On 29th September,  a gloriously sunny Monday morning, I met Colin, one of the RideWise Pro team members, for my first advanced training session with him.

Colin’s based in South London, and I’m in Dover, so we decided to meet halfway – Ashford – and plan a route from there. When he asked where I’d like to ride, I didn’t hesitate – Dungeness. It’s one of my favourite places: wide, open, rugged, and peaceful, the kind of place that always seems to offer a lesson in perspective.

Training That’s All About You

What struck me straight away is that RideWise Pro training isn’t a set syllabus or format.And that’s what I was really after. I do intend do go through IAMS or RoSPA at some point, but at this stage I wanted something completely bespoke and informal, with no pressure to ride in a certain way. 

And that’s what I got. RideWise Pro days are completely tailored to you – your bike, your goals, your level of experience, and even your preferred type of roads.

Every day is built around what you personally want to achieve. The one-to-one sessions are designed to help you develop higher-level road skills, awareness, and confidence, while group days offer the same quality of input, just shared with a small number of riders.

Expect a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, real-time feedback through comms, and routes that are carefully chosen to challenge and develop your technique in a supportive way. That was exactly how it felt.

A Friendly, Supportive Approach

From the start, Colin put me at ease. He’s friendly, non-judgemental, and incredibly knowledgeable, with a calm, clear way of explaining things that makes even complex skills easy to understand.

I was naturally a little daunted – it’s always a bit nerve-wracking to ride with someone whose skill level is so much higher – but mostly, I was excited. I wanted a general assessment and honest feedback. My riding has been developing nicely, but I knew there were still areas to iron out.

More than anything, I wanted to keep learning how to ride my bike. I’d already done some excellent advanced training with another fabulous provider in the Midlands, who helped me break through some early barriers – especially things like my bike’s turning circle and staying steady on right turns.

That session was the first time I truly understood how different my sports bike feels compared with the upright training bikes used for CBT and Mod 1 and 2 training. The weight, steering geometry, and handling are all very different, and while the bikes I learned on were perfect for starting out, there’s a real skill in adapting to your own machine, especially if it’s different.

It’s not practical or affordable to keep travelling from Dover to the Midlands regularly (though it was well worth it, and I will go back), so I was keen to find someone more local to continue the journey – and that’s how I found RideWise Pro.

The Ride Out

Our route took us from Ashford through New Romney and across the marshes towards Dungeness – miles of quiet, twisty roads, crosswinds, small villages, and the occasional flock of sheep wandering about as if they owned the place. I guess they do! The scenery was beautiful and ever-changing, with plenty of opportunities to practice cornering, positioning, and road reading.

It got even more interesting when we hit a few road closures and had to reroute – which tested my adaptability (and my u-turns…).

The U-Turn Lesson

That’s where one of the biggest learning moments came.

We reached a closed road and needed to turn around. I instantly decided in my head, “I can’t do that u-turn.” Before even attempting it, I’d already talked myself out of it and went for a three-point turn instead. Unfortunately, I ended up pointing down the camber, and my short legs couldn’t quite paddle uphill in reverse – so Colin kindly rescued me by jumping off his bike and pulling me backwards.

It was a light-hearted moment, but the feedback was gold: I hadn’t been looking where I wanted to go before telling myself I couldn’t do it. Classic mistake. And such a powerful reminder that your bike follows your eyes. I’d been looking at the side of the road.

It’s one of those truths I often teach in mindset coaching – whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. I thought I couldn’t do it, so I didn’t.

That simple shift in focus makes all the difference, both on the bike and off it. It was also a reminder of how skills can fade if we don’t keep practicing them. I’d got really good at u-turns on my upright training bikes, but since moving to my sports bike, I’d avoided practicing them so much, because I wasn’t sure how tightly it could turn – and, to be honest, it’s not something I want to experiment with on my own in case I drop it.

That’s why I’d previously done a slow control course with the training provider in the Midlands, which was brilliant. This was a timely reminder to keep practicing what I’d learned on that day. 

Fine-Tuning the Details

We switched between me following Colin, listening to his explanations about what he was doing,  and then me leading while he gave me real-time feedback through the comms system. I’m well-used to using comms, and I found it really helped me stay connected to what I was learning and able to make small tweaks instantly.

One of the biggest aha moments came when Colin pointed out my head movement on roundabouts and corners. I hadn’t realised how static I was keeping my gaze. As soon as I consciously started turning my head and looking through the bend, everything felt smoother, more controlled, and more comfortable.

It’s amazing how a tiny shift in awareness can change how a corner feels.

Lunchtime Debrief

We stopped for a mid-way debrief over lunch at The End of the Line Café in Dungeness – a fitting name for the end of a fantastic morning’s ride. Sadly, no trains came in while we were there (I’d secretly hoped there might be one for Colin to see), but it was the perfect spot to reflect on what I’d learned.

Colin got his magic notebook out and drew a few sketches to show me where my road positioning could be improved. He started with the words, “You’re better than you think you are.”

I left feeling more confident, more aware, and more eager than ever to keep progressing.

Before we left, I made sure we got the classic bike and lighthouse shots – they simply have to be done at Dungeness. Every local rider knows that! And Colin knows it too now.

Afternoon Session

After lunch, we followed the coastal road towards Folkestone, putting into practice everything I’d learned that morning. We finished the day at the entrance to the beautiful Folkestone Coastal Park, rounding off what felt like the perfect mix of challenge, learning, and enjoyment. Not before I stalled coming out of the petrol station though!

Other than that and the u-turn I was really pleased with my riding, even under the pressure of being observed by a professional rider. I’d definitely like to do another day in the next few months and compare my riding from now to then, as I continue to learn and develop as a rider.

Reflections and Mindset Links

This day really reinforced what I always tell my coaching clients: you never stop learning, and more training is always a good idea. Every ride is an opportunity to become smoother, safer, and more self-aware – both on the bike and in your mind.

Calm focus, body awareness, and confidence aren’t fixed traits. They’re trainable. Just like physical technique, they improve with guided practice and reflection.

Colin and I have even talked about running a joint training and mindset day in the future – combining classroom-based mindset work and roadcraft lessons with practical on-road coaching. The idea is to help riders not just improve their technical skills, but also manage their nerves and mindset so they can make the most of the day.

It’s exactly the kind of collaboration I love: practical skill meets psychological skill. I’ll be delighted to be a student again once I’ve delivered my part of the session!

Final Thoughts

I’d absolutely recommend RideWise Pro to any rider – whether you’ve just passed your test or have years of experience. We can all improve, and with the right support, it’s not about feeling judged; it’s about discovering what’s possible when you give yourself permission to learn.

If you’re thinking about advanced training, go for it. And if nerves or self-doubt are holding you back, that’s where mindset coaching comes in – because sometimes the biggest upgrade isn’t to your bike, it’s to your belief in yourself.

Find Out More

To explore RideWise Pro’s advanced motorcycle training, visit www.ridewise.pro
To learn how mindset coaching can help you get the most from your training, visit www.motorcyclemindset.co.uk.

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Disclaimer

The content shared on this website and in related social media posts is not intended as riding advice and should never replace professional motorcycle training or safety instruction. It is written from the perspective of a certified life coach and motorcyclist, not a qualified riding instructor.

My aim is to support your mindset and emotional resilience as you learn, ride, or return to the road. The tools and reflections shared are based on lived experience and coaching practice, not technical riding expertise.

You are responsible for your own safety, decisions, and actions on and off the bike. For practical riding instruction and technique, always consult a DVSA-approved motorcycle instructor or school.