California Superbike School (Silverstone): 20 Apr 08

[Jolley]

Originally Posted by andyb

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..........

Indeed, Towcester Travelodge is 3.5miles and Buckingham is 8miles. However due to locations/demand Towcester is £71 and Buckingham £29.... depends if 5 mins off your journey is worth £40. Also, the road from Buckingham to Silverstone is a peach (you will see the road where I took the photo of my 848 on the way). Just be careful because there are quite a few ditch incidents and naughty tractors/horses at times.

[andyb]

Originally Posted by Jolley

Indeed, Towcester Travelodge is 3.5miles and Buckingham is 8miles. However due to locations/demand Towcester is £71 and Buckingham £29.... depends if 5 mins off your journey is worth £40. Also, the road from Buckingham to Silverstone is a peach (you will see the road where I took the photo of my 848 on the way). Just be careful because there are quite a few ditch incidents and naughty tractors/horses at times.

I was going to say that that was Stowe school drive!

I had heard that that Towcester one was expensive!

[JerryXt]

Pavi, JP (ukmoc) and I have done Rapid training days and we shared a session one cold, wet day in September. Peed down all day.

They're Police riders, instructors and accident examiners who teach the public to ride safely while 'making progress' on the road and track.

I got a lot out of it because 90% of my riding is in town and I'm very conservative in the sticks. They start by asking what riding you've done, what you think you're good at and what you want to improve, and then work with you on improving those areas.

They talk you through a ride - where they're positioning themselves on the road and why - and give you constant feedback when they're following you.

You get a debrief and a written report of your day so if you do another, the next guy can start with an 'official' report.

I'm sure the CSS will help you ride more confidently at speed, but the Rapid guys will help you on the road.

BTW, the instructors ears were ringing by the time the day was over - two testa monsters with full systems at full throttle are quite loud apparently.

[zimbo]

Originally Posted by andyb

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.

I have to say I disagree here Andy, in this instance at least. The benefit of undergoing the CSS type excercises on a track rather than on the road are the controlled environment - something that can never be achieved on the public road. With no other traffic to worry about and a guaranteed level of grip and surface, you are free to concentrate entirely on braking and cornering. Doing the same set of corners again and again would allow you to adjust your technique and see the results as a direct comparison with previous efforts.
Once the course is completed you are left with a far better understanding of braking and cornering technique, and the ability to adjust corner speed and line mid corner - the very thing Piavi is struggling with. It's then down to you to transfer your improved understanding and technique to your road riding.

Your comments on most accidents being caused by poor observation are of course totally correct in my view too though!
Piavi's problems however are caused by low confidence and relatively poor application of technique as a result, and i believe she'll benefit hugely from the course.

[pink and white]

i am in (level 3).

[Gilps]

Paivi, I have done levels one and two, and after reading your description of your problems, I am confident CSS will be able to help you. You will learn not just how to go round corners, but also the theory and physics involved in getting a bike to go round the corners. It is this last element that most other riding schools don't cover and is an important piece of the puzzle. It's a good environment for learning in. You do 20 minute sessions in the classroom and then get to put that in to practice on the circuit. The instructors are excellent.
And don't worry if it's wet. You actually learn more in the wet as the application of the correct techniques matters even more. It rained on my second day and I was amazed at how much grip can be found if you know where to look for it. I spent most of last year wanting at least one wet DD race and they were all dry thanks to Harrie's sun dance before each meet.
You will learn a lot and I'm sure you will be a better rider for it. Enjoy yourself.

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by pink and white

i am in (level 3).

Iwas just going to ask for you to post your experiences of 1 & 2 Gilps has just placed his findings as he has done both.


Phil

[Gilps]

Originally Posted by Ghost

Iwas just going to ask for you to post your experiences of 1 & 2 Gilps has just placed his findings as he has done both.


Phil

I'm more than happy to give my full verdict on CSS, both the plus and minus points but I didn't want to hijack Paivi's thread. I've seen it on another forum where it degenerated into a full on slanging match about CSS. Not that I think it would happen on here but you will always get people who either didn't find it useful or know someone who thought badly of it, as well as others who speak highly of it. However, I stand by what I said in that it's my view that Paivi will benefit from it hugely, based on what she has said earlier.

[Ghost]

I've been riding a long time but never had any formal training, I have no delusions of my ability. I am going there with the mindset of "Forget what I think I know and just start again".

I don't have to wory about speed balance etc as I find that ok so I should be able to concentrate fully on their finer points of training.

I have managed a 9:40 around the Nurburgring, but would still like to gain more confidence in my tyres and my ability. I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to doing it with like minded people such as Paivi.


Phil

[pink and white]

for me ,i really enjoy it ,sure will help paivi.
for new or unexperience rider(like me),CSS did help a lot .
fully agree with Gilps comments.
on my level 2 day.from the start of the morning,i was just a rubbish rider.but at the end ,i was the 3rd most improve rider on the day.i even got a pair of knee slider as a grift.

[andyrh]

Originally Posted by Ghost

I have managed a 9:40 around the Nurburgring

Just to qualify that time Phil, was that achieved riding a CG125 or a 1098R

[Paivi]

Originally Posted by andyrh

Just to qualify that time Phil, was that achieved riding a CG125 or a 1098R

And, was it hours and minutes, or minutes and seconds?

[Paivi]

Originally Posted by Ghost

I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to doing it with hot biker chicks such as Paivi.

Aw, thanks!

[Ghost]

It was my first time there and I feel justly proud of myself to have beaten the 10 minutes but just to put it in perspective the people who helped me out are in the 8min to 8min 15 bracket. So I have a lot of learning to do might not have enough years left.

I really enjoyed it tho' and as Arnie says I'll be back.

Heh I just noticed your subtle editing. LOL


Phil

[andyb]

What do i know,

im just a class 1 car driver and a class 1 motorcyclist......................