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NEWS - Two weeks ago I was in Cornwall, next week Devon… and once again I’ll be delivering the Science Of Being Seen (SOBS) presentation to an IAM group, this time the Devon branch. I don’t think we’re quite so likely to get the same turnout as I did in Ladock but I’m looking forward to the trip next week. If you find yourself near Exminster on Wed 16, I’m sure you would be welcome at the venue, the Swans Nest. Talk is from 7pm. If you are a member of a group, why not mention Survival Skills to your events team?
If you can’t make it to a live talk, my FULL SOBS presentations also go out every four months as part of my series of ONLINE TALK EVENTS. The next one is scheduled for Wed 3 August. Alternating with the full presentation will be IN-DEPTH talks looking at specific issues in more detail. Originally scheduled for Wed 1 June I had to postpone the next talk which is on how we scan the scene around us, why motion camouflage is an issue and how lateral movement could help drivers detect bikes. It’s now happening on Wed 8 June so you still have time to book. Finally, every other month I’ll be running a BETTER BIKING talks - the next, on Wed 6 July, takes a highly practical look at Fixing Cornering Problems. The previous event (overtaking) got excellent feedback and one viewer described it as a ‘masterclass’.
Tickets to all these events cost £5 and you can book up here:
BOOK AT: https://survivalskills.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events
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ON-ROAD TRAINING SPRING 2022
COURSES NOW BOOKING - The days have stretched right out and we’ve now had some lovely warm and sunny days. And that means it’s time for EVENING TRAINING too. Drop me a line and see if I can fit you in with a course from my start points around the M25, within convenient distances of much of SE England. Courses for all riders from newly qualified to advanced. Whatever you ride, however you ride, just bring along some enthusiasm!
LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY - Save some cash with a last minute booking. Check your diary, drop me a line and find out how much you can save! Right now, these dates are free: Thu 2 OXFORD ONLY / Fri 3 / Sat 4 / Sun 5.
Choose between various topics and different length courses:
BRONZE one-day: £269
SILVER two-day: £499
GOLD three-day: £719
PLATINUM four-day: £929
ONLINE COACHING
And if that doesn’t work for you, because of cost or distance, why not think about an inexpensive forty minute online coaching session? As Martin Hide explains:
"The online session worked really well, we were able to cover a lot of ground and it increased my understanding of several key areas of Kevin’s approach to safer riding. I would recommend anyone to give an online session a try, I think you’ll be surprised at just how much you’ll get out of it."
I have a range of pre-prepared topics. Alternatively present me with a question or problem, and we’ll take it from there.
ON THE ROAD IN 2022 - mini ride-outs
Here's the idea. I know some riders are put off group riding by the high-speed, crash-happy reputation of big ride-out groups, so I’m planning something very different - limited numbers (five bikes max), leisurely pace (fine for an A2 bike) and relatively short distances (max 100 miles). These will either be:
MORNING RIDES with a decent mid-ride break to rest and socialise over a decent brunch / lunch (not a greasy spoon) and where possible an extra stop at a farm shop in case you fancy some nice produce
EVENING RIDES which will just have a short stop mid-ride
In either case, we'll be starting from locations around the M25 but will quickly get out onto interesting and scenic routes which will mostly avoid the main A roads. Here is the next date in the diary:
Sat AM June 25 - Beaconsfield into the Thames Valley
Sat AM July 30 - destination to be confirmed
BOOK HERE: https://survivalskills.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events
A couple of other points -
rides will be WEATHER DEPENDENT and if it looks like a wet day, I'll postpone. They're meant to be fun rides.
rides are PRE-BOOK ONLY - no turning up with a bunch of mates on the day. If you want me to put a ride together for you and a few friends, let me know
if a ride is fully booked, drop me a line and I'll put you on the reserve list and offer you a place on a repeat ride from the same location. But if you realise you can't make it, let me know so I can offer your place to someone else.
You'll be riding with an experienced trainer too - whilst I won't be offering any training, I'll be happy to discuss anything to do with riding. And I may just have a few copies of my books with me available to buy.
