[adouglas]

Nobody says you have to take a training course.

That doesn't make it a bad idea.

The Darwinian sink-or-swim approach works only if you survive the learning process. Are you more capable if you do? Arguably no... you might have learned some bad habits because you blew off the training that would have taught you the right ones.

Basic training is a resource that teaches you skills, instills a safety mindset and greatly reduces risk in those early days when the rider is most likely to have an accident.

So why not take advantage of it, other than "In my day we didn't need no stinkin' training... man up and grow a pair" ? It's a smart investment of time, and a little bit of money.

IMHO preparation and education beats winging it every time. That's why I go to the track. It's not to go fast. Hell, I can go fast on the street and take the risk. It's to learn, practice and become a better, safer rider. To take advantage of the training.