Happy New Year to all my biking chums.  I hope you still managed to get out and about a bit between the showers, or should I say downpours, over the Christmas break.

I want to say a big THANK YOU to all those who supported the Teddy Bear Run to the Heath Hospital just before Christmas.  Over 400 Teddies and Cuddly Toys were delivered.  Thanks and Well Done to you all for that.

Here is news of the next ride out.  Sunday the 15th of January.  Meeting at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar – The Mountain Monster on the A469 on the top of Caerphilly Mountain.

Meeting at 9am for a 9.30am departure.

We will be aiming for the Bleddfa Forest area and then Knighton for a lunch stop.

We did a run up there recently and were hoping to stop in the Hundred House Inn (Pictured here) but despite having had an email to tell me they were open again for business we found it closed when we got there.  So we will try again, but if not the Horse & Jockey Pub in Knighton has always been very welcoming.  ( an idea of numbers in advance might be useful so I can let them know we are coming if there is going to be a gang- if you could let me know).

Knighton is a quaint little Border Town, where half the town is in Wales and half the town is in England.  Also the ancient Offas Dyke runs through the land nearby.

We’ve had a busy year with the training side of things and I will soon be publishing a calendar of events for this year.  I’ll let you have dates of future Ride Outs, Advanced Courses, and Euro Trips etc.

I’ve now got an excellent team of instructors who are all either Serving or retired Bike Cops or Highly Qualified RoSPA Diploma Holders and Advanced Tutors so all your training and riding needs can be catered for.  Hopefully you be able to meet some of them at these events through the year.

We are looking forward to a busy 2012 as the Bike Licence Laws are due to change in 2013.  We are looking to be putting more emphasis on our Advanced Training and Euro Tours over the next 12 months.

Incidentally 2013 will be our 10th Birthday.  It was in 2003 that I set up 1st Class Rider Training, originally working on my own after working for a few other schools in the area so 2013 will be an important one for us.

So keep an eye out for our Blog Posts throughout 2012.  You can also follow us on Facebook. Just click the link on the right to log straight in.

So I hope to see you on the 15th.  If you haven’t been with us before, then you will be very welcome.  If you haven’t been for a while then please come along and say ‘Hello’ again.

Join us and get your free copy of ‘Motorcycle Monthly’ and your copy of  the latest bike glossy ‘Gear Up’ mag.

It’s all good stuff.  1st Class in fact…

Come on……. you know you want to……….

The Teddy Bear & Toy Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at The Heath Hospital in Cardiff.

As a Traffic Cop I spent a lot of time at the casualty unit dealing with the injured victims from road crashes, many of them being children. After discussions with the hospital staff, together with colleagues we set up a fund to buy toys for the kids taken in to the emergency room.

It was felt that if a child becomes attached to a toy whilst being treated in the hospital, it aids their recovery if they are allowed to keep the toy to take it home. Obviously there is no funding for this in the NHS. So we were allowed to adopt Superted as our mascot to raise these funds and over the years many Teddies and toys found new homes with these poor kids.

Since retiring the fund is no more but I wanted to keep then Teddies arriving at then hospital, but need your help to do this.

Please come along and support this event, and bring a Teddy, or bring his friends as well.

Small, ‘hand sized’ Teds are best as they won’t hinder the the staff as they treat the children, but any size will be gratefully received at the unit.

Ikea are selling soft toys and Teddies from as little as 49p so you can fill your panniers for just a few pounds.

Meeting at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, at the top of Caerphilly Mountain on the A469. Meeting 9.30-10am to be at the Heath Hospital for 10.30-11am.

Caerphilly Mountain Snack bar is the home of the Mountain Monster so why not try one before you leave! See the picture below!

If you can’t make it to the run yourself, please don’t let your Teds miss out. Let me know and I will arrange to collect them to take along for you.

Come on….. You know you want to……

Also, if you click on the Facebook link up on the right you can follow us on Facebook where daily up dates are posted. I have a page ‘Andy Smith’ but easier to find would be our page, ’1st Class Rider Training’. Click on the link and it takes you straight there.

Hope to see you Sunday.

MMMMMMM… Mountain Monster..mmmmmmm.

