and is a little closer to home. In fact, Mick will be guiding you to England’s largest and possibly most rural county and next years Tour de France will start here... You don’t need to put your answers on a post card, but do keep your eyes peeled on the Cadam website. D–Day will probably go down as the most successful invasion in history. So over the second Bank Holiday weekend in May, I am planning a weekend away to explore and see for ourselves the turning point of WWII. Least we forget what we owe so many. This time of year pot holes are one of our biggest enemies. Particularly on unlit sections of tarmac during the hours of darkness. Its reassuring to note then that revenue spending on highways was down 6% between 2010-2011. It is estimated that between 20112012 it was down 13% and to cheer us up it is on course to fall another 11% between 20122013. Apparently is nought to do with materials or workmanship, but all to do with the expansion of water as our climate continually dances between a couple of degrees either side of zero this time of year. As a side (seems they have not surveyed motorcycles or riders yet) Porsche, Aston
Martin and Jaguar pilots are amongst the most likely to get caught speeding. Particularly if your des res happens to be in Bournemouth, Dorchester and Liverpool. If you steer a Fiat, Proton or Rover and like Canterbury, Ilford and London – then your doing just fine! Hmmm – does this prove they have wider, bigger, straighter ribbons of tarmac in the south west and that Ilford and London are just too congested to get carried away?? In line with tradition and with a serious exhaust note, March Group night is our AGM. Whilst this may not be the most gripping event on the map, it is one of the most important – none more so than this year. Not only has our Treasurer had to move on, but so does our Group Secretary. I cannot say this any louder: “Cadam needs your help”. The engine that powers your group is down to just 6 cylinders. We need to run on 8 to maintain the same standards of equilibrium and need to engage all 12 cylinders for improved Group performance. To be fair, you only get out of your Group what you put in – put poor fuel in your bike and you get poor performance. So please give some thought to removing your helmet and gloves and stepping forward. Thank you. Finally, the grime reaper came
after me twice in one day last week. He was wearing a huge smile across his chest and circling his sharpened scythe above my head. A male in a grey Peugeot 207 accelerated out of the exit of McDonald’s car park at the Boreham services straight towards my brightly coloured liquorice all sort. Then followed the sound of biting tyres into tarmac as he changed his mind and stopped about 6 inches from my left knee. Not long afterwards riding along the A12 in lane 3, I met his accomplice. Strangely enough in another Peugeot. A very mature female, overdosed on slap, suddenly decided she wanted me and tried to put me into the central barrier. It was a good effort, as I still don’t know how I got away with it. All I know is that our conversation that followed was not of a loving nature. Not helped by those immortal words: “Sorry, I did not see you!” This time of year we are all a bit rusty – me obviously included. So the motto here is to make sure we are covered head to foot in ‘day glow Derek paint’ (I was) and always remember to present your bike (I didn’t) to other traffic every time. Kind Regards & Safe Riding JH.