The Nurburgring Nordschleife Experience
A recommendation from Paul Dickinson for the International Drivers Training Course at the Nurburgring.
A fantastic course for enthusiastic car owners and bikers, regardless of machine brand. The circuit is closed to the public for the duration of the training course. Strict rules apply to car drivers and bikers to ensure their absolute safety. And no, we don't have to be suicidal to enjoy this trip. We do need an open mind, a willingness to listen and learn and a respect for all participants whether in a car or on 2 wheels. With those things in place, the world, or at least the Nurburgring, is our oyster.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning as my friend Jim McCarter and I set off to Germany from Bristol. We arrived at the Chunnel in good time to meet and talk to a few other riders, making their way to and from different parts of Europe. It's always good to have a few days off. It's even better when it involves seriously good experiences on a motorbike and in good company.
We arrived just outside Nurburg in the mid-afternoon and stopped for a delicious pizza before completing the very last leg of our ride to the hotel. And just why did we stop so close to the town where we were staying? Why not just spend another half an hour getting to the hotel? Well, there are two reasons, one; the roadside café dishing out the pizzas serves great meals and I'm disappointed I can't remember the name, and two; Jim and I were absolutely drenched. It had rained and rained virtually all the way through France, Belgium and finally to our destination. It was good to have a light meal and a hot drink or 
two.
Like you do when stopped at cafés whilst it's raining, we exchanged a few tales of the wet journey, the very slippery surfaces in some areas of Belgium and set about getting some drier clothing 
from the bikes. We did need to press on as we had to sign in at the course control. Fortunately the weather was changing for the better and for the next 3 days we couldn't have wished for better riding conditions. I didn't know at this time that I would meet some great people and make new friends. What a joy this trip was going to be I thought as I joined the group of riders in the evening for the pre-course dinner at the hotel.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday involved all day riding, from early morning till early evening. Jim is a very fine rider with previous experience at the 'ring so I looked to him for guidance as well as other very fine riders, the course instructors Barry Salmon, Chris Rossiter and André Freund.
It always fascinates me that no matter how much experience a rider has, there is always something to learn or to work on, or both and the Nurburgring course fitted the bill perfectly for my personal development. With great help from all of the above and a few others with a special mention for Joseph who couldn't ride due to a ski-ing accident of all things, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. My fears of the 'ring are banished. My respect for it heightened further still. My confidence and ability to ride the 'ring are in equal balance. That says the course was excellent. My ability to ride it? Well, as I say there is always much to learn.
Deservedly, at the end of course dinner, Jim was announced as being the most accomplished rider at the GP circuit that we rode on the Wednesday. This is no mean feat, and on a K1200GT touring bike is testimony to the quality that can be produced from a machine and rider in harmony.
We arrived back in Bristol on the Thursday evening having ridden through even more torrential rain, but despite being tired, we were happy. Now to saving up again..............!
Some key points on the costing of the trip:
I'm delighted that this course is available, albeit seemingly pricey until looking at the detail. To provide this type of course on a circuit such as the Nurburgring and have it closed to the public for the duration is a significant benefit for personal enjoyment and safety. 14 miles and 73 bends on a closed circuit. Coaching available throughout. How much better can it get?
The Sunday evening pre-course dinner and the end-of-course dinner on the Wednesday at the hotel are included in the price, as are the lunches Monday to Wednesday. The accommodation, your evening meals on the Monday and Tuesday along with drinks during the course are a personal expense.
Monday and Tuesday of the course included full time instruction on how to tackle all the different elements of the circuit, stage by stage. Free lapping was introduced in the afternoon of the second day. On the Wednesday we spent most of the day at the GP circuit. Again instruction was available at all times though I did get carried away legging it around the track as fast as I could. Oh, what it is to be young at heart at least!
There is no getting away from the fact that the trip is expensive, although it is excellent value for money. 5 days away riding your bike, accommodation, course instruction, food, drink, fuel, etc. etc. will come to about £2,000 in 2010. But, it is a big but; as a biker, The Nurburgring Nordschleife Experience is one of 
those things in life that has to be done. The dates for 2010 are confirmed as the 1st August to the 5th August.
If you are interested in this course please contact me via e-mail paul@in-gear.co.uk, or call 01275 375 111 and I will give you any other information you need and any relevant contact numbers for booking.
Go here for more photos of the course
Go here to see a summary for 2010
A member of the MCN team joined us on the 2009 trip to test the K1300 - read what he says here K1300 / Nürburgring and Part 2