December 2011 - Essex RoSPA Advanced Motorcyclists

Transcription

Essex RoSPA Advanced Motorcyclists
RoSPA Riders Magazine
Issue 16
December 2011
www.rospariders.co.uk
In this issue:
Classifieds I
2
Editorial
3
Meetings etc.
4
Group activities
4
Committee
4
Membership Report
5
‘Christmas’ at SAN
6
Track day
7
Excel
9
Member Profile
10
My First Bike
11
Matlock Bath…
13
NW200 Trip
19
Who is it?
25
What is it?
25
Pillion’s picnic
26
Testing & Training
27
Members’ small ads 28
Diary dates 2012
29
Classifieds II
30
Inside: October track day memories.
Oh – and it’s that time again…
Essex Rospa Advanced Motorcyclists
Page 2
RoSPA Riders Issue 16
December 2011
Classifieds I
Total Advanced Training
Advanced motorcycle training
email: [email protected]
Phone: 07813 167749
Based in Essex, we provide professional advanced
motorcycle training for London and the South East.
We offer a range of post-test courses from ‘back to
biking,’ which is aimed at confidence building,
through to riders wishing to undertake the highest
advanced qualification; namely, the RoSPA Gold.
The Chief Instructor, Mick Jones, is a highly respected and qualified
retired police motorcyclist holding advanced IAM and RoSPA Gold
qualifications. He is a Driving Standards Agency qualified instructor
and a member of the Driving Instructors Association. He holds a
Diploma in advanced tuition and is currently a Regional RoSPA
Examiner and a Bike Safe Assessor. Training will be conducted by
Mick in person or other suitably qualified instructors.
We provide excellent tuition and use state of the art technology with a
camera bike filming the training. For a small fee, a personalised DVD
can be produced for riders to view their achievement. Total
Advanced is the only training company recognised by Equity Red Star
Insurance who will discount riders who achieve our advanced
accreditation qualification.
Prices range from £50 - £160 for a full day’s training.
Page 3
December 2011
Editorial
Hello again – and welcome to the 16th edition of the RoSPA Riders
magazine. The festive season is again upon us and I suppose we are all
wondering what Santa is going to bring us (unless, like me, you are a
complete Scrooge and humbug is not a word that can adequately be
used to describe this time of excess!)
I was at a friend’s house recently and was discussing replacement printer
inks. I casually said that you can make great savings on line and his wife all
bar shouted at me “I don’t approve of that”. She works in Boots (more
comfortable than her heels, I guess) and is dead against online trading in
that it deprives people of jobs. I always like to look at goods before I buy
them but it is not always possible. Even then, I can do all sorts of research
before I decide to buy something and then find that I eventually get
whatever is in front of me and/or is the most convenient. I have made
several online purchases recently that have provided mixed successes.
Some humdrum items that I would have had to search high and low for
locally turned up very quickly, with minimal or no postal costs. That was
balanced, however, by an online only delivery from Wickes that was
damaged. It had obviously been dropped, so I took it back to the delivery
hub at the Chelmsford store. They had another in stock (I was surprised, as,
them being out of stock was the cause of me ordering from the ‘net).
Anyway, we opened the box to check the goods, only to find that a dent in
the outside of the box was the obvious cause of the contents being
completely destroyed. Hmm… Wickes’ customer service, however, was
second to none. Prompt, attentive and reactive. Top marks for them, zero
for carriage capabilities…
Anyway – to the point: I recently ordered some items from a small bike
dealer in Basildon in preference to a web order. He was grateful for the
order and has also recently discounted some items below what I could
order online. So: you pays yer money and you takes yer choice. Zero
postage charge at the local dealer, but I use petrol to get there. He makes
a small profit with no stock overheads and hopefully he will be there next
time I need him. Maybe Pat is right. Should we order all our prezzies from a
local store (and the smaller the better?)
Your call.
… Ed
Disclaimer Notice: The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Essex Rospa Advanced Motorcyclist
Group. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with a view that free expression promotes discussion and
interest.
Page 4
December 2011
Meetings etc.
Group activities
Group social
night
19:30 on the 3rd Thursday of the month, February December.
Essex Police Sports Pavilion, St Margaret's Road,
Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6DN.
Group annual
dinner
Christmas dinner? Bah – humbug. Join us on the 3rd
Thursday in January for an evening of variety: chicken
chunder, posh nosh or bargain burgers? You choose.
Propose a venue and we’ll vote on it!
