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A light flickers in my mirrors, and I'm
momentarily distracted from the road ahead by the vision of a copper
up my chuff. Another, longer look – big headlight, copious
bodywork, high vis outfit: this spirited ride appears to be coming to
an abrupt halt. But wait...isn't that a Burgman? Embarrassed at my
apparent lack of finesse, I open the taps further with the intention
of leaving only an exhaust note to be remembered by, but to no avail.
This guy really knows how to ride.
I dial down my hyperactive imagination
when we pull in for a butty and a brew. I knew it was a scooter all
along, and I certainly knew the chap could hustle it around. Alan is
my observer from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, and he's a bit
of a two-wheeled Yoda. Now, I'm not saying he spends his spare
time defending outer galaxies like another famous biker/actor, but he
is at the opposite end of the height spectrum to myself, dispenses
his extensive wisdom freely, and has a certain wispy-tuft-chic style
to his helmet hair. A career in film beckons.
Since I've been riding under Alan's
guidance, my confidence has increased dramatically. I now see further
down the road than I thought possible, and I've improved the
smoothness of my overtaking and my belief in the front end of the
bike. I'm faster, happier and ultimately, safer. It also gives me a
guaranteed pass out on a Saturday morning ("makes me safer, darling"), and I'm meeting new biking
buddies to boot – what's not to like?!
You learn something new every day, and
in my experience that never rings truer than when riding with the
IAM. Don't believe me? Sign up and see for yourself.
And in the meantime, don't ever try to
lose a Burgman.
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