mac course

Here's a chilling satistic for you:
each year, more than 300,000 people are killed or injured on Britian's roads.
There is nothing like the freedom of a motorcycle on an open road, but we alll know about the dangers that can lie around any corner.
MAC was designed to help you anticipate those potential hazards so that they don't interfere with the thrill of what is the most exhilarating form of transport known to man. Because, if you can spot danger well in advance, you can deal with it earlier and get on enjoying yourself.

MAC will teach you about positioning on the road so that you can see further and other road users can see you earlier.
MAC will encourage you to look ahead around the next bend and learn what to expect there. It's about getting more out of your bike and more out of yourself - about pushing yourself beyond a point which you thought was out of reach.

My course was a Birthday Present from Angie. It involved riding to Mid-Wales and back, over 48hrs, covering around 450miles, my usual mainland trips are usually around 150miles. So started a very informative and enjoyable couple of days through some beautiful scenery, including riding over the Severn Bridge, which is very high and interesting as the wind was fresh.

It all started at 8.45am at Yarmouth, I met my Trainer Keith Fletcher, who is a retired Police Rider with 40 years' experience, he is employed by Honda as the MAC instructor for the Isle of Wight. Keith is also an IAM examiner for both cars and bikes, I think it's fair to say Keith is to motorcycles what Microsoft is to computers.

His mission during the 2 days was to build confidence through observation, control and positioning, which results in smooth flowing progressive riding.
With radio communication established off we went.
For the first few hours Keith evaluates his pupils riding and so the instruction begins. Everything centres around observation and evaluation of what you see in front, to the left, to the right and behind, not just to the left and right of the road, but as far left and right as the eye can see.
If your observation, like most of us, centres around the road in front you could be forgiven for thinking Keith was on a different road. At one stage Keith took the lead giving a running commentary about everything going on in his field of vision (evaluating what it means to the rider), this lasted about an hour, as to talk, ride and watch me was very draining - thank heavens he did not ask me to do the same, but the experience was excellent. Everything, and I mean everything, was observed, evaluated and passed to me via the Radio Link.

Our route included Motorways, A roads, B roads, Tracks, Fast Smooth Roads, Twisting Roads, Dual Carrageways, Roads with Sweeping Bends, Roads with Sharp/Hairpin Bends, through Wooded areas, uphill and down dale on every type of surface imaginable.

Keith has been running these courses to Wales for the last 7-10 years and as the time passes his real skill and passion becomes apparant, he never expects you to ride beyond your comfort level, he will consentrate on any aspect of riding you feel you need help with, and he will endeavour to raise your enjoyment level and build your confidence.

Always remenber with Motorcycle Riding nobody knows it all, we all continue to learn and improve, this attitude will make sure you enjoy your riding for many many years.
This course is a must for everyone who is serious about improving their skills on a motorcycle,
I can recommend it. Paul Fareham Club4181
Keith is no longer taking MAC Courses, but he will arrange something similar.
If you are interest contact Keith (01983) 873520 Email:keith.fletcher1@homecall.co.uk