by Nick Olson
5:30a.m. Bzzzz. Where is that darn button? Bam. Silence. It would be so easy to drop back off to sleep... just a few more seconds... But the dogs are already up and want their morning biscuit. It’s another early morning start for an Experienced RiderCourse – the ERC.
While the coffee perks I start thinking about the purpose behind the upcoming class as mentioned in the preface of the Instructor’s Guide.. Research shows that riders who got in accidents often didn’t have a plan for dealing with hazards, and/or had deficiencies while cornering, braking or swerving. The experienced course addresses that and is designed to “fine-tune” riders with around 3 to 6 months of riding experience (or more). Few words to describe eight hours of hard work.
Today’s class is a little different from others this year. This time it’s composed of members from my own chapter of GWTA. When class members all know each other it changes the group dynamics a bit.
Fill the thermos, pet the dogs, load the bike, hit the road.
6:40a.m. A breakfast stop at a fast-food franchise. (Why yes, I ride a GoldWing myself.) In about an hour the chapter members will rendezvous here so they can group-ride the remaining 1/4 mile to the classroom. I smile at the thought. Never cared for group riding myself, but I’m glad it’s there. Motorcycling is like a jewel with many facets: brands, events, organizations. It would be pretty boring if there was only one choice.
The few times I go on a group ride, some have said they feel I’m watching them. Occupational hazard – I probably do – though I keep my comments to a suitable time. At the same time others watch me and think, “I ride as good as he does.” Want in on the worst-kept secret in motorcycling? They probably do, but that’s not the point. An instructor doesn’t have to be an extraordinary rider. He or she has gotten special training to help the students learn to ride better. It’s not an easy job. My Instructor Prep class lost 60% of the candidates, though that’s not typical. I’m always on the lookout for new instructors who will accept the commitment. It was the hardest course I’d had since USAF flight school.
Ready-Set-Go - time to move out…
7:00a.m. An hour early and plenty of time to set up the classroom. Tables, chairs, projectors and all the handouts & forms. When I have military students they always have a pen or pencil. Dig out extra pencils for this group.
I drift back to 1989 and remember why I decided to become a motorcycle instructor. A recent accident made me face the reality that perhaps there was something else I could learn to survive, and teaching it would be good practice. Yes, it was mostly selfish. I want to survive so I get my shot as the oldest rider to <name-of-gathering-here>. Nine years later — nearly twice the average for instructors to “burn-out” and move on — and I’m still doing this.
Recent evidence suggests that attending a training course only seems to help your odds at not becoming a statistic for about six months. Sounds like a good reason for an ERC Spring Tune-up. Getting a traffic ticket or being in an accident also heightens your awareness and keeps you out of trouble for a while. An ERC is cheaper and less painful.
But for every rule there is an exception. This exception is named Bill and he’s been in my class twice. Each time he’s had an accident shortly after passing the class. He freely admits he did exactly what I told him not to do. I told Bill I don’t want to see him in class again, and I don’t think he’s crashed since.
7:55a.m. I watch the riders arrive and park – lining up like the Rockettes. Frank and Earl make it look so easy – how casually they maneuver. Mostly 1500s, a couple of 1200s, no trikes this time, and Joanne rode that sweet Shadow she pampers. “Good for you,” I think, “no pillion for you.” About half the riders brought their spouses this year, intending to have them participate in the four hours of classroom and ride the exercises two-up. Train like you ride. Might need more chairs.
Every bike is well shined and their mascots seemingly fresh from the beauty parlor – subtle differences between this group and a mix of many brands and models. I recall a previous class and a “rode-hard, put-up-wet” Harley with its horn held on by a vise grip. A couple hours later the V-Twin’s rider and I had to push-start a Wing whose battery died, and he quipped, “Boy am I glad it’s not a Harley.” I’ll remember to advise this bunch to pull their headlight fuses, and replace them later. I hate pushing Wings.
As I walk out to greet them I run my eye over each bike looking for obvious safety hazards. Sometimes riders wait a little long for a tire change – hoping for a bargain at a major rally. Earl notices my interest, and his eyes dart over to my bike, reminding me of the time he caught me running more than a few pounds under-inflated. We smile but say nothing.
I searched the group for a rider I’d hoped would be there. I’d seen John struggle with simple U-turns, his braking was ragged, and I’d suggested a class. He wasn’t here. I once heard of a chapter which rigged a raffle, so they could get a rider to training. I wonder if that would work with John.
8:00a.m.
Now they are all seated and their coffee thermoses outline the tables.
It's time.
"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the E.R.C."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(c)1999 Nils R. Olson / all rights reserved / nick@nickolson.net
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC) is a registered trademark of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
*corrected version
originally printed in the March 1999 issue of Touring News
Updated: 10 Sep 2001 17:05
L