I'm slightly concerned that this thread may deter anyone considering seeking some advanced training from actually doing so. As usual, those of you who are professional trainers cannot resist sniping at other trainers or training styles (mainly IAM it seems)
I agree that there are some trainers/observers in both IAM and Rospa who are inflexible and set in their ways - older ones I'd suggest - but surely you all recognise and agree that the main aim of both organisations is to produce a 'thinking rider' who constantly assesses the situation and hazards around him/her and responds appropriately - not by deploying some techniques such as a shoulder check, learnt by rote and applied in every situation.
The end product should be someone who can ride progressively, well and above all, safely
I suspect this is aimed at me
Look, I am a big fan of the riding clubs and organisations, they put me on the right track thirty years ago and pretty much started my whole love affair with bikes. And yes, I would implore anybody to join a local club and get stuck in.
My frustration is that actually i see more ride by rote as you described it, than i do thinking riders, and I'm constantly having a battle with them to ditch the 'dot to dot' and 'paint by numbers' style. There does seem to be a hazard / tick box style sometimes and in many of my training days, it's that system of dot to dot that I try and iron out.
So i certainly don't have a beef with them, i care .. and that's why i'm passionate about good riding and trying to do it well.