2010 Rider Reviews

Harry Byrd, Berryville, Virginia

Jim:

Thank you for a terrific 2 days of riding instructions over Maryland, PA, VA and WV lost roads — 2 lanes or 1 and half lane roads without guard rails through beautiful country.

Your instruction methods were low key, yet very effective (confidence building) and most important not intimidating.

As the senior and slowest member of our group I thank you and my mates for not complaining about my slowness. Rather, they and you, encouraged me to drive correctly and not worry about who gets where first.

As I mentioned to you when I signed up for your lessons, I needed to learn to make 90 degree and sharper turns with a narrower turning radius. You succeeded beyond my wildest expectations as evidence by our last run Saturday evening down a road from what looked like a 3^rd world country – a lane and a  third at best without guard rails, and with plenty of gravel, down along a mountain side with nothing but switch backs. Your confidence in me was shown by not following me to pick up the pieces but allowing me to tackle this on my own and within my comfort level while you and the others went on ahead.

And, to think we all wanted to do this at the end of a very long day-8:30AM-7:30PM when we enthusiastically agreed to go 1 last run for what turned out to be another hour- a real tribute to you, Jim!

In closing, Jim, in my opinion your biking instructions, your concern for rider safety, your knowledge of these lost roads, your common sense and your overall manner in schooling those of us who realize we need on the job instruction makes it easy for me to recommend Rider’s Workshop to anyone who asks for my recommendation. I feel I have benefited greatly.

Thank you, with warm regards,

Harry B. Berryville, Virginia

Sam Mead, Princeton, IL

Thanks again for a memorable weekend. First class accommodations, delicious meals ,and good conversation. I feel I am a better rider after attending, but more importantly you gave me the theories and techniques to become a really good rider. On my ride home,after having some time to digest what you taught us, I understand how keeping the mind and the body focused on the ride will lead to the precision needed to really ride well. I understand that these skills are not acquired easily, but with constant practice and execution, can be raised to a level that makes the ride more than I realized possible. You have raised the bar and I am now on a mission that will last as long as I am able to ride. I feel that I will be back to your workshop for more instruction.    Thanks again, Sam Mead Princeton, IL

Ken D’Arcy, Rochester, NY

What can I possibly say that so many others have not already said? I suspect not too much. We have ridden together on numerous times, as student/teacher and, on other occasions, simply as friends. We’ve shared many good laughs together and many serious talks about a variety of subjects, often getting back to riding.

Thanks to the instruction given during the Riders Workshop, and the comments made while we have just ridden, my skill level has gone to a place most will never attain. Not that they can’t of course, it’s just that many either already think they are already expert, or have no interest in becoming better. I have taken the principals you teach and honed them until they are second nature. When we ride together  I tuck in behind you and just follow that perfect line you always find.

Some ask what it has done for me? The answer is simple. First, I am a much safer rider today than before we met. To wit, I now where the road is going without always seeing it; I know where to put my eyes; I am confident and know where to put my bike at all times; I know how to “feel” the road for traction in all conditions; I know the gear to be in; I know how to use and I employ a trailing brake; I know how to find the great invisible roads; I shift smoother; and  I ride with greater precision. I’m safer.

Second, it really is more fun when your speed has increased significantly and others just can’t understand how you can go that fast and make it look so easy. The better one becomes the more fun it is. As an example of this, I was riding home from out last excursion, through the some of the great twisty roads in Southeast Ohio, when I drove past a service station with two riders on BMW’s – one on a K12 GT and the other on an R12 RT. I was going to stop for fuel but decided to push on and stop in another 40 or 50 miles. The two guys tucked in nicely behind me and we became a nice tight unit out for an afternoon ride. Not too many miles ahead we were in some of the best curves Ohio has to offer, and that was the last I saw of them until I stopped for gas. They pulled up next to me and said “we saw you go by us on the big Adventure and decided we were going to have some fun and show you how real bikes handled in the corners. You embarrassed us, there was absolutely no way we could stick with you. Where did you learn to ride that fast?” Of course I gave them  the brochure you had given me and told them to do themselves a favor and spend a couple of days with you. I then gave them a big smile and said “do you want to tag along until the next fun section and I drop you?” I rode on completely smiling, alone with my music and thoughts.

I am safer because I am better and I am better because I am safer. Thank you.  You played a key role in this.
Ken D’Arcy Rochester, NY

Charlie Vaughan, Virginia Beach Va.