Group social
rides
09:30 on the 3rd Sunday of the month, 9:30 a.m. at
Boreham (BP) Services, CM2 5PY
If there are any changes or additions, meeting places
and/or times will be announced at Group Night. For
most up to date information, please see our website
and/or our newsletter.
Newsletter
Advertising
Please contact the Editor to change contents.
Personal small ads are free to members. Please send
them to the Editor.
Committee
Chairperson
Ashley John
[email protected]
Secretary
Sandra Murphy
[email protected]
Treasurer
Solveig Hart
[email protected]
Membership
Sandra Murphy
[email protected]
Training
Paul Collins
[email protected]
Publicity
Kevin Stranks
Webmaster
Steve Webb
[email protected]
Ride co-ordinator
Richard Parker
[email protected]
Newsletter editor
Steve Webb
[email protected]
Members
Gary Carter
Raffles
Peter Layley
Phil Reader
Deputy training officer
Page 5
December 2011
Membership Report
I can’t believe it is December already. 2011
seems to have flown by. As you can see, our
membership
is
still
growing,
which
is
fantastic. Hopefully you’ll all renew next year’s
membership and we can continue to
grow. Speaking of which, it is renewal time
again. Membership fees remain at £15, which is
good news when everything else is going up. If
you joined before September this year you will
need to renew your membership of ERAM. You
will find a form enclosed with a paper copy of
the magazine, or you can download it from the
website
if
you
read
RoSPA
Riders
electronically. Please complete and return to
me by end of March 2012.
In last month’s edition we told you about the Jane Wilson memorial
trophy. The three Essex Advanced Motorcycle groups all put forward a
candidate for assessment, and Clive Fry assessed their riding ability, along
with the knowledge of the Highway Code and Roadcraft. This year the
winner of the trophy was Craig Anson of CADAM, but the EAMG and ERAM
candidates also received a runner’s up trophy. Many congratulations to
Craig, but also to Richard Whitford for representing ERAM.
Membership figures as at 10th December are:
Associates Full
Total
40
93
53
Welcome to the following new members:
Steven Kendrick, Sue Whitford, Liam Hanson & Steve Bancroft
Congratulations to the following for their test pass:
Name
Grade
Tutor
Examiner
Colin Snow
Silver*
N/A
Tony Gabb
Brad Pearman
Gold*
N/A
Paul Roberts
Ian Hill
Gold
Richard parker
Mick Wills
*Denotes Retest
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December 2011
Active Tutors: Terry Geraghty, Ashley John, Peter Layley, Sandra Murphy,
Paul Osborne, Richard Parker, Brad Pearman, Geoff Preston, Phil Reader,
Peter Spindley & Kevin Stranks.
Seasonal Greetings From Smurf
‘Christmas’ at SAN
The first event of the New Year is 19th Jan. The venue is 136 Moulsham St.,
CM2 0JT, a few yards past the junction of Queen St. and Moulsham St. in
Chelmsford. Car parking is in George St. – accessed from New Writtle St.
from via Moulsham St. or New London Rd. Parking is £1 from 17:00 – 23:59. If
you haven’t paid your deposit, contact Solveig to say you are going
([email protected]) or you probably won’t get a seat! Meet in the
Cricketers at the junction of Queen St. and Moulsham St. from 19:00 with an
aim to get to the restaurant at 19:30-20:00.
Page 7
December 2011
Track day
What: Road bike only track day
Who: Club MSV with George
Brown
When: 22nd October
Where: Bedford Autodrome.
I thought “is it that time already?” as I awoke to the alarm at 4.00 a,m, “Just
another 5 minutes” I say but, like a kid, I want up and out; so: clean teeth,
forget the wash and downstairs for a cup of coffee and toast.
With the Ducati having failed a noise test of 101dB I take the `Fatbird`
(Blackbird). At 65K miles she is nice and loose, so a good thrashing is the
order of the day. Having kitted up I leave at about 5.15; it is dark and I don’t
want to take unnecessary risks by hitting a muntjac deer (as they are
everywhere around here) so with keen eyes we set off. The ride to Bedford
was fine and after a coffee and refuel en route we arrived at 7.00 a.m.
From the moment I arrived, the whole day ran like clockwork. Greetings and
check in, noise test (she was 83dB) registration, briefing and explanation of
the facilities was first class. During the day the food proved to be reasonably
priced and good quality.
