcycling?

A while back I posted about the expanding numbers of ‘E’s in road safety, starting from the original education, engineering and enforcement, and moving on to encompass (see what I did there? : ) ) Evidence, Engagement, Evaluation and Encouragement.

http://the-ride-info.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-many-es-in-road-safety.html

I promised that I’d re-visit this theme, and look at the number of ‘S’s in motorcycle safety. I also introduced that with a clip from Monty Python’s Spanish Inquisition (“Our chief weapon is surprise, surprise and fear” etc.). But being in a hurry I selected the wrong clip.

So on the basis that this post won’t have too many laughs, have a compilation of the the SI’s appearances on Python:



So, ‘S’s.

When I started my involvement in rider training (although, in those days we used to train the bike, because it was ‘motorcycle training’ :) ), there was a well-known, derived from police ‘Roadcraft’-based training, Four ‘S’ list:

Safety
System
Smooth
Speed

‘Safety’ was the priority, then ‘System’ - riding to the Police System of Motorcycle Control:



Next, ‘Smooth’, all actions should be carried out smoothly. Finally, if all three ‘S’s could be achieved, then add ‘Speed’.

Sometimes, there was a fifth ‘S’ added: Gloss :) , or ‘Sparkle’, often defined as “That indefinable gloss” . . . very helpful.

After a few years of repeating that, it struck me that – in my opinion, anyway – there was a significant problem with the existing 4xS list: it encouraged systematic riding ahead of smooth riding.

In my opinion this could be unsafe. Why? Let’s use ‘braking’ as an example: you’re slowing for a hazard, you need to lose a fair bit of speed (more than can be achieved by just closing the throttle), so you brake – but rather than applying them smoothly you ‘grab’, with the potential for wheels to lock etc.

Reverse the order, and take a similar scenario slightly further on through the ‘old’ system: having slowed using the brakes a gear change is needed, but although you survived and stayed upright despite the harsh braking, now you’re ham-fisted with the clutch and don’t match the revs.

Compare this to where’ smooth’ is more important than system: before braking you change gear [‘System’ rider now having a fit, “No No No NO!”] – but match the revs perfectly and use the clutch smoothly . . . then close the throttle and start to brake, again applying the brakes smoothly and weighting for the balance to shift to the front tyre before braking more firmly . . .

So my ‘improved’ prompt became:
Safety Smooth System Speed

With:
Safety Smooth System Speed Sparkle
If you wanted real ‘high standard’ riding.

This kept me happy me many years, provoking a few discussions along the way.

But more recently I’ve been thinking about this, particularly in light of my gradual move away from ‘advanced’ training.

A few years ago I took the decision to end my involvement with the BMF Rider Training Scheme, under which I trained riders for the Blue Riband Advanced Riders Award. This was a wrench, as I was the person who managed its introduction across the UK at 15 centres, launched at the 1989 BMF Show, and subsequently took it to 45 centres across the UK from the Orkneys to Northern Ireland and down to Cornwall.

Instead of training riders to towards an ‘advanced’ test, I’ve been working more on sorting problems, really helping riders to enjoy their riding, and overcoming hurdles they had.

As part of that I developed the three-level Whole Rider assessment format – I really must make that available some day – which is a single assessment format which can be used for all riders from novice through to advanced.

For riders who simply want to enjoy their riding, without the ‘progress’ imperative often felt by those taking advanced training, the ‘speed’ and ‘sparkle’ elements may be irrelevant.

Also, those riders may not want to ride like a police officer on his best behaviour, they may prefer to move around like a motocross rider, or hang off like a grand prix star. That’s up to them to chose!

So I’ve shortened the 5xS back to three. Keeping ‘Safety’ and ‘Smooth’, I’ve removed the final three and, instead, added ‘Style’.

As I was moving away from ‘advanced’ training, I simplified my basic assessment of someone’s riding (although I’d use the Whole Rider Assessment and an advanced test format as necessary), asking just a few simple questions:

“Is their riding safe?”
“Is the riding in control?”
“Does the rider know what they’re doing and why?”

Which ties reasonably well with Safety Smooth Style.

Now, Q‘3’ isn’t just about ‘style’, it also encompasses far more about the rider’s awareness and the decisions they make. But from decisions come style, even self-expression. Hence the picture at the head of the post :)

So now you know, there are three ‘S’s in modern motorcycling.

Or are there . . . ?



.

Greg Bennett - Guardian Angels and More

One of the favourite pastimes in the Palmer household is Gregwatching. It's a bit like birdwatching: you know the likely locations, typical appearance, so sit, wait, watch . . .