We have been extremely busy with ‘Learner’ training through the last few months, (and we are still heavily booked up now) but I have been asked a few times when the ride outs will start again. So here we go.

To make up for the missing ones I will be running 2 in November.

Sunday the 6th of November.  Tintern Abbey, Wye Valley and the Banks of the Severn.

Starting from our new meeting point. 9.30am at the Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, (which is a snack bar….on Caerphilly Mountain).  The snack bar has been revamped and now offers covered seating – and still has the same range of burgers, rolls and drinks etc. that we (I) have grown to love over the years. It is the home of the ‘Mountain Monster’ which is a massive breakfast roll – and not the woman who works there!

Sunday the 20th of November. Motorcycle Live 2011.  (The NEC Bike Show to you & me).

This is an old favourite taking a scenic route up to the M5 near Worcester and jumping on to the Motorway for the last run in to the NEC.  Starting at the ‘Mountain Monster’ for an early start at 8.30am. Tickets for the Show are £19 on the door or £16 if you buy them in advance from the ‘Motorcycle Live’ website.  If you don’t want to visit the ‘New’ bike show there will be an opportunity to visit the British Motorcycle Museum, which is just the other side of the NEC roundabout.  Either one is a great bike day out.

Sunday the 11th of December.  The Teddy Bear Christmas Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at UHW.

We have done this before and we will do it again.  All I ask is that you bring along a New Teddy Bear or similar, (at least 1).  Please don’t bring along a massive bear as the idea is for the Bears to be given to the children who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in the Casualty Unit as Christmas approaches.  As an idea, IKEA sell small (pocket sized) soft toys for around 40p up wards. So for a couple of quid you could fill your panniers!

The reason is that it is believed that if a child becomes attached to the toy whilst they are being treated, it aids their recovery if the are allowed to take the toy home with them afterwards.  Obviously there is no funding for this in the NHS.  So please support this one and dig deep for your Teddies.  So remember it is better to buy a few small ones rather than one big one (which can become cumbersome in the confines of the Casualty Unit).

So I hope there is something here for you and you can join us on one or all of these.  As before these ride outs are free but all I ask is that you buy a ‘Full Stop’ badge in aid of the NSPCC.

Also, get your free copy of ‘Motorcycle Monthly’ plus discount vouchers for clothing at ‘Infinity Motorcycles’ and also ‘Bikegear’ at Bridgend.

If nothing else…. come and see the Mountain Monster!

Come on…… you know you want to.   We are back!

Follow us on Facebook.  Just search for ’1st Class Rider Training’ and see some things about some stuff and some pictures with things in….. 1st Class!

In this Blog;  Monthly Ride Out,  Bike Maintenance Course,  Amsterdam Trip,  Advanced Riding Course, Afghan Heroes Ride to Wootton Bassett.

Monthly Ride Out.

Firstly, I won’t be able to do a ride out this month.  My Wife had a fall before Christmas and broke her wrist, (Not Snow or Drink related).  As we have a two year old toddler I can’t leave either of them on their own, and I can’t fit them both on the back of the bike for the day, so I won’t be doing a ride out this month.

If anyone was planning having a ride and wouldn’t mind taking along a gang then please let me know through this blog and I’ll spread the word.

Bike Maintenance Course.

We have had a few requests for a basic maintenance course so we are going to run one.  This will  be an evening event, based at a local Garage Workshop. Local to me, but not necessarily to you!

The date is to be fixed but at the moment I am looking for approximate numbers, to see who may be interested.  This will be a three hour session with the opportunity for practical hands on experience, with a quiz, and refreshments.  It will cover basic vehicle safety checks, chain adjustment, brakes and puncture repair techniques etc.  The cost will be £50 and spaces will be limited so get your name on the list.

(Robin, this is why I didn’t answer your tyre question as I was hoping to run this before Christmas, so I hope your wheel hasn’t fallen off!).

Amsterdam March 11th, 12th, 13th.  Pre-Trip Meeting.

Pre-Trip Meeting.  Saturday the 19th February. 11am at The Travellers Rest, Caerphilly Mountain.

This will be a meeting for those who have booked to go on the trip, and also for those who may have expressed an interest but not yet made a firm booking.  At the meeting I will issue maps and ferry booking details and answer any questions you may have.