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December 2011
I had booked 2 sessions with a one to one instructor: a session in the
morning and one for the afternoon. We sorted the times out for this and - all
of a sudden - it was time for my first for my first go; 3 laps behind the
instructor, then away. After 5 years away from the track it is amazing how
rusty I was; anyway, slowly does it. For me this was the right track and
company to get back into road bike track days. A technical, fast and
flowing track with a lap of 2.8 miles but, with only 4 laps, it was soon the end
of the session.
I made a mess of most things, but the order is not to rush. So: session 2 was
organised with Peter Boast. What a nice guy. He had a chat with me
beforehand to give me an outline of what was going to happen. Simply, he
will do two laps in front, wave me by for a lap or two then, at the pits, he will
come by asI follow into the pits to get his view of my riding:
Fine with my position on the track, but trying to ride the bike to hard
and not carrying enough speed through the various sections.
Not using the brakes enough (which comes from road riding).
Anyway, not too bad, so off we go in sessions three, four and five to
practice. As the day progressed, the speed and braking aspects improved
and so I was ready for the next session with Peter.
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December 2011
Session six.
Another two laps with him in front, but at a totally different speed level and
it felt good now, having started to get a feel back. I then went in front for
two laps. In his debrief he could see improvements in the areas mentioned;
that lines, speed and braking were coming together, so keep up the good
work.
A great day and I am still smiling.
George
Excel
By Terry
Geraghty
My daughter and her boyfriend, both keen bikers, moved to Derbyshire in
October 2009 and have continuously extolled the virtues of riding the great
‘B’ roads in the area. On a visit in May this year I saw a flyer attached to a
bike as we strolled through Matlock Bath, the de facto biking meeting
place of the East Midlands, advertising a tour of the Peak District with ‘Excel
Motorcycle Tours’. (Wot? Not dispatch, exhibition centre or spreadsheet? –
Ed)
At £35.00 a head including lunch the price seemed good, so I booked up
for the three of us to go one Sunday in August.
The weather was good, dry and sunny when we met our tour guide Dave
Godson at 9.30 a.m. at Kosta Café (not to be confused with Costa) in
Matlock Bath. Dave has lived in the Peak District all his life and has been
running Excel for about 12 years; his main business is conducting tours of
Europe. Prior to this he was a DAS instructor running his own school. He is
friendly, good humoured and his knowledge of the best biking roads
around the peaks is vast. He said that people started coming to Matlock by
bike in the early 1900’s, at that time on pedal cycles, and have continued
ever since.
We set off covering the white peaks through Ashbourne, Carsington Water,
and Ilam and gradually worked our way on a zigzag route to the dark
peaks, Meerbrook and Wincle, getting almost as far up as Manchester. The
route took us through some fantastic scenery and a mixture of A, B,
unclassified roads and even the Manifold Way, a disused railway line. The
route was at times challenging, but great fun.
We rode along the notorious Snake Pass, stopping for a well needed break
at The Cat and Fiddle Pub, another renowned biker meeting place and on
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December 2011
leaving, headed off on a route that took in Edale where we stopped for
lunch and to Buxton, before finally returning about 6.30pm to Matlock Bath.
In all we covered over 200 miles on some of the best biking roads in Britain.
A thoroughly enjoyable full day and well worth the money. I’d recommend
it and be happy to do it again - just don’t ask Dave to take a picture. He
offered to take one of the three of us but, somehow, the image failed to
get on the camera!
Terry; I’m glad you wrote this up, but why wait so long? Mind you, it’s
something to think of while the winter evenings are beginning to bite – Ed
Member Profile
Name? Steve Webb (Ed)
Age? 62 (and a bit.)
Nickname? Webbie, I s’pose.
Occupation? Retired.
How many bikes do you have? Two. An Aprilia Mana and a Moto Guzzi
Breva 1100. I used to use the Mana as a commuter but had to be selective
about the weather due to its piss-poor corrosion resistance. I substitutred the
MG or the car in really bad salty or icy conditions. Mara likes the MG so I
guess I will have to hang onto that for a while.
How many bikes have you owned? Hmm. A Vesting Pesetta, two BSA C15s,
a Zundapp Bella, a Triumph 21, an Ariel VH (I always remembered it as a
350, but it was definitely a VH, so it must have been the 500) then a
Lambretta TV175. I came back to biking with a Yamaha Divvy and then the
SV650, SV100, two CG125s and then the current steeds. I suppose I can’t
count a motorised (and ruggedized) bicycle that had an underslung
‘power pack’ that rubbed on the back tyre. I acquired it as a schoolboy
and never did get it running. I just used the frame as a pushbike (it had
large tyres and suspension and was great for ‘tracking’ in the woods – long
before mountain bikes were thought of).
