SEPTEMBER |2009
Lichfield Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists
[Pick the date]
Bike Newsletter ... 2 trips to Scotland ...
... Wheelie day madness ...
... Cook discovers Australia! ...
September 2009
SEPTEMBER |2009
GROUP INFORMATION Committee Members Motorcycle Section Secretary EoM Run Coordinator Social Run Coordinator
Newsletter Editor
Paul Barrow - Treasurer Bill Hollingshead - Bike Secretary Simon Heptonstall Bill Hollingshead Richard Benfield Steve Veraca Jeff Winterbottom
Observers
Simon Heptonstall
Paul Barrow (Senior) Roy Follows (Senior) Simon Heptonstall (Chief Bike Observer / Senior) Jeff Winterbottom (Senior) Nigel Morris (Observer Co-ordinator) Richard Benfield Steve Veraca Bill Hollingshead* Gary Saunders* Roger Evans* Colin Leighfield* Rob Beale* Clare Hancock* Alan (Mr ‘Double’ T) Talbott* Mark Neale* Roger Evans* Brent Millage*
* Trainee Observer
We are always on the lookout for keen volunteers to help with running the Group – please talk to any of the committee… We meet up at Fradley Village Hall on the last Sunday of the month (see back cover for map). The meeting starts around 10.00am and all new starters and members are welcome to attend.
in this newsletter… Group Information ................................................................................................. 2 Welcome! ............................................................................................................. 3 Regular Summer Bike Meets ................................................................................... 4 What‟s coming up ... .............................................................................................. 5 Group rides – Second Man Drop-off ......................................................................... 5 What The ...? ........................................................................................................ 6 Motorcycle Secretary ............................................................................................. 7 Product Reviews .................................................................................................... 8 Advanced Riding Tips ............................................................................................. 9 Boring Sh*t ........................................................................................................ 10 LAMM Cool Wall................................................................................................... 12 Have Your Say… .................................................................................................. 14 Track Stars ......................................................................................................... 26 Light Relief ......................................................................................................... 29 Guest Speakers at End of Month Meetings .............................................................. 29 What is “Skills for Life”? ....................................................................................... 31
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WELCOME! What a great summer for LAMM bike section - more members, more Observers, more test passes, more ride outs, more events - a huge thank you to everyone for their support. It is particularly good to see so many people attend the promotional events that we go to during the summer. Bill and a hardcore group form the mainstay of our membership team, so having people come along provides just the support that we all need. When we say that anyone can help, we really mean it! It doesn‟t matter if you‟re a new Associate or a Full Member who‟s been at LAMM for years – there is something that you can do to make the group better. Ideas include: leading a ride out, becoming an Observer, organising an event for the Group, contributing a biking piece to the newsletter, inviting a friend to join the Group etc ... We have been planning a wheelie day since 2005 and in April (2009!) we eventually got round to doing a Wheelie Day with bike stunt king Paul Millhouse – thanks to Steve Watt for doing the organising – he couldn‟t do the course himself as he had a day out booked with his wife at a garden centre – Steve, you drew the short straw – respect - write up later