An associate’s perspective on advanced riding

My Journey to become an Advanced Coventry Rider

At the age of 18, I passed my motorbike test, now some 40 years ago.  Since that time, I’ve clocked up thousands of miles, both here in the UK and across Europe.  I have owned several bikes over this period and today I am the owner of a Ducati Multistrada and occasionally (on fair weather days) I venture out on my Ducati 848 Evo Corse.  With my solid track record, good quality bikes and all those miles, it was not unreasonable to think that I was an experienced, capable, and competent rider.

An assumption that has been proven wrong since I joined Coventry Riders.

In 2019, I stepped down from full time work to being a semi-retired Chartered Engineer and Company Director, and subsequently joined WSBB (Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes).  A local charity that would provide me with the opportunity to ride regularly, whilst at the same time giving back to the community and doing what I call – “A Good Deed”. 

To ride for WSBB, every member must have passed a RoSPA Advanced Rider Test or similar.  I was introduced to Coventry Riders via Bob Ballinger who was riding for WSBB at the time.  Bob encouraged me to become an associate member of Coventry Riders and introduced me to the training that was available, and so I began my journey to be an advanced rider.  That very decision has escalated my competence and confidence and taken me to a completely different level of riding. 

So, what makes qualified Coventry Riders better?

Firstly, the dedication that the Coventry Riders observers provide to encourage better, safer, and more advanced riders is unprecedented.  My observers dedicated their time and effort to ensure I was focussing on the areas that would make me a better rider.  They respected my existing level of competence and through encouragement and focus it did not take long to get me to the next level of riding. 

Secondly, the courses that Coventry Riders provide played a significant role in improving my riding capability.  The first course I embarked on was a Slow Riding Course.  I was sceptical at that time and thought - How difficult could this be?  Again, a massive learning curve where I learnt to undertake tight manoeuvres without getting off my bike – a skill which had previously eluded me.  I can now move my bike manually with ease and I have gained a stronger understanding of the bikes balance points and centre of gravity.

Next came the Cornering Course. This was particularly enlightening.   Rather than spending time in a classroom talking about the correct position to adopt, the course was carried out on live roads.  The course participants were asked to walk the corners and visualise in 3D seeing the impact of obstacles such as hedge rows, trees, and street furniture.  We also learnt how undulating roads can affect the limit point for the corner depending on your ride position. We would then adopt these learning points whilst riding on route to the next corner for more practice.

The Third Course was labelled – The Overtaking Course. We started off with a briefing from the course leader explaining the correct way to observe and position yourself prior to carrying out an overtake. This was complimented by other trained Coventry Rider observers who added other valuable points and recommendations about overtaking. Then set to work our practical session took place on live road circuits where different road types and conditions could be experienced.  The format was excellent, a Coventry Rider observer would drive the car to be overtaken by a course participant, then an observer would follow through on their bike.  The feedback given from both perspectives was invaluable.

The final course can only be taken on completion of a RoSPA Advanced Riding Test.  I was delighted to be in the position to do this having taken my test a few weeks previously.  The course enables you to bring together the skills you have gained since joining Coventry Riders and enables you to join a planned Coventry Riders group ride out. 

I have since joined one Coventry Riders group ride out.  It was an exhilarating experience and a thoroughly enjoyable one.  To be riding with likeminded, quality bike riders, who champion the benefits of Advanced Riding is a privilege.

Since joining Coventry Riders, I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and I look forward to many more ride-outs, supporting future events, and my continued involvement with the group.

Today I can confirm, I am a far better rider thanks to Coventry Riders.  

Eur Ing Philip Evans BEng(Hons), CEng, FIGEM, MICorr