The bike I wished I’d kept? Either the Ariel, or the motorised bike. Probably
the latter, actually.
When did you obtain your licence? When I was about 17, I suspect,
although I really can’t remember.
Does your partner ride pillion? Yes, surprisingly(!)
Favourite biking destination? Anywhere I get back from without having
suffered any anxieties!
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December 2011
Best bit of kit? Pinlock visor inserts. Everything else is draughty, leaky,
threadbare or unreliable in some form or another.
Biking ambitions? None really. I just go with the flow and take it as it comes.
Any I have realised in the past seem to be over-rated in some form.
When did you join ERAM? At the South Woodham Ferrers inaugural meeting.
What made you join? To maintain my skills. I also belonged to EAMG and it
was so close to home it wasn’t worth getting the bike out for. At least SWF
was about 13 miles away. Then they moved to Chelmsford…
Previous training? Yes. EAMG. IAM and RoSPA.
What good advice would you give? In whatever field, listen to others who
are better versed in the arts than I am!
Do you have any other hobbies? Aeromodelling has always been with me
and my electronics hobby long since turned into my career and that rather
took the edge off, so that has been in abeyance for a while. Now I’m
retired, I might revisit it.
If there were dreams to sell, what would you buy? The chance to live life in
a confident state, unworried and unembarrassed by life’s rich tapestry.
What would you ask the next victim of this column? What took you so long?
My First Bike
By
Phil Reader
At the tender age of twelve I managed to get my first job. I worked at a
local nursery doing all sorts of jobs for the elderly owners, Mr & Mrs Warren. In
return they paid me a whopping 5 new pence an hour. I worked a couple
of hours after school during the week and 6 hours on Saturdays, I saved as
much as I could and worked hard for my pay, but it was worth it.
By the time I was fifteen and three quarters I had saved enough money to
go and buy my first Bike. I knew exactly what I wanted; I wanted a Fizzy (or
FS1E as Yamaha called ‘em) but not a new one like all my mates had (on
HP) but something a bit different. I searched the local paper ads every
Friday afternoon for a used Fizzy and within a month of looking I found what
was to be my first Bike. It was one the first Orange coloured FS1E’s with the
letters SS on the side panel, I don’t know why Yamaha had originally used SS
as graphics instead of FS1E but as the advert picture says, it’s the Sixteener
Special! The bike had only covered four thousand miles and looked almost
like new, I just had to have it.
Page 12
December 2011
I paid £145 of my hard earned money and then asked the seller to ride the
bike to my home as I didn’t have a License.
I was in love. I washed, polished and cleaned it, then polished it some more
over the following weeks that led up to my sixteenth birthday. It was almost
agony having a bike but not being able to go out on it.
11:30 pm August 4th 1975, it was dry and warm. Two of my mates and I
were sitting in my driveway on our bikes just waiting for the clock to strike
twelve. I gave the signal and we all started our 2 stroke Fizzies and rode off
into the moonlight. Over the following year I rode that bike everywhere we were inseparable. I even went on Holiday to Great Yarmouth with my
mates on our bikes; it was so much fun that, for me, getting from A to B was
never going to be the same.
What was your first Bike?
Page 13
December 2011
This is the Bond minicar Mk C model that my dad used to follow me round
the block on the day I got my provisional
licence. I was riding his Vesting Pesetta that
he had passed on to me - Ed.
Matlock Bath…
…the UK’s answer to the Alps! By
Jacques Deklerk
Well maybe not quite as grand, but certainly full of prominent features
which are awe inspiring.
For some years, I had promised to take Zane to see the illuminations of
Matlock Bath, a quaint little town located on the edges of the Peak District
amidst towering peaks in the Derwent Valley and so, as autumn drew to a
close and before winter proper set in, Zane and I headed off to enjoy a
long weekend away to experience this renowned Mecca for bikers.
Saturday 22nd October arrived and after filling our bellies full of ole Ronald
McDonald healthy breakfasts, Zane and I, together with Nigel and Robert,
ventured off on a wayward route of A and B roads to Matlock Bath.
As luck would have it the roads were clear and within 10 miles of starting off,
our metal steeds had settled themselves down, tucked their noses in and
we were effortlessly swallowing up the miles; iPods? Who needs them? I had
an out of tune rhyme singing pillion to endure!
