Do you know..

To steer a bike around a left-hand corner, you turn the bars to the right?
The crucial difference between power and drive?
How weight transfer affects braking?
How to use the vanishing-point to tell exactly how fast to take a bend?

No? Neither did I! Yet after a 4-day DAS course at Circuit based Training not only have I learned this and much more besides, I’m also the proud owner of a full bike licence after passing Module 1 and Module 2 at the first attempt.
My week started focusing on slow speed control after an informative classroom session. Mastering the clutch underpins all other areas of riding, and it is fair to say initially I was rubbish! Day 2 saw us move onto the racetrack for circuit-based work both at high-speed and in preparation for Module 1. Day 3 continually revisited slow riding and once we were all happy with our ability we ventured out onto the roads where the tuition continued via radio towards CBT and Module 2. Throughout the week we had the chance to try riding many different motorbikes and there was a huge range of gear to borrow if we needed it.
From the very beginning, the focus was very much on developing a thorough understanding of machine control and riding safely. What some would call ‘advanced’ techniques (or ‘essential’ in my book!) were introduced right from the off and we soon became familiar with counter-steering, contact patches, weight-transfer, lean angles, entry apex and exit points on corners, and a whole host of other concepts that I know from speaking to mates simply aren’t touched upon on other courses. There’s no doubt biking is hugely dangerous, and Circuit Based Training’s ethos is summed up perfectly in the well-used phrase ‘Mortality-rate not Pass-rate’.
The use of Mallory Park race circuit should be reason alone to choose to train with Circuit Based Training. I struggle to imagine how it would be possible to properly develop skills without it. A ‘road’ to practice on without traffic, street lamps, kerbs and articulated lorries allowed us to build confidence and practice higher-speed riding while being able to focus solely on our bike control. Swerve-manoeuvres and emergency stops were all practiced at speeds that simply wouldn’t be possible to achieve safely on the road, and by comparison make the test feel easy. We were also instructed on areas like taking the correct line through bends and proper entry and exit speeds – things which do not necessarily feature in the test, but are of massive value for the rest of your biking life!
I hugely begrudge swelling the heads of our instructors, but it has to be said that they were both simply fantastic! Between them they have decades (and decades..) of riding and racing experience, have influential involvement in the biking community and with numerous biking organisations, and contribute to biking publications such as Ride and Bike magazine. Much of what I have written so far may sound slightly serious and staid, but in reality the course is an absolute hoot! Dave and Sean have a clear love of biking and a huge passion for the enjoyment of riding. They are genuinely top blokes and ensure that the laughter and mickey-taking is never far away. They are sensitive (despite the language used!) to the subtle needs of different riders and constantly adapt the course to the fit the individual. At no point did we feel we were being left behind and the emphasis was clearly placed on practicing an aspect of riding until we were happy with our progress. Sincere thanks to you both.
I’m convinced that there is no better start to motorcycling. There are cheaper courses available of that there is no doubt and if you really want to save a couple of hundred quid in order to blunder around a pub car park for half a day before heading down the road then don’t let me stop you! If however you feel that there is only one chance to get the basics right and want to experience an exhausting, eye-opening, satisfying and fun week learning to master motorcycling - I cannot recommend Circuit Based Training more thoroughly.

Dan Genders
Feb 2010

Sean/Dave,

I just want to thank you both (especially Dave) for the training I received this week.
It’s a testament to the quality of the training and facilities at Mallory Park that after 23 years since I last rode a motorbike I confidently passed my test after three and a half days training. The self-assurance gained from being taught to ride on the track with high speed cornering and emergency stops cannot be underestimated.
Dave’s down to earth manner and instructions on the track and classroom made everything make perfect sense when we moved onto the road. We had a lot of poor weather (snow, ice, fog and rain) but Dave was happy to switch start and finish times to ensure I got maximum benefit from every day.
I will definitely be back for the advanced cornering course when in the summer and look forward to seeing you both then.

Many Thanks
Pat

Patrick Chard

Murrays the Printers Ltd
T: 01908 326561
F: 01908 326567
www.murrays-printers.co.uk

Hi Sean,

Just thought I'd drop you a quick line to say a huge thank you to Dave, Pete and yourself, for getting me through my Direct Access course last week. I can honestly say that it really was worth every penny.... not necessarily something that you get to say a lot these days!