So if you are still undecided come along, meet the group and get your name on the list. We still have a few places left so don’t miss out.  Give a call to ensure you get a space on the trip.  Just a few spaces left.  (For those of you who may have enquired about the trip…if you haven’t given me your bike registration details then you are not booked on the list so please don’t miss out).

For details of the trip see the previous blog posts.

Advanced Riding Course.  9th April.

This is it!.  This is the (long awaited) four day Advanced Riding Course.  Commencing Saturday April 9th.

Just £500.  That’s only £125 per day – You can pay £125 for a CBT so this is amazing value.

Four days spread over a number of weeks to suit each individual.  This course is based on the ‘Police System of Motorcycle Control – Roadcraft’ and gives the candidate the opportunity to take the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test at the end of the course, (although you don’t have to).  This may suit those who have expressed an interest in becoming a RoSPA Observer within the Advanced Motorcycle Group.  In order to become an observer you must first achieve the RoSPA Gold Standard.  This is certainly achievable on this course, though this is dependant on your performance on the final test ride. But this course has something to offer everyone.

It will show you how to get the best out of your bike……before it gets the better of you.

The course consists of classroom based theory followed by a period of self practice, and then instructor lead (2:1) on road practical training rides.  Each phase after the classroom can be spread to suit your needs.  On each practical on road session you will cover approximately 150 – 200 miles using some of the most interesting and challenging roads Wales has to offer and you will even the get the chance to visit ‘Grim Reaper Bend’… not to be missed!

The course will cover, cornering and cornering forces, how to analyse the limit point of a bend, how to read the road, observation links, overtaking and much more.  I know some of you have been waiting for some time for a space on the course so don’t miss out.  Get your name on the list.  Spaces are limited and are likely to be snapped up.

Afghan Heroes Wootton Bassett Ride. 3rd April.

If you didn’t do the last one, do this one.  If you did do the last one..do this one as well.

The date has been set for Sunday the 3rd of April and you must pre-register your attendance on the Afghan Heroes Web Site.  You must pick a time slot for your arrival.  I’m going to arrange a ride out to the event and last time I looked the last hourly slot of the morning is probably the best time to suit.

This was an immense event last year, and very emotive riding through the town, being applauded by the families of fallen heroes.  Them showing their appreciation for us!  This ride is a way that you can show your respect and appreciation for them.  There is no politics in this.  Whether you agree with the fight that they are involved in or not is not the issue.  The issue is to show respect for those who have fallen or been injured in battle and give support to their proud families who will make you feel very humble indeed as you ride past.

This is a must do event.  What better excuse to get your bike out!

So I hope there is something there of interest to you…if not let me know and I’ll see what I can come up with!

So get your name on a list,  get your name on all the lists.

Come on…..you know you want to!

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff have donated two prizes for the auction which are currently waiting for bids on the Real Radio (Wales) web site.

One prize is for a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training – worth £125).  The prize includes the use of a Yamaha YBR 125cc bike, and the loan of a helmet, jacket, gloves and waterproofs for the duration of the training.

The other prize on offer is a full day of Advanced Training with a Police Class 1 Motorcyclist, (worth £180).  This would normally be carried out with you using your own bike but we can provide the use of a Honda CBF 600cc if preferred.

Both great prizes worth placing a bid for such a worthy cause.  Visit www.realradiowales.co.uk for details.

There are just a few days left to run on this, so place your bids, grab a bargain day out,  and support this worthy cause.

Next Ride Out – Thruxton Circuit.

Just a reminder that the April Ride Out is this Sunday.  An earlier start with an 8am departure from MacDonald’s at junction 32 of the M4, Coryton Interchange.

We will be using the ’2nd Man Drop Off System’ that has served us so well in the past (except last month when I ran out of ‘drop offs !!) So by way of a reminder as to how it works I have put an explanation at the foot of this Blog Post….. but just in case… here is a brief outline of the proposed route for Sunday.

Turn left out of MacDonald’s car park!!!  Okay, okay… we can get that bit right.

M4 Eastbound to junction 18 – Signposted Bath.

A46 towards Bath and then the A4

A4 to Box

A365 towards Melksham

A365 – A361 towards Devizes

A342 towards Andover

A338 towards North Tidworth

A303 towards Andover

To Thruxton off the Dual Carriageway. Into Car Park…join queue at the Burger Van.

