22/09/2024
Normandy Trip - Day 4: Advanced Motorcycle Training Tour
Overtaking
After a late night celebrating two birthdays, most of us woke up with slightly sore heads but in good spirits despite the early start. I checked the Château at around 8 am, and it was in complete darkness, making me think everyone might be late for the 8:15 start—but thankfully, we all made it on time, avoiding hefty donations to the charity box!
Today's training session was focused on overtaking, which I personally find to be the most challenging and complex part of the course. Each overtaking situation is unique, full of "what ifs" and grey areas. Although we have a framework to follow, no two overtakes are the same.
During the briefing, I covered three types of overtakes:
When you meet a slower vehicle and the overtake is in your favor.
When you catch up to a vehicle but can’t pass yet.
When there’s a line of traffic, and you leapfrog past one vehicle at a time.
There was a lot of interest and engagement during the session, with riders asking questions and eager to make positive changes. Many riders rely on the power of their bike for overtaking rather than using their brains, so our goal is to help them think more critically. Overtaking is a skill that requires practice and careful judgement, and when done right, it’s incredibly exhilarating.
The briefing lasted almost an hour, though it could have gone longer, but we needed coffee and breakfast before heading out to apply what we had learned.
We paired up the radios and hit the road. The routes were great with plenty of opportunities to practice overtaking. As we rode towards Granville, everyone got a good chance to ride up front, and we saw real improvements since Day 1. Riders are starting to incorporate the IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) system and better cornering techniques. However, we still had to nudge some towards riding more like professionals, with structure and focus, rather than as casual bikers.
After about two hours, we stopped at a café for a quick coffee and a local cake—much needed after the morning’s riding. The next part of the route wasn’t ideal for overtaking, so in the afternoon, I kept the last two riders on my radio channel to provide additional guidance.
We all regrouped in Granville to discuss the morning’s training. It was clear that a lot of learning was happening, though riders were still grappling with breaking old habits and adopting new ones. Change doesn’t happen overnight; it requires practice, feedback, and a willingness to let go of ingrained behaviors.
After a fantastic lunch, we set off again as a large group. This allowed everyone to practice the day’s lessons together. Laura and I gave a demonstration of cornering and overtaking techniques, riding as a pair. One rider, an experienced advanced rider himself, was amazed by the coordination between us, something he hadn’t seen before.
Back at the Château, it was evident that everyone had worked hard. Adopting new techniques requires intense concentration, which can be draining. But the rewards are clear when you see the "lightbulb" moments, as riders begin to reflect and replace bad habits with good ones.
After a debrief, it was time for some much-needed downtime. Everyone headed off to relax, shower, and prepare for another social evening. Dinner was superb, though the wine flowed less tonight, replaced by water to stay hydrated. We ended the evening with some light-hearted "Muppetry Awards" before most people headed to bed early, needing rest after a tough day of riding.
We turned in for the night as well, satisfied with the day’s progress. Tomorrow is another opportunity for improvement, and after a good rest, riders often come back with clearer minds, ready to apply what they've learned. This process of reflection and analysis is when real change happens.
