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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.