MSF/VREP IRC worthwhile?

[kbroderick]

Anyone have any thoughts on the MSF/VREP Intermediate Rider Course (IRC)? The course is for riders who completed the BRC within the past year, and there's one coming up next month in Berlin (Vermont) that I could get to; I'm trying to decide whether it's worth doing or not.

I would really like to spend some more time with trained instructors in a controlled environment, but I'm not sure that I'm ready for a track day yet (although that's tempting as well, especially since I already own a full set of leathers and a trailer); I've only been riding since May 23rd and have a hair under 4k of riding experience, mostly on Vermont state highways (i.e. a reasonable amount of twisties and not a lot of slabbing), since then. App Gap and Smuggler's Notch still intimidate me (although I rode the former a couple days after I got the bike...not recommended, in case anyone was wondering).

(VREP brochure PDF: http://www.aot.state.vt.us/dmv/docum...seBrochure.pdf)

[Doc]

We have an ERC in Vermont too... I think of it as a refresher. It might be too soon for you.

Come on down to a trackday. What the heck. ;D

[markbvt]

My advice would be to just keep riding for the rest of the summer and then when they start taking registrations for next year (usually in February), sign up for the earliest ERC class you can get into. It'll serve as an excellent skills refresher early next riding season.

--mark

[OreoGaborio]

If you're comfortable w/ corners and controlling a bike under normal conditions is second nature, then I wouldn't hesitate recommending you do a track day. A Tony's Track Day is literally like riding your favorite road over & over with the added benefit of instruction in a controlled environment. I had an AWESOME time instructing the beginner group over the last two days.