Testimonials - Feel free to e-mail any of the contributors
MOTORCYCLE ACADEMY TRAINING / TOURS
Members of the Motorcycle Academy visited the Island again recently. The group has been coming over to the Isle of Man for a number of years and currently offers organised training for advanced riders. Courses are currently offered throughout the year, avoiding peak periods such as the TT races and Manx Grand Prix.
The purpose of their visit was to meet with the Department of Tourism and Leisure’s Tourism Development team to look at ways and means of promoting their training courses further by including the Island’s leisure products such as water sports, scenic walking routes and cultural places to visit into their packages. Product Development will be taking a new approach to create awareness and promotion of these tours by placing more emphasis on the key products the Island has to offer including culture, marine and coastal activities, nature and wildlife, films, railways, motorsport and conferences.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Adrian Earnshaw explained:
‘My Department is looking forward to working with the Training Academy and we are presently working in partnership with them to create a new design for the Isle of Man tours on the website to generate maximum publicity. The tours will also be offered in conjunction with other promotions such as Isle of Woman weekend.’
Simon (Wirral)
A chance meeting with Mike from the Motorycle Academy whilst out on a pillion ride convinced me to switch training provider. The instructors come highly qualified and the machines are modern motorcycles which immediately gave me the confidence to continue.
I completed direct access to the full bike licence and passed first time after five two-hour lessons. The atmosphere you will find with the motorcycle academy is a professional enthusistic one centred round a relaxed and welcoming dealership.
I believe the quality of training you will receive will be of the highest standard available
From: Jamie Thomas [mailto:jaytee88@hotmail.co.uk]
Sent: 14 May 2007 11:22
To: info@mcacademy.co.uk
Subject: I Passed!!!!
Hiya
I just wanted to say a very big thanks to everyone at the motorcycle academy
for helping me pass my test. I probably have the least amount of riding
talent you will find anywere but Mike, and Paul helped me pass not once, but
twice (I was a bit bad!). You guys have helped to polish me into a very good
rider indeed, if I may say so myself. A friend of mine is already thinking
of doing her direct access and I will definately be recomending you to her.
So once again........CHEERS GUYS!!!!!!
Jamie
From: Barry Phillips [mailto:barry.phillips@orbtechnik.co.uk]
Sent: 21 May 2007 10:49
To: info@mcacademy.co.uk
Subject: Thanks
Hi Mike
I just wanted to thank you and your instructors for a FANTASTIC week in the Isle of Man.
Apart from enjoying the great company, and fabulous humour, I feel I have gained a lot from it as a rider. Worth every penny!
Please pass on my thanks to everyone concerned.
Thanks again.
Kind Regards
Barry Phillips
Managing Director
From: Paul Acres [mailto:theacresfamily@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: 21 May 2007 13:54
To: Mike Addison
Subject: Isle of Man
Dear Mike
I write to thank you and your colleagues for a very enjoyable course in the Isle of Man. I was very sorry to have to leave after three days but it really whet my appetite for France later in the year.
I appreciated the professionalism and enthusiasm of you and your fellow instructors throughout. It was apparent that you were carefully planning all that was undertaken but you managed to do so in a clear but relaxed manner.
The quality of tuition was very high. I greatly appreciated the depth of analysis allied to the ability to convert that information into pragmatic advice. Terry was very incisive - and handled personalities rather well. Martin was greatly enthusiatic at rising at dawn to take us out in the rain and to stop regularly to give real time feedback. Your own input was first class as always, though I have supported John's proposal that we take the Tom Tom from you before we are dragged through every farmyard in Brittany. I did not ride with John but his input was evident.
I left having learnt a great deal but with even more to learn and practice. I considered it very worthwhile.
Thanks and kindest regards
Paul
James Bryan [jmbryan@globalnet.co.uk]
Mike -- A thank you from me to you and your colleagues for last weeks excellent tour and instruction bean feast .
I'm sure that you are aware of the quality you have amongst your team , but it will not hurt for me to record my appreciation of their skill levels and ability to teach a crusty old dog new tricks !
