Had a great albeit very wet observed ride on Thursday 21st Aug with Sgt. Nick Walker. We went to Helmsley on what as best could be described as a shallow river, as there was more surface water than exposed tarmac. I really appreciated the positive comments and the diplomatic way he went through negatives.
Its really strange having to set the pace when you have a Police motorcycle behind you and it took me quite a while to settle down mostly I should state due to the weather as I must admit to preferring not to ride during the monsoon season.....the rain was bloody awful until we got past Helmsley.

The midpoint and end debriefs I found invaluable and will be introducing the tips passed on into my riding style, especially practicing low speed manoeuvring.

I would recommend an observed ride to any age of motorcyclist especially with Cleveland Police as I feel they are Motorcyclists 1st and police officers 2nd.

That said when back out on the open road I know they would still feel my collar if it was needed but I could console my self with the knowledge that they would be partially doing it for my wellbeing and not just to swell the constabulary stats/coffers.

Test posting

Had a really good time, lots to do and see, just a shame about the weather. All that hard work done for it to rain for most of the day! already looking forward to next years event.

We had a great day with Ridewell on Sunday despite the weather and we hope to return next year. Top marks to Cleveland Police for organising a really good event, apologies to Kevin for not picking out his ticket in our raffle, better luck next year! It was won by pink ticket number 68 by the way.

Well I really enjoy that day out apart from the rain
Nice to see a old faces,
I only found out about it last night from Taxi Driver Victor in Thornaby,(Cheers m8)

Dave (Forum Moderator - http://www.longwaydown.com/)

After having a low speed slide through no fault but my own!!!! decided to have a look around for something that can let me know where and how I'm going wrong. So got in touch with bikesafe/ridewell, Kev got in touch and I went to cannon park to meet him, not only did he make me feel relaxed straight away we had a couple of things in common (World War graves) but that is a different story:) So we went through all types of riding situations, town, rural with twisties, sweepies and bit of A roads. I got some great tips from him, such as more smooth overtakes, limit points, and at the same time we had some fun riding. It does seem strange with a bobby bike behind you for a couple of hours though, not in a bad way, but a funny way.

Now I try and put his advice into practice everytime i'm out, I feel I've become a better biker a lot smoother, I still have a little way to go but feel getting there and if this stops me becoming a statistic then even better. I could not recommend this highly enough. Thumbs up too Kev top bloke, and the rest of the boys who I met in the office. (they are not all B****rds:)

Thanks Again Kev, i'm just getting ready to attend ridewell now.

Anthony

Observed Ride with Steve Darby.

I spent from 10:00 this morning until 14:15 on an observed ride with Steve Darby. It was the best 4hrs and 15mins I have ever had on my bike. The amount of information given up by Steve is invaluable. Having being critiqued at the end of the session, I now feel more confident about my own abilities, which have obviously been drawn out by the very experienced Steve.

PC Darby, you are a credit to the force and you and the teams efforts promoting safer and better biking should be firmly recognised.

I sincereley recommend an observed ride with Cleveland Police, bearing in mind that every day is a school day, and the day you stop learning is a bad day.

Good luck for the future and many thanks for your guidance.

I was at the Thirsk Bike event today at Teasdales in Thirsk and I went for my first observed ride in over 25 years and Sgt Nick was with me. I was nervous at first and Nick pointed out a couple of my mistakes after he followed me from Thirsk to Helmsley. I then followed his lines back to Thirsk taking into account the advice he had given me and the ride back was so much smoother and actually felt faster even though it wasn't. I am now applying for a further observed ride at the ridewell event in July and then going to arrange a further advice session at Cannon park. I would definately recommend spending some of your summer doing this. After the appraisal me and my mate went off around the north yorkshire moors practising our lines and watching one another discussing the difference it felt riding this way. Excellent advice and once again thanks Nick.