I had looked at several places for doing my Direct Access course and am hugely glad that I chose to train with you guys. It was clear from the beginning of Day 1 that you are not just about getting people through their test, you are clearly above all committed to producing a rider who is safe. I was immensely impressed with your safety ethos throughout the course, and the facilities that you have for learning to ride help in no small way with this.

I still struggle to imagine how a 'normal' school would be able to teach you to ride in such a safe manner. All the other schools I looked at seemed to take initial training in either school tennis courts or car parks. Quite how you are supposed to get up to any meaningful speed or practice cornering before going out on the road when stuck in the confines of such a small area I'll never know. With you guys though, none of this was ever going to be a problem. The vast paddock training area that you have at Mallory is fantastic for the job of learning the basics and getting up to a reasonable speed. The gradients and differing surfaces available all mean that you get to experience these before ever venturing near a public road..... something I really wouldn't have felt comfortable with if I'd only been riding round school tennis courts.

The track time was also absolutely invaluable before venturing out on the road. The fact that you teach emergency stops from realistic 60 to 70 mph speeds, and make sure that we are able to get a big bike round a corner properly using counter-steering is I believe a massive boost to safety. I really cannot fathom how a school can in good conscience let you out on the road on a big bike without having taught these skills, to my mind it's just not safe. I very quickly realised that counter-steering isn't an 'advanced' subject, it's an absolute necessity from Day 1 when doing much over 30mph on anything much bigger than a push bike!

The fact that we were able to ride with different instructors was also hugely beneficial. Yourself, Dave and Pete all have slightly different styles which provided us with access to more years of knowledge and experience than one rider could hope to get in a lifetime. I'd also like to say thanks for the patience that you all showed during the course, each taking time to explain the finer points of riding technique, and make sure that we were completely happy with what we were doing before moving on. You didn't even take the piss too much when I was hunting round for where I'd put my helmet, only to have Dave point out that it was on my head already. I honestly thought he was going to have a hernia he was laughing so much!.... who'd have known a helmet could be so comfortable that you'd forget you had it on (....it was a long day!!).

I have to admit to being a little nervous before I started the course, but you guys ensured that quickly passed as the course progressed. When it came time to move out onto the public roads, thanks to the skills you'd instilled in us, I was able to do so confident in my ability to control the bike properly and safely. I still can't quite believe that I turned up on the Monday having never ridden a motorbike and then confidently passed my test on the Thursday, just 4 days later. I'll definitely be back for the advanced cornering course! In the mean time, be assured, if I find anyone who is looking to learn to ride I will certainly be pointing them in your direction.

Once again many thanks for such a great course.

Best wishes, and safe riding,

Do you know..

To steer a bike around a left-hand corner, you turn the bars to the right?
The crucial difference between power and drive?
How weight transfer affects braking?
How to use the vanishing-point to tell exactly how fast to take a bend?

No? Neither did I! Yet after a 4-day DAS course at Circuit based Training not only have I learned this and much more besides, I’m also the proud owner of a full bike licence after passing Module 1 and Module 2 at the first attempt.
My week started focusing on slow speed control after an informative classroom session. Mastering the clutch underpins all other areas of riding, and it is fair to say initially I was rubbish! Day 2 saw us move onto the racetrack for circuit-based work both at high-speed and in preparation for Module 1. Day 3 continually revisited slow riding and once we were all happy with our ability we ventured out onto the roads where the tuition continued via radio towards CBT and Module 2. Throughout the week we had the chance to try riding many different motorbikes and there was a huge range of gear to borrow if we needed it.
From the very beginning, the focus was very much on developing a thorough understanding of machine control and riding safely. What some would call ‘advanced’ techniques (or ‘essential’ in my book!) were introduced right from the off and we soon became familiar with counter-steering, contact patches, weight-transfer, lean angles, entry apex and exit points on corners, and a whole host of other concepts that I know from speaking to mates simply aren’t touched upon on other courses. There’s no doubt biking is hugely dangerous, and Circuit Based Training’s ethos is summed up perfectly in the well-used phrase ‘Mortality-rate not Pass-rate’.
The use of Mallory Park race circuit should be reason alone to choose to train with Circuit Based Training. I struggle to imagine how it would be possible to properly develop skills without it. A ‘road’ to practice on without traffic, street lamps, kerbs and articulated lorries allowed us to build confidence and practice higher-speed riding while being able to focus solely on our bike control. Swerve-manoeuvres and emergency stops were all practiced at speeds that simply wouldn’t be possible to achieve safely on the road, and by comparison make the test feel easy. We were also instructed on areas like taking the correct line through bends and proper entry and exit speeds – things which do not necessarily feature in the test, but are of massive value for the rest of your biking life!
I hugely begrudge swelling the heads of our instructors, but it has to be said that they were both simply fantastic! Between them they have decades (and decades..) of riding and racing experience, have influential involvement in the biking community and with numerous biking organisations, and contribute to biking publications such as Ride and Bike magazine. Much of what I have written so far may sound slightly serious and staid, but in reality the course is an absolute hoot! Dave and Sean have a clear love of biking and a huge passion for the enjoyment of riding. They are genuinely top blokes and ensure that the laughter and mickey-taking is never far away. They are sensitive (despite the language used!) to the subtle needs of different riders and constantly adapt the course to the fit the individual. At no point did we feel we were being left behind and the emphasis was clearly placed on practicing an aspect of riding until we were happy with our progress. Sincere thanks to you both.
I’m convinced that there is no better start to motorcycling. There are cheaper courses available of that there is no doubt and if you really want to save a couple of hundred quid in order to blunder around a pub car park for half a day before heading down the road then don’t let me stop you! If however you feel that there is only one chance to get the basics right and want to experience an exhausting, eye-opening, satisfying and fun week learning to master motorcycling - I cannot recommend Circuit Based Training more thoroughly.

