Monday, July 30, 2012

IAM Observer Training Weekend.

Over the last few months several riders have passed there test for IAM and want to push on and become observers.  IAM here in New Zealand  is really beginning to grow.   It was becoming a pressing matter to get some of those who seek to become observers properly trained,  We have all been aware of the pressure Phil is under and all want to do our part to help relive that pressure and grow the club. But at the same time standards need to be maintained.

This weekend those who were keen to push on met in Thames for a full on and intensive training weekend.  The goal was to cover as much of the ground work and to be aware of the skills required to become observers. There is a lot to learn and it is a bit like starting out with IAM all over again.  Different skills are needed to properly access an associate and to make the correct observations and how to deal with that information.  I will blog my way through the process so there is no need for me to go over that here in this blog.

Morne's GSX r

At Thames witing the arrival of the others.

So Saturday morning arrived and I met Phil, Morne, John and Andy for the ride down to Thames.  It had been arranged to stay at Glens place just out side of Thames.  The ride was very very fresh and even with heated grips and three layers of thermals I could not say the word warm as my teeth were chattering.  2 degress in Thames when we arrived.  We met up with the others who had made there way from other areas, including that poor retired blogger from the Coromandel, Geoff.






Andy, Me, Phillip, Morne, John, Bruce, Geoff and Richard.
These pics supplied by Geoff James

Glenns place just outside of Thames was to be our home for the next two days.  Greeted with hot soup and home made muffins one could only wonder if it could become a permanent place of residence.  The hospitality that Glen and his wife Shirley displayed was just superb and you were made to feel right at home very quickly. Boots by the fire place and motorbike jackets strewn every where, yep home away from home.

After a some food it was in to the class room stuff.  it was excellent to get down to the nitty gritty of observer training.  We covered an array of topics from positioning when following, communication, righting reports, dealing with associates, knowing the road code, as well as Motorcycle Roadcraft.  I personal felt at the end of it I was far more prepared, and knew what was to be expected of me in an observer capacity.




Food glorious food!.  Pics supplied by John Hebrink.
On Sunday morning we were able to go out and put into practice some of what we had learnt.  Richard and I paired up and it was actually very hard to ride "bad" so as to give Richard some thing to observe.  DISCLAIMER...any videos that may circulate of me riding badly is because I was pretending to be a shit rider, and it is not in fact how I ride.!

Riding opposite lines to what I was used to so as to get a good view of Richard was not as hard as I first thought.  But man there is a lot going on, between observing the rider in front as well as concentrating on my own riding it was actually very exhausting.  Practicing positioning at intersections while it teamed down with rain in Thames also had it's challenges.

Back to Glens for yet more food and class room stuff before finally leaving for home in the rain about 4.00.

It was a very productive and enjoyable weekend.  I brought away a lot of information to work through but I sense a real feeling of excitement amongst the other guys as we progress through.  It is great to be a part of something which can only be good for motorcycling.  Even though we are all keen as to become observers there will be no cutting of corners or lowering of standards.  Exciting stuff.

I personally express my sincere thanks to Phillip and Morne for organizing and the teaching.  I know Phil was up all hours getting stuff done.  Also Glen and Shirley for the use of the wonderful home and an endless supply of excellent food.



21 comments:

  1. Rog, what a great way to spend a "winter" weekend, surrounded by good friends in a hospitable environment with good catering, sharing the same hobby. Kudos to the gang to get out in that sh$tty weather and do their thing.
    Love the rainbow pics!

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    1. THanks Hon, yep it was a great weekend......no back to the diet!

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  2. 2 degrees! You guys are tough...

    That looks like a beautiful home and I wish we had a similar program around here.

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    1. Gee Richard...why do I detect a dgress of sarcasm in your comment! I suppose though if any is qualifield to judge on coldness it would be you.

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    2. Nope, no sarcasm at all. 2 degrees and damp is really cold...

      Last May, I rode to Anchorage in similar weather and that is what convinced me to get a heated liner.

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    3. Could of done with one of those mate, to be far don't often end up riding in such chilly conditions.

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  3. Great post Rog, even if you soft city boys don't like a bit of fresh air ;-).

    Your comment about feeling like starting all over again..... I thought it was just me feeling like that! Waves of anxiety about getting through it all.

    What a fantastic weekend it was though and when I rode home in the torrential rain and high winds, I actually enjoyed it because I felt in control. Got to agree with you about Philip and Morne - they're pure gold. Also to Shirley and Glenn for making us all so welcome.

    Really glad that we're taking this path together...

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    1. Come on, I am not a soft city boy........a little precious maybe!

      Very much enjoyed myself as well, and it is great to be sharing this journey. I am finding it very rewarding.

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  4. I, too, very much like the rainbow pictures. Sounds like an intense weekend. I'm delighted to hear you had to work at riding badly :^) Looking forward to more "winter" photos.
    ~k

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    1. Lots of rain = lots of rainbows! Had a lot of rain lately so not sure if you will get many winter shots Keith....will see what I can do.

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  5. Great pictures. It is nice that you could all get together for the training. Brrrr, the weather definitely sounds cold to me. Cold and rain, yikes.

    It sounds as though you handled it very well. Good job. Be proud of what you are accomplishing.

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    1. Thanks Brandy, I am quietly proud of what i have accomplished so far, still as always lots to learn. Very exciting times ahead.

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  6. Good for you for moving on to the next level of training. I was going to take a year before stepping up but thought I'd better do it now or I never would. It certainly helps to have the support of your teammates.
    I look forward to your blog posts through the process, thanks.

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    1. Brad, you probably understand more than anyone about the unseen pressure, yet it is a great feeling to know I am moving forward in my skill level.

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  7. Roger:

    can't wait to read more about your IAMs training. I don't think we have anything like this here. Being couped up in a nice home with other bikers and being served good, never-ending foods sounds like a good weekend to me

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. Bob...I am with you mate, food and riding, hard to beat really!

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  8. Roger - Great pictures, love the rainbow! I think what you are doing is fabulous. Anything that makes a rider better is a great undertaking. We don't have anything like that here in Canada that I know of, but if they did I think I would undertake it. Everytime I go out on my bike I ask myself what I could have done better, smarter and smoother. My riding has changed over the last month and I think it has to do with the amount of seat time I am getting. Its hard to improve your skill level on your own because you do need constructive commentary, but I just keep at it and take time in the parking lot to practice skills. Love reading about your adventures and Geoff's. You both inspire me to reach and improve my skills.

    *I tried to post here last night and blogspot was not cooperating.

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    1. Dar, thanks hun, The more you ride the better you get, interesting to that if you stay riding on the dirt your confidence on the road will grow heaps.

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    2. Not to mention the fun factor of riding in the dirt, it was pretty awesome! My hubby thinks its because I am addicted to motorcycling and he said he knew I would love it. The confidence part is why he wants our daughter to start out on a dirt bike. I agree it that it has the potential to build skill. For now though I just want to hunt mud puddles!

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    3. Precious, you are indeed precious for improving your skills to help others (I presume) improve their skills. We (well, me for sure) are always in need of observation and encouragement in hopes of improvement. Keep up the good work (though I know that 2C is darn cold).

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  9. Wait a sec!! No one has said anything about the obvious lack of female participants. Is there a definite skew of IAM involvement? Is it not many female riders, or not enough going for IAM?

    Like others, I wish there was a program like that here, I can't get behind our MSF classes here. There are a glut of teachers in the area. Our friends have to go 2 hours away to teach each weekend.

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