in this Newsletter. In July LAMM scored an Advanced Test hat trick with three of our Members „achieving the standard‟ with Charlie on the same day – Phil Edwards, Pip Smith and Paul Salt – well done to these guys and their Observers. Roy Follows and I didn‟t manage to get to Sutton Motorcycles until 3pm as we were at a Region 3 forum all morning (see piece later in this Newsletter). Great news for LAMM and the Observer team – all the test passes since the March Newsletter are shown below. Another celebration is that we now have 4 Senior Observers at LAMM; Jeff Winterbottom passed his SO test with Graham Buxton in July. Also, Steve Veraca and Richard Benfield submitted themselves to the Observer written test (Janine) and practical test (Simon H) in April to get their Qualified Observer cards –well done! Congratulations to the following Advanced Test passes since the March 2009 Newsletter (Observer in brackets): March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 May 2009 July 2009 July 2009 July 2009 August 2009 August 2009 September 2009
Mark Neale (Nigel Morris) Kevin Hall (Simon Heptonstall) John Fox (Paul Barrow) Jeff Norrie (Jeff Winterbottom) Phil Edwards (Bill Hollingshead) Pip Smith (Nigel Morris) Paul Salt (Claire Hancock) Shaun Norrie (Steve Veraca) Ian Wylie (Bill Hollingshead) Graham Gilbert (Richard Benfield)
Kevin Hall receiving his Advanced Test certificate from Simon
Simon Heptonstall – Chief Bike Observer
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SEPTEMBER |2009
REGULAR SUMMER BIKE MEETS Monday
New Inn, Needwood - B5234 / B5017 (just off the A515 north of Yoxall) Garden Centre, Shipley - A454 Bridgnorth Road west of Wolverhampton Bradford Arms, Ivetsy Bank - A5 west of Gailey
Tuesday
Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield - A38 / A446 / A453 Grey Ox, Six Hills - A46 / B676 north of Leicester
Wednesday
Red Lion, Longdon Green - Just off the A51 west of Lichfield Waterman, Hatton - A4177 west of Warwick Stormy Petrel, Tern Hill - A41
Friday
Garden Village, Shipley - A454 Bridgnorth Road, west of Wolverhampton
RIDE OUTS AND EVENTS April 2009 BikeSafe – DK Motocycles, Newcastle Wheelie Day LAMM Observer Day Fromes Hill Cafe - Mark McCausland
May 2009 Scotland weekend trip – Richard Benfield Staffordshire Bike Road safety Event – Burton Honda Open Weekend - Sutton Motorcycles LeMans MotoGP Weekend trip – Steve Veraca Lake Bala – Jeff Winterbottom Staffordshire Bike Road Safety Event – Kings Bromley
June 2009 Derwent Valley – Steve Veraca LAMM Bike Observer Meeting BikeSafe – Tamworth Yamaha Staffordshire Road Safety Event – Bradford Arms
July 2009 Curry night – Janine Barrow IAM National Bike Conference Staffordshire Bike Road Safety Event – Barley Mow Stowe – Kevin Hall IAM Region 3 Forum BikeSafe – CMC Staffordshire Bike Road Safety Event – Cannock Staffordshire Motorcycling Forum - Stafford
August 2009 BikeSafe – Arnolds, Burton BikeSafe - Sutton Motorcycles, Tamworth Honda Open Weekend - Sutton Motorcycles Staffordshire Bike Road Safety Event, Gnossal LAMM Bikers BBQ Gloucester Docks – John Murray
September 2009 Off-Road event – Steve Watt Devils Bridge – Mark Neale Isle of Man weekend trip – Colin Leighfield
… don’t forget, Mid-month Sunday ride outs throughout the Winter … … we will send out group e-mails to give information on when and where … … all the information is posted on the LAMM forum at … http://www.lamm.org.uk/forum … also check the google LAMM Events calendar, link on the forum …
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WHAT‟S COMING UP ... Date
Event
Organiser
11 October 2009
Social Ride
Richard Benfield
9-11 October 2009
Region 1 Observer Weekend
Simon Heptonstall
8-9 November 2009
First Aid Course – Part 1
Simon Heptonstall
15 November 2009
Social Ride
?
21-22 November 2009
First Aid Course – Part 2
Simon Heptonstall
13 December 2009
Social Ride
Simon Heptonstall
11 December 2009
LAMM Bikes Xmas meal at the Horse & Jockey, Lichfield
Janine Fletcher
Mid-month Social Runs are open to all Associates and Full Members Full details are posted on the LAMM forum, also on the google calendar and e-mailed out to everyone on the mailing list Contact Steve Veraca and Jeff Winterbottom for more information or to volunteer to lead us to your favourite biking roads, café etc.