Dan Genders
Feb 2010

Sean/Dave,

I just want to thank you both (especially Dave) for the training I received this week.
It’s a testament to the quality of the training and facilities at Mallory Park that after 23 years since I last rode a motorbike I confidently passed my test after three and a half days training. The self-assurance gained from being taught to ride on the track with high speed cornering and emergency stops cannot be underestimated.
Dave’s down to earth manner and instructions on the track and classroom made everything make perfect sense when we moved onto the road. We had a lot of poor weather (snow, ice, fog and rain) but Dave was happy to switch start and finish times to ensure I got maximum benefit from every day.
I will definitely be back for the advanced cornering course when in the summer and look forward to seeing you both then.

Many Thanks
Pat

Patrick Chard

Murrays the Printers Ltd
T: 01908 326561
F: 01908 326567
www.murrays-printers.co.uk

Sean / Dave

Thought i'd drop you guys a few lines in appreciation of getting me through my DAS course with a first time pass! I had a fantastic time and thankyou for doing everything in your power to do as much as possible when the bad snow and weather took hold the other week. You guys were flexible enough to work the course around the weather safely doing the classroom work when we couldn't get out and as soon as it was safe we were out. If anything I thought the bad weather was beneficial - i'm confident in riding in the wet now.

I was really impressed with the content of the course Something that by the looks of other comments on this page hasn't gone unnoticed so i won't waffle on about it! Loved the fact that it's not designed around you doing your test but more around creating a safe, skilled and informed rider who understands the bike and what its doing, which in turn helps you get it to do what you want. After all you only have to pass the test once, you have to ride safely for the rest of your life.
After having some experience with other local training schools it was clear to me that you weren't just about getting bums on seats and really took the time with each and every one of us. SO far it's the best thing i've done this year!

I like the fact it was a relaxed yet professional learning environment which really assisted in my learning.I've recommended you to so many people already, I can't believe it when I talk to people who have been riding 15years and don't know half the stuff you guys taught me in four days!.... Now all that's left to do is buy my new bike and then I'll be back in the summer for the cornering course!...See you all then, remember mines white no sugar...I'll bring the donuts :)

Cheers Guys!

Dave, Pete, Wes

DAS: October 2008

Having never ridden a bike before, I was a little apprehensive before I started the course. Within a few hours of driving through the Mallory Gates on that first morning, I would never have guessed that I would have been riding up and down the paddock with nothing to worry about!

Dave went through everything in a slow, logical order that made the three of us on our course feel at ease immediately. There was plenty of spare kit to choose from if you don't have your own. Dave has a laid back friendly style of teaching that made us all feel at ease which made learning enjoyable - there was also lots of banter between us all which made us feel relaxed.

There were a selection of bikes to choose from - I remember Dave saying to me "whets the point of learning on a 125cc if your going to be riding a 600cc?" so I chose a Yamaha 600cc. He might have phrased it slightly differently - if you know Dave you will know what I mean! Before we went near the roads, we managed to get out onto the track and were practising emergency stops at 50 / 60mph with Dave and Wes, which was good. I only had to do one at 30mph on my test, which seemed easy after the higher speed track practise. While we were on the track, we also did counter-steering which is a bizarre concept until you try it - it works!

