How much more can you learn through the CSS programme…..loads is the answer. I have just completed Level 4 at Silverstone and I’m amazed at how much more I was able to improve.
The day started off with an individual programme assessment, identifying areas that needed help, then drills to target those specific areas. Each rider has their own agenda for which areas they want to improve upon, but as with most things in riding, we all seem to struggle with the usual suspects, VISION and LINE. As the sessions progressed, the on-track coach (Bullet) and Level 4 liaison coach (Badger) began to really focus in on the problems we were having and getting them corrected. For me especially, being a paraplegic added another dimension for the guys to think about, as I’m unable to move about the bike. We tried a number of different ways to help me keep the bike steady whist braking and going into the corners, some worked well whilst others were canned. The overall result was that on the final session I was riding faster, smoother, on the right line and loving every second. Well, that was up to the point where my right foot came out of the stirrup and started dragging behind me. I had to stop as I didn’t know how long it was going to take for the toe of the boot to wear out and then start grinding down my foot. There weren’t any marshals around, no Bullet, no barricades, no grass, so I spied the large gravel trap, decided it was the best place to stop and fall over into and made my way slowly over. It’s a weird feeling knowing you are about to fall over and it could hurt, but I knew it was preferable to losing my toes, as although I can’t feel them I quite like them being there! The gravel proved to be quite soft, but the bike was trapping me underneath it and the exhaust burnt through the boot and has left a large burn on my foot, at least it’s still there. Very quickly the coaches were around me, the bike lifted off, the medical services arrived and I was soon back in the pits and looking at the bike, which escaped with nothing more than a few pebble scratches. Looks like the Velcro came un-glued from the base of the boot and as I am now leaning on my knees to lock me in for turning, the pressure must have pushed them off.
All in all a great day, everyone at CSS made me feel so welcomed and at ease. It made for a great learning environment and I can’t wait to come back to repeat Level 4 time and time again, as I know I can never stop learning and improving.
My time spent with CSS has helped me to gain my ACU licence and I hope to complete my first race on 4th September. I just have to get my stabilizer unit approved by the ACU and we’re good to go. Once again, my thanks go to all at CSS.