Over the past twenty years, I’ve dabbled in just about every type of motorcycle riding to keep things interesting. From off-roading with Mick Extance (a riotous good time) to trials riding at Inch Perfect (let’s just say it’s a workout you won’t find in any gym) and the adrenaline-pumping track days at Oulton Park with No Limits (equal parts thrilling and terrifying and delivered with plenty sphincter tightening moments). But without a doubt, the most game-changing experience was signing up for an IAM Skills Day.
Regular track days are fun but let’s be honest, they often devolve into a “who can scare themselves the most” competition. In contrast, a Skills Day is where you learn to ride better, safer and with more finesse. Forget just twisting the throttle and hoping for the best – this is about mastering the art of motorcycling, from smooth braking to nailing those corners without feeling like you’re holding on for dear life.
Please don’t think you can rock up to a Skills Day with a dedicated track bike. This isn’t a MotoGP warm-up session so no tyre warmers, race slicks, or number plates covered like a secret agent on a mission. Your bike needs to be road legal, meaning and before you ask – yes, the exhaust needs to behave itself, especially at Croft, where noise restrictions are stricter than a librarian with a headache. So, baffles in, unless you want to spend the day as a spectator! As for the type of bike – whatever will do. There’s always a vast selection of bikes attending on the day from Pan Europeans to much smaller capacity bikes and electric bikes too.
Worried you’ll be out of your depth, intimidated by track day warriors, or destined to end the day with more dents in your bike than you started with? Fear not. To be frank, there are new risks (you are on a racetrack, after all), but the IAM have designed these events to be as safe as possible. Plus, let’s not forget the perks of riding on a racetrack: no manhole covers waiting to catch you out, no speed cameras to ruin your fun, no junctions, pedestrians or oncoming traffic, no paint on the road or broken tarmac and finally no potholes or speed bumps to launch you into orbit. There’s even a speed limit – though at Croft, it’s set at a brisk 90 mph (or, let’s be honest, maybe a cheeky 100 mph). But you get the point – it’s not about breaking the sound barrier, but rather about building your confidence and skills.
On arrival, you’ll get a safety briefing that’s non-negotiable – miss it, and you’ll be sitting out the day. You’ll be sorted into one of three groups (‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’, where ‘C’ is the newbie squad) and then paired with an instructor who’ll guide you through the day. And before you get any ideas, this isn’t a race. You’re encouraged to practice smoothness and accuracy and not chase speed (Precision Triangle), aim for about 75% of your max ability – enough to push yourself, but not so much that you’re clinging on for dear life.
The day is broken into six sessions, each focusing on a specific skill like positive steering, braking, and body positioning. As the day goes on, the pace picks up, but only as a natural result of your growing skills and confidence – not because your instructor has decided to vanish into the distance. It’s all about building up, not burning out.
The format is simple: 20 minutes of briefing, 20 minutes on the track, then a debrief. Rinse and repeat. By the end of the day, you’ll have spent more time on the tarmac than most race schools allow you to do in a day. It is a very structured day delivered in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, absorb the info and actually remember what you’ve learned as you head out on track.
Ultimately, the goal of an IAM Skills Day is to make you a better rider, whether on track or road. It’s an advanced riding day so you will be using the SYSTEM on track to constantly gather information about the track and riders around you, positioning for corners, adjusting speed for different track features, selecting the right gear to keep the machine responsive and then accelerating out of the corners. The consistency of track conditions allows you to focus on refining your technique without worrying about unexpected hazards. By the end of the day, you’ll have ridden the same corner so many times that you could probably do it blindfolded (note: not recommended). It’s also a chance to get to know your bike better – because, on public roads, you rarely get the opportunity to push your machine to its limits without risking a stern chat with the local constabulary.
My regular IAM Skills Days have worked wonders for my road riding skills and confidence. I can’t recommend them highly enough – seriously, sign up. You’ll thank me later.
IAM RoadSmart are about to announce nine motorcycle events from April to September in 2025, at four of the best UK circuits: Thruxton, Mallory Park, Croft, and Knockhill. In addition, there will also be a machine handling day at Bicester in Oxfordshire. For us friendly, thrill-seeking Northerners, Croft is an easy day trip but Knockhill might require a bit more planning and a comfy bed for the night before and after. These Skills Days are open to everyone – IAM members and the general public – so there’s no excuse not to join in and learn new skills that will make your road riding safer and more enjoyable. When you have a minute take a look at the IAM Skills Day web-page – https://www.iamroadsmart.com/events/skills-days
The cost? A reasonable £240ish for a day packed with expert advice, track time, and the kind of learning you just don’t get from YouTube videos. But be quick – these events are popular, and places go fast. So, keep an eye on your in-box at the end of January for an email from the IAM announcing the dates. Don’t delay book straight away or your only option will be watching the highlights on social media.
Finally, in closing this article take a look at the following feedback from 193 customers that attended a Skills Day in 2024 – its impressive: –
• 4.3/5 for theory sessions
• 4.5/5 for improving road skills
• 4.8/5 for instructors
• 4.9/5 for safety management
• 93% would come again
I hope to see you there in 2025.
Derek