Once out on the roads, myself and Steve went out with Dave and the other Steve went out with Pete. Dave gave both of us a chance of riding at the front and gave us lots of positive feedback as we were riding via the headset. He took us out on a variety of roads and once we knew where we were taking our tests, took us out on the test routes.

On the day of my test, I wasn't as nervous as I thought. I knew if I rode as I had been taught, I wouldn't have any problems - I was still a bit surprised when I passed!

When looking for somewhere to learn, Mallory was a little more expensive than the the other places I looked at. However...when you consider that I was confidently riding at 70mph before I went anywhere near the road, I believe that's worth the extra.

To summarise... Turned up on Monday having never ridden, passed test Thursday morning, arranged to go and look at a bike to buy before I had even left Mallory and bought a CBR600RR on the Friday!

Great course, 10/10.

Sean, Tim, Wes

Thank you so much for your help last week during the "advanced cornering course" my only reservation before attending was "can i really afford this course ?" well i can now honestly provide the answer.........." i couldn’t afford not too"

I still have a massive smile on my face one week later following the course and i sit here with bags more confidence and such a better understanding of my bike ! I cannot thank you all enough!! I’ve a lot of respect for bikes and biking is a true passion of mine and after your help i just want to learn more and more....

if anyone is looking to do a course or further there training with CBT and would like to speak with a truly satisfied customer please feel free to contact me on 0752 52 040 62 or you can email me shaunmccluskey79@hotmail.com and ill run you through what i have got out of it..........by the time you read this I may have completed more training !!!

i look forward to seeing you all at Mallory Park again very soon……..safe riding !!!

Sean, Tim, Wes

Thank you so much for your help last week during the "advanced cornering course" my only reservation before attending was "can i really afford this course ?" well i can now honestly provide the answer.........." i couldn’t afford not too"

I’ve only been riding for just under 3 years and recently purchased a brand new Yamaha R6 after after 2 very happy years riding an old Kwak ZX6!! i have always felt that I’m safer than the average rider and worried more about damaging my bike should i have an accident. I have found the course however a true life saver ! the lads picked up on several bad habits i was unaware of, one of these being my breaking. By the end of the day they had re trained my brain and re flexes to brake safely and correctly and the section on cornering during a bend is nothing short of priceless......90 MPH round a corner, full lean on, then emergency stop !!! sounds crazy but when Wes taught us to do it correctly it felt natural after just a few attempts.

Around 6 months ago i was riding through the Langtons (B6047) in Leics following a friend who’s a little more experienced than myself so i hung back a little but i could see his helmet over the hedge rows slowly increasing in distance so i presumed there was no hazards in the few hundred meters that separated us...wrong !! i entered a right hand bend and began to lean the bike in, half way around the corner on the apex i found a car sat in our lane with no lights on and soon realised it was stationary....the driver was looking to enter a farmers field but the gate was obviously closed !! No brake light or indicator until he saw a green Kwak in his rear view mirror coming toward him at an alarming speed. without the skills you have now given me i panicked and hit both brakes which brought the bike upright then believing it was not possible to stop on a bend at such a short distance i had only one chance to go round the car crossing the white line, then i spotted the car coming the other way....i ended up squeezing through both cars sitting on the white line and got through thanks to pure old luck !! I’m pretty sure both drivers would have heard a girly scream from beneath my helmet if they had listened and not thought that beeping and swearing was the answer to our situation.....

I still have a massive smile on my face one week later following the course and i sit here with bags more confidence and such a better understanding of my bike ! I cannot thank you all enough!! I’ve a lot of respect for bikes and biking is a true passion of mine and after your help i just want to learn more and more....

if anyone is looking to do a course or further there training with CBT and would like to speak with a truly satisfied customer please feel free to contact me on 0752 52 040 62 or you can email me shaunmccluskey79@hotmail.com and ill run you through what i have got out of it..........by the time you read this I may have completed more training !!!

i look forward to seeing you all at Mallory Park again very soon……..safe riding !!!

Shaun McCluskey

P.s please thank the camera man for me, I’ve now got around 200 amazing pics of the day to drive the misses crazy. I’ve ordered the video too so after a painful 20 mins last night watching my friends holiday video of him and his girlfriend and what seemed like a million "lovely back grounds" i cannot wait to return the favour as he does not share my love of biking !!!!