1st Class Motorcycle Training - with 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff » Police Class 1

French Tour 20th – 22nd August

Andy Smith — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:16:23 +0000

French Tour of the WWI Battle sites and War Graves with 1st Class Rider Tours.

This is a professionally lead group ride, using Police Class 1 and RoSPA qualified guides for the trip.

Return Ferry Crossing, Three Days/ Two Njghts 3 Star Bed & Breakfast accomodation and our tour guide services for just £300. (that’s cheaper than a CBT in Newport).

You will also receive an information pack giving routes and destinations together with safety and legal advice for motorcycling in Europe.

This is an ideal way if taking your first steps across the Chanel.

Good roads, good food and great company make these trips 1st Class Rider Tours.

Call now to book your place or for further details.

These trips normally sell out fast.

0845 108 2906

Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day

Andy Smith — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:41:21 +0000

Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day.
Scheduled for Saturday 31st July.

This is a one day course where we will teach you the art of slow control and you can get a taste of what we had to go through before we were let loose on the road on a Police Patrol Bike. Also you will get to try some of the exercises recently introduced for the new two part motorcycle test. Would you be able to pass it? Come and give it a go.

Also on the day we will teach you the technique for safe emergency braking and you will get to try it in the wet as we ‘make it rain’ just for you to practice emergency stops in the wet.

Also we finish off the day with a race. A SLOW race that is. The last one to cross the line wins. No stopping, no feet down, and any stalling and you’re out.

Come and join us and learn some new ‘life saving’ new skills.

This is a full day course and spaces will be limited to just 10 bikes per course.

The cost of this course will be just £90 per person and that is amazing value. (a CBT cost more than that).

If you wish to book a place or just want more details please contact me. As soon as possible.

New PM Drops Motorcycle Escort Riders

Andy Smith — Sat, 15 May 2010 22:53:10 +0000

It has been reported today that the New Prime Minister, David Cameron, has dispensed with his Police Motorcycle Escort Out- Riders. Claiming that they are an “unnecessary extravagance”

However this has sparked security fears.

The PM was warned that he was putting himself at increased risk of attack if he gets stuck in traffic.

This move was not officially announced but sources say that it was an ‘ostentation’ to be sped through the traffic by Police Escort.

Ex- PM Gordon Brown had been escorted by up to six motorcycle escort out-riders, whose job it was to stop traffic and clear a path for the following convoy of cars. The golden rule was to keep moving.

Mr Cameron’s decision was questioned by security experts after his blue, bullet-proof Jaguar was photographed stuck in traffic on Whitehall.

Dai Davies, a former head of Royalty Protection at Scotland Yard said, ‘The first rule is to keep moving. When you stop you get hit. I am worried and I would urge Mr Cameron to re-consider’, he said.

Having been involved in the planning and running of many VIP Escorts over the years myself, I agree that the PM may be subjecting himself to increased risk.

The purpose od the Motorcycle Escort team was to move the VIP, safely and to ensure the minimum disruption to other traffic along the route. This resulted in the VIP being kept moving and the free flow of traffic being restored with only minor hold ups to the general public. VIP Safety was paramount and it is essential that they do not become a ‘sitting target’

Mr Cameron, this is one decision which you may need to re-think. You run the Country and let the experts run you.

Real Radio Bring a £ to Work Auction

Andy Smith — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:09:35 +0000

Charity Auction – Motorcycle Training with 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

Real Radio- Wales Based in Cardiff are raising Money to build a playground at the Children’s Hospice, Ty Hafan. Ty Hafan, which is based in Sully, South Wales cares for children with life shortening illnesses, and their families, and gives invaluable support at times of great stress within these families.

As part of this fund raising, the Radio Station is running a Charity Auction.

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff has donated a Motorcycle Training Day as a prize. You can bid for either a Full Day Basic Training for a CBT (value £125) or for a Full Day Advanced Training with a Police Class 1 Motorcyclist (Value £180).

For the CBT we provide the use of a Yamaha 125cc bike, all the fuel, insurance, helmet, jacket, gloves and waterproofs whilst you are training. So this is a great way to get started.

For the Advanced Day, it is better for you to use your own bike but we can provide a fuel injected Honda CBF 600cc.

Our training base for the CBT is at the Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, Maindy Stadium, Cardiff, and for the Advanced Day, you will find yourself riding the challenging mountain roads of Wales.

So, come on support this worthy cause and place a bid. Visit the Real Radio Wales website and click on ‘Auction’ for full details. The auction ends in 5 days.

Thank You.

M4 Motorway Safety Cardiff & South Wales

Andy Smith — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:22:33 +0000

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff learnt today that the threatened withdrawal of Police Motorway patrols throughout the South Wales area on the M4 Motorway came into force today.

From today the Chief Constable of South Wales Police has disbanded her dedicated ‘Motorway Section’ of the South Wales Police Traffic Department due to budget constraints.

This means that the M4 in the Cardiff and South Wales area will no longer be Policed as a matter of course.

Police patrols may still use the motorway for their own travel purposes but the previously highly trained expert motorway patrol Traffic Officers will be given duties elsewhere.

The Chief Constable has determined that the Highways Agency will be responsible for ensuring the safe running of traffic on the M4 and dealing with routine breakdowns and minor calls.

One problem is that the Highways Agency do not have sufficient staff to take over the role at this time and have staff members in training anticipated to first be used (as rookies) in January.

What does this mean to members of the public, in particular motorcyclists using the M4 throughout Cardiff and Southy Wales?

Well speed enforcement will no longer be carried out by patrolling Traffic Cops and the Highways Agency staff have no enforcement powers for this. Now this might sound like fun at first but when you consider the consequences of breaking down on the M4 on your bike.

