Bullet

Hi mate, Thanks very much for being a great student to work with. It's out job to make sure you get the best day possible, but also work on the things that are holding you back the most in your riding. Sometimes that's something we need to work on from an earlier level, and in this case, your throttle control did need some ironing out, mainly in those longer turns (duration), where the roll on had to be just so much slower. Anyway, hats off to you man, you took it on really well, we worked brilliantly as a team and you made mega progress. I can't tell you how good that makes my day! Now onto the really good thing, you took it away and made it happen at Donny, on your own, without any coaching input from me. Knee down first time too! Wish I'd been there to see it, but you clearly took that leaning kept working with it and made your riding and your confidence better! So chuffed for ya fella. Look forward to seeing you next year mate. Bullet

What's the suggested approach mate? Bullet

Ok, so the video looks like a 90's porn movie in comparison, but what a cool track that is man. I do hope you've got better at starts? You got mobbed mate. Bullet

Wow! That SmartyCam is COOL! I don't like that it's not HD but that's just my personal preference. A 10Hz GPS is good and it has an accelerometer too. Very nice. I'm using the ContourHD 1080 to record the video with. Standard stuff there. To do the data logging I use some software called RaceChrono which I run on a cell phone - an old cell phone I no longer use for phone calls. The cell phone connects via Bluetooth to a 5hz GPS Antenna from QStarz (818x.) The cell phone actually functions as my lap timer while I'm riding. And I can do lap time analysis on it - compare sectors, laps, hi/lo speed, etc... When I get home, I use some software called RaceChrono2AVI, which converts all the GPS data to a video file. I then use Sony Vegas video editing software to sync the data overlay with the video from the ContourHD. That's why the data isn't really in sync. Sometimes I get it just right, sometimes I get it close enough. Yeah, a lot of work and moving pieces in that process. Thanks for that info Greg. I have to say, your efforts are well rewarded as it really does look very good, and I suspect only the very exacting would ever really notice it's out of sync, though I guess you do, which is irksome. The video quality and the sound of the CountourHD is very good I have to say, most impressed by that for sure. Not sure i could go through all the editing though, must take sometime? Yeah, the smartycam does indeed look very good, it's not cheap, but looks like it has some excellent features, though I do agree, the only downer is the lack of HD quality video. The pros though are the ability to overlay the datalogging info, and you can also buy an ecu bridge, which connects and shows revs throttle position and the like, seemingly very good quality output for not to unreasonable money really. I'm going to dig further, keep you posted. Thanks again, and really great work. Bullet

Hi mate, great effort, and I really fancy some endurance racing myself. A couple of the guys fancy it and we might well have a pop at that in 2011. I think Cobie's point about team and all being in it is very pertinent and at odds to club racing and attracts me more in reality. I wondered if you could spill more on your video setup as it's brilliant and I really like the video overlay GPS piece you have. I've looked into this a little, and am thinking the Aim Smartycam looks good, but you've done this differently by the looks of it. Cheers man Bullet

Funny as......! We've all done it mate, sometimes when you push hard the things just fall over all by themselves, just ask Casey Stoner? Bullet

Oi, Ozzie fella. What you doing down there on yer arse son? pretty heavy them bikes to pick up eh? Well perhaps you should have kept the ****ing thing upright then? LOL. Sorry to see that, but actually it was good mileage for a laugh eh? Bullet

This is an interesting thread. (Get's chair and coffee) Carry on, as you were..... Bullet

Hi there too! Would you like to tell us what you ride? How you got into bikes? Where you ride and what interests you in our forum? People love a good story to read over a coffee you know! Bullet

Is that you as an Ozzie trying to deflect the worldwide stereotypical view that you're all into ruggers and swill beer, and only see sheila's for washing and cookiing and well, I'm sure you can connect the dots on the last one......? And Crocs? you'd ###### yerself and run a mile man.... just like the rest of us...! Bullet

That's the problem with the grilling mate, they just make it up as they go along. Actually, everything you'd ever need to know is in TW2, read that many times, then have another go, then think back to how you're coached when you're at the school. Am sure Adam will advise on how they do it in OZ, I suspect it's much the same. The shoulder is ok mate, I've got a horrid buldge in it, which rubs terribly in my leathers from the break/plate, but we're ok. I've just signed up for another Ironman in 2011, give me something to get fit for again, as I'm in horrible shape since the accident. Need a goal. Thanks for asking. B