And, there! It's Greg Bennett - on our TV screen, wehterh in Foyle's War, The Bill [RIP], Midsommer Murders, or any of his other TV appearances.

But Greg has more talents, including writing as well as appearing.

Read more about Greg, his colleagues, his ideas and scriptwriting here

One of his current projects is Guardian Angels. I'll let Greg explain:



“One new English DCI. Five Welsh cops. Six bodies. Seven angels on a pier…”

A series of five fifty-seven minute scripts based around a CID unit in Swansea. Rooted in the culture clash of a new English DCI with his Welsh team, it starts light then becomes a serial killer thriller – with supernatural overtones...

Centred on a core team of professionals - who enjoy a spot of banter but like to get the job done - it focuses on their private lives, the moral dilemmas they encounter and their individual spiritual journeys.

Rather than being a traditional procedural police drama, it is characterized more by elements of fantasy - with story arcs that will take key characters deeply into the world of the Paranormal...


.

Situational . . .

There's a mental 'system' which has been in use mainly in the flying business for many years called 'siutational awareness'.

It mirrors the mental systems often recommended by rider (and driver) training, such as the UK's Observe Plan Act, the MSF's 'old' Search predict Act and their new Search Evaluate Execute.

If you want to know more, read INTRODUCTION -Situation Awareness and how it can help drivers

But like many aspects of training, you need a way of assessing how well someone has learned the process.

Enter: situational judgement. This is a bit like hazard perception testing, but rather than 'just' identify whether someone can pick out a 'developing hazard', situational judgement looks at what your response would be to the situation (hazard) you've identified. After all, you might identify a hazard, but decide to accelerate rather than brake . . .

But following on from those two aspects of 'situational', I was intrigued to hear of 'situational leadership'.

This is a style of leadership (really? ;) ), Wiki tells us:

The Situational Leadership Theory, is a leadership theory developed by Paul Hersey, professor and author of the book Situational Leader, and Ken Blanchard, leadership guru and author of The One Minute Manager, while working on the first edition of Management of Organizational Behavior (now in its 9th edition). The Theory was first introduced as "Life Cycle Theory of Leadership". During the mid 1970s, "Life Cycle Theory of Leadership" was renamed "Situational Leadership theory".

In the late 1970s/early 1980s, the authors both developed their own Models using the Situational Leadership theory; Hersey - Situational Leadership Model and Blanchard et al. Situational Leadership II Model.

The fundamental underpinning of the Situational Leadership Theory is there is no single "best" style of leadership. Effective leadership is task-relevant and that the most successful leaders are those that adapt their leadership style to the Maturity ("the capacity to set high but attainable goals, willingness and ability to take responsibility for the task, and relevant education and/or experience of an individual or a group for the task) of the individual or group they are attempting to lead/influence. That effective leadership varies, not only with the person or group that is being influenced, but it will also depend on the task, job or function that needs to be accomplished.

All intersting stuff, but what's it got to do with motorcycling? :)

Well, consider the three 'situationals' as a process:
Awareness
Judgement
Leadership

You identify the hazard, decide the best plan, then put it into action.

That plan, and subsequent action, may mean you need to take the lead, to manage a sitation on the road - making what you want to happen actually happen. Pro-active rather than reactive.


.

"I Have Seen . . . "

Not had an 'I have seen' post lately - not had that many posts lately, for that matter.

However, a few registration numbers, plates that have attracted my attention:

M1NE on a scooter - I'm not convinced it was genuine

PR51TGE ('prestige'?) on an expensive-looking 4x4

P1KEY on a jag or merc at building site

P1TOT- presumably a pilot

And one I, personally, wouldn't have:

R1SOL


.

Hi-Viz - The Ultimate

Spottted in - oddly enough :) - the discount clearance rack of a shoe shop, ladies shoes in hi-viz fluorescent yellow.

Form a queue . . .


.

New FF bike

A rare beastie indead - another new 'FF' (that's 'feet first' rather than the 'head first' riding position most of us have) bike from Royce Creasey:



Royce explains:
This conversion is based on a nearly new 2008 Tmax scooter. The first conversion, the "Comfortmax", left me as a crude 'proof of concept' demonstrator and after completion by Andrew Gibbon is in road use. This conversion is intended as a full-specification road vehicle for everyday use.


More photos:
http://www.bikeweb.com/image/tid/10
Includes photos of the Norton rotary-engined, fully-enclosed FF under construction!


