Observer Profile

still have the bike at time of writing. I anticipate an interesting conversation when it is finally ready.

The first run of the period was Colin's ride to the Local Cafe at St. Ives on the 5th December. This was the run originally planned for Remembrance Sunday. I must have been feeling bad that day because I love the liver and onions at the Local Cafe. The ride distance was to be 156 miles. The only feedback from the run was that it was cold and wet, so I presume it went well. The second was Mick and Alan's to the Robin Hood at Cherry Hinton, Cambridge. By then I was bikeless, since I do not have the casual bravado needed to ride with an expired MOT. It was a 100 mile run. Again little feedback on this, but it was Mark Williams first Group ride, and he contrasted the warmth of his welcome with the cold, wet and foggy condi-

tions. He even posted some pictures on Facebook which I have shamelessly plundered.

Colin's first Full Member Ride of the New Year on 16th January was to The Hungry Stag Café, a distance of about 120 miles. Colin (Barry?) sent me a brief account of it. At the start it was a misty 6 degrees, although the sun came out after lunch. The roads were messy. The accompanying pictures indicate that this was a massive understatement; the bikes were absolutely filthy. It appears that Neil had to retire with a failing clutch cable, but made the 64 miles back home with only 3 uses of the clutch. That is impressive; if I were travelling back home across London it would be more like 300! The fourth ride tomorrow, 23rd January, will be Mick and Alan's social ride to the Hungry Stag Cafe Bury St. Edmunds. For technical reasons I need to put this report into TUG today, so I shall ‘not-report’ it in the next issue rather than in this one!

Phil Reader

Current Bike(s) Triumph 675 Street Triple and KTM Superduke GT

Previous Bikes FS1E, GS125,GS550,GS700 (Import), CBR1000, CBR600FP, Z XR750H1, Z XR750H2, Z XR750L2, Z X7R (yes I loved the Z XR’s) Honda SP1, 954 Fireblade, 2004 Fireblade, 2006 Fireblade, BMW S1000RR, Triumph Tiger 1050.

Preferred Road/Area to ride in the UK and Overseas Essex and Suffolk are just fine with some great roads although I do love to ride in North Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders. France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany are favourites especially the Eifel Mountain Range.

Age you first rode a bike I was 13, it was an old C90 that was used and abused in our local woods.

When and why did you develop an Interest in riding a Bike From an early age I loved riding pushbikes, always liked the idea of travel and couldn’t wait to get my first Motor Bike

(Fs1e) to take me on my first biking holiday with friends at the age of 16.

Aside family members who would you like as a riding companion Anyone that shares the Love of Bikes, rides to a reasonable standard and doesn’t moan at tea stops!

Reasons behind becoming an EAMG Observer I was fortunate enough to have had Advanced training at the young age of 32 and when I passed my IAM test in 1992 the Examiner (Clive Fry) invited me to join EAMG, I joined the group in 1993 or 94? One group night the Chairman Paul Roberts asked if any members would like to become an Observer, I thought I would give it a go as I really enjoyed the Observed rides and the whole learning experience (it made me safer and quicker). Having been an observer on and off since 1995 I have enjoyed passing onto others the skill set that probably helped save my Life!

Scariest or most embarrassing moment on a Bike On track in Germany, I was at a Motorrad Perfection Training event held at the Nurburgring. Bikes only on track with open Pit lane and full laps without having to go in at the car park and go through the barrier to re join the circuit. Anyhow, I was out on track lapping at a quick pace and had completed 3 continuous laps without a stop, this was plenty and very tiring but I thought I would carry on for a 4th lap (not a good idea). At one of the fastest parts of the track I was heading out to the right hand edge of the track (as usual) at probably 150 mph plus, not a problem on lap 1, 2 or 3 but now on my 4th I was tired but didn’t realise how tired I was until I tried to turn the bike away from the edge and the Grass!! I just managed to keep myself on track by about 6 inches! That was a very scary moment that would have been a big nasty off and one which would have had seriously

unhealthy consequences. I never did another 4 laps without a break and never will.