Thanks for the glimse of life on the coaching side, Bullet. I got the impression from JET that there were quite a bit of "homework" to do as well. Although I'm not a CSS coach, I am pretty sure that most of, if not all, the students that attend the school are pretty motivated to learn to ride better. And working with highly motivated students is a great privilege and deeply motivating for a coach. It sure is for me, when I coach on the safety riding programme here in DK. Kai Hi Kai, Yes, there is a lot of homework/audio recording to keep on working on your coaching skills and technique, it's certainly not a case of you pass, and you never touch the books ever again I can assure you. Can be quite tricky to fit in with everything else in life sometimes. I'm certain that coaching, regardless of what level you do, or where you do it provides much the same rewards? That feeling of being able to help people and improve their skills and make them happy is a very enjoyable and rewarding thing to my mind. Am sure we could/should share a few stories over a beer about our experiences one day my friend. Bullet

Well, come and find me on the 12th, and we'll nag Ibbott together.. All joking aside, it's an incredible place, very challenging to ride as there are so many different types of corners it's my fave allday, everyday. I think the big problem is that it's very expensive to go to, when we last went, 2 years back now, it was £2600 to attend, and I don't think people have that kind of spare cash at the moment. I wouldn't hold your breath, I think it'll be Jerez again next Easter to be honest, which is still very good if you've never been, though we never find out ourselves until the NEC show, when Andy get's chance to plan the rosta for the following year. Bullet

Hi Patrick, Thanks for your interesting question, it's a common question on schools as well. So, I'm not entirely sure it's the same the world over, so I'll speak for the UK, how it is here, and others can chime in as appropriate when they see this thread as there are several of us roaming the boards to assist and help you guys/gals out. So, where to start? Well, all of the coaching staff have been students of the school. We've been through the levels, and at one point or other, either expressed an interest, or been asked whether we'd like to be part of the coaching team. Usually, this would either be a conversation with the School Director, or with the Chief Riding Coach (CRC) about why you're interested, and or, you'll have been noted by one of the coaching crew as very keen, and really able to apply the drills. This final point is a very key point, as you need to be able to demonstrate the skills you've been taught if you ever wish to be a coach. Once there has been an agreement you're interested, available, and able to commit and there is some level of agreement that it's the way to go, you'll undertake stage 1 of the program which involves you having a technical interview with the school director and the CRC. We politely call it the grilling which gives you some level of what's involved, though it's done in a good humoured manner event typically over a couple of hours. Should you get through this part, you'll go onto the coaching development program, which involves you shadowing a fulltime coach over a series of school days, (Duration varies on this). You'll also start the checksheet progress which we all have to do to work through our training status, and our development plans to ensure we're able to provide the level of coaching required. You're always required to be working on improving yourself and your coaching skills in some way or other. You'll get your riding assessed as well, giving you areas of improvement, things to work on, (if there are of course). So, what's it like to work as a coach? Well probably unknown to most students, most of the crew, (certainly in the UK), have fulltime jobs or other careers. We do this in addition to our normal jobs. We do the coaching because of our belief in what we've learned can improve others, and that we're wanting/willing to impart our experience onto others. So although it's good fun, the crew are exceptional individuals and we all get on well (most of the time), you really have to want to do it essentially. A typical day at the school starts about 6am at the school, and finishes about 6:30pm on the evening and a little later when we have to pack up the truck on final day. It's a long day,is hard work running around allday riding with your students, and can be very draining mentally working with all students. It's long, but on the whole very rewarding though for sure. Being a coach is a privilege, you get to meet some exceptionally fun people, interesting personalities, celebrities on occasion, and just weird and wonderful human being's who you wouldn't meet in everyday life I guess. We get novices, young riders, old, racers and everything in between really which makes the job very diverse and keeps it interesting. We get to ride some very cool circuits around Europe (in my case with Ascari has been my very favourite circuit I've visited), though, come rain or shine, you're riding, working with students. So, the key skills to become a coach? Well, I don't choose coaches, so Cobie or Adam will probably come along at some point and add to this, but communication skills are absolutely top of the list. Being able to converse clearly and simply with students about detailed technical matters can be difficult. It can complex reading your students and their body language and making sure you're getting to the right point in a way that they can understand (we of course all take things in differently). Riding well is obviously an neccesity, and I think in the USA for example you'd need to be racing to get a chance, though in the UK, some of us race (myself included), some of the team though do not. The ability to ride at the speed of your student, whilst having enough free attention to observe them is pretty key as well. Hopefully that's answered many of your questions, and given you an insight into our coaching lives? If you have further questions, or if anyone else does, please just ask, and I hope you get the chance to do the school soon. Bullet