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December 2011
A well-deserved stop for my suffering ears was soon required (who would
have thought, my ears hurting instead of others listening to my wails) even I
was shocked at my realisation that it wasn’t me rabbiting on!
Our first stop for the day was The Grand Union, at the Three Locks near
Milton Keynes on the A413. After a coffee and a loo break, Zane had to be
persuaded to climb back aboard our steed, as he was having far too much
fun running up and down the locks aiding the narrow boat captains
negotiate their paths through the lock gates, a little persuasion from Nigel
soon did the trick “Thanks Nigel, it’s amazing what a bribe can achieve”
and we continued back on our way into the tranquil Buckinghamshire
countryside.
After about 15 miles, WHAM: ye gods! Tranquillity was shattered. Up ahead,
a gentle hum grew to a rumble and then a thunderous roar, as we 4 exited
Buckingham and rounded a bend, there ahead of us was a wall of Harley
Davidson riders as far as the eye could see.
Being well versed in exercising restraint, I held back, however once our steel
horse got a sniff of prey, without any warning WHOOSH it was off, I nobly
endeavoured to reign it in, and almost did, but with gleeful encouragement
from jockey Zane, the ZZR refused to comply with my commands and in
Nigel’s words, “we swiftly F***** off as he and Robert waved us goodbye”!
Page 15
December 2011
The ZZR was completely uncontrollable; it chose to defy my every
command and fell under Zane the jockey’s spell. I was helpless, and in the
next 8 miles before reaching Towcester, Zane managed to dispatch what
turned out to be 63 of the slow and low tassel brigade. (Don’t let David
Fricker hear you saying that – Ed).
We then rested the ZZR and awaited Nigel and Robert’s arrival at the
A413/A43 roundabout. Soon enough, an eagle eyed child spotted their
approach in the distance, and can you believe it, there they were all smiles
in the midst of their new found family; they truly had found their calling and I
fear it is my duty to inform you all, that YES, we have lost them both to the
tassel gang! (Well, maybe David would forgive you for that - Ed).
And it can only be that it was as a direct influence of these two, that
Triumph have just announced for 2012, that they are planning to sell Leather
chaps as official motorcycle protective clothing, together with handlebar
Tassels for their range of 1050 tigers, let’s hope it doesn’t spread to the rest
of our Tiger owning friends! (What say you Phil? – Ed)
Heading along the back roads north of Towcester, the little band settled
back into our rhythmic ride along the B4036 and A5199 to our lunch stop at
the Wharf Inn, the confluence between the Welford reservoir and
beginnings of the river Avon - a lovely brick built inn at the end of the
Welford arm of the Grand Union Canal.
It’s a very traditional Inn, with a good range of local beers and ciders and a
quaint curved brick bar; you could easily spend a weekend enjoying the
canal barges and 5 countryside walks. Fed and watered, we set back off
for the last leg of our Journey, passing by and visiting the Triumph Hinckley
wfactory - well the car park anyway!
From Hinckley we headed along the A514/A515/A5151 and B5035 to
Matlock Bath, a joy of flowing well surfaced roads to complete our day in
the saddle.
As you arrive in the area, you are confronted by the towering cliffs of High
Tor and the Heights of Abraham on the opposite side of the gorge; a
pleasure for the eyes.
Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford, have a wealth of attractions for all to
enjoy - excellent accommodation, many and varied restaurants, high-level
and woodland walks, family adventure parks, leadmine tours, canoeing,
fishing, cliff top climbing, cycling and much more: even a cable car service!
The area keeps even the hardest to please, entertained! They are great
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December 2011
places to base yourself in, and within easy reach of fabulous Peak District
biking roads.
Matlock and Matlock Bath were popularised in the 19th century when the
thermal springs were harnessed by the Victorians as a retreat for the wellheeled and Queen Victoria instigated the illuminations for her diamond
Jubilee celebrations!
Zane thoroughly enjoyed the illuminations and I can recommend these to
all - the banks of the river and the promenade are transformed for both
child and adult alike, into a wonderland of coloured lights and illuminated
displays, with a carnival procession of boats decked out in fairy lights,
concluding with a clifftop fireworks display.
Page 17
December 2011
Matlock Bath has been more recently popularised as a haunt for huge
gatherings of motorcyclists. On the Sunday we visited, there must have
been between 300-350 motorbikes parked along the promenade by midafternoon; gleaming machines of all shapes were lined up along the main
road -, quite a spectacle for fanatics and spectators alike.
