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Advanced Riding

The Free Assessment Improving your Skills The Advanced Test

The Free Assessment

Your initial riding assessment is free so that you can experience first hand what Advanced Riding is all about before making any commitment to join CWAM. It takes the form of you riding your motorcycle, whilst being followed by an Observer. 

The Observer will note what you are doing and what you are not doing. The ride usually lasts between 60 - 90 minutes and finishes back at the start venue. The ride is followed by an informal debrief, usually over a cup of coffee, when the Observer highlights areas of your riding that are good and offers advice to help you improve any deficiencies. As a record you will be given a written assessment sheet containing an action plan to improve your riding. These rides are very informal and the emphasis is on enjoying the learning experience; it is in not a test and you are not under any pressure.

Please contact the Membership Secretary for more details and to book your free assessment.


Improving your skills

Once you have decided to join us, your guidance will follow a similar process to the free assessment in that you and an observer 'go out' together and talk about the good and not so good points of the ride. At the end of the session you will be given a written record which not only acts as a way to gauge your progress but suggests areas that require further attention.  

Motorcycle ROADCRAFTDuring the riding routine you will be encouraged to use a process of riding based on the five phases of the police's System of Motorcycle Control (Information, Position, Speed, Gear and Acceleration). The System assists the rider to develop his/her riding plan; setting up future actions as early as possible so that he/she is always in the right place, at the right speed, at the right time whilst making safe progress.

Full details are in the excellent 'police rider's handbook to better motorcycling'.

 

At CWAM you don't get stuck with one observer and you will generally be paired with somebody different on each ride giving as many people as possible the opportunity to tell you how bad you are! The benefits of this policy are that the associate gains knowledge from the particular strengths each of the Observers possess, you don't have time to get fed up with each other and you have a chance to meet new people and make new friends. (The web administrator's personal experience is that they are without exception friendly people of infinite patience who truly want you to succeed).

The period from first joining the group to actually passing the test varies tremendously depending on many factors - the amount of spare time you have to practice, how often you are able to take advantage of the observed rides and of course, your own abilities. Once you are thought to have reached the required standard by one of CWAM's senior observers it will be time for you to bite the bullet and accept the challenge.


The Advanced Test

Your IAM appointed examiner will hold a Police Advanced Motorcyclist certificate (either serving or ex Police Class 1) and will have extensive experience from working within the Traffic sections of the Police Force. Don't worry, despite his fearsome qualifications he's a nice guy! 

The Advanced Motorcycling Test lasts for about 90 minutes and will usually cover between 30 to 40 miles along all types of road (urban roads, motorways (if available), dual carriageways and country lanes). It provides a thorough workout of riding ability, allowing the candidate to alter their ride according to the conditions and environment. There will be hazards and situations that need to be avoided and taken care of using the methods and techniques that advanced riding provides. There may be situations where the candidate can show flair and panache on an open country road where optimum progress can be gained with maximum safety by using the most beneficial road positioning and excellent observation. In other circumstances, the candidate will need to show restraint and composure to deal with tricky hazards, for example in a town centre where observation is used to pick out hazards that are constantly changing. The whole process combines to give a brisk, smooth ride within the legal limits.  The main objective is that the candidate has to perform well in all conditions and circumstances rather than excel in one facet. It's an opportunity for you to demonstrate the new skills that you have been tuning during the weeks of your course. 

The Advanced Motorcycling Test IS NOT EASY but is within the reach of most motorcyclists with the right guidance. It's surprising that more often than not, having taken the test, riders comment on how much they enjoyed the experience (but that might be because they are euphoric about passing)!

 

Just because you've passed the test don't think you've finished!

 

                 

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CWAM (registered charity 1056844). Affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (registered charity 249002)

An accident doesn't just happen! It's just that you have missed all the clues leading up to it!

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