Andrew Anderson © 2014 The Happy Biker All Rights Reserved
IAM Masters - (what the IAM say about the Master Standard click for link)
After being an IAM member for some thirty plus years and getting myself back to a good riding standard by taking the help of Senior Observers and observers in a local IAM Group called the “Solent Advanced Motorcyclists” (or SAM). Within this I became a group Observer, to help others who want to attain a better and safer riding standard.
Wanting to push myself further I got the help of the Chief Observer Alec Gore who was an Inspector of Police Motorcyclists for the British in Hong Kong which he was in charge of over 350 Police motorcyclists, he also trained 120 of them to the exceptional high Police 1 standard.
I then engaged the services of Alec privately as he holds many other Advanced Motorcycling skill sets (see here). I wanted to see if I could get to a RoSPA Gold standard, after a number of training sessions, he guided me to take the IAM SAM Advanced Plus test, to test the water so to speak before going for RoSPA Advanced Riders Gold.
Taking the Advanced Plus test and got a score of 91% getting a distinction the examiner was a serving Police Motorcycle Officer Phil Pentalow.
Being guided by Alec to have a couple more training session, afterwards put in for my RoSPA test. Attaining a RoSPA Gold the examiner was David Bruguier a retired Class 1 Police Motorcycle officer and trainer. Later I became a RoADAR Motorcycle Observer, to help others who want to attain a better and safer riding standard.
Wanting to push myself further, I was now looking at the IAM Masters.
I spoke with Keiron Parsons (runs Master Class Motorcycle Training) who had just passed his IAM Masters with a distinction, this worried me as Keiron is an excellent rider and is a retired Class 1 Police Motorcycle Officer and Motorcycle Trainer. The way forward then must be not to just go and take the Masters test but opt for the mentoring, Keiron was too busy to ask.
After signing up for the Masters test with mentoring, Jon Taylor SE one of the Institute of Advanced Motorists Senior Examiner phoned, we spoke for a while and through this conversation I made it known that I would like to make sure I have not picked-up any bad habits along with any unusual riding techniques which could affect getting a distinction therefore I ask if possible if I could have a mentor not within SAM Club Group?” My other agenda was to to see what is required of the IAM Masters test by having a mentor.
The Masters Information pack advises “Your mentor will hold an IAM Masters Certificate or a Police Advanced Riding / Driving qualification”. The appointed IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) mentor for me is a current serving Police Motorcycle Officer and a Police Advanced Riding Instructor he is also proactive in the Dorset County Police Bike Safe scheme.
Started with IAM Masters Mentor on 10 July with an informal get to know you chat and out for an assessment ride. Read about the ride and comments below;
This is my experience of the IAM Masters Mentor.
Ride 1 - What was said at the brief
Ride 1 - Mentors Report
