Cycle Training

Send the missus to ride alongside the Victorian Racehorse, will ask her to write a report too.

Great thread right here. I've now gone and booked my CT for next friday through Lambeth Council on the back of all the positive responses. I've actually already realised a couple of my own cycling errors just by reading some of these posts, so it's definitely time to swallow ones pride rid the bad habits for good!

Hopefully it'l go well.

Good stuff. Let us know how it goes.

BTW there is now a whole forum for Cycle Training on here which night be the best place for any comments you have after. cheers http://www.lfgss.com/forum49.html

Good move liam. Hope you enjoy your lesson.
There's a whole forum about cycle training here if you want to read more experiences and other stuff
http://www.lfgss.com/forum49.html

snap!

Is there a reason why this thread hasn't been moved to the special, dedicated, brand spanking new forum on cycle training, which I somehow, for some tangential reason, believe may be this one:

http://www.lfgss.com/forum49.html

(E.g., to avoid 'people looking less at smaller sub-forums' syndrome by maintaining a foothold in General?)

i was about to request that on the mods thread oliver and had second thoughts

I think it's best to leave it here, as it'd be an introduction to the cycle training forum, wouldn't you think?

the general topic is a pretty popular section, and it can be easy for the other section to get overlooked...

That's what i thought ed

Perhaps a note on the first thread to let people know about the CT forum

I'll ask Dancing james to do that when he gets back

Probably been covered in this thread. How do I qualify as a cycle instructor? I want to make some changes at TfHell.

Ha.

There's a whole forum about cycle training here
http://www.lfgss.com/forum49.html

Have people really not noticed it?

^ Good tibb.

I've been cycling for roughly 23 years and grew up with Green Park, St. James' Park (and the surrounding roads as my back garden. Although aware for some time of the benefits of cycle training for all cyclists regardless of experience, I'd never had a lesson until today.

Slightly reluctant to let the boyfriend teach me Bikeability and indeed be the one to pop my cycle training cherry (surely the fastest method of instigating a Boxing Day domestic), it was with some trepidation that Dancing James and I peddled to a quiet place by the river to begin my lesson in earnest (the lesson actually started back at home with the basic bike safety check where we ascertained/confirmed that I am sh*t at oiling my chain and REALLY need new brake pads - tut tut, first fail).

I listened intently as he methodically, engagingly, clearly and calmly (but in no way patronisingly) took me through mounting the bike, emergency braking, turning, signaling/looking behind, counter-steering and lifting the front wheel to go over kerbs and potholes.

We then moved to the roads to work on positioning, setting off, lane negotiation, stopping etc. All through the lesson I was firstly asked how I thought something ought to be done and was then either agreed with, corrected or given a better solution/suggestion and told why.

I knew I don't always give myself enough room on the left in the event of car doors being opened. The simple exercise of measuring the length of a Mini's front door with my arms and then swinging round to see how far out in to the road that door could open (right in to the middle of the said road in fact) was a real eye-opener. I'd always guessed at least 25-30 cm less than that.

I learned how much easier it is for me to look right than left. Also the difference between what I can see when looking behind me with both hands on the handlebars as opposed to one was pretty surprising.

After the 2 hr lesson we cycled off to Oxford Street (crazy, stupid, never again) and I can honestly say I was practising my new tricks and being much more assertive, prominent and forward thinking all the way.

On the basis of this one lesson, I am convinced that anyone can in fact benefit from some training ('well duh!' you might well say). I'm even more thrilled to find that DJ is such an excellent teacher. I'm looking forward to hearing some good stories and positive feedback from his new students in January.

I too am really thrilled that DJ is a good teacher :))
Good post Miss Mouse, be interesting to hear how the training affects your riding in the medium and long term too.

^^ astroturfing

:)

Turbo trainer eveyday for me in this dismal weather

How it was done in the olden days ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2012/jan/06/postcard-britain-first-cycling-school#

I took traininng to be a cycle instructor late in 2010, and then have not actually taught anyone since then. Well, this morning I took the plunge, assisting on two bikeability sessions for year 6s with some pretty mixed abilities.

Awesome day! I feel really happy to be doing it. Can't believe I've not done any sooner.

Nice one Skully
Good job isn't it?

Excellent! Unfortunately for me, planning jobs is going to be really hard for me: I hope to hoover up last minute cover, the Flying Instructor as it were ... as my 'other job' is booked all a bit last minute, I'm going to be hard pushed to accept work far in advance.

Time to get my head round cti's booking system...

I've sent off a request for cycle training hopefully get a slot within the first few weeks of moving down to london, confident cyclist but have no idea when it comes to properly riding in busy traffic so should do me some good!

Recently completed the 4 day instructor course and assisted my first two days this week. Really enjoyed it and copped £70 pd too. More on offer once I'm assessed in a couple of months and will no longer be a provisional.

Recommended - and you get to finish at around 3.30!

Had to cancel mine that was booked for next week due to too much work, hopefully will be able to rebook at some point...