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December 2007
Holy cow, another year is almost gone. Sometimes it is absolutely how amazing time flies. It doesn’t seem like all that long ago we were in the middle of the holidays and here they are again.
While it is only the beginning of December, have you started thinking about your New Year’s Resolution yet? Hold on now, I am not saying you need to cut back on the fatty foods, booze, tobacco products, and other vices. Hell, without them, what’s the point. What I am suggesting is: how about a resolution to become a better rider in 2008?
We all have miles under our belt, and if we are honest with ourselves, there are things that have happened along the way where we know luck had a lot to do with keeping us out of harm’s way. Perhaps it is time to make sure our abilities and decision making can keep us from relying on luck.
So, hopefully you are thinking – so what can I do to become a better overall rider?
There are a number of different things including critique yourself, ask for feedback and advice, take a course, observe riders you see as skilled, and of course, practice those things where you feel less skilled.
Do you know what you are having issues with? What do you think you could be doing better? Sometimes they are hard questions to ask of yourself, but by being honest, you then have some things to focus on for improvement. The Road Captains (RCs) are always looking for ways to do things better. Everything is subject to review. During events, if something pops up as an issue, it is brought up to other RCs and Head RC. If we identify a better way to do something, it is adopted on the spot. After every group ride, there is a discussion of what worked and what didn’t go as well as planned. New ideas are discussed and a plan is established for improvement.
What do your friends think of your riding? Have you thought to ask? Sometimes negative feedback like “stay on your side of the road in the group” or “quit speeding up and slowing down”, can lead to some quick fixes on your part. What if during a ride you experience something you haven’t encountered before and were unsure how to handle? Ask someone who has encountered it. People are happy to share their experiences with you. The best stories are usually the ones that had some problem the teller overcame. Benefit from other’s experiences when you can. Years ago when I got my first street bike (yes, it was a Harley), I asked my buddies if there was anything they saw that I could be doing better. Thankfully there wasn’t any big issues, and they told me that, but I did get some tips on better passing strategies on twolanes, parking so you don’t have to drag the bike backwards, and that there is always room for one more motorcycle to park up front on the sidewalk (contrary to what Target store security has to say).
By now hopefully you have heard about Doc’s Rider’s Edge program. Roger would be happy to get you into one of the classes up there. That whole line about can’t teach an old dog new tricks is B.S.. I know several experienced riders that took the Beginners Rider Course and came away with new things they had never tried before. Plus, there is also the Experienced Rider Course. More things to learn and you have to perform them on your bike. Road Captains are required to take this course to join and then again every couple years to stay current. If Doc’s doesn’t have a course that fits your schedule in 2008, rider classes are also taught at Forest Park Community College, St. Charles Parks Department (they have a brand new course going in), and at Jefferson College.
Hopefully you have seen riders that you respect for their skills. You know, the ones that are always in the right lane position, look super smooth through every turn and seem to react to road hazards before any one else. Well, pay attention and observe what they are doing, you might pick up several good habits or skills. See if you can figure out their visual scan, their control use, how they look through turns and anything else. You might even ask them how they do it.
Practice, practice, practice. So if you know what you need to work on, then take a little time and practice it. If Uturns on twolane roads aren’t your thing, find a subdivision street with no traffic and practice during Uturns without giving people lawn jobs. If you find yourself spending more time looking where your front tire is going, make a conscious effort to keep your chin up which then should remind you to keep your eyes up (and your visual scan active). If you don’t make the effort to become better, it won’t happen.
Hope one of your resolutions is to become a better rider in 2008. If you need help with that, please let me know.
Happy Holidays and Ride Safe! Rich
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