TV Program "5th Gear" choose CAM Rider
to train Presenter Jonny Smith
to get his motorbike licence
Channel 5's Motor program 5th Gear teams up with Camrider Motorcycle
Training to film their presenter Jonny Smith going through his
motorcycle training and tests. To cap it all - Jonny takes his final
training and test on a 750cc Moto Guzzi!
Novice rider Jonny is shown in the programme going through the process a
completely new rider needs to get their full motorcycle licence.
Camrider was chosen to be Jonny's trainers due to both their reputation
in the industry and also because they have full time super centre's able
to accommodate the film crew and support vehicles.
Though Jonny was nervous and in his words "Full of trepidation" he soon
settled in when he met the admin staff and instructors at Camrider. A
cup of coffee and a welcome chat soon put him at ease. Despite the
cameras and lights in the training rooms Jonny was soon sat on a
motorbike learning the basic controls.
As with all bike training, Jonny's started with Compulsory Basic
Training (CBT) learning how to competently operate a 125cc motorcycle
and practice initial manoeuvres using Camrider's huge off road practice
area.
During the CBT Jonny practiced breaking, slow riding, slow riding, and
all aspects of safe riding before being taken out for a two hour road
ride.
Jonny took a couple of weeks to pass his Motorcycle Theory Test, and
returned to Camrider early May to continue training on a larger bike,
moving into the Direct Access (DAS) Syllabus. This is where riders over
21 can take their training and test on a large motorbike.
Haywards of Cambridge loaned Jonny a beautiful Moto Guzzi V7 Classic for
the remainder of his training and test. Jonny looked great on the bike
and took to it very quickly. He worked with his instructor Nick Knights
to recap on his CBT, improve his control of the bike and develop good
riding and observation skills. In Jonny's words "The bike is a real head
turner and full of character"
Camrider's instructor Nick took Jonny through all eleven manoeuvres of
the module 1 practical test, practicing each of them until Jonny was
confident, and explained exactly what the examiner required of Jonny on
the day of his tests. Practice, practice, and more practice.
Then came the test day. Film crew turned up at the crack of dawn and set
things up to start filming Jonny's final lesson and tests. There was
nail biting in the office as everyone waited for Jonny to get out of a
traffic jam he'd encountered on the way to Camrider.
During the wait, Nick warmed up Haywards Guzzi and checked it over to
make sure it was still in perfect working order. Jonny arrived and after
a quick change into his bike gear, a camera interview, sound check, and
paperwork check he was off out on road with his instructor.
Jonny's final lesson and two practical tests were scheduled on the same
day; something Camrider advises against due to the extra pressure it
puts on pupils. But Jonny's schedule was so full for filming other
episodes of the Fifth Gear programme everything had to be squeezed into
one day.
This, along with the long drive to Camrider, tiredness from such an
early start, and the rush after the traffic jam, all filled Camrider's
staff with apprehension.
The Result?
Mod 1 - Pass. No Faults
Mod 2 - Pass. 1 Minor fault
The Examiner Mark Winn of the DSA said: "An expertly trained rider who is a credit to a good training regime"
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