Stu - A F1rst and 1’s across the board has shown the effectiveness of the training and tuition

Waking up being cut out your leathers – not something I recommend.

Cue 6 weeks later walking into the local bike store with crutches, arm in a sling and moon boot in tow – threw my leg over a brand new CBR600.

With the sensible head firmly attached – I knew I had to “calm” it down. So that’s exactly what I did, for the next 10 years, rode conservatively and restrictively.

During that time, I stayed firmly with the notion of “rubber side down”. That didn’t stop me from picking up little bad habits though. Not maintaining 360 view of everything, not listening to my body when it needed to relax. I wasn’t getting any younger. So traded in the CBR and went for the first big bike – the Triumph ST1050. All I can say is “with great power comes greater need to be safer”. And that brings me to my IAMs journey.

I ride every day to work – sometimes 40 miles a day, others 400 miles a day. All that time in the saddle I needed to do something about my ride capacity and skills. As a father and a partner, I owe it to them to be safe and come home every time I throw a leg over the bike.

So, I started the journey in Sept 2024 with my local Observer – Matt K. First ride out was an eye opener, habits I hadn’t realised had crept in. Failing to plan accordingly, road positioning not being favourable, failing to maintain effective machine control with the use of gears and engine braking. This was one of those “light bulbs” moments where I you question yourself – “how have you survived this long without more roadside wakeups?"

With this in mind, over the next 6 months I worked with Matt and defined my current ability and where I wanted/needed to be. Come rain or shine during our last winter I practised, practised and practised some more. Whether that be on the ride to work or going out when something was bugging me about my observed pick-up points. I got on the bike and went for it.

I gave myself 6 months to get test ready by Easter 2025, by the beginning of March I was test ready.

With my examiner following the test began and as they say; the rest is history.

Walking away with a F1RST and 1’s across the board has shown the effectiveness of the training and tuition I received from both Matt as my observer, Nigel as my check rider and Martyn as my examiner.

Was it worth it though? YES IT WAS!!!!!

Am I more confident in my riding capability – Yes

Do I have the skills and knowledge to get from A to B safelyand still enjoy it – Yes

What’s next on the cards for me? To take everything I have learnt and give back to the community – Blood Bikes!!!!
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