Training to be a Passenger?

[BenRobinson]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get my sidecar passenger licence this year and wondered if any of you could recommend what I should be doing in the gym to train for this?

Thanks - Ben

[helen d]

Yoga & pilates- great for building long lean muscles without bulking up, flexibility & breathing. Anything core-related is also great but you don't need lots of heavy weight-training, I had some armpump issues when I got a bit more muscly
No doubt somebody will say stuff the gym just go the pub

[Sideslip]

Work on your grip.

[Apprentice Chimp]

Get out there and find yourself a ride, nothing better than actually being on a bike! You'll soon find out it's more about technique than anything else.

[steve-e]

Cardio more than you expect, muscle less than you expect. When you start out don't do a load of alcohol the night before , not that any of us ever have of course, that would make us all lethargic wouldn't it

[Haynesy]

I love training for it - but that's just me. Also, don't just think you can "ride yourself fit". Yes, the more passengering you do you'll find it easier as you'll get the timing and technique better - however a lot of that also depends on how your driver is driving and whether you're consistently with the same driver.

My advice is do some training - that way you'll be less likely to physically tire and can spend time learning about what to do and where to move on the bike. Also, you will make mistakes when passengering and having that extra bit of strength/fitness to hold on and correct the mistake helps. ANd warm up before you go out and race - waving arms about, basic stretching etc... The start of a race can be a bit hectic so make sure you're ready to work quickly from the start!

If you're a regular gym goer and have some level of fitness, then you'll probably be OK.

However, regardless of whether you go to the gym or not then doing some core work like as said above is good. Also work on your arms - curls etc.... are good. And its also good to do pull downs (or chins ups/pull ups if you can manage them) and also rowing is good (on the machine or dumbell/barbell rows). And do some wrist rolls if you can as well - they'll really help with counteracting arm pump too. And if they've a grip machine at the gym then great - or just buy one off eBay - loads of cheap variable strength ones, I sometime use one to warm up before a race.

And don't worry about the weight or strength - it's more about endurance, so more reps is good. And some running/cardio or cycling all helps.

The advice you'll hear from everyone is - don't hold on too tightly. We all did it when we started. But even the best guys/girls may still struggle with arm pump towards the end of a hard busy race or if their driver is going a bit nuts that day!

Don't drink loads of alcohol the night before a race and make sure you eat and drink during a race day. It can be quite easy to find yourself not eating or drinking much during a race day - esepcially if you;re nervous or there's been bike problems.

And have fun!

[robbie100]

Come along to a meeting have a chat sit on a few bikes and most of all enjoy ya self. .....where you based?

[Dan]

Some good advice given above, especially the bits about doing some arm work and not holding on too tightly..........so that you can pull some money out of your pocket and let go of it when giving it to your driver You will be thought of very highly, for a passenger that is

Do it Ben, get your licence and have a go I mean You will get lots of help and advice at meetings.

[THE FLUTE]

All depends never ever been in a gym Do a manual job and do 60 laps a week round donington on a bike instructing never had a problem holding on. Only thing I have ever used as a training aid is a power ball. Think Kev Jones used a similar thing but its called Babe station!!