I absolutely enjoyed making your acquaintance, and I sincerely am  looking forward to ‘smooth riding’ with you once again.

It was truly a wonderful experience getting us up to sitting well,  relaxing on the bike, shifting gears like a ‘smoothie’ and handling  twisties in total control. You kept us up and alert the whole way and  I would recommend your workshop to anyone who loves to ride like I do.

Again, thanks for a wonderful weekend and opening my eyes to one of  the greatest complex of ‘invisible roads’ that I have ever seen in  this country.

Very best of everything and “ride safe.”

Paul Michelin
Boca Raton, Florida

Motorcycle riding is done by individuals that are simply participating in the great thing we call life. And, like all other things in life, the vast majority of riders will simply tell themselves they are good riders and attending a workshop, or training ride, of any kind, is not something they need nor will they benefit from.

Imagine if this was the same attitude of some of the world’s best recognized figures. If the best golfer in the world had decided never to attend Stanford and learn from the coach, and then had never taken lessons from two of the world’s most renowned teachers, would he have been the dominant force he is?

The world’s greatest golfer, in my opinion, has always taken lessons from others, why? Simply he is striving to become better, and they can help him become better. I have been riding motorcycles for almost 30 years, yet I was sure I could become better. I took the Riders Workshop and there is no question I am better today than prior to attending the Workshop.

You taught me things I did not know, you reinforced things I did know, we rode some great terrain, we had some good laughs, we were smooth and fast on the hidden roads you chose. I know many people will be unwilling to take the time to improve, after all, in their minds they are good. But if they were ever to come along with some of us that have taken your workshop they would realize, after only a few turns, we are fast and smoother and safer.

To me it was apparent when a young guy on a crotch rocket hooked up with us and simply could not keep up in the corners, and we weren’t even going fast, we were simply riding smooth at a controlled safe speed.

I had a great time, the roads were fun, the instruction was what I expected, and the camaraderie was a bonus. I not only feel I learned a great deal, I feel I came away with a new friend. I will arrange another week together in the near future and will definitely participate in a future Workshop.

Ken D’Arcy
Chief Executive Officer 
Crosman Corporation

Master rider and teacher Jim Ford receives the highest ranking for the two day Rider’s Workshop that I had the privilege to participate in recently. Any biker with a commitment to ride more skillfully and safely will benefit greatly from Jim Ford’s instruction. The professor of Zen gave a group of four of us the best two days of riding and instruction I have ever experienced.

The local byways of the Shenandoah and West Virginia are the classroom for the two day work shop. With an extraordinary combination of expert riding skills and a gift for teaching, Ford instructs student riders to learn advanced riding skills and vital safety disciplines while enjoying a marvelous ride on some of the best blue highways and through some of the most splendid terrain on the planet.

Using repetition and reinforcement, Ford teaches precise positioning of the motorcycle in curves and through hills; crisp throttle management; and a strong emphasis on expert gear shifting to efficiently work the engine through the twists and turns of the invisible roads.

Following the work shop, the rider is better able to begin the commitment and process to master and own the skills for proficient motorcycle riding. By keeping the rider group small, Ford is able to advance rider skills and instill the confidences required for aggressive, brisk, and safe riding.

Ford makes effective use of wireless, one way radio communication between himself and the student riders to teach the principles of proficient riding. I learned the most from Ford when I was positioned immediately behind or in front of him during the rides. By riding close to Jim, in front or behind, he has the knack to take the rider to the outer edge of the “comfort zone” and a bit beyond, where the education is most intense and,obviously, most beneficial.

The motorcycle community is fortunate to have a master rider who is willing and able to share his experience,skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm with fellow riders. Kudos and five stars to Jim Ford and the Riders Workshop for a job well done.

Samuel L. Kalush, M.D.
Cardiologist and Medical Director, 
The Center for Healthy Aging Sarasota, FL

Thank you Jim, for a what I must refer to as a “life-changing” weekend. I have been around and on bikes for most of my life so when you can have a noticeable impact on my bike handling skills and cornering confidence – in just 2 days and about 600 miles – you get my sincere gratitude!  

You have enriched my life with an adventurous perspective on riding back roads and enhanced my riding skills in a way that is dramatic. What a pleasure to ride with you and the others! I really enjoyed getting to know you. Seeing your smooth cornering and seamless bike handling skills made me want to learn what you had to offer.

I have been riding street bikes for about 27 years and dirt bikes for more than 36 years. I have ridden many thousands of miles, raced Baja, been an MSF instructor for 5 years, taken classes on street & dirt riding, lead numerous groups on rides, participated in track days, raced off-road, etc..

I grew up in a motorcycle family; my father is a smooth, capable rider and I credit a lot of my love for bikes and core riding skills to him. I work in the motorcycle industry so I have access to all kinds of riding opportunities and all kinds of bikes. Even with all that under my belt, I am now a better, safer, more capable rider than I was before I took your workshop.

You gave me new techniques to use in the swift and smooth operation of a motorcycle that I will use for the rest of my life.  You also drew out of me some things I kind of knew or techniques I intuitively used but could not describe – nor was I using these techniques fully.

You gave me easy to remember language to describe the smooth act of “flying” the motorcycle and to keep myself focused and safe. I learned a LOT from you, Jim, but I also learned from each of the other riders by watching their lines, their discussion of your techniques and their responses to your suggestions over the radio.

I can still hear your words in my helmet “Pardon me while I downshift…”   Thank you for an incredible weekend! I’ll do it again!

Sincerely, Bradley A. Convis 
Director of Sales and Marketing Coleman PowerSports 
435 South Washington Street Falls Church, VA 22046