What we offer

Cambridge Advanced Motorcyclists offer you advanced rider training up to the IAM Advanced Test standard and beyond at very low cost.

We advise you how to ride faster, more safely and with more enjoyment. Unlike IAM Roadcraft Manual commercial organisations we have no vested interest in training you up quickly; we will ensure that you achieve the highest possible levels of skills.

Advanced riding is based upon the latest Police Roadcraft Manual which details the System of Advanced Motorcycle Control. Details of this are given in the new IAM publication entitled How to be a better rider, a copy of which is included in your IAM membership.

What’s covered:

Road positioning for observation and safety
Cornering skills
Overtaking
Observation skills — identifying hazards
Motorcycle control — acceleration, braking and slow speed riding
The correct and safe use of speed — making progress
Machine sympathy — being ‘in tune’ with your bike

Why become an advanced rider?

Advanced Riding prepares you for riding on the busy and dangerous roads in the UK. It will teach you how to get the best from your motorcycle — safely. It will also make you quicker, helping you to understand where it is safe and appropriate to use speed.

Being an Advanced Rider will make you more aware of road hazards, better able to handle situations and generally feel more confident about your riding. The skills become instinctive, making you a quicker, safer rider. It also increases the enjoyment you get from riding, through utilising the new skills and techniques you have learned.

Riders who have reached the advanced test level have a hugely reduced accident rate, and often benefit from substantial insurance savings.

Free Assessment Ride

If you’re still unsure about joining up straight away, we offer a FREE Assessment Ride. Please use the Contact Us form.

You’ll meet with one of our Observers and after an initial briefing they will follow you along a variety of roads to assess your riding and awareness skills. There’ll be a couple of stops, usually one will be at a cafe or tearoom. There you’ll be able to discuss your riding with the Observer and get feedback on things that could be improved or be of benefit to your riding. Obviously this will just be a taster of what would be fully covered if you decided take our Advanced Rider Course

Advanced Rider Course

All training is done on a one to one basis with an assigned Observer. Runs are typically 1.5 hours long and will cover a wide variety of road types, from small country back lanes through sweeping A roads to motorways. At all times your Observer will advise on any improvements that can be made to your riding. In general, it will take between 6 and 8 runs to achieve test standard.

In addition, CAM runs a series of classroom sessions giving theoretical knowledge to back up the practical advice.

The Costs

Under the IAM’s RoadSmart program, a one-off payment of £215 includes a year’s membership of CAM, a year’s membership of the IAM, a copy of the Advanced Rider Course Logbook & the test fee. Our Observers, who are all unpaid volunteers, will provide you with as much training time as you want or need for just a few pounds petrol money per run.

This is a whole year’s training at a fraction of the cost of a commercial weekend course, and once you pass you could recoup the entire fee in insurance savings in just one or two years.

SOCIALS

There’s much more to CAM than just the advanced training. We run social rides at least fortnightly throughout the year as well as pub evenings, first aid courses, BBQs, all-day and two-day ride outs. Check the events calendar to discover what’s in the pipeline.

MACHINE CONTROL DAYS

Our very popular machine control days are run each year and are a lot of fun as well as an invaluable learning tool. Held off the public roads, the courses will improve your slow speed riding, braking, counter steering, machine control and other advanced techniques.

MAINTENANCE DAYS

If you look after your bike, your bike will look after you. Our bike maintenance days are an excellent way to learn some of the basic techniques you need to keep your machine safe and reliable.

TOURS

Our members often organise tours to various locations across Europe, all of which are open to our full members.

EVENTS

CAM supports events across the region, including the annual Ride to Work Day and several motorcycle meetings.

LADIES RIDES

Our club wants to appeal to female riders and we have an active membership. We provide an encouraging environment for everyone to have fun and get important training.

BIKER DOWN

If you were the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker, would you know what to do? We offer our members the chance to learn practical skills and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene of a crash

After you pass

Although our main aim is to help you train for and pass your advanced test, your involvement with the club need not end there. Full members are encouraged to stay active in CAM, join social rides and events and also lead rideouts. If you want to give something back there are lots of ways to help the club which is run entirely by volunteers, or take the next step and become a trainee observer.