[NeonspeedRT]

It will actually vary state by state. So when you get to CO, things might be alittle different. I'll tell you what we had to do for FLA, just to give you a good idea.

Here in FL we have MSF, which is the Federal orginization. Then we have FRTP (Florida Ridercoach training program) that is under MSF. MSF has their own guidleines, and then the state orginizations, add in a few things and make some changes based on what they feel is needed.

To be a ridercoach in FL, you first off have to be sponsored by a MSF school. Most schools will want you to have been licensed for several years and lots of riding experience first off. Then you have to pass a background and drivers license check. There is only a certain # of points on your license you are allowed to have. They figure if you are a chronic speeder or can't obey traffic laws, then how can that make you a good ridercoach.

Once you pass those and a school sponsors you, they will more then likely want you to work as a range aid for a period of time. You will also have to have taken the MSF within the past year or two. So you may have to take it again. The school that sponsors you will usually put you through for free if it's needed.

I was a range aid for about 6 months before becoming certified by the state. Basically as a range aid, you will work for free or reduced pay. You basically watch and listen to what the ridercoaches say and do. You learn how to set up the range, you learn how to talk to the students, you learn the basic principals of teaching that the MSF uses, you get used to the bikes and watch and practice the demo's. The longer you are a range aid, the better prepared you will be for the RTP (Ridercoach training program). Before you go to the RTP, they send you a book and a study guide. We had to complete the study guide and send it into the state, before we were accepted into the program. The study guide is easily a weeks worth of work.

Once your sponsor thinks you are ready, then you go to what is called the RTP (Ridercoach training program). It was 8 days of training by the state on becoming a rider coach. Most of those days were 12 hour days. We practiced demo's, teaching the classroom, fundemintals of adult centered learning, and much, much more.

Basically you are with a group of other ridercoach candidates from around your area. The first 4 days, you are doing peer teaching. Then the last 4 days, you actually teach a class of students while being supervised and graded by the state trainers.

Once that is done, your school will probably have you work with the experienced ridercoaches for a few classes till you get your feet wet.

Basically to be a good ridercoach you have to have alot of patience and be a good listener. It is definatly a rewarding job. It's long hours in the hot, cold, and rain sometimes. But when we have a good class or students who are having fun, it's all worth it.

Nothing is more rewarding then being out to dinner or at a bike night and having former students come up to you and tell you how much fun they had and how they have been riding and it's all due to you.