Website News Blog

For some time I have been running a News & Views Blog page on my main website.  There are over 60 posts there already covering a whole range of bike related topics.  As this Ride Out Blog generates an automatic email to your inbox, I didn’t want to inundate you every time there was something to write about so I’ve been up dating the website news blog instead.

So if you visit the website and click on the ‘News’ link in the list on the left you might just find something of interest.

I’ll be posting an index listing on there so you can browse at your leisure.

Hein Gericke Sale Now On.

A big thank you to Stefan and James at the Cardiff Hein Gericke store for the tea and Bacon Toasties they did for us at the start of the Wootton Bassett Ride Out last month.  Cheers Chums, enjoy your lie in this Sunday as we won’t disturb you for the early start for Thruxton.

But you should still go and visit them during their normal opening hours as they are having a Sale.  Running from the 16th of April until the 3rd of May they will give you a massive 20% off, (and you might also get a cup of tea whilst you are there). So grab yourself a bargain. First Class kit, worn by 1st Class Riders.

The Drop Off System.

Here goes….  At the start of the ride we will nominate a lead rider (usually me) and we will nominate and identify a tail end rider (usually someone else!).

The way the ride operates is that the positions of the lead and tail end bike never change, so you shouldn’t overtake the lead and you shouldn’t need to drop behind the tail ender.

If the route we are travelling takes us straight ahead we simply follow the road ahead, without turning off.  If we need to turn left or right I wil indicate to the rider behind me to pull in somewhere safe, but also visible to the rest of the following group.  This ‘drop off’ rider will point the way for the rest of the group, to turn either left or right accordingly.

It is important that the ‘drop off’ rider remains in position until the tail end bike arrives and the tail ender will allow the drop off to pull out in front of him and re-join the group.  If we are passing through a town with several sets of traffic lights or on longer, faster stretches of road it may be some time before the tail ender arrives if the group gets spread out, but it is important that you wait, as if you leave your junction before the tail ender comes along then the group will break up as the followers will continue straight ahead past the junction where they should have turned.  (This is what happened last month – someone left their junction too early and the remaining riders didn’t have any direction to follow.)

When it works, it works well, as you don’t need to keep the bike in front in view, or put yourself under pressure to play ‘catch up’ as you know that there will be someone waiting ahead to show you the way.

This system allows for easy travel even in areas which are new to us, as you simply follow the route taken by the leader and should all end up at the tea stop or eventual destination together.

Easy…go straight on unless someone tells you otherwise.  If you are the one showing the turn off point, wait until tail ender indicates for you to move on.

We’ll try it again this Sunday!

So come on and join us……come on, you know you want to.

We are up to about 55 – 60 so far so don’t miss out on this Summer Event.  For just £10 (payable in advance) for Sunday lunch.

If you’ve put your names forward for the list but haven’t paid yet please do this over the weekend, or there’ll be no food for you!

Also;

If you fancy a laugh take a look at the Met Bike Cops parking fiasco.  Going for a Domino World Record.  The picture in this week’s Motorcycle News tells it all.  It doesn’t mention putting the side stand down in Roadcraft!

The Somme.

The first weekend in September.  There are just 2 spaces left for this trip.  Hurry if you want one of them.

July Ride Out.

Sunday the 19th of July. (Yes…it’s a Sunday)  Meeting at MacDonald’s at Coryton Interchange, junction 32 M4.  Don’t pretend you don’t know where it is!  Meeting for a 9.30am departure, to;

Aberdare Park Motorcycle Races. This is a weekend event and if you haven’t been…go! Racing starts at 12 noon on Sunday (to allow people to go to Church….or to have a scenic ride around before visiting the Hot Pot Cafe for a pre race breakfast).  If you join me you might be lucky enough to have a £1 off your entry fee. The first lucky few, before I run out pf vouchers. They race around the Park at ridiculous speeds and you get to stand so close to the action you can smell the sweat as they go past! (Or am I just standing too close to the Burger Van).  This is a must see event.  So join us.

Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day.

