Posted October 13, 2006   Email   Print

Eric Trow uses chalk and parking lot pavement to illustrate a lesson during the Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training course.

Larry Grodsky lives on through Stayin’ Safe course

Story and photos by Dave Hembroff
AMA Road Riding Manager

They called him “Mr. Safety.” And even after his death shocked motorcyclists across the country, his vision and guiding hand continue to help others ride more skillfully and safely.

Lawrence Grodsky, whose Stayin’ Safe Motorcycle Training and long-running “Stayin’ Safe” magazine column influenced thousands of riders over the past two decades, continues to be a large part of the motorcycle safety landscape as his fellow instructors carry on his Stayin' Safe course. Grodsky’s influence was evident in every aspect of the Stayin' Safe Neo-Alpine Tour I attended recently.

Over two days on some of the finest motorcycling roads in West Virginia and Ohio, my fellow students and I improved our riding skills under the watchful eyes of instructors Eric Trow and Randy Kuklis.

“This course is not about one person’s way of riding," said Trow, the lead instructor. "It’s about riders helping riders make good decisions on the road. We miss Larry, but we knew the program had to go on.”

The instructors started the tour in the lead, explaining to us via helmet radios as they demonstrated different techniques to improve our ability to see and be seen in various scenarios. The course runs in all weather, because riders don’t always get to choose the conditions, and Mother Nature decided to add to the challenge with a steady rain to wet the roads.

After an hour of riding, we stopped for a “chalk-talk” session to review what we’d seen. Trow drew curves on the pavement as Kuklis told us how the traditional “racer’s line” through a curve was not always the most safe or efficient way for a motorcyclist on the road.

“Keep your throttle steady and stay to the outside of the turn until you can see the exit,” he explained. “Then, when you are clear, roll on.”

After the break, and for the rest of the course, the students took turns in front, not leading the group, but riding like we would if we were alone on the road. The instructors rode behind us and coached us on technique. I found this especially effective, as even when I was not in the lead, I could still listen in on the radio, watch the riders ahead of me and continue to practice my skills. Even though the instructors’ emphasis was on correct form over increased velocity, the pace quickened as we gained confidence. Soon, we were carving expert lines through twisties and negotiating multiple road challenges with ease.

Stayin’ Safe Motorcycle Training carries on Grodsky’s lifelong passion for making motorcycling safer and more enjoyable.

All road riders can get something out of this course. Newer riders can learn proper skills before developing bad habits. Experienced riders will find the course challenging and rewarding, if only as a skills tune-up or refresher. And it's one of the few training options that exist that teach techniques where riders need and use them most – on the road.

 © 2006, American Motorcyclist Association