RIDING TIPS: Always learning

Valuable insight from Hannah Godden…

It’s my second session on the track and I’ve forgotten which bend is coming up next. Ah. The chicane. Too late – I’m over the kerb, momentarily in the air and on to the grass. I slow down, red-faced, and sweaty-palmed but still upright, while the rest of my group thunders by. I’m quietly relieved when the chequered flag drops and I can check back in with my coach, sit down and recompose myself!

I passed my test eighteen months ago and decided to try some further training to see how I was doing, and where I could improve. I booked on to the Enhanced Rider Scheme, followed by a track day at Blyton Park. Both were organised by Mike Abott who runs the British Superbike School, and I was on my new-to-me Honda CB500F.

I met Mike on a blustery but sunny morning to begin the ERS. We went through some info on the course then set off, first making our way through town centre traffic. It’s always a bit daunting to be followed, but aside from a couple of roundabout exit indicators which Mike picked me up on, the ride got underway smoothly. Out of town, we joined the A1 for a few junctions before coming off on to some country roads. I started to relax a bit (in between gusts of wind at least) and felt like I was making good progress. 

That was until a scenario which may be familiar to many of you – an unexpectedly tight left-hand bend. Rather than looking ahead and pushing the bike round, I braked sharply mid-corner. Mike checked in over the radio – I gave him an embarrassed thumbs up – and we pulled over shortly afterwards for the first feedback session. This was positive overall for my road positioning and hazard awareness, and Mike emphasised looking ahead for the limit point to read corners more accurately. 

The next part of the ride took us through Lincoln city centre: lunchtime traffic, extensive roadworks, and a one-way system I’d only ever walked through. I was relieved when we were out in the countryside again. 

Our route led us to the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds where we stopped for lunch at Willingham Woods, a popular spot for bikers. For the first time this season, I took off my jacket and rolled up my sleeves while we chatted. Mike recommended straight-lining roundabouts where possible and safe, and increasing my speed slightly on some roads.

I focused on putting these tips into practice when we got back on the road, and my reading of corners improved as the afternoon went on. Once we’d reached the end of the ride, Mike gave me a debrief and a congratulations. I was exhausted but had thoroughly enjoyed the day and found it helpful. We agreed that the time I’d spend at the track would also help with my cornering.

A couple of days later, I signed on promptly at 07.45 at Blyton Park. The atmosphere was welcoming and cheerful, with plenty of bikes to admire and an excellent café for breakfast. First up was the introduction and safety briefing – with no distracted drivers, potholes or drain covers, the biggest dangers to us here would be cold tyres, and each other.

Despite knowing the track is safer than the road, my stomach did a few summersaults while I waited for the first session. My coach Rob gave me a couple of tips on body position in corners and told me to follow him and try to relax. Then we were off! I was surprised how tight some of the bends were, and it was a weird feeling to have no speed limit. After a couple of warm-up laps, Rob encouraged me to increase my speed gradually. It was thrilling, and a bit terrifying.

The first classroom session focused not on entering corners but exiting them – turning in later for a smoother line and less time leaning. I was looking forward to putting this into practice, but unfortunately it was at this point that I forgot about the chicane, and briefly turned the CB500 into an off-road bike. I spent the rest of that session with stiff arms, wobbly lines, and a sigh of relief when it was time to head back in. Rob reassured me that the skills I needed were there – my bike was going where I wanted it to, when I knew where I was going.

The next classroom session looked at braking and weight transfer for front vs rear brakes – at Level 1 (beginners/road riders), we were encouraged to use the rear brake in corners if needed. Then it was time to get back on track. Gulp! 

Halfway through this session, something clicked – I relaxed more and realised I could follow Rob’s speed and still get my bike around the corners. I also started looking further ahead, which helped trick my brain into thinking I wasn’t going at speeds which would be unthinkable on a road. This time, I stopped in the paddock with a smile on my face. Rob pulled up next to me and gave me a fist bump. I was delighted, and starving – it was time for lunch.

In the afternoon’s classroom sessions, we looked at bike stability and the effects of cornering – and putting everything together. Out on the track, my speed on the corners had picked up, but not on the straights. Rob’s observations and feedback were spot-on: I wasn’t afraid of going fast, I was afraid of not being able to slow down. He encouraged me to follow him and pick up the pace, using engine braking before the corners. He echoed Mike’s advice from the ERS – you’re often safer on the road if you’re going a bit faster (within reason). He recommended finding somewhere quiet and practicing braking from speed, to learn how quickly I could slow down when I needed to.

I slept very well that night. And the ride back home the next morning was one of the most enjoyable I’ve had so far. I felt more ‘at one’ with my bike after spending a day with it on the track, and my riding and cornering were noticeably smoother. Many thanks to both Mike and Rob for sharing their time and expertise – the experience was fantastic, and I’m already looking forward to going again.

WORDS: Hannah Godden / PHOTOS: IMG Photography