Leave No Man Behind

[Duc and Cover]

It's called an off camber turn.

Well since I don't even know what it's called I probably shouldn't be riding them. I'm not letting myself back on the road without taking some intermediate or advanced riding course. And if you see me on my bike before then, you all have permission to knock me out and steal my keys. Gene has recommended Cornerspeed. Any other suggestions? I tried signing up for the ERC last year but it fills up so fast.

[Slide Panda]

The info on these classes was passed to me, and I passed it along as well.  A rider I know recently took a private class from this group and had a really good experience.  Personally I've got no FHE with them, but what I have heard is good

http://www.saddleupva.com/

They offer all levels of class, and even have individual instruction.

Another class is Lee Parks Total control.  Tony did it last year - perhaps he can give some thoughts.

[twolanefun]

I've been a student of learning to ride a motorcycle for about ..... well let's just say since I was 14 and that was a long time ago. The day that I stop lerning will be the day I quit riding. I agree with Tim on courses using the MSF mterials, techniques, exercises - it's been well thought out amnd improved over the years. The instructtor training was 4 weeks(3 weekday nights and 4 weekends) when I got certified so that tells you something - and not that I'm a slow learner. For years, even when I was an MSF Instructor, I would take an ERC every spring, I did that until about 3 years ago. My recommendation for Cornerspeed was based on the possibility of being able to get into one of the rider courses this year VS the MSF, which at this point will be hard, but still worth checking out. The school Yuu posted about got it's start with the Buell Blast, they contacted me about it when they first started it, must have got my name from an old VA Rider Traing Program roster. I was pretty impressed with what they were trying to do and now it would have appeared to have morphed again. BTW you do know that a portion of your motorcycle registration fee goes to support the Virginai RiderTraining Program and several State Administrations have tried to raid the fund, never been successful - yet. Anyway, glad to see you are going down a path to get some formal trainng and hope you are back on two wheels soon. - Gene

[topspin_flyer]

In the Meantime, while you are sidelined you can do some reading, two books I think are outstanding are 1) Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques by Lee Parks and 2) Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track by Nick Ienatsch.  I continuously re-read theses books and glean new insights each time, understanding of the materials is enhanced by riding experiences and vice versa.  I have learned much from these books but I know I still have so much to learn, and it is probably all there in those pages so will keep re-reading from an ever-evolving perspective knowing that the learning will never be done.

Regarding the MSF Basic Rider and Experience Rider courses, you can also take them from APEXCYCLEEDUCATION.com as an alternative to the classes at the community colleges.  Cost a little more but you won't have to wait 2 or three months to get in generally, and I found it to be a great experience last year when I took the Basic Rider Course so I do not hesitate to recommend that group.

I am actually taking the Lee Parks "Total Control" class tomorrow in Fredrick MD, which something else to consider.  It is supposed to be the level between the ERC and a first track day, it is in a parking lot at comfortable and controlled speeds up to just 25mph where they teach you the techniques from the book, and to actually "drag a knee."  I am really looking forward to my first time.  Ha!  Hopefully Saturday it will happen for me, and I will post up all the naughty details

[Duc and Cover]

Thanks for the all the info.

Tim, regarding the contract class for the ERC, I've got 3 other people that want to take it with me already. Maybe we can set something up for August?

Thanks,
Rod

[Geaux]

Recommended Reading:  http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=857.0

I would like to take ERC, depending on my vacations.

[ducpenguin]

Thanks for the all the info.

Tim, regarding the contract class for the ERC, I've got 3 other people that want to take it with me already. Maybe we can set something up for August?

Thanks,
Rod

If you need additional people to fill the roster for this...I'm in.

[Slide Panda]

I'm interested.  More learning never hurt anyone   

If we get enough interest - perhaps this should branch out to it's own thread

[Ducatista]

I've been a student of learning to ride a motorcycle for about ..... well let's just say since I was 14 and that was a long time ago.

You mean that they had already invented the internal combustion engine back then?   

I'd be in for ERC, depending on work travel and Stillie's racing schedule.

[Duc and Cover]

Recommended Reading:  http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=857.0

Thanks for all the good info everyone. I got a little trigger happy with Amazon's One-Click ordering and bought every book mentioned I'm looking forward to doing some studying, doing the ERC, and getting back to riding with my fellow CAMers. I feel lucky to be in a club with so many experienced riders that actually enjoy sharing their knowledge.

[zooom]

  I'm not letting myself back on the road without taking some intermediate or advanced riding course. And if you see me on my bike before then, you all have permission to knock me out and steal my keys. 

WOW...I know you don't kick a man when he's down...but I am amazed no jumped all over this....when are we having the "Pop Rod in his nugget and steal his bike" party!?!?!?!...FREE BIKE...FREE BIKE....



just kidding man...and I can't add anything else new that hasn't been already said!...huge +1's and then some..

[RodeoClown]

How is it coming? Are you on the mend? Hope all is well

[loudbike]

Rod - Just catching up with the boards, etc when I can - I'm still on the road.. 

Sorry to hear about the crash and glad to hear you're on the mend.  Catch up with you in a few weeks..

[Duc and Cover]

How is it coming? Are you on the mend? Hope all is well

I'm back downtown and living unassisted as of Wednesday. I'm crutchin' it to work and just relaxing other than that. It's only 3 blocks to my office, but holy crap it is a work out! I've got a 100 inch projection screen if anyone wants to join me for an evening of DVDs or Wii. There's nothing quite like some life-size Wii Mario Kart, and I might even share the Vicodin to enhance the experience.

The doc said everything seemed to be healing fine after the surgery. I have to stay off it for 7 more weeks, then the screws come out, then I can start putting weight on it but I have to stay in the boot for 2 more weeks. The x-rays are below for the med dorks of the board. Even though I didn't hurt the ankle bone, it's the one that was causing me the most trouble since I broke the bones and tendons that hold it in place.

They also determined that the break was from a twist, not an impact. The leg twisted so far that the ankle pushed against the fibula until it snapped. So I guess the riding boots did do their job because I inspected them when I got home and there is a pretty good gash in my ankle protector which I'm guessing stopped the ankle from shattering.

[RodeoClown]

I'm back downtown and living unassisted as of Wednesday. I'm crutchin' it to work and just relaxing other than that. It's only 3 blocks to my office, but holy crap it is a work out! I've got a 100 inch projection screen if anyone wants to join me for an evening of DVDs or Wii. There's nothing quite like some life-size Wii Mario Kart, and I might even share the Vicodin to enhance the experience.

Good to hear. Does that projection screen get Speed? MotoGP Sunday, but I am nowhere near that area this weekeknd.

Good luck and take it easy and dont rush it.