Experiences of Cycle Training

Yep... sounds like the instructor failed to give you what you needed. Get a lesson with a CTUK trained instructor and you will get loads out of it. What bourough do you live/work in? Might be able to get a free lesson.

definitely, there's a lots more to it than the basic stuff.

So I have to admit, for some reason I assumed I would be working with a CTUK instructor. But having had a second look at the website, it's actually 'Bikeability' accredited instructors who are offered by Tower Hamlets at Bikeworks. I know that some of the instructors from this forum who are CTUK guys work out of Bikeworks, perhaps that's what confused me. Bit of a shame though as we didn't cover anything more than I did in 1986 on my Cycling Proficiency test.

Have you contacted CTUK?
You can request a lesson through our website http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/ using an online form or call 020 7231 6005. We will ensure that you get an instructor appropriate to the level of training you need which in your case is Advanced Road skills. The funding depends where you live work or study. It costs £35 p/h if you don't live work study in a borough that uses CTUK.
(Wigan Will is a CTUK instructor BTW)

Brilliant advice all. Thank you Skydancer. I'll give Will a heads up now (he's already on it by the looks of my in box). What a lovely gang you all are!

Cog: Did you touch on any Level 3 material? And what ingrained kinks did your instructor notice?

Islington offer free cycle training to all adults who live or work in the borough. As do Camden. Go on the borough websites to book that.

Doesn't sound like we got anywhere near level 3 tbh. She had some words about my failure to cover my brakes and my positioning in the road when entering a major road, but I could tell she wasn't comfortable with the pace we were riding at or the questions I was asking her. It was seriously basic.

Cheers for the info.

Mmm... if a trainee was riding away from me, I'd ask them to slow down so we could ride together for the session. Were you trying to get away?

Covering your brakes and assertive positioning is good practice though!

Had CTUK training last month based on what I'd read here while lurking and friendly road encounter with a gentleman I learned was a certain Digger. and as a Lambeth resident I qulaified for maintenance course too, which I attended last weekend.

Am moderate experienced cyclist, I found the training really good overall. Probably has more impact the less cycling you've done, but I imagine it would be worth it for cyclists of any level. Definitely learned new stuff, and even the stuff that was not so new was good to have it confirmed, so left me more confident. Would recommend to anyone.

So, many thanks to forum and this thread (and the good people at Lambeth council too)

Mmm... if a trainee was riding away from me, I'd ask them to slow down so we could ride together for the session. Were you trying to get away?

Covering your brakes and assertive positioning is good practice though!

Oh I wasn't racing her. And god knows I'm not quick. But she made a point of saying she was slow. I rode at a very relaxed pace but we really didn't do that much road stuff at all tbh. And if it sounded like I didn't appreciate her feedback regarding brakes and positoning - quite the opposite.

The end of the session where she sort of announced that there was nothing more to do was the disappointment. I'm not an amazing cyclist by any stretch, but I think about what I'm doing and can get around town. As I said above, I was pretty clear why I wanted training when I approached Bikeworks at the beginning and also at the beginning of our session. We just weren't compatible that's all. I'm getting Will on the case. It will be just what the doctor ordered no doubt. (Jealous of the Lambeth maintenance lessons too, but I work in Kennington sometimes so I might look into that).

I feel you.

What Londonneur and Skydancer said is good advice.

Hope you have a more positive experience nexr time.

Oh I wasn't racing her. And god knows I'm not quick. But she made a point of saying she was slow. I rode at a very relaxed pace but we really didn't do that much road stuff at all tbh. And if it sounded like I didn't appreciate her feedback regarding brakes and positoning - quite the opposite.

The end of the session where she sort of announced that there was nothing more to do was the disappointment. I'm not an amazing cyclist by any stretch, but I think about what I'm doing and can get around town. As I said above, I was pretty clear why I wanted training when I approached Bikeworks at the beginning and also at the beginning of our session. We just weren't compatible that's all. I'm getting Will on the case. It will be just what the doctor ordered no doubt. (Jealous of the Lambeth maintenance lessons too, but I work in Kennington sometimes so I might look into that).

I had exactly the same experience as you at the end of 2009 and with a CTUK instructor. When I booked my lesson I told them that I had been riding daily for the past 18 months.I contacted them afterwards to say that it would have been good to match my level with an instructor I received a message back from them to say thank you but that's it. Apart from Skydancer who contacted me following my post on here (a few pages back on this thread) to nicely offer me a free lesson. During my lesson in 2009 we spent a lot of the time in the park and quiet roads and covered a lot of the very basics. At the end we rode on the busy stretch Kennington/Oval where I lost the instructor and when we finally met again she got quite impatient with me.

Sorry to have to post this again but I think it is important for anyone who wants to go on cycle training to check that they really are going to benefit from it.

I attended the ctuk bike maintenance and that was great!

It sounds like you covered a lot of ground in your session VV - what were the best things you learned? Did you ask for a follow up session?

I didn't ask for a follow-up session as that was my follow-up session. I had a session 16 months previously (which I had advised CTUK about).

