Still a little tired from the previous days riding I met Dave Hobbs from Honda MAC at Tescos for a cuppa and a pre ride chat.

Today we coved overtaking and making progress. As yesterday Dave took the lead for the first part of the ride and I observed. Once again he certainly didn't hang about. It was nice to clarify some of the legal issues regarding filtering, overtaking and speeding from a janitorial point of view.

The planning of overtaking was really interesting as it enabled me to feel much safer when doing it and less inclined to just grab *any* opportunity. Using the cornering techniques from yesterday in conjunction with safer overtaking the whole ride really came together. Even when it rained and boy did it rain, I still felt safe and in control. I think that I rode faster in the wet during this session than I ever have before.

In a lay-by on a quiet B road we stopped an swapped bikes for the next part of the run. It was funny to see a guy in his mid fifties crouched over my CBR600 but that was the last I saw of him cos he pissed off into the distance like a young hooligan on a Sunday hoon.

With each different bike I ride I find that it takes a few miles to get the feel of the thing and the Honda ST1100 Pan European was no different. Everything about it was in complete contrast to the CBR6. You sit high and upright for a start. Although it doesn't roar into life it has some real torque. Once I'd got used to the position and the rev range (red line at 7500rpm) I was able to enjoy the experience and go off in search of the looney on my bike! The Pan handles quite well for an old sofa and you don't feel every tiny bump in the road like you do on the CBR. The high screen meant that I wasn't buffeted by the wind and rain and the whole imposing appearance cleared traffic out of the way with ease. In conclusion. For: Could ride it all day without discomfort. Against: Would probably fall aslee.

When I eventually caught up with Dave he was sitting exhausted in a lay-by desperate to get bake on the Pan for a rest.

We covered about 220 miles in total getting as far as the Heritage Motor Museum in Warwickshire for lunch. When we arrived back at Tescos cafe for a cuppa and a final chat I was absolutely knackered and very, very wet.

I had enjoyed the course immensely and really felt that I had gained a great deal from it. The techniques that I had learned are not just things I would do for the benefit of an observer. They are things which have changed my riding style permanently.

I would recommend a MAC course to anyone. You don't have to have a Honda to qualify and I feel that I will enjoy my riding much more as a result.

Back to Day 1