Congratulations are due to Matthew who passed his Direct Access module 2 test FIRST TIME this morning to follow up his first time DAS module 1 test pass from Tuesday!
From complete beginner to full motorcycle licence holder in just over a week. Well done, Matthew!
He has now booked in for a further days training to improve his skills further – and we look forward to helping him get more from his riding as he builds his confidence and his skills!
Today has seen yet another module-2 test pass with NO FAULTS!
Kevin’s ride even received the coveted “nice ride” quote from the examiner, so congratulations are well and truly due!
Kevin is also the founder and designer behind the superb OFDU (one-down-five-up) limited edition biker-inspired tee shirts, see http://www.odfu.co.uk/
He’s also having a very special bike built and we can’t wait to see it here at Inner Circle’s training HQ!
Massive congratulations to Omar Uppal, who this week passed both his mod-1 and mod-2 motorcycle tests FIRST TIME!
Now he’s the proud owner of a lovely 2004 Honda CBR600F that we are looking forward to seeing at Bike Night and on future ride-outs!
He’s also looking to further develop his riding skills and will be booking on one of our Improve Your Riding Level 1 courses in the near future – which is a great next step once you’ve obtained your licence!
Well done, Omar!
Massive congratulations are due to Martin Edwards who today completed a very special double!
Martin has just passed his Direct Access Module 2 test at the first attempt – as he did with his module-1 a week or so ago. But that’s not all, because he passed both tests without a single rider fault! Yes, that’s 2 clean sheets and 2 first time passes!
Well done Martin, and welcome to the Inner Circle!
Huge congratulations to Mike Howard, who recently took and passed his RoSPA Advanced Riding test achieving the highest possible standard – a RoSPA Gold!
As explained on the RoSPA Advanced Riding website:
“The RoSPA advanced test is regarded as the most comprehensive and challenging available to the public. It is monitored and approved by the Driving Standards Agency.
The test lasts around 90 minutes, and is taken with a RoSPA Examiner, all of whom are serving or retired Police Officers.
The RoSPA Advanced Riding Test is unique as it is graded Bronze, Silver or Gold. A RoSPA Gold is the highest civilian riding standard available and the holder will be a master of his or her art.”
Mike came to us seeking to improve his riding and to increase his confidence on unfamiliar roads. Following an Assessment Ride, Mike chose to take a number of Individual Personal Training sessions with our Chief Instructor, Paul, and was soon ready to put himself to the ultimate test – a test which he passed with flying colours at the highest standard possible!
If you would like to know more about Advanced Riding, or would like to improve your own riding, please give us a call on 0161 914 7509.
Massive congratulations are due to Matt Baker, who this afternoon passed his module-2 direct access motorcycle test to join the Inner Circle and become a fully-fledged biker!
Just a week ago Matt hadn’t even ridden a bike. In that time Paul has taken him through his CBT, escorted him to his Theory Test and trained him to pass both his module-1 and module-2 tests on our Suzuki SFV650 Gladius. Matt has been an excellent trainee, concentrating hard and listening to all the advice he’s been given – a real pleasure to teach.
The net result is first-time passes at all stages and Matt is now able to treat himself to his dream bike – expect to see a Triumph Bonneville riding Matt turn up for future Inner Circle ride-outs and Bike Nights!
Congratulations, Matt!
We are pleased to announce we have added a new training course to our already extensive portfolio!
Our new “Back to Biking” course is aimed at riders who have been taking a break from riding and who are looking to get back in the saddle again.
It is offered as “Individual Personal Training” on a 1:1 basis with our highly qualified advanced riding instructor and aims to build confidence as well as resurrecting machine control and riding skills. Offered as half-day or full-day sessions, the course will cover a mix of off-road exercises and road-riding, either on the rider’s own bike or on one of our bikes (with L-plates covered, of course!).
If you are planning on returning to riding, or simply looking to build your confidence, this is the course for you.
Full details can be found here.
Today has been a rather excellent day. It all started with a long ride to Atherton Test Centre for Phil’s module-2 test, which he passed with flying colours at the first attempt. That meant we could remove the L-plates from the Gladius and use the motorway to get back, which was much quicker!
Then after lunch we went up to Bredbury Test Centre for Erich’s re-scheduled A2 module-2 test. This had to be re-scheduled following the driving examiner’s strike a couple of weeks ago (Erich was on holiday in the meantime). He too passed with flying colours at the first attempt!
Both Phil and Erich had undertaken our 3-day Direct Access training programme and both did brilliantly in their tests, keeping up our very high 1st-time pass rate!
What that means is that the Inner Circle has 2 new members, so welcome Phil and Erich!
With the long period of half-decent weather bringing many more bikes out onto the roads, it’s probably time to remind riders of the dangers posed by summer rain. By danger, I’m not referring to the need to carry waterproofs, or the dangers of soggy underwear after being caught without, I’m referring to what happens to the road surface when it rains after a long period of dry weather.
Simply, it becomes similar to a skating rink.
During the long, hot, dry days, all the traffic is depositing rubber onto the road as vehicle tyres wear whilst giving their vehicles good grip. In addition, the diesel spilt by over-filled lorry tanks and dripping oil from badly maintained vehicles will seep into the tarmac just waiting to be brought to the surface when the rain comes. Unlike petrol, diesel and oil doesn’t evaporate, so will sit there, just below the surface, waiting to pop up and make pretty rainbow patterns when water is added.
All the while, we as riders are enjoying the feeling of almost infinite grip, getting greater angles of lean on bends, counter-steering more aggressively, braking later and accelerating harder. In other words, having fun!
Then comes the inevitable downpour.
Which brings the rubber and diesel to the surface, making the roads very slippery indeed. The painted white lines and other road markings return to their winter state of being things to avoid. Manhole covers, bitumen banding and polished surfaces become slippery once more.
Now the rider needs to be extra careful. The sudden change means no more hard acceleration or braking, no more aggressive cornering. Cautious riding round roundabouts instead of seeking hero-like lean angles. Eagle eyes on the search for tell-tale rainbows on the road warning of ice-like diesel spills.
Summer rain makes the roads more treacherous than the frequent rains of winter – when the rubber and diesel is washed away and not allowed to build up to catch us unaware. So riding in summer after a downpour requires even more care than riding in winter.
Be warned – Summer Rain means Slippery Roads!
I really must ensure that I let you all know the news when it happens!
Last Wednesday, 2nd July, Nick Helsby took and passed his module-2 motorcycle test with us at the Failsworth Driving Test Centre. Nick rode an excellent ride, recording just 2 minor faults and the examiner even complimented him on his riding!
Next step will be getting a bike, then Nick is looking forward to continuing his learning by attending our “Improve your Riding” course to take his riding to the next level.
Well done, Nick!