I am running another one of these popular courses. For just £60 you can learn to….well um…Ride Slow and Brake Fast!  The date of this is Sunday the 12th of July.  So, if you want to gain an insight into the sort of training that I had to undergo before being let loose on a patrol bike book yourself a place.

I don’t run many of these through the year but those who have been before said they were of great value…and What?? I’m only charging 60 quid.  Now that is great value. Come and have a go at some of the manoeuvres included in the new motorcycle test.  Would you pass???

I will be limiting this to 10 riders so be quick!  Let me know if you want a place.

Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course.  Leading to the RoSPA Advanced Test.

This is it.  The long awaited (by some) Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course.  This is a four day course spread over a number of weeks.  It contains a classroom based, theory element, followed by periods of self practice before on road instruction, with an option to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course.  All the training is based on the Police System of Motorcycle Control and is run by RoSPA Examiners & Diploma Holders.

I don’t run many of these through the year so don’t miss your chance for this one.  The cost of the four day course is only £500.  That is only £125 per day.  What?  We charge £125 for a CBT!!

You’d better book your place before I realise my mistake and charge the proper price for this.

The course start date has been set as Saturday the 15th of August, with day 2 the following Saturday the 22nd of August.  Later course dates will be arranged to suit the course participants and will be mutually agreed.

Children’s Hospice Appeal.

David Gough, who joins us for the Ride Outs, from Bristol has asked for my help in publicising his intentions to run a Half Marathon in aid of a local Children’s Hospice.

For a full article on this, written by David please visit my main website and click on the ‘Blog & News’ link in the sidebar on the left of the main page.

If anyone wishes to support him he would greatly appreciate it.  He is doing this after recovering from a motorcycle crash and the article from David tells of his ordeal, so will realise how much of an achievement this would be.

That’s it for now!

So I hope there is something there of interest for you.  A lot happening so plenty of excuses to get out on your bike.

Come on….you know you want to!

It was well attended with about 18 bikes leaving the Riders Staff Behind to set off into the glorious Sunshine along the Wye Valley.

The Ducati section of the showroom on the first floor is all but finished, but my only criticism is that you have to walk around the bikes to get to the cafe!  Come on Kevin, leave us hungry folk a clear path to the food.

Kevin has invited ’1st Class Rider Training’ to set up a notice board at the shop to keep ‘non internet’ customers informed of events, training, ride outs etc, so watch out for that. In the future it is hoped we will use it for a base or starting point for our Advanced (and Back to Biking )Bike Courses

Thanks also to the Ride Out gang for your generosity again.  You made donations towards the NSPCC totalling £50.  This follows on from the donations of £45 from last months ride out.  This money has been passed on and will be put to good use by the NSPCC, who need urgent funding to keep the ‘Childline’ service running.

Thanks again.

FRANCE is Calling.

Last week the French Authorities let us in and more importantly let us back out again (just- with split second timing at the Ferry Port).  The War Graves Tour was a very moving experience (and a fast moving experience too at times).  Some fantastic roads, excellent company and some amazing sites to visit.

I’ve added some photos and they can be viewed by clicking on the ‘photo stream’ at the top right of this blog page.

The next trip across the Chanel is in early June to Normandy for the 65th Anniversary of the D Day landings.  There are still a few spaces left so just check out the blog a few pages ago for details.  Please let me know as soon as possible if you wish to be added to the list.  There is a lot going on over there on that weekend.  so join us for a bit of riding, a bit of looking , a bit of eating and a bit more riding.

Accommodation is getting hard to find so if you want to join us please book a room with me soon.

Also watch out for another trip ‘abroad’ for August.

Dates for the next Advanced Course and the Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day will be published soon.

AIR ‘BAG’ JACKETS.

Since I published the blog post on the subject a few weeks ago.  I must admit it was a bit tongue in cheek I guess but I’ve since received a comment (posted under the Air Jacket blog page) which is well worth reading. I don’t know who posted it as it was only signed with an email address but I must say well done to you, and thanks for letting us know.

WHAT ELSE

Dates for the next Advanced Course and the Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day will be published soon.

NEW BIKE TEST.

It’s in!  Effective from Monday the 27th of April.  It seems not DSA U Turn this time.  What a mess it is too.

NEW TRAINING SITE FOR 1st CLASS.