.

French despatch rider vs. naked moped man

French despatch rider vs. naked moped man . . .

. . . No further explanation required!





.

Zerotracer

Zerotracer is the latest development of the Peraves Montracer, which itself is the little brother of the well-established (although, at C. £60,000, still rare!) Ecomobile.



The video includes a drag race against a brisk motorcycle and a fast car (of a brand famous for being red).



.

Good Mental Health and Motorcycling

A couple of days ago I was told about a group called 'Young Minds'.

In their own words:

YoungMinds is the UK's only national charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of all children and young people.

Part of the presentation they gave contained "7 'learnable' skills of resiliance".

In other words, seven aspects of how you 'are', and how you interact with other people, that you can influence in a positive ay to improve your mental health.

In one of those serendipitous moments, this co-incided with a discussion on The Rev Counter forum about peer pressure, particularly in group riding situations.

Some of this discussion centred around how people may not always 'represent' their own needs and wishes to other people - and how that can lead to probelms and the potential for increased risk, whther from perhaps continuing on while tired, or from riding more quickly than they feel comfortable to keep up with the lead rider.

It struck me that the "7 'learnable' skills of resiliance" would be a good reminder for all motorcyclists, whether 'ordinary' riders on their own, or in groups, but also for trainers to consider as an aspect to incorporate in their courses and help develop their riders.

This also has implications for trainers' implementation of the GDE (or 'Gadget' Matrix, which places 'skills for life' far higher in importance than develooping machine control skills.


7 'learnable' skills of resiliance

1. Emotional awareness or regulation
2. Impulse Control
3. Optimism
4. Causal Analysis
5. Empathy
6. Self-efficacy
7. Reaching Out

In more detail:

1. Emotional awareness or regulation

Ability to identify what you are feeling and manage these appropriately

2. Impulse Control

Ability to tolerate ambiguity and not rush decision making

3. Optimism

Explanatory style - wed to reality

4. Causal Analysis

Ability to view difficulties from a number of perspectives and consider many factors

5. Empathy

Ability to read and understand the emotions of others. Help build relationships with others and give social support

6. Self-efficacy

Confidence in your ability to solve problems - includes knowing your strengths and weaknesses

7. Reaching Out

Being prepared to take appropriate risk - a willingness to try things and view failure as part of life






.

International Level Crossing Day of Action

In a way, that title is a bit wrong, as what the organisers actually want is a different action - ie people not driving through level crossings when there's a train coming.

Some figures:




A dedicated website with background information on level crossing issues has been established at www.levelcrossing.net and special educational material is available from the Awareness Day site at www.ilcad.org.




.

How Many Es in Road Safety?

With thanks to James Butlin of Northants road safety for the original presentation.





'E' is a favourite in the road safety community.

In past years, there were just three.

Then three Es became six, now it's risen to seven!

The original three were: Education Enforcement Engineering.

Within a few years the concept of a restricted road safety alphabet had caught on, and more had been added:

Evidence Engagement Evaluation.

Now another has tagged along: Encouragement.

Where will it all end?


Coming soon: How many 'S's in rider training :)



.

Everything you need to know . . .

I'm usually very cautious of a book of video which claims to cover 'everthing you need to know', or to be 'the ultimate', or even 'complete' (and a recently-published UK riding book falls into one of those categories.

So it was with some interest that I noticed a new programme buried in the back catalogue available on my BT Vision box (obviously not in the box, but via the internet connection ;) ).

Featuring Todd Colbert, it's the ambitiously-titled:

"Everything you need to know about learning to ride a motorcycle from safety and maintenance to riding the street"



Or similar. I got bored half way through writing it all down.

It manages to achieve (?) all this in half an hour.

"Featuring Todd Colbert" OK . . . he presents the information, but in case you don't know his name (I didn't) there's 4 (yes, four) minutes introducing him by showing various magazine covers and articles. This isn't even rostrum camera (is Ken Morse still the king of rostrum - it always used to be his name in the TV credits?), but a roving camera over framed pages and photos.

The programme rattles on with an introduction to clothing, bike controls, maintenance, moving the bike around, and eventually - 20 minutes in - the key's turned and the bike started up.

Basic machine control exercises follow, including cluth (sic) control :)

Then the final section: "What Not To Do".

This doesn't feature Todd riding, but is a short list of things not to do, each illustrated by a clip - some I'd seen many times before - of riders (usually failing stunt riders) getting it wrong.

