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Steve Dean Passes Advanced Rider Course on Trike 45 Years After Life Changing Accident
Triumph Over Adversity: Steve Dean passes IAM RoadSmart’s Advanced Rider Course on a trike 45 years after losing his leg in a motorbike crash. Here he tells how he got his confidence back.
My wife and I ride out to the Super Sausage Café on the A5 in Northamptonshire regularly for a full English breakfast and to look at all the different bikes that turn up. On one occasion, two police officers' rode into the car park on Ducati V4's, and after a chat they explained they were Observers for Bikesafe.
I was new to this, so I checked online to find out more about what they offered. I did think this would be interesting, as I felt, like many of us, I was a competent rider.
Now I must point out at this stage I ride a Can-Am Spyder. Known as a reverse trike the Spyder is a three-wheeled vehicle with two wheels at the front and one at the rear. Forty-five years ago, aged just 20, I had an accident on a motorbike and lost my right leg. I do love riding 2-wheelers, but simply for practical reasons, like not falling over at the traffic lights, I decided to ride a trike.
I decided to take the Bikesafe course, and after that, the police mentioned I could also do an Advanced Rider Course with IAM RoadSmart.
The seed was planted
I was unsure how IAM RoadSmart would accept a trike rider taking this course, as I know how much more there is to work on when you're on two wheels. Being on a trike makes riding interesting. The obvious things are sometimes more complicated to mentally adjust to. As an example, my bike is 1.5 meters wide, so riding the right line/position on the road is very important for me.
I have had five Observer rides with Paul Southall, a dedicated, professional, and very well-rounded coach. I am amazed how the course has changed my entire outlook on riding; I have ridden over 2000 miles to practice and build my confidence for the test.
When I first bought the Can-Am, I rode the bike through Hertfordshire from Baldock to Buntingford and found the ride quite tricky, as the Can-Am does not like being pushed round the bends (you will all know the tight bends). However, the other day I tried that ride again, and it has been transformed into a smooth, relaxing, and pleasurable ride.
Since taking the course, I have found every ride a more pleasurable experience. I enjoy the bike check prior to riding, which helps my confidence knowing that the bike is set up correctly.
Passing my test
Remember, review the Highway Code; there have been some changes to the rules of the road since I passed my driving test at 17. Read the Advanced Rider Course Logbook from cover to cover so you understand the six competencies framed by IPSGA, which is the fundamental system for Advanced Driving and Riding. Practice, practice and practice. Try out roads you are not familiar with. This part of my training was essential: if you are riding an unknown road, you must apply all the principles of the course.
My Test
Last summer I met up with Observer Mark Canning in Sandy, Bedfordshire. The clouds were coming in, and it looked like rain. We had a coffee, and Mark explained what we were going to do during the test. I was very nervous, although Mark did make me feel relaxed about the experience.
We did the eye test and then walked over to our bikes. Mark inspected mine, which included brake light checks. Finally, we were off, out of Sandy and into the countryside towards Potton. It must have taken me five minutes riding before I settled into a rhythm.
The route covered every type of road and, of course, passed through several towns and villages. After a few short, sharp rain showers, we eventually joined the A1 and rode back down to the café.
I climbed off my bike and asked Mark how I had done; his reply was I had passed. However, I was hoping he would pass me with a First. He suggested we have a coffee, and after sitting down with the drinks, asked me how I felt it had gone. I explained I felt the ride had gone very well, and then Mark then asked me to describe part of the ride back to him. He smiled and said I had passed with a First.
Bikesafe - A nationwide police-led motorcycle initiative designed to engage riders in a relaxed setting, emphasizing the benefits of accredited post-test training.
My wife and I ride out to the Super Sausage Café on the A5 in Northamptonshire regularly for a full English breakfast and to look at all the different bikes that turn up. On one occasion, two police officers' rode into the car park on Ducati V4's, and after a chat they explained they were Observers for Bikesafe.
I was new to this, so I checked online to find out more about what they offered. I did think this would be interesting, as I felt, like many of us, I was a competent rider.
Now I must point out at this stage I ride a Can-Am Spyder. Known as a reverse trike the Spyder is a three-wheeled vehicle with two wheels at the front and one at the rear. Forty-five years ago, aged just 20, I had an accident on a motorbike and lost my right leg. I do love riding 2-wheelers, but simply for practical reasons, like not falling over at the traffic lights, I decided to ride a trike.
I decided to take the Bikesafe course, and after that, the police mentioned I could also do an Advanced Rider Course with IAM RoadSmart.
The seed was planted
I was unsure how IAM RoadSmart would accept a trike rider taking this course, as I know how much more there is to work on when you're on two wheels. Being on a trike makes riding interesting. The obvious things are sometimes more complicated to mentally adjust to. As an example, my bike is 1.5 meters wide, so riding the right line/position on the road is very important for me.
I have had five Observer rides with Paul Southall, a dedicated, professional, and very well-rounded coach. I am amazed how the course has changed my entire outlook on riding; I have ridden over 2000 miles to practice and build my confidence for the test.
When I first bought the Can-Am, I rode the bike through Hertfordshire from Baldock to Buntingford and found the ride quite tricky, as the Can-Am does not like being pushed round the bends (you will all know the tight bends). However, the other day I tried that ride again, and it has been transformed into a smooth, relaxing, and pleasurable ride.
Since taking the course, I have found every ride a more pleasurable experience. I enjoy the bike check prior to riding, which helps my confidence knowing that the bike is set up correctly.
Passing my test
Remember, review the Highway Code; there have been some changes to the rules of the road since I passed my driving test at 17. Read the Advanced Rider Course Logbook from cover to cover so you understand the six competencies framed by IPSGA, which is the fundamental system for Advanced Driving and Riding. Practice, practice and practice. Try out roads you are not familiar with. This part of my training was essential: if you are riding an unknown road, you must apply all the principles of the course.
My Test
Last summer I met up with Observer Mark Canning in Sandy, Bedfordshire. The clouds were coming in, and it looked like rain. We had a coffee, and Mark explained what we were going to do during the test. I was very nervous, although Mark did make me feel relaxed about the experience.
We did the eye test and then walked over to our bikes. Mark inspected mine, which included brake light checks. Finally, we were off, out of Sandy and into the countryside towards Potton. It must have taken me five minutes riding before I settled into a rhythm.
The route covered every type of road and, of course, passed through several towns and villages. After a few short, sharp rain showers, we eventually joined the A1 and rode back down to the café.
I climbed off my bike and asked Mark how I had done; his reply was I had passed. However, I was hoping he would pass me with a First. He suggested we have a coffee, and after sitting down with the drinks, asked me how I felt it had gone. I explained I felt the ride had gone very well, and then Mark then asked me to describe part of the ride back to him. He smiled and said I had passed with a First.
Bikesafe - A nationwide police-led motorcycle initiative designed to engage riders in a relaxed setting, emphasizing the benefits of accredited post-test training.