I'm going to apply to ROSPA to turn my advanced training into a BTec , and am looking to attend an Instructors course in the near future - so our paths may cross again .
In other parts of my life I'm involved in instructing , coaching , teaching and mentoring , and I'm aware of the demands that such roles place upon you . You and your colleagues met everyones' expectations and did that whilst a mixed bag of individuals were piloting unstable machinery around unknown territory - you all deserve medals - whatever you are paying yourselves , it's not enough !
All the best , and again , thank you . -- Jim .
Stephen Blenkinsop [catchall@sadeltd.co.uk]
Hello Mike
Just to say a big thank you for the lovely time I had on tour with you and the boys, please ensure my thanks and appreciation go to Paul, Martin Dave and especially Terry. The event was very well organised and it must be difficult to deal with that many customers of varying abilities all at the same time, especially when the weather adds to those difficulties! I did feel homesick on the following Saturday when no-one mentioned going over the mountain!! I will return to the Isle of Man at some future point, but only for a short nostalgic reminder of my great time on the tour.
Keep up the good work and I hope all future tours go as well or even better than ours.
Stephen Blenkinsop Dip Di;
SADE (Safety And Driver Education) Limited
T 0151 708 6089 M 07719942250
www.sadeltd.co.uk & info@sadeltd.co.uk
David Whittaker [dnkwhittaker@hotmail.co.uk]
Mike,
Thanks again to all the team for a great week. I don't know if my success has gone to my head, but I had to buy a bigger helmet at the weekend and I no longer nod to other riders until they flash their RoSPA certificate to prove they are worthy! Seriously, I will be trying to keep this achievement in perspective, I know I have plenty more to learn, so I am already thinking about my next training tour. What do you have planned for next year in France?
My copy of Bike magazine was waiting for me at home, including the feature on the ultimate rider challenge. Some good photos but the quote from Matt Hull (page 73) might take a bit of explaining!
I would like the email addresses and locations of the other students if you are able to circulate them. I consent to you passing mine on. Are you going to be posting some photos on your website?
All the best,
David Whittaker
Hi, Mike
I'm home, and just about got my feet back on the ground. What a fantastic week!
Am raving about it to anyone that will listen.
I hope these photos arrive ok. There's nothing special, but I thought you might like a look.
When I got home, the latest edition of 'Bike' was here. I opened it up and saw a familiar face!
It looks like I will have to book early for next time.
I don't know if he'll remember, but if you see Martin, could you tell him what was wrong with my bike? It was not pulling over 7000 revs on Thursday. This morning I started stripping it, and found my neckwarmer stuffed into the air intake!
When you gave us the snoods, I put the neckwarmer into the only available space under my seat.
Maybe you should include maintenance for dummies, when I come back.
Thanks again for a great week, I've met some great folk, whom I hope to see again, and certainly keep in touch with. If you find time, would you forward e-mail addresses to me, please.
Hope to see you again when I make it back to the island, but if you're up this way, cry in for a cup of tea, a bed for the night, or a base from which to explore Scotland.
Cheers, Willie.
Readman, Nick [Nick.Readman@petrofac.com]
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the course – really enjoyed myself and will be looking at doing it again next year. Managed not to fall off again between Liverpool and Scotland, so must have learnt something I guess!!
Whilst over there I was talking with Martin about the oil usage of the Fireblade and he mentioned that there was a fix coming out from Honda for it. I’ve forgotten what he said it was related to – if you get a minute can you ask him about it and maybe drop me a one liner just to jog my memory?
Thanks,
Nick Readman
QA/QC Engineer
Petrofac Energy Developments
3rd Floor, Bridge View
1 North Esplanade West
Aberdeen, AB11 5QF
Email: nick.readman@petrofac.com
Tel: +44 1224 247520
Fax: +44 1224 247001
Web: www.petrofac.com
Barry Phillips [barry.phillips@orbtechnik.co.uk]
Hi Mike/Martin
Thanks again for a great week on “The Island” - I had a great time and am now ready and eager to get back over in May.
If you are interested, I have located the new ICOM digital PMR radios. Clearer, More Channels etc etc..
Cheers Guys..
Barry