The video links to "learntoride.com" so out of interest I had a look at that site. It auto-redirects to "crashclipsforsale.com". Well, if you have a clip, don't send it to You've been framed - at least, not if the clip prices on that site are anything to go by!


.

French Motorcycle Safety Videos

The Frnech transport ministry have relesaed a series of safety advert videos, several motorcycle related.

They all use a common theme, of 'Now . . . you know what it is like"

Caution: not for the feint hearted . . .













.

Self-Teach Advanced Rider Training

Final post in the set


Wondering where all these 'games' are from?

'Drive around the bend' originates from the MSF (in the USA) who teach 'Slow, Look/Lean/Roll' for all cornering. Add in the 'No brakes' game and you may have Keith Code's Day 1 from the California Superbike School!

'See and be Seen' is also heavily emphasised by the MSF.

SSV & SVA depend on which Police driving school you listen to.

'Keep out of line' is in one of Dave Jones' books.

'No Brakes' has been around for years . . .

The ink bottle originates from Jackie Stewart's Formula Finesse 'balls on the bonnet', via Sir John Whitmore's RAC Superdriver. (CSM had a good variation: blu-tak an egg cup onto the rider's helmet, place one fresh egg, set rider off around tightly-cornered cone layout, stand well back)

'Loose as a goose' MSF again;
'Zen' is from a 'Rapid' instructor;
'Chicken' is from . . . ?

'Time to spare' based on Keith Code's track version in Twist of the Wrist. As with so much in his books, track techniques can be adapted to road riding, but you have to be sure about what you are trying to achieve.

'What if?' again, originally from MSF, now the title of DSA videos.

'Spot the difference' is part of the 'Smith Cumming Sherman visual road search system', from the Driving Instructors Handbook, and possibly elsewhere. The SCS is a five-part system, which can be expanded to six with a motorcycle-specific 'keep level-headed' prompt, i.e. although you may be leaning your body into a corner with the bike, keep your head upright.

Spotting tension and awarding a 'mark' is from cognitive behavioural therapy, another type of CBT!

'Ain't no stopping' from Steve Fox (of Kestrel FM fame), who I managed to beat by cheating - using a long-cut (as opposed to a 'short cut') which bypassed an awkward junction.

'Swoop-de-woo' suggested by Gerry, am ex-Hampshire police traffic officer.

Self-Teach Advanced Rider Training

Post . . . 4? in the set



Over the next few posts I'll be adding the 'Games' content currently on the Cooper Bike Training web space.

These allow you to train yourself without the necessity of trailing an advanced motorcycling instructor or observer along behind.

Each 'game' is intended to work on a particular aspect of riding skill, awareness, or planning.



Games for grown-ups!
Playing games isn't just for children. Setting aside the "Football, more important than life or death" theory, there are a number of games you can play to help improve your riding.

Pick and choose from the list below. You will find that some of the games build on earlier exercises, so there are benefits to working through in order.

You may also find it helps to print this out and carry it with you for roadside reference, although there are 'armchair' exercises to do in the comfort of your home!












Spot The Difference
If you've taken any type of rider training, or driver improvement course, you will probably have been told 'Improve your observation'. Well that's easy, isn't it? Here's one way of 're-training your eyes':

Most of the time you 'see' things, particularly detail, with just the very centre of your field of vision. Around the edge, your peripheral vision, is very good for spotting movement. Are you aware of how much you can 'see' around the edge?

Sit comfortably, then look at a mark or point on the wall opposite. You will notice that most of what you see in detail is in a very small area. Without looking away from that point - although you are allowed to blink! - gradually be aware of everything around that point, and move your concentration further out.

When riding, use that peripheral vision to attract your attention to objects that are away from your main 'view'. But remember: where you look is where you go, so if you look at a hazard for too long you'll steer towards it! Look for an escape route instead.



Way out, man
It can be a good idea to have an 'escape route' planned before you need it.

This develops the 'What If?' theme, and rather than just concentrating on, for example, being able to stop within the distance you can see is clear, brings in those situations where you don't have enough time to stop.

So, if that car driver sat waiting in a side turning hasn't actually seen you, what are you going to do if he drives out? Can you stop, or swerve (do you know how to, have you practised?), or will you hit the car whatever you do?

Can you look for a 'soft' option? In 'car' terms this means the front or rear of the car, the crumple zones, rather than the mid-section crash-cage. Is there an escape route which might involve a hedge, rather than hitting a car?

How about jumping? This is likely to be a far better option than hitting the car! See elsewhere in 'Articles' for more on this.