GROUP RIDES – SECOND MAN DROP-OFF Safety First... On ride-outs, we want everyone to ride safely and within their abilities at all times. To avoid the need for anyone to have to "ride like a nutter" in order to keep up with the bikes in front, we use the "second man drop-off" technique to signpost the route taken by the ride-out. Then everyone can ride as if they were out on their own and just enjoy their bike, the road and countryside. Generally, there is no-overtaking on group ride-outs, again for safety reasons. This means that, after setting out from each stop, riders should keep to a fixed running order and a safe distance. A group ride-out is not a race and the overall pace must be set to cater for the slowest group member. Please also note that if you do decide to overtake a slower rider, maximum space and courtesy should be given and it should be done in a safe place so that you are not compromising anyone’s safety. Second man drop-off Groups of five or more will have clearly identified lead and tail riders who take responsibility for briefing the group prior to moving off. Normally, both of these riders will be familiar with the planned route for the ride-out. The lead rider should wear a yellow hi-vis jacket, and the tail rider an orange hi-vis jacket. The orange hi-vis enables the lead rider to see the ‘tail’ of the ride, and also for the second man to easily see the tail rider coming up when they are marking junctions. The lead rider will follow a predetermined route while the next rider in the group, the "second man" (no offence ladies) will be responsible for ‘marking’ any direction changes. Roundabouts are to be treated as any other junctions. At junctions, the second rider will stop in a safe place to show following riders the route taken by the lead rider. For a 5|Page
SEPTEMBER |2009 right hand turn, try to stop just inside the turning so that you are out of the traffic flow, but visible to traffic approaching the turning from all directions. Note, however, that there is no need to do a second man drop off at junctions where the main road direction is straight on, and the ride is following that direction. Where the whole group is in sight from lead to tail rider, then there is no need for the 2nd man to ‘drop-off’. The second rider remains stationary until the arrival of the tail rider and then rejoins the ride ahead of the tail rider. In some cases, it will be necessary for the tail rider to ride past the stationary second rider, before the latter can rejoin the group. If this happens, the tail rider will either slow down or stop in a safe place to let the second rider catch up. It is important that the person marking the junction must decide for themselves the safest place to stop to mark the junction, and ensure that they pull out to re-join the ride in a safe manner. As the journey progresses all the riders in the group will rotate from 2nd to 2nd last etc. As previously stated, group riding is not for the selfish, and there is no need to chase the rider ahead. On straight open sections of road, ride in a staggered formation, then re-position as required for junctions and corners – remembering to increase the distance from the rider in front. When the group stops, riders should close up side by side so that the group occupies the minimum length of road necessary. This is especially beneficial in built-up areas to get through junctions or traffic lights in as short an interval of time as possible. Relax – have fun – enjoy yourself!
WHAT THE ...? Spotted recently in Tamworth (where else!)
Is it a quad ...? Is it a bike ...? Is it a Chavmobile ...? Just when we thought that on-road quads couldn’t get any more ridiculous, someone decides that there is a gap in the market for a blinged up, er, um, thing – Pimp my Quad! Expect to see this abomination veering into your path soon - ridden by some tosser with a T-shirt and no helmet.
