This is my second outing with Jim, and to be perfectly honest it started out just as nerve wracking as the first! But, that is just me, and not how Jim makes you feel.
The day starts with a coffee and a chat of what you want to cover. I had a clear plan this time of what I wanted, and had narrowed it down to, "EVERYTHING!".
We started with some slow speed work, feet up "U" turns, figures of 8, etc., something nobody ever does after they get their CBT, but it really is vital.
Then off onto the road and a quiet start to ease into the mood and situation, then into Harrogate one of the smallest, prettiest, and busiest places on the planet, for some filtering work.
Through Harrogate and off into the Dales, the roads open and the shoulders start to relax again. Coffee stop and first review, "Keep your head up - No, not just your eyes, your HEAD". "Be in the right gear, and at the right speed when you get there so you don't have to brake and change gear as you get there. Then you're straight off, smooth as you like".
Onto lunch and another de-brief over a Ploughman's. Fed and watered, and with a plan we set off again.
The road is a meandering ribbon of tarmac ranging from wide open sweeping bends, to hedged-in blind hairpins, it pulses from wide to narrow again and again, the only thing it doesn't have, or I don't notice, are any straights.
The aim is to ride as fast as you can there and back without using your brakes. Forward planning and the use of the gearbox is what it is all about. We do this again and again, and to be honest I cock up a different corner each time. "Oh no - Big Brake - and find 2nd, Phew!", and off again. Me, I think it's good practice for Jim - to keep him on his toes, so he doesn't run into the back of me.
I'm getting the hang of this now so we stop off again, this time the de-brief is fed with lovely ice-cream and sunshine.
The next part of the day is planned, so far we've done, slow speed, open roads, towns, filtering, and A & B roads. Now just to prove that Jim covers everything, he finds some rain for us to practice some wet weather riding. Thanks Jim.
Back to our starting point for a final de-brief and another coffee - WOW, I'm shattered.
The day has been totally relaxed and friendly, and entirely suited to my wishes. Any points Jim spots will be addressed in a positive way, giving you the confidence to put into practice what you've learnt, and improve as you go - there is no "right", or "wrong", and the day is far from rigid or formal. It makes you ride better whatever speed you ride at.
Everybody should give the day a go, if not fit it into their annual biking routine - it would be a fantastic way to start your biking season, and get it off to a flying start.
Many thanks for a wonderful day Jim, and you will be seeing me again for another session.
Steve Price - Barnsley