Currently we use the Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre at North Road.  (Most people know it as they did Cycle Proficiency there as a kid…or they use to sneak into The Plaza Cinema, which was next door – but long since gone)

But the Road Safety Centre is moving, and we are going with them.  Shortly a new Road Safety Centre will be opened at Maindy Stadium. The building is under construction and the Training Area and Mock Road System has been laid inside the Cycle Track.  The date is to be confirmed but is expected to be early June. Exciting Times.

Also we are still in talks with Martin at RealWorld Motorcycles at Aberdare with a view to starting CBT, Direct Access and Advanced Training from his Showroom in the Aberdare Valley.

Also some staff changes.  I have taken on a few new instructors recently and welcome on board to Steve and Jeff (both serving traffic cops) and to Simon who has over 18years of Direct Access Training and was running his own training school when the CBT/DAS schemes were introduced.

Sadly we has lost one of our long term instructors who has decided to move on and I wish him all the best.  I give a great big ‘thank you’ to him and his wife for the tireless support that they have given.

So with changes to the test, changes to the test booking system, changes to our home location and staff changes 1st Class Rider is ready to face these challenges and whatever else the Double Standards Agency has to throw at us.

Big Changes, Lots Going On.  Join us.

‘Better to have a Bad Day on the Bike….than a Good Day at The Office’.

Come on, you know you want to.

Cheers for now.

(With another recruitment in the pipeline the number of RoSPA Examiners will rise to 3.)

I am often asked what is involved and what makes the difference between a Gold, Silver or a Bronze grade.

We run Advanced Courses which allow the participants to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course, and their test fee also includes the membership to RoSPA.

But What is the RoSPA Grading.  My earlier post gives information on the different Police Grades (Class 1 being the highest available) but not everyone needs to join ‘the job’ and wear a funny hat before they can have their riding achievements recognised.

RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) has it’s origins in the early fifties and was set up to halt the rise in Road Casualties.  It has grown since those early days and now gives advice, guidance and training to prevent accidents of all kinds.  Household, Workplace and of course the Road.

The motorcycle test has 3 grades.  (Three ‘Pass’ Grades that is- The Test Can also be ‘Failed’)

Gold

Silver

and Bronze.

So what does each one mean.  I will look at how the test is run and what is expected of the candidate in a later post but will concentrate here on the Grades and how they are achieved.

What follows is taken from the RoSPA ‘Guidance for Candidates & Training Officers’.

BRONZE

This Grade will be awarded to riders whose performance is significantly above the standard required to pass the ‘L’ Riding Test.

These Riders will also show a knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft ……….. The Ride should be entirely safe, observing traffic signs, responding correctly to hazards and should display advanced riding techniques.

SILVER

This Grade will be awarded to riders who are well above the average.  These riders will produce consistently safe and systematic rides but perhaps without the final polish, flair and smoothness of the Gold Riders.  They will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the ‘System of Motorcycle Control’. Candidates must be able to ride up to the permitted speed limit where it is safe to do so but vary speed according to circumstances and conditions. It must be emphasised that SILVER is an extremely high grade and is a commendable achievement.

GOLD

This Grade is recognised as the highest riding award available to the Public.

It will be awarded only to the polished systematic rider, who displays a complete understanding and appropriate application of the principles outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft’. The candidate will display a confidence and ability throughout the whole test which leads the examiner to consider that, if afforded the opportunity, the candidate could achieve a Police Grade without further tuition.  The candidate’s performance must be consistent throughout the whole of the test and so any lapses may result in a lower grade.

Awards of this grade will therefore be reserved for the very best riders.

********************

Of Course there are other tests and schemes in the market but you can see that nothing else comes close to helping you raise your riding ability to the highest level like the RoSPA Scheme.  I agree that any form of further training has value but the RoSPA scheme is way ahead of the game.

The DSA are striving to implement a Register of Post Test Trainers, open to anyone who ‘thinks they can ride a bit’ so you may find yourself being taught by a Butcher, a Baker or a Candlestick Maker.  Now nothing against any of these fine professions but they may not be ‘professional riders’ with the depth of experience and training background to warrant you spending your hard earned.

One thing for sure;  ‘Thinking you’re good is one thing….but knowing your good is even better.