It can be daunting enough to be sat on the hard shoulder as traffic roars past at 70mph but now you could be stood there, waiting for assistance with traffic speeding by at any speed.

With the onset now of Autumn and Winter with the darker evenings, you could find yourself on an unlit section with no protection, and little assistance to come.

If you find yourself in this position then get away from the bike. Motorways are deemed to be the safest roads in the UK, but the Hard Shoulder is the most dangerous part of that road.

Don’t lean against the back of your bike as you wait for a breakdown service to arrive as this will obscure your lights and other reflective parts of your bike to the approaching traffic, rendering you ‘invisible’.

Move ‘down stream’ away from your bike and if possible over the non-traffic side of the nearside barrier or up the embankment.

The Road side emergency telephones will still connect you to the control room for assistance but it may not result in a Police Patrol attending to assist. It is better, where safety allows, for you to use the roadside telephones rather than your mobile phone to seek help as the roadside phones are a direct link to the Police Control room, where your mobile phone signal may be picked up by the strongest available signal.

So in an emergency you might find yourself speaking with an operator in the West Country rather than Bridgend. (Try Spelling Capel Llanilltern when you are in a panic)!!

Remember don’t put yourself at any risk and protect youself as you may be on your own for some time……aren’t the nights drawing in??

(Please note that 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff does not condone exceeding the Speed Limits).

1st Class Rider Tours

Andy Smith — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:46:28 +0000

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are pleased to announce the launch of their new web site. www.1stclassridertours.co.uk

The launch recognises the success of our European and War Graves Tours so far this year. The new web page is being constructed but will hold a full calendar of trips for 2010. The Somme, Normandy, Battle of The Bulge, Bruges and Ypres to name but a few.

These are biking trips professionally lead by Police Class 1 Riders to points of interest along some of the best biking roads on offer in Northern Europe. Conveniently packaged into just a long weekend.

The web site will also hold links to our main training page and our popular Newsletter Blog where you can sign up for automatic updates on Advanced Training, Special Events and Monthly Social Ride Outs.

These are exciting times for us here at 1st Class Rider Training as we expand our successful training company. We will still be offering ‘Learner’ & Advanced Training and we will still be available for the many corporate classroom training sessions that we currently present, but these tours are a natural progression as we look forward to changes in the biking industry in the UK.

Come and join us. Watch out for news on the completion of www.1stclassridertours.co.uk

Advanced Motorcycle Course & RoSPA Test

Andy Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:22:42 +0000

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course. Leading to the RoSPA Advanced Test.

This is it. The long awaited (by some) 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff, Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course. This is a four day course spread over a number of weeks. It contains a classroom based, theory element, followed by periods of self practice before on road instruction, with an option to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course. All the training is based on the Police System of Motorcycle Control and is run by RoSPA Examiners & Diploma Holders.

The venue for the theory sessions, we hope, will be our new ‘home’ at Cardiff County Councils’ New Road Safety Centre at Maindy Stadium, Cardiff. (This will be confirmed)

I don’t run many of these through the year so don’t miss your chance for this one. The cost of the four day course is only £500. That is only £125 per day. What? We charge £125 for a CBT!!

You’d better book your place before I realise my mistake and charge the proper price for this.

The course start date has been set as Saturday the 15th of August, with day 2 the following Saturday the 22nd of August. Later course dates will be arranged to suit the course participants and will be mutually agreed for the practical road riding sessions.

Visit our newsletter blog to sign up for free up dates on Advanced Training, Social Events and Rideouts.

Just click the link on the left.

Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Course

Andy Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:14:53 +0000

Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day.

I am running another one of these popular courses. For just £60 you can learn to….well um…Ride Slow and Brake Fast! The date of this is Sunday the 12th of July. So, if you want to gain an insight into the sort of training that I had to undergo before being let loose on a patrol bike book yourself a place.

I don’t run many of these through the year but those who have been before said they were of great value…and What?? I’m only charging 60 quid. Now that is great value. Come and have a go at some of the manoeuvres included in the new motorcycle test. Would you pass???

I will be limiting this to 10 riders so be quick! Let me know if you want a place.

Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day

Andy Smith — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:05:46 +0000

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are holding another Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day.

Sunday the 12th of July to be held at Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, Briardene, North Road Cardiff.

Come and learn the skills that Police riders have to master before being let out on the road.

Under close supervision you will be guided through the skills needed to maintain balance and clutch control to aid slow speed riding. Filtering through traffic, tight left and right turns etc.

Also you will get the chance to practice emergency braking, again under controlled conditions. We believe that emergency stops are rarely practiced by riders after passing their test. But we believe that this skill, above many others may save your life one day. If it is something that you last tried on your test, then now may be the time for you to refresh your memory…before it’s too late.

Give us a call on 0845 467 0165 for details and to reserve a place, or visit my newsletter blog to sign up for future up dates on courses and events.

www.1stclassriderblog.co.uk

It’ll be the best thing you ever spent your money on!

Harley Davidson Rider’s Edge

Andy Smith — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:59:43 +0000

Just another chapter, in the 1st class Rider Training-Cardiff formation history.

When Harley Davidson was looking to set up a Europe branch of their Rider’s Edge Motorcycle Training scheme, I wasn’t far away.

The Director’s of the training school based in Builth Wells, Mid Wales needed Direct Access qualified Instructors and in the early stages of the development of Rider’s Edge I was able to assist in setting up an Advanced Motorcycle Training and Testing scheme. (Based on the RoSPA Gold Silver and Bronze grading system), and carrying out training at all levels from CBT right up to the Rider’s Edge Gold standard.

Working closely with Pat, the Motorcycling Director at the time I gained much useful experience and this was another stepping stone towards the formation of 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.