California Superbike School (Silverstone): 20 Apr 08 - Page 2

**Steve GD** · 31 Dec 07, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

The problem is that I do have a lot new to learn. I've never taken any lessons, and while I'm OK on straight, even bendy roads, when it comes to twisties, I really am not enjoying it at all.

Basically, I hate corners. I really do. Coming home last night, I felt like stopping and calling a breakdown van to get me back to London, anything to avoid having to face another bend. I felt sorry for Zimbo having to keep stopping to wait for me, as I was crawling along at 20mph. I've got to learn how to take corners safely, or I might as well sell my bike.

Paivi, was it the night or the corners which were the problem? Put another way, do you have the same problem during daylight rides?

**RodH** · 31 Dec 07, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

The problem is that I do have a lot new to learn. I've never taken any lessons, and while I'm OK on straight, even bendy roads, when it comes to twisties, I really am not enjoying it at all.

Basically, I hate corners. I really do. Coming home last night, I felt like stopping and calling a breakdown van to get me back to London, anything to avoid having to face another bend. I felt sorry for Zimbo having to keep stopping to wait for me, as I was crawling along at 20mph. I've got to learn how to take corners safely, or I might as well sell my bike.

Go for it Paivi, I guarantee that you benefit from it. There's always those that are too good to learn and besides personal experience is always better than second hand opinion. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some people come away having not learnt anything, but as Keith Code has taught World Champions such as Wayne Rainey & Eddie Lawson his methods are well proven, and if it was that bad he wouldn't still be running the schools after all these years.

**Duke of Wales** · 31 Dec 07, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

Basically, I hate corners. I really do. Coming home last night, I felt like stopping and calling a breakdown van to get me back to London, anything to avoid having to face another bend. I felt sorry for Zimbo having to keep stopping to wait for me, as I was crawling along at 20mph. I've got to learn how to take corners safely, or I might as well sell my bike.

Respect Paivi ...

I'm no fw**n hero , even having bikes off road since the age of 12 ...
Was lucky , had some fast mates on z road , & had to learn a bit , so as too be able to follow ...
Most honest folk on here will probably admit ,that the best way to learn is to follow someone quicker than your self ..............
Dow (still not as quick as he'd like to be ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**NedLudd** · 31 Dec 07, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

Basically, I hate corners. I really do. Coming home last night, I felt like stopping and calling a breakdown van to get me back to London, anything to avoid having to face another bend. I felt sorry for Zimbo having to keep stopping to wait for me, as I was crawling along at 20mph. I've got to learn how to take corners safely, or I might as well sell my bike.

I applaud your thinking Paivi (and your candour in saying it). I don't know anything about the CSS and I'm sure they're good at what they do. Given your particular wants, I guess I wonder how much you can learn when you're in a group of twenty-odd riders.

I don't want anyone to think I'm on commission, but for £240 you could have an eight-hour day riding at your own pace one-to-one with a Rapid Training instructor: your very own personal policeman for day...

That's not to say a CSS day at Silverstone won't be very beneficial and memorable, of course.

**Paivi** · 31 Dec 07, 10:19 PM

Steve: I don't like bends even during the daytime. I've overcooked too many and am now nervous, as I don't know how to save it should I lose it. I also have a bad habit of panic breaking, so that's stopping me from learning how to correct the situation. The CSS approach is to go round without using the breaks once.

DoW: I've only been riding for under two years, and have reached the limit of what I can do without taking some proper lessons. The roads down south are so bad and congested that it's not safe to 'practice' on them. As it is, in my latest off, the only thing that saved me and Her Grace from worse injuries was the fact that the oncoming car was local so knew chances are that somebody's going to go wide in that corner, as it's a known blackspot. I might not have been so lucky with a non-local.

Ned: I don't know about the other levels, but level one is 3 students to one instructor, with plenty of class room teaching, as well as track one, with individual feedback. I didn't know about Rapid Training, so will look at that, too.

I'll let you know how I get along...

**Steve GD** · 01 Jan 08, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NedLudd

I applaud your thinking Paivi (and your candour in saying it).

I am convinced the training you get from CSS will benefit you immensely.

**singletrack** · 01 Jan 08, 04:45 PM

Paivi, I am doing it for the same reasons as you. I really want to start enjoying corners and bendy roads.
Unfortunately I have already booked for the 19th April, I might see if I can change to the 20th though.
Anne x

**Paivi** · 01 Jan 08, 05:11 PM

Hey Anne, that'd be great! Ghost is booked on the 20th, too; 19th is fully booked but 20th is still open, so that should be ok.

I'm so looking forward to this now, be nice to have friendly faces around!

**andyb** · 01 Jan 08, 06:05 PM

For what my opinions worth i believe the majority of problems that people have riding a bike competantly can be traced back to poor observation.

If you dont see early enough you dont get your position right let alone your speed, gear etc

I think that learning on a track, in particular the micky mouse silverstone stowe circuit, what a mile and a bit long, 5 lefts and 1 right or there and there abouts, means you are travelling the same bit over and over again. A bit like the bloke whos really quick on the same bit of road known as their favorite piece of road. Theres no observation or reading of the road going on as you were there a couple of minutes ago!

Just following others quicker or not really doesnt help either as your just doing what they are doing mistakes n all.

Get the observation up, learn to scan, and reading the tell tale signs are the secret to unlocking the road ahead! Couple that with understanding the machines control, and working to a system and youre almost there.

Personally id pay for one to one tuition or direction. I also believe ther are several major differences between riding on a track and riding on the road. Not least positioning through a corner and the different lines between right to left corners.

**David.Hicks** · 01 Jan 08, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack

Unfortunately I have already booked for the 19th April, I might see if I can change to the 20th though.
Anne x

Hi Anne

I'd like to do it and I'd like Mrs H to as well.

Coz we have kids the easiest way would be to do it over a weekend with Mrs H and I sharing the kiddy-care - me on one day, Mrs H on another.

Would you let me have your slot on the 19th if I buy two for the 20th and swap one with you?

That way I could do it on the 19th and Mrs H could join the rest of you on the 20th?

**Paivi** · 01 Jan 08, 08:32 PM

David, that'd be great! Pity you can't do it the same day, but on your own.

Couldn't the grandparents look after them?

Anybody else joining us?

I think we have to be there for 7am registration, so I'm looking at spending the Sat night there to avoid having to get up at stupid o'clock and arriving tired. Apparently, there's a Travelodge nearby for about £30; I'm happy to share a room with somebody else.

**Paivi** · 01 Jan 08, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolley

I was actually going to book me and the missus on the May 6th date.

Any chance you can do the 20th with us?

**Ghost** · 01 Jan 08, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

Apparently, there's a Travelodge nearby for about £30; I'm happy to share a room with somebody else.

Ooohh could just be up for that.

Phil

**Jolley** · 02 Jan 08, 03:04 AM

You will want the one in Buckingham:

Travelodge - Buckingham hotel information

£29 for a room to sleep upto 3 adults. Will take you no more than 15mins from there to Silverstone.

**andyb** · 02 Jan 08, 09:56 AM

theres a travellodge at the towcester roundabout on the A43 less than 5 miles from the circuit......next to the petrol station and Mc Donalds..........