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December 2011
A weekend away: you’ll not regret it if you take the opportunity and visit the
area!
Page 19
December 2011
NW200 Trip
By
Andy Taylor
Well where to start? Often the question is where shall we go! In May 2004
the answer was the NW200! My older brother was racing and right from the
outset I knew this would be a long lasting affair and, due to the nature of
the journey, the friends we have met and the fantastic racing, it has
become an annual jaunt quite different to any other.
Planning to be in Northern Ireland from Tuesday first practice through to
Saturday race day dictated that this wasn’t going to be a short trip from
Essex! Whilst motorways could be used to shorten travel times (where’s the
fun in that?) it was my opportunity to show my southern friends around some
of the best parts of the country (or, more specifically, Yorkshire!)
So; an itinerary was born and it is one that has pretty much survived
throughout the subsequent years of the trip although actual routes have
varied from year to year as we have kept exploring great roads and places.
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December 2011
We travel light – just enough for the journey on the road as our luggage for
Ireland goes by carrier!
Sunday - Essex to Yorkshire. Mileage 300+
For many years the Cotswolds were our first target. Some initial motorway
mileage helps settle both bike and rider into the trip with an initial petrol and
snack stop at Oxford Services to check luggage is thoroughly secure.
Refuelled, this is where the journey really begins as we then head across
country towards Worcester and Shrewsbury, skirting the Welsh borders as we
journey towards Chester. Undulating well-surfaced roads through picture
postcard villages dominate the route before it opens out into faster wider
roads as we progress north. The final stage of the this first day sees us
heading across the dramatic scenery of the Pennines towards our stopover
in a typical Yorkshire pub at Hebden Bridge where we are usually joined by
several friends of mine for a decent meal after a long day.
In 2011 we switched to the eastern side of the country heading out through
Bury St Edmunds, Thetford and through Lincolnshire’s back roads before
crossing over the M1 and into The Peak District and then the Pennines to
make this first stop.
Monday - Yorkshire to the Borders. Mileage 250+
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December 2011
We awake to the prospect of a day in the Yorkshire Dales! Less focused on
actually getting anywhere than exploring some fantastic roads and places,
with the expert services of yours truly as the tour guide, revisiting many
places I grew up in. Skipton, Grassington, Kettlewell, Aysgarth, Hawes - the
place names flow naturally as we twist and turn along normally deserted
dry stone walled roads with each bend opening up new views. Photo stops
form part of the day and I am often asked the question – why did you move
south? ;o))
As we move through the day our journey is continually taking us northwards
towards Penrith and Dumfries and our stop for the night. Over the years we
have found many a good spot but now have stumbled across the
www.huntingdonhousehotel.co.uk where fellow bikers Lynne & Terry
Hawkins are excellent hosts and offer superb bike friendly accommodation,
plus secure bike parking and cleaning facilities!
Tuesday – Dumfries to the Stranraer ferry, Belfast to Portrush
Mileage 150+
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December 2011
It’s up bright and early for a bracing run to the ferry crossing at 9.30am and
then from Belfast along the coast road to Portrush. The need to be in
Portrush before the roads close for the practice session dictates our journey
times and speeds today. The A75 used to be a twisting snaking monster of
an ‘A’ road perfectly suited to a modern sportsbike but frequent bypasses
and newer dual carriageways have sanitised several stretches over the
years. It still makes for a fabulous route to our ferry but a keen eye needs to
be kept on the dial and rear view mirrors on what is a well-known bike route
at this time of the year.
The ferry journey sees us on board Stena lines modern ships and without
exception they are usually a nice place to be – fabulous views of the
Scottish coastline abound as we head across the water to Ireland! The boat
is a great place to meet other NW200 attendees too and talk about where
we are staying and the places to visit.
Rolling off the ferry, the hope is always for dry roads as the coastal route to
Portrush along the A2 is one of the true highlights of the trip. A fast winding
route with the sea ever present on our right through small towns and villages
heightens the senses and gets us ready for our traditional ice cream stop at
Ballycastle before the last leg of the outward journey onto Portrush. The day
is far from over however as our lodgings at http://www.anvershiel.co.uk/
are within the perimeters of the closed roads race circuit and first practice.
Parked up, changed and refreshed it never ceases to amaze newcomers
to road racing as superbikes hurtle past the garden hedge towards the
Metropole hairpin at speeds approaching 200 miles an hour.
