TUG Aug 2026

Welcome to another TUG. Welcome to another issue of TUG. This issue nearly didn’t happen as my computer decided I wasn’t to log on. I got a reset code off Microsoft, set a new password then tried again which still resulted the response that I entered the wrong password. After failed attempts to repair Windows, I eventually formatted my drive and started again which is a rather tedious process but if you’re reading this then I have been successful.

I’ve missed a few group rides in recent months due to other commitments but those I have been able to get on have been very well attended. We’re fortunate to have in the group a few members who plan, lead and tail end regular group rides so it is nice to see that they are appreciated as evidenced by the number of riders who turn up whether it’s raining or swelteringly hot as it is at the moment.

Considering we are in a highly populated part of the country, it doesn’t take too long to get away from town and find roads where we can keep moving at a good pace and enjoy the airflow that makes wearing proper bike gear bearable. The same can’t be said for riding in London. My son suggested meeting at The Bike Shed in Shoreditch for breakfast recently as it is easy for him to get to by bus. The journey there was fine and I was surprised how light the traffic was on a Saturday morning but by the time I left in early afternoon it was getting unbearably hot.

There is little cooling air to be enjoyed when you’re stuck in 20mph limits!

Earlier this summer I was looking at a mesh jackets but wondered how much use I would actually get from one as surely this hot weather won’t last. I think now that I should have bought it!

Don’t forget, if you have something to share with the group, send it to me at the address below.

Graham Simpkins, Editor tug@eamg.org.uk

You can find all of our social media and the EAMG membership form when you need via our Linktree using the QR code below.

https://linktr.ee/eamg_bikers

COVER PHOTO EAMG members taking a break during the EAMG trip to Wales in May. www.eamg.org.uk

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CHAIRMAN’S PIECE Dear All I write this while on holiday in the uncharacteristically very tropical Republic of Ireland and the weather is just perfect, averaging 24c every day, it is a huge relief to get out of the heatwave in London town. Lots of gardening to be done here, mostly sawing trees and trying to reclaim what nature has done to the inlaws big gardens over the last few years. Today we had a huge tractor come in to cut hedges, bushes and trees.

With this lovely weather there are many more motorcyclists out than ever before here, very nice to see and very different from back home. I very much notice not much studying of Roadcraft here and I notice a few who annoy me as they seem to have a bit of a grasp but seem so nervous of showing any flair or style they might turn into a pillar of salt!! It would appear the few local instructors have sucked all the character out of their riding. I hope that changes as more tutoring becomes the norm as we all agree more training is a good thing. But if it carries on like this on a national scale, riding here could become extremely dull.

What I really do like about the motorcycling here is that there is little interest in riding the very latest incarnation that social media and PR would lead us to believe is not worth living without. No, indeed I see riders on all sorts of bikes and the vast majority are 10 years old at least. Also I notice the riding gear is much more budget conscious too. I do feel we have become victims as apparently we must upgrade to the newest Arai or Shoei as soon as it is launched. Or we must get the very latest in motorcycle clothing too, and then the bike and the list goes on. How very refreshing to be chatting with riders who are enjoying themselves just as much as we do without breaking the bank and keeping them able to enjoy themselves on a much more realistic level. I have hardly seen any brand new bikes at all, and very few big KTM, BMW, Ducati etc. It must be said the roads are not the best for that type of equipment if making progress is your thing, a waste of money and would be hugely frustrating too.

A few weeks ago I was back in Wales for a few days yet again. The weather was perfect at 25c but I am struggling to keep cool enough with the new airvest, leaving me much more tired now after a few hours riding, I am really noticing it. But I was saying to myself yet again, with the roads, incredible scenery and not far from home it is becoming my favourite holiday destination. However I always seem to be staying in a room very near the town clock that chimes every 15mins 24/7, so I come home needing a rest.

I hope you have all had a lovely summer, we have had great attendance on all our rides, Slow riding skills day sold out again, so my thanks to all our volunteers who keep making this happen as it does not happen by itself.

Best to you all, Michel Couque EAMG Chairman.

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Test Passes Congratulations to the following EAMG members for achieving their test passes.

Thanks also to Observers and Examiners.

Candidate Tony Seaman Danny Rutter Darren Cannon Phil Reader Andy Dyne Paul Balkman Tony Coleby Mark Nelmes Mark Mannering Darren Wigington Lee Robinson Robert Spinks Hugo Heji Donna Bewers Ceri Lock Clive Taylor Paul Reynolds

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Test Passed RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD RoSPA SILVER IAM RoSPA SILVER RoSPA GOLD RoSPA GOLD

Observer N/A N/A Clint Bardwell N/A Paul Carden Paul Reynolds Colin Foley Phil Reader Clive Taylor Clive Taylor Terry Sullivan N/A Steve Chambers John Tullett Paul Carden N/A N/A

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Examiner Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones Ian Maxwell Mick Jones Mick Jones Mick Jones

A Look Back at Recent Group Nights In may we had a talk by EAMG member Stephen Green who is a Partner at Pinney Talfourd law firm where he heads the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Department.

