Motorcycle Training Kudos

Almost daily we at Club Ed receive wonderful comments about the classes you take. But in the rush to keep serving customers, we don't always take time to share them. Today we received a wonderful letter about our Motorcycle Safety Course. Here it is...

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :
On August 6 & 7, I attended and successfully completed The Basic Rider Course ( Motorcycle 101 ). I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Karen Dampeer and Robert Allen, the two Certified Instructors who conducted the two day training course, for the professional knowledge they brought to the students who attended. They can only be considered to be an asset to Club Ed, and it was my privilege to have been trained under their careful leadership. At all times, they displayed a personal touch, but when it came to the basics of safely riding a motorcycle here in town, or out on the open road, they showed no favoritism, and above all, were completely fair to all those attending. They were very patient with me, a new rider to the world of motorcycles, and encouraged me throughout the training, however made it very clear that I would be expected to perform at an acceptable level of competence in every maneuver required in this course. I had absolutely no experience prior to attending this Basic Rider Course, however at its conclusion, believed that I was ready to safely and efficiently navigate the roads and highways wherever I may choose to ride. At the successful conclusion of this course, I went to the DPS licensing department, and successfully completed their exam for motorcycles. Once again, I attribute these newly acquired skills and knowledge to Karen and Robert, and their abilities to convey the importance of riding safely and skillfully. I would very much appreciate if you would forward my email to them, with my sincere thanks for being the skilled, patient and professional instructors they are. Thanks also to Club Ed for offering this and many other useful courses to all members of our community.
Sincerely,
DCS
Kerrville, TX

Ride with the wind

by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal & Boerne TX Hill Country Weekly

Nov 11, 2009

Karen Dampeer wants everyone to feel what she felt the first time she straddled her Yamaha Stratoliner 1900cc motorcycle.

“I got hooked,” said the Boerne resident. “Since I started riding, I dress the way I want, and I’m always ready to ride when I want.”

Dampeer, who works as a financial planner by day, racked up 12,000 miles the first year she had her bike. One of her trips was a solo journey to Colorado Spring. She made many impressions along the way. “Women came out of diners, amazed that I was traveling this way. It meant different things to different people, but to most it was liberating to see someone doing something like that.”

Dampeer and Robert Allen are the Rider Coaches, teaching the new Course for Motorcycle Riders being offered every weekend through Club Ed in Kerrville. The course is sanctioned by the Department of Public Safety, and qualifies new riders for the Class M endorsement, along with reducing insurance premiums.

Bob Kee, owner of Destination:Cyclesports, provided six Suzuki 250 bikes when saw the need for safety training in the Hill Country.

“We see guys returning to this sport thinking that riding a motorcycle is like riding a bicycle - you never forget. But 25 years off the machine, plus the change in physical conditioning, results in overconfidence. Offering this course in the Hill Country means a better chance of preventing future accidents.”

In the basic course, students learn how to operate a motorcycle, the best protective clothing to wear, how to avoid and react to dangerous situations. By the end of the course, riders will have skills at the two-year rider level.

“The course is user friendly and a safe place to ride and learn,” Dampeer said. “We go step by step, and don’t ask you to do anything we haven’t prepared you for. There is a gradually building up of experience. Anyone can pass the course and build their confidence.”

At the same time, the course is not easy. In fact, Dampeer calls it “strenuous.”

“It is not hard, it just takes different muscles than you are used to using.”

Still, they have trained riders from as young as 15 on up to 79 years old. In the past few years they are seeing more and more women taking their seats at the front of the saddle.

What is the appeal? Romance? Rebellion? Freedom? Thrills?

“It is all of those,” Dampeer said. “I like the sense of being outside and being part of the outdoors. All day, I work in an office, with tons of responsibility, and I’m a good citizen. But sometimes, I like putting aside my normal personality, taking off the mask, and being myself.”

Ride, Karen, ride.

xxx

Club Ed now offers the Basic Rider Course for Motorcycle Riders in Kerrville, at Peterson Middle School on Sidney Baker Street next to IHOP. A new class starts every weekend, between 8 a.m. and 5: 30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Riders must register in advance by calling 830-895-4386, or by stopping by the Auld Center, 1121 Second Street, Kerrville TX 78028.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com, or follow us on Twitter @clubedtx.