of yourselves particularly those who like myPicture Gallery

Picture Gallery ■ Picture Gallery ■ Picture Gallery

Picture Gallery ■ Picture Gallery ■ Picture Gallery

‘Observer’ (as the instructors are called). Usually about 60 –90 miles with occasional stops for words of advice and refreshment. I had some mixed feelings; I was disappointed when I realised how little I knew but delighted to know that I was steadily improving. On top of this I was also allocated my own local Observer who would take me out on similar training runs every few weeks. This gave me a chance to put in some practice at what I was being taught and also brush up on the Highway Code and the Police riders’ manual “Roadcraft”. I was delighted to be told, after a check-run with a senior observer, that I was considered ‘test-ready’ which allowed me to apply to the Institute of Advanced Motorists. This I did and two weeks later, feeling like a kid doing an exam, I took the reasonably exacting test which I passed. This was nine months after starting training. I feel that this has probably improved my survival chances by some 85%. I shall be eternally grateful to EAMG for that. I would urge all riders, however expert they might consider themselves, to have a go at advanced training via one of the numerous IAM, or similar, groups. (It can also help with insurance premiums too!) (Continued from page 22)

Since then I have continued to enjoy the freedom of two wheels for local use, days out and a Revellier Ride with John Tipper in France. I count my blessings.

Dreams Really Do Come True Audrey Tipper

My first experience on a bike was riding pillion to hubby John on his Kawasaki Z1000ST in the late eighties; it’s still in the garage! We’d visited my mum in Clacton on what started as a fine day but that changed for the return journey. John was ok as he had a wet suit but, never having ridden in the wet before, I had to make do with a cheap two-piece walker’s over-suit. We stopped at some traffic lights about 5 miles from home when John turned round to see if I was ok. Loving every minute, I replied. GREAT came his reply!

It was 1997 when I read an article in the Daily Express under the heading of “Midlife Motorcycle Crisis” realizing it was a mirror image of John and myself. I agreed whole-heartedly with every single word that had been written so I wrote this response:

‘My husband John has been a ‘biker’ since his teens (he’s now 52) and used a bike in his 30’s commuting to work in London. I rarely had the chance to be a pillion as we had two young children but as soon as they became ‘independent teenagers’ having social lives of their own, I felt it was OK to join him on Sunday jaunts.’

Bikes had always fascinated me, I wondered how was it that gears were changed by ones feet not by hands, how was it that by a small twist of the wrist, power would surge effortlessly from the machine. My husband’s Kawasaki Z1000ST, wasn’t really an up to date modern powerhouse of a machine. That was until our daughter bought him a motorbike book for his 40 th

Birthday, everything changed when he read about these modern sports/tourers with fairings and speeds of 0-60 in??? Seconds. Midlife crisis here we come. He became obsessed, life was passing him by, he was out of date, “we only live once” was his new philosophy and I want to live this new experience, so new bike, new leathers, new everything. Well what can I say; he was rejuvenated in every which way!

The more we went out riding the more intrigued I became on how this new, 1100cc gentle beast that I sat on performed. How it burst into life at my husbands command. We suddenly had respect from other road users, envious looks from car drivers and their young passengers waving at us as we passed them and always a wave of a hand or a nod of a head from other bikers.

I wanted to be part of this close-knit fraternity; I wanted to experience the freedom, the excitement and the “ticket” to allow me to turn the clock back on my then tender years of 43. I wanted, no needed to ride for myself.

I mentioned to hubby how I was feeling and, to my surprise, for my Christmas present that year he bought me CBT lessons. I started my lessons in the April 1992 on a 125cc and gained my full license on June 1 st

. I hadn’t told him when I was taking my test (just in case I failed) but he had made a glib comment that when I did I could take his beloved 1100cc bike round the block. How I wish I had taken a photo of his expression on the day when I passed. He came home from work and there was I, all leathered up asking for the keys to his bike so I could take him up on his kind offer.

Poor hubby, he seemed to realize, quite quickly, that now I had the bit between my teeth my 125cc was not going

to satisfy me for long. After one or two road tests on different machines we finally tried a Kawasaki GPZ500 and ZZR600, hubby riding the 6oo! After lunch, I desperately wanted to try the 600, too big a bike, he said but I wanted to try. I loved it. A short while later he presented me with a lovely surprise. A black and purple Kawasaki ZZR 600, adorned with red ribbons, sitting in the garage. What a feeling, what a joy, there is life after 40, not only had I been given a key to my own bike but I now had the key to the clock of rekindled youth.

