Head check

It's been a while since any of us rode a motorcycle, and getting your head back in gear for riding after lockdown needs some mental preparation

As well as being physically prepared for riding, it's good to think about the mental side, too.

No matter how experienced a rider you are, we all need to shake off the lockdown blues and get our minds sharp before our riding levels are back to normal. To help the process, we talked to Ian Biederman, Head Instructor for BMW Rider Training. He's been teaching people to ride bikes for 30 years, so he knows how riders' minds work. Here's his advice on how to get the wheels back in motion without drama ...

MSL:

How longa breakfrom ridingdoesit take for the return to feel different?

Ian Biederman: The welcome return to the motorcycle will bring some challenges for us depending how long it's been since we last rode, and also how much riding we did before the break. Of course, we don't lose it altogether, but it is right to say we may be a little rusty. After three months, we notice that the skills of even the best riders have deteriorated somewhat. However, while we may be a little hesitant on first ride we will quickly settle in as our skills start to return. The delicate control and bike skills will take a while longer to return, so it's worth factoring some slow-speed control practice to your first ride.

MSL: Are the issues more physical or mental?

1B:While there will be some physical issues, like not quite finding the balance point as you move the bike from the garage, or the fine muscle memory of clutch and throttle control, the main physical impact will be tiredness from the greater concentration used when riding. Once we are on the road, then the issues are mainly mental. We may now try to ride our bike like we drive our car, going too fast into corners rather than slowing down before, it can be very unsettling for the rider. On the bike we have to plan and anticipate much more than in the car, and in the break from riding we may have become overly relaxed; no longer will we be riding in the right place, at the right speed, and ready for all events.

Speedis not the goal. An accurate and decisiverider isquick,not fast - there is a big difference

MSL: What are the main problemspeopleface when ridingafter a longbreak?

1B:As riders, many of us tuck our bikes away for winter and as soon as we get a sunny Spring day we get excited, feeling that we can instantly ride as well as we did when we put the bike away. We get on and go, potentially too enthusiastically, out on the roads - free again! Sadly, the Emergency Services often have to deal with the outcome. In simple terms, you cannot just hop on and be as effective in your decisionmaking and your reactions to situations as you were at the end oflast season. The same is true of our current break from riding.

MSL: How can you get back to your old level of ridingstandardquicker?

1B:Well, obviously, I am going to say get some professional training! An effective advanced trainer will be able to evaluate your riding quickly, and give you suitable guidance to enhance accuracy, resolve any poor habits you have developed, and ultimately improve your safety and progress. In the absence of training, my strong advice is to just take it easy at first, back off a bit early for situations, don't take risks, trust your instincts and try to focus on accuracy and control rather than over-excited riding. Enjoy the freedom!

MSL: What shouldyou NOTdo when you return to riding?

1B:Don't go out and just enjoy the ride! Don't try to ride like you did when you put the bike away (or how you've been driving your car since). You will feel excited and free again; the desire to head to the hills will be hard to resist. You should aim for roads you're familiar with, resisting the urge to ride at a pace. Get comfortable, feel fluid and decisive in your actions and just take your time. You have the opportunity of many months' wonderful riding ahead of you ... or you can spend more time locked in with a broken bike and a broken you! The choice is yours!

MSL: How do you know that you've got your ridingmojoback?

1B:When you are riding comfortably without thinking about it (ideally to a trained standard) you will feel different, more relaxed and more confident. Your riding should be fluid and you should be enjoying the process. Your decision-making should be effective, and you should not be 'panic braking' or being caught out anywhere. Remember, speed is not the goal. An accurate and decisive rider is quick, not fast - there is a big difference.

MSL: Wherecan I get someguidancewith my riding?

is a huge amount of help out there to give you guidance on how to improve your riding to become smoother, ultimately safer, and also... quicker.

BikeSafe is a great place to start as they deliver amazing courses and steer you to further, targeted training. Taking your advanced test is a great recognition of achievement, but not wholly necessary. The training to become a better rider is the most important part - remember you can't see yourself ride - whereas, a qualified advanced instructor can. Training quality and a connection with your instructor are most important. They should be able to discuss things with you in a manner that you can understand and replicate appropriately. So, talk to them first, get a feel of how they can help you and take it from there. And of course, the team at BMW Rider Training (tel. 08000 131 282 / web: www.bmwridertraining. corn) would be delighted to help you improve your skills when the time comes!