Further Training Opportunities for Full Members

EAMG FMT & AMT - 2020

1st January 2020 celebrated EAMG’s fifteen years of independence enabling the Group to draw upon the most appropriate riding techniques to meet the training needs of our members, without having to accommodate restrictions imposed by a governing body. With independence, came the responsibility to ensure our training standards progressed and maintained at the highest level.

EAMG Observers fulfill a crucial role within the Group. All are required to hold a current RoSPA Gold qualification before they can be considered for observer training. Once qualified, Observers are re-tested internally every two years by one of four Senior Observer Assessors (SOA’s) who, in turn, are re-tested externally every two years by Police Class: 1 riders. Full Members and Associates can therefore be assured that EAMG’s training is of the highest standard. EAMG; ‘Promoting Motorcycling Excellence’.

Full Member Training (FMT)

FMT format allows greater focus on many aspects of advanced motorcycling over longer distances on less familiar roads. Make no mistake, passing an advanced motorcycle test is an excellent achievement but it’s only a measure of your riding standard on test day. Riding skills require continued practice to be retained or they will sadly be lost.

Associate Member Training (AMT)

Similar training courses are now available for Associate Members who may be approaching test standard, have been recommended to apply by their 1 to 1 Observers or those familiar with riding greater distances than covered on a typical Observed ride. Associates will be encouraged to make their most recent Ride Report Forms available to ensure the Observer on the day has the necessary information to identify needs and address any issues that may be apparent..

Ride Format

Duration of rides will be circa 200 mls for Full Members and 100-120 mls for Associates. Regular stops, most including refreshments, will include debriefs so that issues identified can be addressed during subsequent legs. We will NOT be riding in one large group. Allocation will usually be on a 2 to 1 basis to avoid continuous Observation. Every effort will be

made to match riding ability and/or aspirations. Routes will be pre-planned and forwarded to all participants beforehand. Initial briefing will be comprehensive and a full Ride Report Form will be provided.

2022 Events Joining Fees

FMT— (£45) AMT— (£35) Sunday, March 13th Sunday, May 29th Sunday, August 14th Sunday, October 23rd

Register by completing and returning this form to: John Tipper Email: john@reveillerrides.co.uk Tel: 0208 360 8590 or Mbl: 07860 773711 Pay direct to Sort Code: 30-96-94 a/c no: 00791646 Ref: FMT or AMT + your name Cash or Cheques payable to Essex Advanced Motorcyclists Group Ltd on the day

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Email:

Riding Experience Aspirations: Annual Mileage: Tel:

Machine:

FTFM - 2022

Membership Secretary Observer Co-ordinator Additional Membership Fee

Paula Hockey John Tullett membership@eamg.org.uk training@eamg.org.uk £20 pa Contribution to Observer

£10 per ride

Chris Johnson, Editor Printed by Colchester Press. Please mention EAMG when replying to advertisers - it identifies you!

http://www.eamg.org.uk

Affiliated to the British Motorcyclists Federation Registered Charity Number 1107703

Essex Advanced Motorcyclists Group Ltd, Registered Office, St Laurence House, 2 Gridiron Place, Upminster, Essex, RM14 2BE Registered in England & Wales, Registration No. 5258261

Disclaimer and Copyright Notice: The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Essex Advanced Motorcyclists Group. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with a view that free expression promotes discussion and interest. Any spelling or grammatical errors are the responsibility of the editor .. Inclusion of adverts is not to be construed as EAMG endorsement, although most advertisers are excellent, but seek personal recommendations.Text © EAMG 2020 Illustrations © EAMG 2020, except where indicated otherwise. Group material may be reproduced provided acknowledgement is given to EAMG and the original author.

Twitter: @EssexAdvMCgroup Facebook: @EAMG.ORG.UK Pictures: www.edmxtech.co.uk/eamg.htm TUG email: TUG@eamg.org.uk