-The Sandman-, Trevor Dech

Think about it.

As I am approaching my 19th year of coaching as a motorcycle instructor. I begin to reflect on the amazing experiences that I have had. From meeting and coaching fantastic people to working with some truly gifted instructors. It has truly been one most rewarding careers I have ever had. Second only to my marriage and the birth of our first child, Karson.

Coaching is also one of the hardest things I have ever done, which pushes me to continually improve my skill as a rider and coach. That being said, many years ago I made a commitment not only to myself but to my instructors. During the off season we seek new ways of understanding this sport we love so much. Courses like Freddie Spencer and Keith Code Superbike School, give us new insight and knowledge that we bring to our students at all levels. This helps them not only with two wheels, but four wheels as well.

I feel that we as drivers think that it is a right to ride and drive when in reality; it is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. If we were all to lose our license for a little while, we would realize what a privilege it is.
We all know we make mistakes out there; those little mistakes add up and cause the accidents that we have been in and read about. Things like not texting while driving, or pulling over if you need to talk on the phone, just to name a few.
In our course we talk about five reasons why riders/drivers have accidents. (C.A.R.R.)

1. Concentration ( the lack there of)
2. Abrupt use of controls (hitting the brakes to hard)
3. Rushing into corners (Just going to fast)
4. Repeating the same mistakes over and over(the luck bag runs out)
5. Finally C.A.R.R. spells cars. Another big reason we get into accident is all the other cars out there.

I remember my dad always telling me. "It's not you I am worried about it is everyone else" Some time after that conversation I was hit from behind by a car on 68thSt. I was at a stop sign. Problem was the car behind did not stop…
We, all of us, are the 'everyone else' my dad warned me about, and that your parents warned you about.
We all would be S.A.F.E.R. riders and drivers out there if we all would just think about it.

Trev

Practice, practice, practice!!

I've ridden bikes since I was small but never really knew how much riding was a part of a person. When I suit up in my leathers, back protector, boots, gloves, and my incredible Arai helmet I feel like I am a superhero. Like Superman, my senses become more tuned to my surroundings. I feel much more aware of events, and the littlest factors that could lead to disaster. It takes more than wearing the proper gear and having a motorcycle for you to call yourself a rider. It takes an understanding of how your motorcycle is able to move and how you as the rider are there to bridge the gap between brains (you) and brawn (motorcycle).

I have known a few people who just picked up a bike and started to ride. Unfortunately, those are few and far between. I really believe that a rider who wants to be a great rider needs to have a solid foundation of skills under them, equal to the capabilities of their motorcycle. What is a solid rider foundation? PRACTICE, it starts down here with basic training. A lot of people who come through courses such as ours think once they pass their test they do not need to practice. But as you can see from the rider foundation chart, practice is the mortar it takes to keep the foundation strong, so higher skills can be developed. Think about any sport you''ve played. When was your greatest opportunity to learn and perfect that sport? Was it the game? Or was it when your coach was beside you explaining the basics and analyzing not only what you were doing wrong but what you were doing right? For me, it was practice.

I strongly believe that being an instructor since 1991 and lucky enough to practice, play and ride has increased my chances of survival in the ever-increasing traffic of our roads. So when you get your bike out to ride this season, take it to a lot and practice the basics that you learned in your motorcycle course. Even if you have a license, but haven''t ridden for some time, the Basic Course is an eye-opener. Practice, practice, practice will make you solid.

Trev