Very sad news, a star in the making for sure, and one who's been very close to the school for many years. Thoughts to his family and friends. Bullet

Sounds like you went out with a plan (eventualy), and really got a result. Keep working at igt my friend, and keep us posted on how you move on. Bullet

Really great report mate, was great to see you there as well. No worries on getting your bike off the trailer in time for the classes. We look forward to seeing how you progress over the winter, and wonder if you'll be doing those european trackdays in 2011, mile in the sun? Keep working at it fella. Bullet

School's nearly out now for 2010 in UK my friend anyway, only one more date left, so we'll look forward to seeing you in 2011. No problem on the help, you're very welcome. Bullet

Tricky corner stowe as you approach at some speed, I would think a WSBK or MotoGP bike would arrive at 175mph plus. In your example, you could probably added say 5mph more, turned at same point and at same rate and made a later apex. Or you could gone deeper and had more drive of turn, or turned slower and not get to your lean angle so quickly.. The biggest challenge with that turn is that the Apex is blind and very late too so the temptaton is to go straight to the inside kerb when you just need to let bike run in a little wider to start with.. Level 2 will help with the visual side of that problem. Bullet

Yes mate, normally earlier. Now how much earlier depends on many things,some of which we've covered above so let's not over complicate it, to much, but in addition as I said race bikes turn quicker anyway, so it's not loads earlier as one offsets the other, but generally as pace rises you turn in earlier. So the answer is wrong about lean angle per say, becuase if we think about it, if we turn at same point but are going faster as we now appreciate the bike travels further before it turns, so really the rider would basically miss their apex and run wide. more angle would be require to get back to the apex but you'd never make it as they're normally on the limit of lean and available grip anyway. Make sense? Bullet

God loves a tryer mate. Hats off for a good attempt. so answers, No1, not really, but how about having to turn earlier? No2, the bike really only turns when its leaned over, the countersteer gets it to turn, but as the bike begins to lean only begins to turn. No3, so, yes, we're now track, yes, now clearly the quicker we can turn the bike, the quicker it gets onto it side, the quicker it actually turns. So, now, back to question 1 again, now we have defined the bike only really turns when leaned over fully and in its line, and we've discussed ability to turn quicker, let's think about that speed thing again. if we're going faster, and our ability to turn remains constant, what will we have to change? Bullet

oh you'd have thought after a day at the school, you'd realise we're not going to just answer, yes/no and the reason why did you? No, that would just be way to easy. So, question to you. If I ride into a turn say 20mph quicker, would I be able to turn in at the same point? Now, consider how a bike actually corners here, does it turn until its leaned over? will the riders ability to turn a bike affect your turn point? It's probably me worth sharing with you, race bikes are normally setup to turn faster and have tyres that enable this as well, but if we take these aspects out of the equation for now, we'll add them back in later once the basics are clear. So, let's answer the early questions, and work it through. Bullet

er, thanks. fixed. Bullet

Hi ollie, Thanks for dropping by and saying Hi. Is always great to hear about student having great days. No doubt you'll have a few questions along the way, so have a think, and get asking. Look forward to seeing ya at L2 school sometime soon. Bullet

Hi Ed, Thanks for joining the forum and moving from a lurker to a poster. It's important that people who've learned so much from the school share what they've learned with other members, the forum here can serve as an excellent way to learn more still, share your experiences, and have those "Oh yeah, I do that moments", and make others feel they're not a journey all by themselves. Myself and the crew that you so kindly are rightly proud of what we've been able to empart onto you, though you're a very important part of that learning yourself. By taking that positive step you've forever changed your riding and long may it continue. Keep us posted on your development, and please, do ask questions on here, gives us something to do. Finally, tremendous choice of motorbike, can't beat the twins.. So says I, and that's all that counts (in my world).. LOL. Take it easy my friend. Bullet