Fast Forward to our Next ERA:

Since 1992, we have enjoyed a great pastime together. We joined EAMG to gain further experience and ride many miles a year both in the UK and abroad and have taken many Group Members on tours. We have gained experience on Track days without the worry of normal road hazards, furthered our experience riding with Class One police riders and passed IAM and ROSPA tests. John became and still is an instrumental part of EAMG and has been a Senior Observer for many years. I have been blessed that he has always given me encouragement and training along with others on my journey to be the best I can be on my bike. I celebrated my 71 st

Birthday in February this year 2020 and am sadly aware that time on my bike will lessen, not by choice but by an ageing body. BUT I have had the best.

My Bike History and mileage to date:

Yamaha RX125 Pre test bike for practicing Kawasaki ZZR600 Mileage = 21,250m Kawasaki ZZR600 Mileage = 28,607m Kawasaki ZX6RGl Mileage = 14,000m Kawasaki ZX636A1P Mileage = 39,765m Kawasaki ZX636A1P Mileage = 39,365m Kawasaki ZX636A1P Mileage = 26,000m Kawasaki ZX636A1P Mileage = 40,346m Honda CBR600F Mileage = 54,000m Total and still counting = 263,333m

I loved my Kawasaki’s and very disappointed when the design became too radical; head down and bottoms up wasn’t for me so I changed to my Honda. I have to admit this took me a while to become comfortable and ‘feeling’ at one with the bike when riding. I didn’t want just to ride my bikes; I wanted to be the best I could in all aspects of being part of this amazing fraternity. I’ve had the opportunity to ride with Police riders and passing RoSPA Gold’s but ashamed to admit these are now out of date! I’ve also taken the opportunity to ride with Fire-Bike making sure I’m still up to a good standard and of course John and all those from the Group that I enjoy riding with. Riding at this level for me, at this stage in my life, has kept my mind focused and my body fit, although I have to admit that sometimes, after a long and enjoyable day, aches are becoming more apparent. I dread the day that will inevitably come when I’m no longer able to ‘get my leg over’, THE BIKE, I

MEAN THE BIKE!

I feel very privileged to have ridden and still ride with so many talented likeminded people and hope this gives an insight into my amazing journey of succeeding and enjoying all the miles with all the friends I have made along the way, long may it last.

Thank you EAMG and all those that have been part of my journey. Long may it continue.

Old Adverts!

Events Report Chris Johnson

Richard's ride on 2nd February was to the Rushbrooke Arms. It started as a grey day, although the rain had stopped when 11 of us set out (10 bikes and a pillion). The temperature was 10C and rising. Richard told us he was using major roads to Thaxted. He knew what was coming and wanted us to generate some commitment. After that it was a complicated and ingenious route on unclassifieds. These were either a stimulating challenge to one's machine control, observation and judgement, or a nightmare of mud and surface water, depending on your attitude to life. Brazenly going along the road which had been closed for major works had its moments. When we

sneaked up on the Rushbrooke Arms it was a pleasant surprise. The '2 for a tenner' breakfasts were excellent. The ride back was mostly on more conventional roads which were, if not dry, at least drier. We got back to the Regiment Way McD at about 2pm, after just under 120 miles. John, with his refreshingly distinctive white VFR, swept both the outward and return legs. It was actually an enjoyable ride, in retrospect at any rate.

Mick and Alan's 'relaxed' ride to the Blue Egg at Gt Bardfield on 23rd February was cancelled because of the very high winds (Storm Something-orOther, I forget which, we had a rash of them in quick succession). It was moved to 15th March, and took place successfully then. To my chagrin I misread the Forum announcements and missed it, thinking there was no ride. What was particularly galling was realising my mistake just a little too late to get to Chelmsford for the run. Consequently I have no information about it.

Richard held a ride to St Ives on 1st March. It was a fine day after overnight rain, but bitterly cold and windy (3.5C early, 7.5C for most of the ride, and a tropical 9.5C at St Ives) and there was a lot of surface water and grit which had been washed onto the roads. We had 23 bikes, and an unusual route out (I need to look at a map and try to work out what Richard did). The liver, bacon and onions at the Local Cafe were as excellent as ever. When I left the run at the petrol stop on the A505 we had covered 118 miles. I think the early departure meant that I missed some electrical problems which Richard had with his bike; requiring borrowed PowerPaks and jump leads. Apparently it wasn't the battery and the problem miraculously cleared itself later. John of the white VFR acted as back marker again. For I think the first time ever I had forgotten to bring my camera, but we have ridden to St Ives a zillion times before, so I have used an old photo.

That is the end of a rather brief report and, with EAMG in shutdown, the last for the immediate future. For the next T.U.G. I shall probably reprint an old Events Report from the days when men were Men, women were Women, and all bikes were not KTMs!