Wednesday – local riding. Mileage 100
Time to chill out! Weather permitting, a trip to Joeys Bar, the Rope Bridge,
Giants Causeway or the Black Bush Distillery. Lots to see and the friendliest
reception imaginable. Bikes everywhere and need to keep an eye on
speeds close to the main area of the race circuit.
Thursday - NW200 daytime practice
A day off as we have a full days practice now and new for 2012 evening
racing!
Page 23
December 2011
Friday – Race Paddock Mileage 100
Another day mainly off the bikes although we usually try get a few miles in,
plus visit the race paddock as the atmosphere builds before the weekend.
Pit passes allow you to freely mingle with the teams and riders - many of
whom we will have seen of an evening too. Bikes are now flooding in
ahead of the race and the atmosphere is great with all the local towns now
full.
Saturday - NW200 Race Day
Fingers crossed for the weather and a great days racing ahead! We set up
at the front of the guest house with marquees, BBQ, drinks and several Irish
friends joining us and our hosts to make this a great day. Commentary via
the radio plus TV coverage keeps us abreast of all the action as the bikes
hurtle past on the road outside. It’s a long day and we are able to change
position and take in some viewing at the actual Metropole turn itself where
the riders come past – just a pavement width away, knees on the deck and
steely eyes fixed on some distant spot ahead.
Saturday night always sees a traditional send off meal booked down at one
of the many excellent bars in Portrush Harbour.
Sunday – Portrush to Rosslare. Mileage 300+
The week has gone so quickly and yet another year has passed and it’s
always sad to say our goodbyes and pack the bikes ready for the return
trip. We are heading across Ireland today and down through the south to
Rosslare. Avoiding major roads, we again enjoy stunning scenery, lovely
towns and villages as we journey from NW to SE of the island. Our lodgings
for the night are close to the harbour and ready for the last days riding.
Monday – Rosslare to Fishguard and home. Mileage 250+
Up nice and early again for the 9.00am ferry to Fishguard. Our loop of a
journey is nearly done but we have the magnificent Brecon Beacons to look
forward to as well as the Cotswolds. Motorways are again avoided as the
last days riding of this big adventure draws us ever closer to home.
Ferry costs will be around the £90-95 mark for bike and rider... our
destination in Northern Ireland is www.anvershiel.co.uk/ and the
accommodation is typically around £40 per person per night in a shared
room. Food and drinks depend on your appetite for both, but northern
prices tend to be a lot cheaper generally than we are used to.
Race information for the NW200 is here at http://www.northwest200.org/
Page 24
December 2011
I hope this has given something of a flavour to a destination that not many
of us get to – it really is a great place to visit and right up there with the TT or
Manx GP as something for a road racing fan to enjoy or just a keen rider
looking to enjoy some of the best roads the country has to offer on a trip
with a purpose at the other end.
I will be running a small group again this year and we always welcome new
faces – it’s what keeps the trip alive and fresh. If anybody wishes to come
along or to discuss what is involved then please let me know…
Links to the maps and routes on the 2011 trip are here….
NW200 2011 Route Maps
Page 25
December 2011
Who is it?
Well? Any idea?
Answers to [email protected]
What is it?
Here’s this edition’s puzzle pic:
Can you see what it is yet?
Answers to [email protected].
Please let me have your submissions
Page 26
December 2011
ERAM REGALIA
If you would like to buy a polo shirt or sweatshirt embroidered with our
group logo please speak to Steve or Sandra at group night, or post a
message on the forum of www.rospariders.co.uk
Polo shirts at a reduced price of £9.50 – sizes M, L, XL and XXL
Sweat shirts are £12.50 – sizes M and XL
Other sizes can be ordered. All colours available as long as it’s black!
Buying and wearing the Regalia is for a good cause as it supports
Advanced Motorcycling which we all love. Thank you for your support!
Pillion’s picnic
We ride through some lovely quaint villages and experience the fine
English country side on group rides. Why are we not sharing the great
scenery with our nearest and dearest?
Perhaps we should view our rides slightly differently and get more from
our bikes and the social aspect of our group?
I am thinking of putting together a couple of shorter rides to incorporate a
little picnic half
to entice our pillions to join us on our travels.
If anyone is interested, please let me know; your ideas and thoughts are
very welcome in making a ride out like this successful.
No dates have been set, but I am looking at April for the first and
September for the second pillion ride out. These ride outs will probably be
to villages with a nice village green and or lake… ideas are most
welcome.
George Brown.
