Experiences of Cycle Training

I had a cycle training session with Digger last week, extremely useful it was. I would seriously encourage anyone who hasn’t had any cycle training to look it up. Coupled with the training I had previously, they have covered different aspects and I have easily gained twice more than the sum of the parts.

An extremely thorough check of bike roadworthiness opened my mind way more than I expected, all put together with logical sense that will definitely stick in my mind. As recommended, I will test myself and talk through the ‘M’ check with someone who knows it already – probably more than once – to be sure it has bedded in.

I learnt an awful lot about reading the road and other drivers – literally from the line markings (and being a driver I thought I knew all of it already – it’s been way too long since my driving test), to the position and structure of cycle paths, where the hazardous parts of the road are – particularly with temporary roadworks, and when not to use cycle paths if they don’t keep you in a safe place. My indicating was ‘assertively so-so’ beforehand – I was reminded that I shouldn’t indicate apologetically, but very clearly.

Within a week, my signalling improved instantly, I am already much more confident with dealing with a queue of stationary traffic, and overtaking on the outside. I’m also reading the road more, absorbing more from each snap shop my eyes take of the road.

Digger has a way of drawing the logic and reasoning out of you, letting you work things out for yourself – and the knowledge the man possesses of London – well I also know the history of Exhibition Row, Crystal Palace and the V&A, amongst other things … informative to the top!

Big thanks! Hope that the foot heals well and you’re out of the cast soon.

It means a lot that Aroogah now comments ‘Ride Well’ rather than ‘Ride Safe’ when I head off to work in the morning.