The two-day clinic was held at Clark International Speedway. A day of training would cost around P50,000. Is it really worth it?

For years, the California Superbike School Philippines held a mystery status in my mind—a pinnacle of motorcycle riding education, bringing in renowned international coaches and promising to elevate riders to new heights. This year, I was fortunate enough to not only witness the drill firsthand, but to experience it myself.

Initially, I was simply covering the event. Gulf Oil Philippines, one of the event’s sponsors, just made it possible. Also through Ducati Philippines, which graciously provided me with a Scrambler Ducati Gen 2, I was granted the opportunity to fulfill a long-held bucket-list dream—to finally be the student in the classroom.

The slots were limited. It’s like attending a private school with a handful of students. At first, it was totally nerve-racking. But as the class progressed, the teaching was deliberate and articulate, and was paced perfectly for optimum absorption.

The schedules for each level allowed for seamless progression, beginning with thorough bike scrutineering and a comprehensive riding assessment. It felt like a complete reset, a dismantling of ingrained habits to make way for new.

Level 1 was a revelation. It wasn’t about raw speed; it was about understanding the fundamental physics of throttle control, mastering gear management without relying on braking, and discovering the most efficient lines on the track. I was learning to ride again, from the ground up, throwing away what I knew, starting like a blank canvas.

Level 2 took things further, focusing on the crucial role of vision in riding. We deep-dive into techniques for gathering road information with our eyes, maximizing reaction time by utilizing peripheral vision, and combating the dreaded “target fixation.” We learned to spot and anticipate steps within a curve, transforming previously daunting corners into manageable, even enjoyable, challenges.

By the end of the two-day course, despite the smoldering heat on the track, I felt like a phoenix reborn. The fear and the stress that once accompanied higher speeds were completely gone, replaced by a sense of calm confidence. I was riding faster, smoother, and more efficiently, armed with a deep understanding of the fundamentals. The CSS experience wasn’t just about riding faster; it was about riding smarter and safer, and ultimately, about enjoying the pure joy of motorcycling to its fullest.

California Superbike School Philippines delivered its promise. The experience is transformative, and I was left with a deeper sense of understanding how the mechanics work and how your inputs define your riding output.

It was a privilege to learn from world-class coaches. This experience not only made me a better rider, but also rekindled my passion for motorcycling, reminding me that learning is a journey, and that the best rides are those fueled by knowledge and confidence.