To an extent, this is 'last ditch' stuff - but if you leave it too the last moment you won't have time to look for an option and put it into practice, so it has to be planned before you need it! You have to be a pessimist - expect trouble and plan for it, then be pleasantly surprised if the driver doesn't pull out. But realism says that drivers can, and do, pull out, so have a continuously-developing plan in place.

Self-Teach Advanced Rider Training

Post 3 in the set




Over the next few posts I'll be adding the 'Games' content currently on the Cooper Bike Training web space.

These allow you to train yourself without the necessity of trailing an advanced motorcycling instructor or observer along behind.

Each 'game' is intended to work on a particular aspect of riding skill, awareness, or planning.



Games for grown-ups!
Playing games isn't just for children. Setting aside the "Football, more important than life or death" theory, there are a number of games you can play to help improve your riding.

Pick and choose from the list below. You will find that some of the games build on earlier exercises, so there are benefits to working through in order.

You may also find it helps to print this out and carry it with you for roadside reference, although there are 'armchair' exercises to do in the comfort of your home!




Follow My Leader 1
One of the key points of 'Roadcraft' is that you should always have "Time To React". And one of the easiest ways to loose your reaction time is following to closely behind the vehicle in front: it's easily done - you're eager to get on, so gradually close-up, losing the gap and reaction time.

Use the 'two second rule'. The basic principle is to watch the vehicle in front pass a particular point - for example, a drain cover - then count the seconds. There's a couple of easy options: "One thousand, one, two thousand, two", or the old TV advert favourite: "Only a fool breaks the two second rule." If you pass the same marker before you've finished counting - and be honest, don't say "One thousand one, twothousandtwo" so as to finish in time - then you're still following too closely.

Then ask yourself: "Is there a benefit to me of being this close to the car in front?" If you're not looking to overtake as soon as possible, it may well be beneficial to you to increase your following distance, and create a bigger safety margin.

Improving your riding is often about honesty, responsibility and self-discipline: if there's something you know you ought to be doing, then it's up to you to do it. No-one else is to blame if you get caught out.



Follow My Leader - 2
Been practising FML 1? Now test yourself! As the car in front goes over a manhole cover or mark in the road, see if you have sufficient time to react and avoid it (usually caveats about confusing other traffic etc.). If not - you're still too close!



Talk To Yourself
Personally, I find that talking to myself is one of the best ways of getting a sensible reply. However, this variation is from typical car 'advanced' training, where the driver gives a commentary, demonstrating to the instructor how far ahead they're looking, what at, and how they intend to react to it.

Look as far ahead as you can - remember that 'Time to react', and talk - or yell - out to yourself what you can see and ("What If?" & "How Can That?") how you intend to react to it.

At first you may find that by the time you actually talk about something you're already passing it, but with practice - and looking as far into the distance as you can - this should improve.

You may also find that you have too much to think about. Two things you can do, first is to prioritise, the second to abbreviate.



Ain't no stopping me now . . .
This a game to help develop your planning. In involves keeping going.

No, that doesn't me riding through red lights or over 'stop' lines. Like using the brakes in the 'no brakes' game, if you have to stop, then stop!

What it does involve is trying to arrive at junctions and roundabouts just as there's a gap, arriving at a parked car on the left just as a gap in oncoming traffic allows you to overtake, and arriving at red lights and pedestrian crossings just as it's safe to go through - although beware of practising your slow-riding skills so much that you build a long queue of bemused or annoyed drivers behind you who just don't know what you're doing.

There's another version of this 'Tag no-stopping'. If there's two of you out together, one leads until they have to stop, then the other takes the lead.



Nodding Dog
The 'nodding dog' just sits on the car parcel shelf, permanently agreeing with everything and everyone.

Your task for this game is to shake your head. Not always, just every time there's a side turning. As you approach the side turning turn your head and look for any early warning of emerging vehicles, which might be visible through gaps in hedges or walls etc.

You can also use the same principle when approaching tight bends: look 'across' the bend, perhaps you'll see an approaching car through gaps in the hedge.

Now take this a big step further. 'Where in the World' and 'No Brakes' encouraged you to look as a far ahead as possible, but at the road itself. Now look either side, but still in the distance. Widen your view. Can you tell by the shape of fields and hedges, or gaps in trees, where the road goes. Can you see a group of trees at the side of the road, with telegraph wires disappearing in the trees? If so, there's a house in there. Houses mean people, cars, children, footballs, dogs. Where's their gateway? Does it have high hedges or walls? Is there a mirror opposite?