New book out for learners

If you know anyone learning to ride, please read this!

After three years of work I've got a book out this month (September 2011) which tells you what you really need to know to be a decent rider. As any experienced person knows, this is not the same thing as the information you need simply to pass the bike test.

The book's called Pass the Bike Test (and be a great rider too).

I've been a bike journo on PB, Bike, Classic Bike and MCN for many years. I've written the book with trainer Sean Hayes of Circuit Based Training at Mallory Park. We didn't do it with the intention of becoming rich (that's impossible unless you get Harry Potter sales). We just wanted to do something about the fact that:

1. There's no syllabus for Direct Access training
2. The bike test makes no serious examination of your ability to brake or steer at realistic speeds
3. Crash investigation coppers agree that most fatal accidents on open roads are due to a string of mistakes culminating in a braking or steering error by the rider. I've interviewed eight crash investigators about this.

The book covers all the usual test stuff from CBT onwards, plus lots on cornering, braking and planning; the causes of accidents; and coming back from a riding break. In this respect it is unique. We hope it helps people. If you know anyone learning to ride, feel free to recommend it.

It's out now, and you can get it on Amazon or order it from any bookshop.

I don't think mentioning it breaks any forum rules.

Thanks for reading this

Rupert Paul

Points 2 & 3 I totally agree with.

However . . .

Originally Posted by Rupert

1. There's no syllabus for Direct Access training

DSA have published these:

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publication...g-syllabus.pdf

The Safe and Responsible Riding Syllabus sets out an approach to training riders in
the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be a safe and responsible rider of
a Category A/P machine. It is based on the DSA’s National Riding Standard

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publication...g-standard.pdf

The National Standard for Riding describes the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be a safe and responsible rider of a Category A machine.


I presume you mean syllabus for a training course?


Whatever, good luck! Have you made it 'relevant' internationally, to try and pick up sales in other countries?

Great, send me a copy and i'll do a review in the Riders Digest for you.

Oh, hang on a minute.

Personally I think the shit riders are better off dead as they give the rest of us a bad name.

At least with the Keith Code books you could find the special page soaked in acid and spend the rest of the day understanding how far out his psychobabble was, daddio.

Out of curiosity Rupert, were you writing for PB in the early 80's when the mag was good? I know your name from reading something.

Originally Posted by 1888

Out of curiosity Rupert, were you writing for PB in the early 80's when the mag was good? I know your name from reading something.

He's The Man.

Although I'd say PB didn't really peak untill the 90s.

Originally Posted by MyLittleStudPony

He's The Man.

Although I'd say PB didn't really peak untill the 90s.

Could be right there. I could be thinking late 80's as the 90's i started to buy Ride.

Originally Posted by DefTrap

Personally I think the shit riders are better off dead as they give the rest of us a bad name.

I was doing a first aid course recently, and got some funny looks when I suggested that motorcyclists actually have a net safety benefit in that one dead rider can actually save several other people:
1 x heart lungs
2 x kidneys
corneas
etc.
And all from relatively young healthy [IYSWIM] people.

Perhaps not politically correct, but . . .

Originally Posted by 1888

Out of curiosity Rupert, were you writing for PB in the early 80's when the mag was good? I know your name from reading something.

Yup I was the editor from 1988-1994

Originally Posted by Horse

Points 2 & 3 I totally agree with.

However . . .



DSA have published these:

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publication...g-syllabus.pdf

The Safe and Responsible Riding Syllabus sets out an approach to training riders in
the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be a safe and responsible rider of
a Category A/P machine. It is based on the DSA’s National Riding Standard

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publication...g-standard.pdf

The National Standard for Riding describes the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be a safe and responsible rider of a Category A machine.


I presume you mean syllabus for a training course?


Whatever, good luck! Have you made it 'relevant' internationally, to try and pick up sales in other countries?

Thank you. I didn't know about that.

I though Ru Paul was a tall black dude who did a drag act?


And I would consider the book, but theres reference to a foreword by Charley Boorman, which you have even advertised on the front cover!

I might actually buy this for someone I know who is thinking of getting a bike - I'll read it first before handing it on

Might have been handy to have before I came back from my 'riding break'. Would probably have saved me a few bob in ruined underwear.

EDIT - ordered. That's one you've sold Rupert

Originally Posted by Rupert

Thank you. I didn't know about that.

They've had similar things - albeit simpler - for years, but seem very good at not letting people know . . .

Originally Posted by Crass

I might actually buy this for someone I know who is thinking of getting a bike - I'll read it first before handing it on

Might have been handy to have before I came back from my 'riding break'. Would probably have saved me a few bob in ruined underwear.

EDIT - ordered. That's one you've sold Rupert

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Rupert

Cheers!

I still have an 80's PB sticker on my swing arm. Does this give me a free book?


Infact