Stephens areas of expertise includes motorcycle and other road traffic accidents so he was able to giveus some interesting insights into how claims proceed and the factors that may determine how succesful those claims are.

I think the takaway for most of us was that if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, get proper legal advice and representation as soon as you can.

June Group Night Welcomed the return Kate and Rachael of Hideout. We always knew them as Hideout Leathers but as we saw, their range now is so much more than just leathers. Responding to increasingly hot summers, Hideout have developed breathable layered systems. Kate acknowledges that nothing offers quite the level of abbrasion protection as good leather but the new layered systems are becoming increasingly popular with the emergency services who have to be wearing full protective riding kit whatever the weather.

Right: A rare capture of Rachael on camera .

Whilst well known and popular with Hideout regulars, she prefers to leave Kate to do the presentations. I don’t blame her for that, I’d be the same!

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June Group Night also saw a few certificate presentations.

Michel was delighted to present Mark Mannering and Darren Cannon with EAMG Full Member Certificates.

Mark Mannering

Darren Cannon

Many will realise that Darren Wigington has been a full member and also a committee member for years but someone had printed a certificates for everyone who recently passed a test. Darren did indeed pass a retest, earning a Gold, so as we had the certificate we thought he may as well be presented with it.

I must appologise to everyone on this page for the rather blurry photos. My camera flash failed to fire. I did realise but thought it a dodgy connection and only later found a setting that I’d changed which overode the flash function!

Darren Wigington

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July Group Night EAMG member Eddie Friggens and his son Mark once again hosted our summer quiz. The setup is quite technical as Eddie enjoys films and music so includes plenty of audio and video clips in his quiz.

There were some challenging questions which might account for the head scratching going on here.

Despite that it was a relaxed evening with members enjoying food and drink whilst mulling over the answers.

The winning team comprised of members with spouses and one daughter.

Age and gender diversity was definitely this team’s trump card.

Ava, the youngest member of the team has amazing knowledge of musicals which scored some crucial points.

The winning team: “Bucks Quiz” www.eamg.org.uk

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Recent Group Rides Mick and Alan’s rides are open to all members of the group so always popular although on this occasion I think all attendees were full members. Mick, being a former Senior Observer Assessor, is an excellent judge of abilities and expertly paces his ride according to those on it.

Tony’s Ride to Dunwich.

Tony added an impromptu ride to the schedule and led us to Dunwich for fish and chips. Fortunately, we went a week or so before the devastating heath fire that is still burning.

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Tony’s Ride to Dunwich continued.

Tony devised an excellent route, free of the cart tracks he often uses which may be why we completed the journey without a single U-turn.

Dunwich was quite busy as always but we didn’t have to wait long for food. I’d been looking forward to an ice-cream at the coast but on such a hot day it was a race to eat it quicker than it could melt!

July Mid-Week Ride.

As usual we split into two groups with Bob’s group heading out first. We enjoyed a relaxed coffee stop at the Balsham Arms and were just leaving as Tony’s group arrived. It’s a small place so that worked out well.

Lunch was at Days Bakery, Newton after some fine roads. We didn’t see the other group at the lunch stop but did pass them later doing one of Tony’s famed U turns. Apparently they got back on track and everyone had a good day.

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2026 EAMG EVENT DIARY Month August

September

October

November

December

Date

Event

Tuesday, 4 Sunday, 9th

Group Night Group Training (GT)

Sunday, 16th Tuesday, 18th Sunday, 23rd Sunday, 23rd Tuesday, 1st Sunday, 6th Sunday, 20th Date TBC Sunday, 20th Sunday, 27th

Mick & Alan’s Associate/Member Ride Mid-Week Ride Colin's Full Member Ride Slow Riding Skills Day, Dunton Technical Centre Group Night Group Training (GT) Mick & Alan’s Associate/Member Ride Mid-Week Ride Colin's Full Member Ride Observer Peer to Peer Ride

Tuesday, 6th Sunday, 11th

Group Night Group Training (GT)

Sunday, 18th Date TBC Sunday, 25th Tuesday, 3rd Sunday, 8th Sunday, 15th Sunday, 22nd Tuesday, 1st Sunday, 6th Sunday, 13th Sunday, 20th

Mick & Alan’s Associate/Member Ride Mid-Week Ride Colin's Full Member Ride Group Night Group Training (GT) – Remembrance Sunday Mick & Alan’s Associate/Member Ride Colin's Full Member Ride Group Night - Xmas Quiz Group Training (GT) Mick & Alan’s Associate/Member Ride Colin's Full Member Ride

th

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