So as the small minority of local Christians gathered to hear the proclamation “That Christ has risen” and respond enthusiastically, “He is risen indeed”, I was checking that the bike was secure in the trailer and the various items of personal equipment were in the car. I decided to drive down so I could be as fresh as possible on the big day.
My riding pal had ridden down earlier in the week, using the opportunity to visit family in the region. His advice was to go to Phillip Island via Cann River. So the first stage was the well-trodden path to Cooma. My first surprise was the closure of the Williamstown petrol station and the erection of an ugly array of black panels by the puritans of a new faith. Matching their equally ugly windmills over Lake George dedicated to destroying what birdlife is in the area. Perhaps these black shapes are an attack on the local flora.
Bombala is the outer boundary of the Canberra motorcycling region and soon I was entering Kim Jong Dan’s (Andrews) eastern Gippsland. A lovely part of the world and some very nice motorcycling roads. The Easter festival must have denoted the rising of the caravan people as the road was packed with these devices, or is east Gippsland where they go to die?
The trek east on the Princess Highway was via Orbost, Bruthen, Bairnsdale, Sale and Traralgon, taking me close to the Yallourn region. I wondered if Kim Jong-Dan would be as brave as Kim Jong-Jay (Weatherall) and blow up the power station, often putting Pyong-Adelaide in the same darkness as its sister city Pyongyang? Time will tell but I would plan on day activities down south in the future. My trek to Phillip island continued via Mirboo North, Leongatha, Wonthaggi and finally Phillip Island. All up an eight and a half hour journey.
The big day dawned and it was an early start to proceedings. Students are instructed to be ready to enter gate 7 of the hallowed grounds of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit at 7 am.
After completing the requisite forms the gates were dutifully opened at 7 am and we all filed onto the track grounds and onto the pit garages via the tunnel beneath the track. For first timers like myself, emerging from the tunnel into the bright sunshine of Support Paddock Garages was like a religious experience. The track and grounds looked, and were, in immaculate condition. We were directed to park behind the Pit Garage/Media Centre and prepare our bikes for Scrutineering.
An interesting feature of scrutineering was the taping of the mirrors and the speedo, and the tyre pressure being set to 30psi front and back. The speedo is taped to force you to use your sense of speed and the mirrors to keep you focussed on the track. Soon I was wheeling the bike onto the area designated for the “Green” (level One) group and affixing my bike numbers. Back to the car and put on the good gear and join my leather clad comrades.
The Safety and Admin briefings followed, then the course participants for levels one to four identified and the teaching part of proceedings started. For level one it was a lesson on Throttle Control. But this was no dry academic dirge but an informative, entertaining and engaging discussion on all things related to throttle control by our enthusiastic instructor of more than 20 years’ experience. In this first lesson I learned something that really impressed me and something I don’t think I would have intuitively figured out.
Our first session on the track was a two lap “sighter” where we followed a car. Riding down the access road parallel to Gardner Straight for the first time was a memorable experience. Spread out before us was Bass Straight and the view along the coastline with the surf rolling up the cliffs was special. Back at the pits we were advised that Green Group would have a 20 minute break while the Yellow Group had their first session executing the throttle exercise.
During the practical exercises an instructor per three students is allotted, guaranteeing each student personal instruction. Each exercise during the day has certain riding criteria. In the first lesson, Throttle Control, students are instructed to maintain fourth gear once up to speed and not to use the brakes, unless safety necessitates. A hand signal discussed during the theory lesson is used by the instructor to indicate how a particular technique is applied. Once demonstrated at a few turns the instructor then invites you to lead and they follow to see how you perform. If you do okay they will overtake and give the thumbs up. Prior to the exercise the instructor notes your pace and executes the demonstrations at that pace, thus catering to all student levels.
This pattern is repeated with exercises on Turn Points, Quick Steer, Rider Input and Two-Step Turning. So five on track sessions of 20 minutes each, five classroom sessions and five rest sessions. At the end of each 20 minute track session the instructor provides feedback in the pits.
My riding partner had previously attended Stay Upright courses and felt although CSS was more expensive it provided a much better learning environment and overall value for money.
CSS offers four course and more information can be obtained on their website - https://www.superbikeschool.com.au/
I thoroughly enjoyed my day out with CSS and would recommend the course to any road riding motorcycle enthusiast.
Leigh
