THE VERY BEST BIKE racers in the world have coaches. Not only does raising their skill level improve their chance of winning, but it also enhances their ability to stay in one piece. Our sport, and for us road riders our chosen method of transport, comes with some inherent perils.
But you know that. The thrill is one of the reasons we ride, and thrill cannot exist independently of peril. Motorcycling is a wondrous mistress, but she is intolerant of ineptitude and laziness.
So how can we ameliorate the inherent risks of what we love doing, at least to some degree? The simple answer is, be better. Becoming a better rider is the only way to be safer on the roads than you are now, other than choosing not to ride at all. And the side benefit is you’ll probably become faster too. Faster and safer. What’s not to love?
And if it’s okay for MotoGP champ Pecco Bagnaia to have a riding coach, it’s okay for us too. So, let’s go and get a coach.
Throughout my life, I’ve covered upwards of half a million kilometres on the road on a whole lot of different bikes, and I’ve raced a variety of bikes on tarmac and dirt. Sadly though, between Covid and a confluence of other life events, I haven’t pointed a bike at a racetrack apex in anger for a few years. I’m hoping to change all thatnext few months for some Post Classic road racing.