Page 27
December 2011
Testing & Training
RoSPA Advanced Tutor Training
Tutor training will be provided by the Groups Advanced Tutors on a
structured three day programme. Interested Gold and Silver RoSPA Riders
can train to become approved tutors and share their skills and experience
by helping to train associates.
This is a worthwhile exercise and has many benefits other than the obvious
ones. It may be that you haven’t ever considered tutoring others and,
possibly, you don’t think you are suitable for the task. Please don’t let that
put you off
give it some consideration. You may well find that you
have hidden talents and that you find you enjoy helping others to
become as good as you are
after all, you will have obtained a Silver or
Gold in the first place!
Talk to Ashley John, Paul Collins or Phil Reader at a group night or contact
Paul on his public email address: [email protected]
Test ready?
Has your tutor advised you are test ready? If so, Smurf has a supply of test
application forms.
You can also obtain these from RoSPA HQ or download from the website.
The full link address is:
http://www.roadar.org/info/application_form_2010v3.doc. If you are not
reading this on a PC, go to www.roadar.org and follow the link.
If you submit your application through the Group, ERAM can claim £3 from
HQ towards Group funds. Please make a cheque out to Essex RoSPA
Advanced Motorcyclists for £54.
Page 28
December 2011
Members’ small ads
That page heading is not a euphemism! It is an opportunity for you to sell
those unwanted items, or plead for where you might be able to buy those
hard to find items (or hope someone will take pity on you and offer them for
free, á la Freecycle…)
Wanted
Small motorised bike – anything considered (even a moped). Contact
Steve: [email protected]
For sale
Anything you think you might get rid of. Go on. Make some room in the
garage/workshop. You know you want to.
Interlude:
Page 29
December 2011
Diary dates 2012
Date Event information
Feb
nd
18-19th 32 Carole Nash Classic
Bristol Motorcycle Show
25-26th The 3rd London
International Classic & Custom
Show
26th WSB Round 1: Phillip
Island
Mar
April
17-18th Manchester Bike Show
1 WSB Round 2: Imola
6-9 BSB Brands Hatch Indy
13-15 BSB Thruxton
22 WSB Round 3: Assen
28 WSB Round 6: Miller
Motorsport Park
May
June
July
5-7th BSB Oulton Park Intl.
6th WSB Round 4: Monza
13th WSB Round 5: Donington
Park
19th BMF Show east of
England Showground,
Peterborough
25-27th BSB Snetterton 300
10th WSB Round 7: Misano
17th Custom Motorcycle Show,
Beaulieu
22-24th BSB Knockhill
1st WSB Round 8: Motorland
Aragon
6-8th BSB Oulton Park Intl.
20-22nd Brands Hatch GP
22nd WSB Round 9: Brno
Date Event information
Aug
5th WSB Round 10:
Silverstone
25-27th BSB Cadwell Park
26th WSB Round 11: Moscow
International Raceway
Sep
7-9th BSB Donninton Park9
WSB Round 12: Nurburgring
21-23rd BSB Showdown TT Cct,
Assen
23rd WSB Round 13: Portimao
28-30th BSB Showdown,
Silverstone GP
Oct
7th WSB Round 14: MagnyCours
12-14th BSB Showdown,
Brands hatch GP
20-21st 19th Carole Nash
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics
Show, Stafford County show
ground
Got any dates you want to add,
remind or tell me about?
[email protected] of course…
December 2011
Classifieds II
01702 338843, or [email protected]
Keys cut for bikes, cars and domestic
Motor cycle physical security products
Locks and safes supplied and fitted
Advice freely given
Also:
Page 30
Baglux
20% off
products:
Tank bags, tank covers and accessories
Page 31
December 2011
Paul Collins is Chief Instructor and owner of his own advanced rider training
school Perfect Control. The school specialises in advanced riding skill tuition
and all post-test motorcycle rider training. Using radio communications,
Perfect Control give on-road, real time tuition, with advice and correction
given at breaks in road sessions, skills check sessions, briefings and session
critiques. Structured training courses are: Back-2-Bikes, skills improvement
training, DSA enhanced rider scheme, advanced riding techniques and
training to RoSPA, IAM & DIA standards. Perfect Control offers great
opportunities for riders of all abilities to improve their skills and continue their
development.
CONTACT DETAILS:
www.perfectcontrol.co.uk
Mob: 07941 803043
Email: [email protected]
Page 32
December 2011

December 2011 - Essex RoSPA Advanced Motorcyclists

Transcription

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