Cheers TC, for a splendid (in the main ), day on Sunday, and thanks for the 'observations' and advice.

I've been looking for 'Roadcraft', and can only find the Police driver's handbook (admittedly I've only looked on Amazon), for four wheels. Don't suppose you can lay your hands on the ISBN for the motorcycle tome in question can you? I've already got 'Motorcycle Riding, the essential skills', is that the one?

By the way, I headed back to Oxford via the same route as far as Streatley, then took the A417/A415 route back to Witney. Applied the advice, felt confident, had fun

Hope you team won

Try Motorcycle Roadcraft

ISBN 011341143X

Splendid. On order...thanks Ian.

Ahh, I too was observed on Sunday... but I was mainly observing the rear of my mate's Triumph speed 4 pissing off round the bends quicker than me

Mind you, had to get up at 6.00am to get the ride in as I spent then had to drive to Oxford to sit on a boat burbling up the Thames whilst quaffing copious quantities of fruit juice (OK, hops, barley, malt... etc ) all day...

So, TC? What d'ya reckon... can he take the stabilisers off yet

I'll ask a question if i may.
Hilts, did you find it nerve racking or was it more a case of just enjoying the ride.
I myself find it unnerving when people watch whatever it is i'm doing, and i find myself making an erse of things i can normally do with my eyes shut.

Not that I ride with my eyes shut you understand.

Ima - Yep, nerve wracking indeed, and it may come to pass that you make a complete prat of yourself in some silly way But it's all about the whole ride, not the silly one-off mistakes or mishaps. Let's face it, you've got to get on with it haven't you. I basically told myself to try and do that (get on with it), as naturally and as relaxed as I could muster. You have to tell yourself that it's worth grasping the nettle because the end result of a top professional assessing your riding is more than worth it.

Carpe deum in fact

One thing I would say is that one-on-one is fairly intense, I think tc mentioned two to one is a better balance. But the itinerant Blandwit was not available so it had to be

Another great aspect is mulling over the day's run when you do get home, over a beer, which also helps you to remember the lessons you've learned. In fact, if you don't enjoy the ride as you are riding, you will look back on it as hugely enjoyable and, certainly in my case, for a number of reasons, fairly unforgettable

Anyway, my plans now are to study the Roadcraft book and work towards the advanced test in the fullness of time, if and when it feels right. I've another pal round here (rides a R6) who wants to buddy-up ( ) so I reckon it could fun.

hth

Thanx for that hilts, indeed it did help i'm seriously considering some advanced training.

When I went out with the police rider behind me on bikesafe. It was a bit tense to start with but I soon settled into my normal ride, although I couldn't say I was totally relaxed about having a police officer follow me.

I'll give the guys his dues though. He did everything possible to make sure that I wasn't put under pressure. I don't like having another bike behind me, cos I know he is scrutinizing my riding. It adds extra pressure to the ride.

I'm lucky... there's rarely anyone behind me apart from the milk cart

Times that ive been 'observed' i have not ridden as i normally would. Its so hard to be honest and ride like i normally do simply coz i know that someone is behind me watching everything i do. i ahev had a few arguments with observers but on the whole its a great thing to do. Be honest with yourself is my advice to me - IKnow when im doing something stupid and give myself a bollicking for it then try and sus a way to no t do it again!