I had read Lee Park's book last year and I refer back to it on a regular basis. I had heard a lot of good things about the TCARC and was looking forward to taking it. I signed up for it while I was at the AMA Women & Motorcycling conference in Keystone Colorado.
I took the class in Irvine California this past Saturday. It was a full class of 16 students. Lee had two instructors assisting him, Jim Greer and Terry Watts. Lee mentioned that although they were not new to teaching, they were new instructors to his program. I was a little late so I missed the info on Jim and Terry's riding and teaching experience. But Terry did mention that he had been riding for only three years. I was surprised to hear that since he'd only been riding twice as long as I have. Not that time matters but there is only so much experience that you can pack into three years of riding. Maybe enough to teach an MSF class but an advanced riding class?
Lee is an awesome instructor. He totally brought all the concepts and theories from his book to life. I found the exercises he developed for the class to be extremely effective. He offered up tips and advice that clarified any questions I had. The class was divided into three groups with each instructor rotating through each group. That way everyone had the opportunity to work with Lee.
One thing I noticed during the class was the disparity of teaching technique, style and knowledge between Lee and Jim and Terry. Maybe it's because Lee had such a natural and dynamic teaching style that the other instructors paled in comparison. I think both Jim and Terry were very easy to work with and very pleasant, but I did feel as though I received only a third of what I should have because they lacked the experience and hadn't yet gained the ability to communicate what they know at a level I would expect in an advanced riding course. I know how difficult it is to be proficient not only at what you do but also to teach someone else how to do it. There is an art to teaching. It's one thing to memorize words in a book or a technical theory but a whole other thing to possess the innate ability to pass on that knowledge. For example, Terry taught the section on suspension but could have easily been reading it from a book. During Lee's presentations, I felt how passionate he was about riding. Lee taught in an engaging manner and conveyed his years of experience in an exciting way, motivating the students to keep open mind ("a beginner's mind") that would be conducive to learning and in order become more proficient riders. I believe that Lee's assistant instructors should have been at that level as well in order to better compliment TCARC.
I'm almost tempted to retake the TCARC Level 1 with a different set of instructors but it would not be cost or time efficient for me. As much as I would like to sign up for the Level 2 class, I would definitely check to see who else would be teaching with Lee beforehand.
I did email Lee regarding my concerns. His reply was:
"Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate your candor and honesty. They are both new instructors for us but get better each time and I will continue to work with them to make them all that they can be. I look forward to working with you again as you did an excellent job accepting our coaching.
--Lee"
For the $300 I paid and the full day of training I spent I didn't bargain on being a guinea pig for Lee's new instructors. I expected them to be fully prepared to train me. I do feel that I gained a lot through taking the class and will practice the techniques I learned but I do feel a little cheated on the quality of training I received from Lee's instructors.
I would recommend the class but with the caveat that the instructors may not be up to par.
I took the class in Irvine California this past Saturday. It was a full class of 16 students. Lee had two instructors assisting him, Jim Greer and Terry Watts. Lee mentioned that although they were not new to teaching, they were new instructors to his program. I was a little late so I missed the info on Jim and Terry's riding and teaching experience. But Terry did mention that he had been riding for only three years. I was surprised to hear that since he'd only been riding twice as long as I have. Not that time matters but there is only so much experience that you can pack into three years of riding. Maybe enough to teach an MSF class but an advanced riding class?
Lee is an awesome instructor. He totally brought all the concepts and theories from his book to life. I found the exercises he developed for the class to be extremely effective. He offered up tips and advice that clarified any questions I had. The class was divided into three groups with each instructor rotating through each group. That way everyone had the opportunity to work with Lee.
One thing I noticed during the class was the disparity of teaching technique, style and knowledge between Lee and Jim and Terry. Maybe it's because Lee had such a natural and dynamic teaching style that the other instructors paled in comparison. I think both Jim and Terry were very easy to work with and very pleasant, but I did feel as though I received only a third of what I should have because they lacked the experience and hadn't yet gained the ability to communicate what they know at a level I would expect in an advanced riding course. I know how difficult it is to be proficient not only at what you do but also to teach someone else how to do it. There is an art to teaching. It's one thing to memorize words in a book or a technical theory but a whole other thing to possess the innate ability to pass on that knowledge. For example, Terry taught the section on suspension but could have easily been reading it from a book. During Lee's presentations, I felt how passionate he was about riding. Lee taught in an engaging manner and conveyed his years of experience in an exciting way, motivating the students to keep open mind ("a beginner's mind") that would be conducive to learning and in order become more proficient riders. I believe that Lee's assistant instructors should have been at that level as well in order to better compliment TCARC.
I'm almost tempted to retake the TCARC Level 1 with a different set of instructors but it would not be cost or time efficient for me. As much as I would like to sign up for the Level 2 class, I would definitely check to see who else would be teaching with Lee beforehand.
I did email Lee regarding my concerns. His reply was:
"Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate your candor and honesty. They are both new instructors for us but get better each time and I will continue to work with them to make them all that they can be. I look forward to working with you again as you did an excellent job accepting our coaching.
--Lee"
For the $300 I paid and the full day of training I spent I didn't bargain on being a guinea pig for Lee's new instructors. I expected them to be fully prepared to train me. I do feel that I gained a lot through taking the class and will practice the techniques I learned but I do feel a little cheated on the quality of training I received from Lee's instructors.
I would recommend the class but with the caveat that the instructors may not be up to par.
on a more serious note, it allowed me to get a better sense of proper body positioning, something that helped me on my first track day (though i am still crossed up a bit). though honestly, even though i get off the seat in the twisties, i'm not gonna hang it out even to the extent that we were doing in the parking lot.
