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Five go to the Bike Skills Academy |
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Simon Daffern I fancied doing something
different to the usual
track day or wheelie school, so when I saw the Craig Jones “Bike
Skills Academy” advertised on his website http://www.bikeskillsacademy.com/
I thought that looks tailor-made for me. I was a bit apprehensive on the day, Craig Jones is
a former European Stunt Champion and still holds the world record for
the longest stoppie, even with a passenger! I thought “stunts” are
the things I normally do involuntary J.
So I was pleased when Craig started the day with a group talk informing
us that the day was all about bike control and improving our bike skills
during the day, in the safe environment of the airfield (disused....no
worries about planes buzzing us). Craig told us how the skills we would
develop during the day would help to give us the confidence as well as
techniques to deal with hazards out on the public roads. We split into 3
small groups and were introduced to our respective instructors for each
discipline. My group started off by going out for a road riding
assessment with a Bikesafe Police Officer, 2 of us to each Instructor.
This was a chance to get my riding scrutinised and receive some expert
advice, which was greatly received.
Chris Frewin, Simon Daffern, John Wright & Ian Stringer Then my group went to the “Extreme Urban
Riding” discipline, where we were coached by the man himself Craig
Jones. Don’t be put off by the description “Extreme”, you won’t
be asked to pull wheelies or jump buses, far from it. What you will do
is negotiate a course where you will manoeuvre your bike at low speeds
but in a manner you’ve probably never tried. During this exercise,
Craig and his colleague Wing, not only instruct, guide and encourage you
but they also make it fun. Then, we tackled the “stoppie” exercise. Again,
don’t be put off by the title. Craig talks you through and then
demonstrates the exercise, he guides you all the time and it is done at
low speed so is very safe. Again Craig points out that this exercise is
perfect for developing brake control and getting the feel for what the
brakes are capable of, which can only help you back out on the road.
Basically, this is a great way to practice emergency stops and build
confidence that if the rear wheel happens to lift slightly, then you
won’t panic but remain in control. After lunch, we were treated to a spectacular stunt
show by Craig. As Craig performs his stunts he talks to you (via his
helmet pa system) and the emphasis is not on the stunts but on the bike
control and rider skills needed to perform the stunts. Next up, the Wheelie Machine! None of my group had
ever been on a wheelie machine and you should have seen the look on our
faces, I have to be honest, we looked frightened. Our fears were
unfounded, the instructor Steve, talked us through the various exercises
and all that was needed was a volunteer to go first. My group as usual,
did the honourable thing and voted that I should go first! I have to
point out that you cannot come to any harm, the bike is secured via the
rear axle on to a rolling road and the front wheel is tethered to the
floor. At the end of my first go I had a grin as wide as the proverbial
cat, as did all of us. I really enjoyed being able to concentrate on the
technique of the bike control knowing that I was perfectly safe. Trying
to pull a wheelie on the road is something I will never attempt,
self-preservation and bike preservation ensure that, but as Craig
pointed out at the end-of-session debrief, it’s not about pulling
wheelies it’s about learning another aspect of bike control that may
save your life out on the road. This was one of the best bike day’s I have been
on. I learnt new skills, had fun and enjoyed meeting Craig and the other
instructors. |