Bob McGuire

EXPERT TRAINING FOR FREE !!
Today I went for a observed ride with SGT Nick Walker, its 9PM, I got back from the ride at approx 2.30 and I'm still smiling from ear to ear, I've had a brilliant day. I went into this training having passed my test 5 months ago and totally crapping myself every time I come to a tight bend or a overtake on B roads. Nick took me through first verbally and then demonstrated on the road the safe and fastest way around my problem. I can honestly say I feel like a different rider compared to what I was at 10am this morning. I must admit I was quiet apprehensive about going out with the Police, but god I was wrong. These blokes are just the same as you and me in there love for all things 2 wheeled !! In summary I would advise anybody old or young, experienced or inexperienced to go along and see these guys. Thanks for a great day Nick and I'll deffo be back for the IAM.
DAVE
P.S dont even try to keep up with this guy on the A19 to A66 slip road "MY FAVOURITE BIT OF ROAD IN THE WORLD" as he puts it.

I've just done an assessed ride today with Sgt. Nick Walker of Cleveland Police, and I must say, it showed me a great deal about how to ride correctly on the road. It was an excellent way to get to grips with using the road correctly on a motorcycle, and gave me a lot more confidence in not only myself, but also in riding my bike.

I would suggest that all of you go and do the assessed ride with Cleveland Police. You may learn a thing or two or three

having only just passed my test i bought a 600 nick took me out and advised me on my road positioning and where to be and what gears to use in corners 4 best control and where to look 4 my corner exit line i enjoyed my day out with him and now im a safer rider many thanks nick

I ENJOYED THE DAY IT WAS INTRESTING and gave some good tips as to better my rideing

Just surfing in the 4th. dimension and came across your excellent Ridewell Bulldog site-FAB!!

Disappointed this years event cancelled, we were looking forward to our first trade stand with you. See you next year. www.rainbow-rides.me.uk

Looking forward to this years Ridewell and will definately be making the pilgrimage over from the North West to support your Day! :)

Hello and thankyou for hosting this fantastic event, I missed it last year because I forgot the date and i'm going to make sure I dont miss it again.

http://www.mtbe.co.uk - Mountain biking in North Yorkshire.

Hi to all at Cleveland Police. Thanks for the new date for Ridewell 2007. Hope to see the Virgin Team again, great attraction and Kieran was class in the arena. It's great to get close to the bikes and the riders. Fantastic to see Cleveland Police supporting bikers in the area, with some class toys of their own.

Thanks to Nick for an honest appraisal of my riding technique. Thoroughly enjoyed having someone who "knows", not just mates who think they know, telling me how to be a better rider. Would recommend anyone to try an observed ride - remember, these guys are bikers just like the rest of us - AND you may get to see the inside of the police "toy box" in Middlesbrough. Excellent day out, it was 20 miles to get home and it became 50!!

Had a great morning out with nick. Thanks for the advice and a very enjoyable ride. Learnt a lot from just following and then some sound comments from Nick after he followed me. Reccomend it for anyone no matter how good we think we are there's always something to learn. Having a job getting this to work.

Hi.. Me again.. that should've read My husband and friends were shocked..!

Thanks Andy for a fantastic observed ride. I learnt loads and am now a smoother and more confident rider! My husband and friends when I got back and demonstrated my new skills!

Thanks again!

Mandy B

hi nick. just wanna say thanks again for the observed ride today, i really feel that i learned something and would recommend others to give it a go,and yes i did listen and i will keep trying to put into practice what you taught me

Our members had a great time, and provided some great pictures.

Well done and a good day.

http://www.northukbikers.co.uk

Thank you for a great day out, well organized and fun. lots to see and do. even going back for more at the durham show :-)

Thanks guys for a wonderful day - 14 members came over and had a great time. Lots to see and do, and learnt a few things too. Hope to be there again next year.

Well Done To All Involved
Joe Davies
www.britishbikersclub.co.uk

Bulldog, Thanks for your comments, it would be great if a group of you all came in together. Would it benefit you to have a club stand allocated. If you fancy it, please drop a line asap to james.walkerREMOVE THIS LINE FOR SPAM@cleveleland.pnn.police.uk
Look forward to seeing you, Nick Walker

Looking forward to this specially with the Rossendale show not on this year i think you should get a good turn out - A ride in from www.britishbikersclub.co.uk will be coming in / if anyone interested in meeting we will be at scotch corner for 10am

great day out for all, come see me at the 1twoonetraining stand say hello

The site gets better each year. As for the event, how can you improve on perfection????????

Had a great day out at 2005 ridewell, just found this site looking forward to this years Ridewell
I'm going to ask the man this year if i can have a sit on his harley davison motor bike i bought a bandana off him last year.