Safety is one of the huge topics when it come to motorcycles. A lot has been done on the technology side to make riding safer. There’s ABS, traction control, curve light to name a few improvements. Protective gear has become extremely elaborate and even the first airbag systems for motorcyclists are available on the market.
The biggest factor contributing to a rider’s safety is the rider himself. And that is what professional training sessions are for. The ADAC (General German Automobile Club) is running several training centers throughout Germany where riders can hone their skills. The driving safety center is located in Laatzen near Hanovers tradeshow premises.
I myself attended two training sessions in the past. The trainers are incredibly competent, the asphalt is in mint condition with excellent grip. I learned a lot in both courses.
But this day I joined the training as a photographer. It was a three hour curve training with eight participants. This is Ulf, the trainer.
The training comprised several lessons, starting with several laps on the cource and subsequently driving in large circles to “tune in”. Ulf picked individual participants and gave them an individual coaching if necessary. It is incredibly helpful to receive feedback from the outside, especially when it is qualified feedback.
Enough chitchat, here are the action photos the title promised !
I used my Nikon D750 with the 70-200 mm f2.8 telephoto lens. That gave me the possibility to get close with the riders without being run over. I experimented with fast and slow shutter speeds, pan shots and shooting from down low (literally lying on the ground next to the road. There will be a dedicated post on the shooting technique and tips in the near future.
Nice detail – It is a fan sticker from the Hanover Indians, a renoen icehockey team. The sticker reads “cold, dirty, loud”.
Thank you to the ADAC and all participants for giving me the opportunity to accompany the training with a camera !
