This year I'd like to do some track riding and I'm thinking about something like the California supervise school or something similar. Does anyone have any options regarding their teaching techniques and general learning setup. I just want to learn more bike control and aren't interested in doing it in a "showing off" environment. All comments and suggestions for other training organisations are welcomed. Thanks R
Simple idea....sign up to do a track day, novice group and ask one the instructors to work with you, they can be of real benefit to your riding, confidence and knowledge giving you the experience to practice and get from it what you want. Let those that want to show off do their thing whilst you get quality time and track time.
I know a fair few who i raced with who did the California school levels and they sound like a very good course to go on . One of the first things i learnt on track riding was to be able to hang off the bike without using your hands and just your knee's etc.
One of the first things i learnt on track riding was to be able to fall off the bike without using your hands and just your knee's etc. :wink: Actually - I wish I had learnt to fall off without using my hands!
I'd thoroughly recommend the California Superbike School but then I was one of their coaches for a few years. I did all four levels as a student before being invited back to trial as a coach, including doing levels 3 and 4 in Spain, so I obviously thought it was worthwhile. I said at the time that I thought it was the best money I'd ever spent on biking and I still believe that. You get to learn how your inputs affect the bike, in a controlled environment, with classroom theory and on track practical sessions being supervised by coaches who have passed quite rigorous testing in not only their knowledge but also their ability to identify what you're doing on the bike and their communications skills in getting that across to you. If you go with an open mind you'll learn a lot. It certainly helped me go racing and I still think about a lot of the techniques, even though I'm not riding at the moment, and I've got plans of things to try when I get my next race bike and go racing later this year.
I would have a chat with Spike Edwards (Mike 'Spike' Edwards - Commercial Road Racing Coach) or Lee Sibary (Lee Sibary - United Kingdom | LinkedIn) who are both world class coaches. (Lee used to be a CSS coach). They will do a full day of 1 on 1 coaching. Cheers
Viv, if my memory is correct.. Phil Bevan runs a excellent TD at pembrey for first timers etc. The instructors are brilliant ?
That's the one Steve. I didn't do too well to start but an instructor to myself soon sorted me out and had a fab day
Hopp Rider do instructional track days at Cadwell, there are 3 this year. I did one with them last year and it was great.
I've ridden CSS (Californian Superbike School), Ron Haslam and a number of advanced road based courses. I try something out at the beginning of every year and CSS has by far been the most useful and rewarding. (I don't work there and I would imagine I am average in terms of riding skills.) What they were able to teach me technically was very impressive and they encourage a positive, safe approach to riding on the track. What I would say is that you need to be able to communicate well with the instructors to get the most out of your day. Before you now it you'll be swept along through the classes and it will be the end of the day. So make notes and ask as many questions as you can. Off the back doing levels 1-3 at the CSS I've felt comfortable enough to attend normal track days. A lot of that has been to learning how to relax, keeping a positive attitude and practising the skills taught at CSS. Given the chance I'd have done the CSS years ago!
Can personally vouch for Lee Sibary and have done the levels of the CSS, and had various tuition from trackday instructors. Please message me if you need any info as I can talk at length on this topic! If anyone wants I can post up my reports of each level of CSS
So far I have done 3 x 20 minute taster sessions at Brands Hatch. I would very much like to get some personal tuition, If I was to do a track day at Brands, would I be able to get some personal tuition as part of the package or would I have to pay extra for this? I love riding my 749s, but finding it increasing frustrating to ride on the road due to huge increase in double white lines , and 50mph limits appearing everywhere. I must confess to indulging in gratuitous knee sliding whenever it's safe to do so, but am realistic enough to realize that this will inevitably end in problems! I have thought about the CSS but don't want to travel to the north of the England, is there anything similar operating at Brands?
Thanks for that Cobbet. I must look at the map more often, I had the mistaken idea that Silverstone was much further north than it is!