Daring-do not needed, just come along for a nice pleasant ride!
WHAT’S ON IN THE SURVIVAL SKILLS UNIVERSE
==RESCHEDULED== JUNE'S LIVE EVENT - 'SOBS - the fine detail'… Science Of Being Seen looks at the SMIDSY crash, human visual perception and motorcycle conspicuity, and explains why conventional hi-vis clothing and day-riding lights have proven less than successful at preventing junction collisions. This talk covers the topic of 'Motion Camouflage' and lateral motion in depth.
==RESCHEDULED== WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE 2022 AT 20:00 Tickets cost £5.
BOOK AT: https://survivalskills.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events
CLUB & GROUP TALKS - this spring, I’ve delivered presentations direct to the BMW Club in Uffington, for the West London Riders Group in Uxbridge and for the Shiny Side Up event in New Zealand (that was me online at 2am!). And I’m due to talk in person in Cornwall, Devon and Gloucester - more are in arrangement. If you'd like me to arrange something for your own group or club, get in touch. As well as 'Science Of Being Seen', 'Crash Course (in how not to...)’ and my latest ‘Fewer skills, more Insight’ presentations, I have a selection of others on various riding issues. Available weekday evenings and at any time weekends, delivered via ZOOM or in person. Drop me a line to sort something out.
ELEVENSES ANCHOR PODCAST - the Elevenses webcasts that go out live (almost always) on Wednesdays and Sundays are now available as an audio-only podcast - check them out HERE on Anchor.
LAST WEEK’S ROUND-UP
COMMENT June 6 2022 "Paying attention to speed limits is important"
The top photo clearly shows a pair of '30 / end of 20 zone' change of speed limit signs. But just 100 metres ahead in the second photo, on the lamp post just left of centre of the shot, there is equally clearly a '20' repeater sign. Which is it? Damned if I know!
READ NOW…
Elevenses 243 Sun 5 Jun
in today's show... safety recall on batch of Alpinestar gloves... latest update on Triumph's electric bike project... BSA confirm new electric motorcycle... Harley Davidson to resume production later than planned... 7000 Okada taxi bikes crushed in three months in Lagos... Malaguti plan a 250cc single for Europe... Peter Hickman shatters TT Superbike race record on a road-legal tyre... today's discussion point - what is Chromium and why is it found in leather?
WATCH NOW…
(TEN YEARS) OF SoS June 4 2022 Evasion or Avoidance?
Under threat? Can we stay out of trouble by evading it? Or do you we sometimes need avoidance skills to get out of trouble? Or do we really need both? Why there’s no one answer to threat management strategies.
READ MORE…
(TEN YEARS OF) SURVIVAL SKILLS ON FB June 3 2022 A training success story
Read how courses with Survival Skills took one woman from being unable to turn into her own road, to intercontinental touring holidays.
READ MORE…
Elevenses 242 Wed 1 Jun
in today's show... Thanet council tells riders "don't head to Margate"... Italian government backtracks on off-road bike ban - sort of... USAF aircrew disciplined for picking up motorcycle - with a C130 Hercules... Suzuki France open online bike sales store... is the Kymco K-Rider 400 headed to the UK... Peter Hickman records 130 mph qualifying lap at TT... MotoGP loses Finnish round due to Russia tensions... today's discussion point - as SEAT launch an electric scooter are the Japanese big four about to miss the cut on EVs?
WATCH NOW…
ToT May 31 2022 Extending skills post-test Pt 7 - passengers
Some people will think I'm preaching, but I will start with a warning. When we put someone on the back of our machine, we're taking on a very serious responsibility. Suddenly, someone else's life is in our hands. Here’s how to approach the job.
READ MORE…
And from the 60 Second Safety series on YouTube…
That’s it for today. Each issue is usually out Mondays but other commitments may mean a change of date. Please feed this newsletter forward to other bikers. And I’d welcome your feedback, as always.
Kevin Williams / Survival Skills
www.survivalskills.co.uk