Cycle training for experienced riders?

I'm thinking of having some cycle training for my boyfriend and me. I'm pretty confident but would like someone to observe and point out bad moves I may not be aware of and techniques for major multi-lane multi-light junctions (like Aldgate size). He is reasonably confident but doesn't drive and would like some guidance on road craft.

Our council offers free training but the trainer we spoke to didn't seem geared up for more advanced training - it was more like an hour on using gears, next hour on two road junctions etc

I guess what I want is the cycling equivalent of advanced driving lessons. Is this actually available?

Betty, what you describe sounds like Level 3 of the National Standard for Cycle Training. Cycle training is available for all levels of ability (as it's tailored to the trainee, not the other way around). A trainer will observe what you do well and where you might have some room for improvement and work on it with you.

Out of interest, which council is it that you've spoken to?

Good question - do I just need to get in touch with the Local Authority Oliver ? Despite riding for 40+ years might learn that little thing that saves your life / scrub out bad habits etc.

Hi Oliver

It's Haringey

Provision in London isn't uniform. I can tell you more if you tell me which Council it is. Inner London authorities should be able to sort you out, but the situation is a little more patchy in Outer London.

I'm currently devising some additional stuff to the syllabus. Split second decision making, that kind of stuff. PM me what boroughs do you guys live/work in.

Thanks - I have the dubious privilege of residing in Swansea - not quite so tricky riding down here but am on the bike every day so would be good to pick up tipsies.

Ah, OK. I don't know about Swansea, but skydancer is your man (he's involved with TABS and will be able to point you in the right direction).

Our council offers free training but the trainer we spoke to didn't seem geared up for more advanced training - it was more like an hour on using gears, next hour on two road junctions etc

I guess what I want is the cycling equivalent of advanced driving lessons. Is this actually available?

Perhaps the trainer was just not very good at explaining how a session might work. Bikeability is an odd thing in that the syllabus is the same for 10 yr olds as it is for adults - Level 1, Level 2, Level 3. But clearly a skilled trainer would not go through it in the same way. Although all training would start off road, checking your basic bike handling. This is not always, for experienced riders, the formality you might think it would be. But it can also take just 10 or 15 minutes.
With very experienced. and confident, riders I have had the on road bit last 45 minutes, because they really do not have many improvements to make or bad habits to break, or 2 hours because they may be confident but they are not actually competent. Or there are specific situations, such as large junctions or busy roundabouts, that they wish to concentrate on and really crack.
Every session is, and should be, different. Part of the instructors skill is to figure out, very quickly, how to pace the lesson and where the trainees real anxieties or concerns lie.
If the instructor you spoke to sounded like he/she would not be up to it, try again until you do find one.

I've booked free training with brent council next week. I met one of the coaches in the park and he said he's personally happy to go straight to major junctions and observe how I ride giving me feedback etc. He said he'd just need to spend 5 mins making sure my bike is safe and I'm as competent as I claim to be. I've been riding on the road since I was 10. My daily route goes through major junctions and fast roads. I've picked up so much over the years and I'm really confident and aggressive in my riding but I can't lose anything from free training. Worse comes to worse I've wasted a couple of hours, although I'd be on the saddle so not even a waste!

Good attitude, Husy. Many experienced riders assume that they already know it all, and it's great to see that you're open-minded as to what you might still be able to learn.