The best thing I learned I guess was to make eye contact when looking back but she insisted on looking back ALL the time, ie on a straight road and every 3 parked cars or so (Idon't think it is necessary).

Sorry to have to post this again but I think it is important for anyone who wants to go on cycle training to check that they really are going to benefit from it.

Well, not so much check they are going to benefit as make sure the instructor knows what they want out of the training. The instructor should make sure they do know that anyway. It's unfortunate that you had an unsatisfactory lesson but that is rare; 'too easy' or 'too basic' doesn't crop up in the feedback noticeably.
But as has been mentioned earlier sometimes experienced riders do need their basic control skills working on; covering brakes, emergency stops, for example. The very great bulk of a lesson for an advanced rider though should be on road and on the roads (or kind of roads) that that rider uses. It's a shame you did not get what you needed.

Morning all. I had a very generous session with Wiganwill yesterday. Very patient and careful to communicate all his points in a language I could respond to. He adjusted the context of the session to my own riding needs and habits. So the big question... was it worth it?

A resounding yes basically. What came to the surface during our session is that the majority of my less pleasant experiences as a cyclist can be routed back to me automatically wanting to be out of the way of other road users. I'm too quick to drift over to the side of the road at points when it is safer and more controlled to 'take the lane'. Riding with Will was interesting as he uses considerably more tarmac than me. Taking the lane with confidence and communicating his intention to do so very early on and with little fuss. My basic handling skills are up to scratch apparently so I have the skills to practice a more controlled and less stressful use of the road. Which I will do from now on. I think that was the best thing about it really, the confidence to know that being where I should be on the road at various points is the safest and most intelligent choice and that the repercussions are not confrontation but improved communication.

I'm faster than I thought too apparently. I like bombing about and getting a bit sweaty, but on my way home it did occur to me that some of that might be to do with wanting to be out of the way too? A lot of what I covered with Will gives me the skill base to select the pace I want and remain confident that everyone is getting where they're going without stress.

So do I recommend it? Yep definitely. Could most cyclists out there benefit? Yep definitely. BUT certain providers would do well to ask more questions when booking tutees and to fit the sessions more to their requirements. Will and I also agreed that level 3 shouldn't be called 'Cycle Training' but 'Advanced Cycling' or something a bit more sexy perhaps?

Great to meet you Will. And thanks for taking the time to see me right. Look forward to meeting you again on the blacktop. I'll be the one centrally positioned behind the car in front!

Thanks, it was a pleasure meeting you too. Though I must admit that when I turned round and you had taken your cap off I was surprised to find myself looking at Bonnie Prince Billy.
My legs are still sore; you really shouldn't worry about keeping up on any forum rides.

Bonnie Prince Billy! You're not the first! might venture into the realm of TNRC next season if they'll have me.

I had cycle training yesterday – I live in Southwark so got a free lesson through www.cycleinstructor.com

I explained that I cycled everyday to and from work, as well as at the weekends, so he arranged to meet me outside my work and follow me on my way home to see whether I do anything daft. After asking me some questions (eg “how close would you cycle to a parked car?”) we set off. It was pretty uneventful. He said my cycling was pretty much perfect, I’m in the right part of the road, take the right lines and look over my shoulder etc. Maybe I could look over my shoulder more, but that was it. It got to the point where I was pointing out things I’d done wrong, but he said that I’d done everything really safely. Hmm.

I’m not convinced that my cycling is in any way perfect but I was quite flattered anyway! I cycled pretty much like I normally do but without my ipod and didn’t swear at anyone or anything, other than the raised ironworks by Blackfriars. Also I wasn’t drunk, so that’s a bit of a win too.

I think I was expecting to learn a bit more, really. I’m a pretty confident cyclist and certainly have better road awareness than a lot of the people I see every day. But I can’t be perfect – unless cycling safely is the hidden talent I’ve been waiting all these years to discover...

Sounds like you could do with being taken out of your comfort zone and be made to ride on an unfamiliar complex road system. PM if want to do more.

Sounds like you could do with being taken out of your comfort zone and be made to ride on an unfamiliar complex road system. PM if want to do more.

Totally agree! I felt very unchallenged. PM coming your way...

Will and I also agreed that level 3 shouldn't be called 'Cycle Training' but 'Advanced Cycling' or something a bit more sexy perhaps?

Why?

Because it might put off more experienced cyclists or bruise egos if it feels like they are starting from scratch. Look at the old forum pisstake "have you considered cycle training?" for example".

Because it might put off more experienced cyclists or bruise egos if it feels like they are starting from scratch. Look at the old forum pisstake "have you considered cycle training?" for example".

I have come across a lot of resistance amongst "experienced" riders to the idea of needing "training" in something they think they do rather well... A typical conceit of the self taught, I believe. This is particularly the case with men. Most are surprised at how much good new stuff they learn during training. I know I was.... ;-)

Perhaps there is space for a bit of rebranding..."Advanced Cycling", "Urban Cycling Skills", "X-Treme Psykillin'!!" anythng other than "training"...