“Was it worth it..You BET!  I learned alot and went right out and bought a tool set for the bike (never again he says).  I am sure that one day in the future I will really enjoy riding again.  Before, I was blissful and carefree but probably not a good rider ( e.g. an accident-my fault would maybe indicate that).  Now, I am not blissful or carefree, I study the road, I shift a million times, I am all over the road as the conditions vary, I seek the vanishing point…….scenery, carefree thoughts….sorry can’t multitask safe riding and bliss.  One day, maybe the brain automates the things that I have to think about (kind of like golf) and I will ride and be focused but still be able to enjoy the rest of it.  For right now, I like being safe and doing a trailing brake, just for the fun of it.”
Charlie Vaughan,
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ron Baroody with 48,000 experience from New York

Jim,

Thanks for a terrific weekend of riding.  I’ve been riding for 15 years, but I learned a ton …….. lane positions, vanishing points, corner entry, relaxing, soft hands, cornering with a fist full of torque, and slow riding/”U” turning tips.  And my favorite new technique, the proper way to trail brake.  It worked so well.

To talk about those things is one thing, but your workshop allowed us to practice them over and over on hundreds of miles of beautiful, curvy, hilly, unforgettable hidden roads of the Appalachians, while actively coaching us on the intercom.  Your techniques are pretty much ingrained in my riding now, and thanks to you, I feel that I’m a much better rider.  I practiced all the way home.

Every rider who is serious about wanting to ride well should take your course.  I’ve spent my fair share of money on lots motorcycle stuff, but your workshop is by far, the best value.  Your quips over the intercom are still fresh in my mind ……. “Local traffic doesn’t stay on local roads very long”.  ”When in doubt, downshift”.  ”Take a deep breath, relax and nice soft hands on the handle bar “rests”.

You are a gentleman, a genuinely nice guy and a great riding coach.. Thanks again for a great experience.

Ron Baroody
Fairport, NY

Tom Callahan with 100,000+ experience from Alexandria, Virginia

Dear Jim,

I can’t thank you enough for the Rider’s Workshop last weekend.  I hope you don’t mind if I go on a bit here with a few specifics that you can share with others who are thinking about taking the course.  Please also feel free to pass along my name and number to anyone who would like a “live” testimonial.

I am an experienced rider of 30-plus years and well over 100,000 miles.  This is just some of what I learned or improved in your two-day workshop:

• Choosing gears more effectively for better control, confidence, and smoothness in curves
• Reading a road better, looking to the “vanishing point,” and taking in the full picture of the environment
• Using my GPS to anticipate curves beyond visual sight
• Using a trailing rear brake in a curve to enhance stability, particularly in descending terrain
• How to get a tactile feel, while riding at speed, for the traction of the road surface under varying weather and surface conditions
• How to up- and down-shift more smoothly
• How to ride with more precision, attention, and awareness
• How to identify and seek out the countless lightly trafficked “invisible roads” that are outstanding for motorcycle riding

But the whole of the workshop was much greater than the sum of these parts.  The experience reinvigorated me and my love for riding.  By taking your approach toward riding as an art with a focus on precision and smoothness, every road and curve, no matter how familiar, becomes new and fresh to me.

Ten years ago, I paid about $700 for an Aerostich riding suit (they are $847 today).  The suit was a good investment, because it makes riding safer and more enjoyable in varying weather conditions.  For about the same money, your workshop is an even better investment in riding safety and enjoyment.  I know that it will pay me dividends for many years to come.

I look forward to riding with you again soon.

With best regards,

Tom Callahan
Alexandria, VA

Craig Titus 90,000 miles of experience from Southern Maryland

Wow! My second workshop was even better than the first, and I had thought that one tons o’ fun and tremendously beneficial (and make no mistake, it was indeed).  However, what I know after my second workshop—2 years and 20+K miles of twisties after my first—is I had quite a bit more to learn.

Though I went this time ready to challenge myself, I was shocked by how much improved I was and how effortless the change seemed. Jim quickly recognized what skills I needed, and simply showed me a better, more efficient way of riding the mountain twisties as well as invisible roads. He showed me what true mastery is of a motorcycle and that there is yet far more for me to learn.  For now, there are skills I need to continue practice to make my own.

That said, my riding has changed already.  Gone is the mental fatigue I was experiencing due to allowing myself to become somewhat lazy about my visual habits and posture.  Gone are the “Oops” moments I had actually grown accustom to by over-riding my skill set by over-focusing on speed (the habit of grabbing handfuls of throttle for a “cheap thrill”).  Gone are former worries and concerns about gravel and poor traction.  I can now say without question that I have grown significantly as a rider.  I have re-embraced the efficiency, power, and thrill of riding smooth, which is already increasing the joy my riding experience.

For me, Riding Smooth is about riding with grace; maintaining a heightened awareness, striving for precision of action, and seamlessly responding to conditions of every moment of every ride.  I’m grateful for Jim’s course and am certain I will attend again next year (if only one of the one day courses).

The learning experience aside, it was spectacularly enjoyable weekend. Although I know and have before ridden many of the roads we traveled on during this workshop (as I live in the area), the experience was completely different; at once less intense on the body and mind, and more intense to the memory and pleasing to the soul.  In a word … Zen.

Craig
Southern, MD