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MOTORCYCLE SECRETARY The end of another summer, whilst we ride and meet all year you can’t help but feel that this hobby has a season. The summer months are full of light nights and sticky roads, the leathers come out and the bikes stay clean, “sorry getting a bit romantic” maybe not this summer. It is also the time we are out on the road looking for members, membership is everything “No members, No club” So what can we do to drive up membership during the winter months, as motorcyclists we all have motorcycling friends, maybe you should drag them along kicking a screaming one Sunday, we all have motorcycle shops, clothes suppliers, accessory suppliers and tyre specialists maybe they would like to display some leaflets or a poster, think about what you could do to raise awareness but remember “We do it because we enjoy it” we are volunteers, this is a charity. The new (2010) year, yes we must think about what we can do next year, in essence it will be much of the same but during this year we have strengthened relationships and built new ones, learnt a little more about what works and what doesn’t and who knows maybe become a little more proficient and professional at what we do. During the winter months it is my intention to look at improving our static displays, our hand out material and the way in which we advertise and market our club across Staffordshire, so if you have any ideas that may help, please give me a call. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, friendly group, very much a group driven by its members new and old. Let me leave you with a couple of quotes, one more famous than the other on membership; “I wouldn’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member” - Groucho Marx “”It is easier for a man to be loyal to his club than to his planet; the byelaws are shorter, and he is personally acquainted with the other members” - E. B. White
Lichfield Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists Group 3053 Membership Secretary (Motorcycle)
Bill Hollingshead 10 Croxley Drive Hednesford Staffordshire WS12 2GU Phone 01543 425821 Mobile 07711 648580 e-mail bill@lamm.org.uk
Fees
Skill for Life Associate Renewal Membership LAMM National Membership IAM
£139.00 £40.00 (If test not passed in 1st year, there‟s an incentive) £7.50 (Full Member) £30.00 (£28.00 by Direct Debit)
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PRODUCT REVIEWS Ear Plugs - “Are you talking to me?” Unlike eye, head and respiratory injuries, hearing damage is not necessarily painful or visible at the time of occurrence. However, noise should be regarded as a physical hazard. You may not realise it, but you run a risk of permanently damaging your hearing every time you ride. While it's true that bikes aren't particularly noisy (even with a race can) and there are no loud bangs (unless your bike is that badly tuned), wind noise is significant and can cause permanent hearing loss at just 40 mph. At over 100 mph (who me officer?) you could be risking severe, permanent damage. If you ride a motorcycle and your hearing sounds muffled afterwards or if your ears ring (tinnitus), then you are suffering temporary hearing damage which if repeated regularly will become permanent. The brain will compensate for this temporary loss by tuning out the ringing, so you may not even notice it. By the time you are aware of the problem, you will have experienced significant permanent damage. It's also worth remembering that hearing damage is cumulative and builds over time, so even though you are not aware of the problem now, it might catch up with you in later life. A Hearing aid is currently the only treatment for permanent hearing loss of this kind. Tests commissioned by the Home Office have shown that noise levels range from 75 - 90 dB at 35 mph (roughly the same as a chain saw) to 110 - 116 dB at 120 mph on the road, which is well above the level permitted by the HSE for a working environment. No matter how much you spend on a helmet, it cannot fully protect you. The configuration of your bike screen height, riding position, your height, aerodynamics etc all affect the wind noise being produced. It is true that as we go through life our hearing will fade, but it would be nice not to be actively contributing to our loss of hearing. Here are a few things you can do to help: A well sealing visor and a helmet/neck sleeve can both help reduce wind noise (around 5 to 8 dB at the ear) Wear earplugs (cost 20p - £3) to get the best protection Forget about isolating the wind noise, just stop it going in your ears. Once you've got used to riding with earplugs, you will find it uncomfortable to ride without them. Remember though, they may impact your awareness initially as you may not hear other traffic so well. After a while, you'll find it pretty natural and earplugs offer the best noise protection. If you would prefer a set of custom made earplugs, then contact your local Audiology Unit or ENT clinic at your local hospital. There are also a number of companies often seen at bike shows who offer a custom earplug services. The process costs around £25 - £50, but should last and will generally offer better protection than disposable plugs. Here‟s my gimmick buy ...
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SEPTEMBER |2009 Alpine, a well known manufacturer in the music industry, have started to make these earplugs targeted at motorcyclists. I bought a set of these and gave them a run to Skegness. They are a simple plug with a clever filter that damps out harmful sound, they come with two levels of filter in a pack and you fit what suits. What‟s the purpose of the interchangeable filters ...? I like many Motorcyclists listen to music, Sat Nav, use the phone and have conversations with my pillion (not all at the same time I hope Bill? – Ed). So whilst I do not need to hear damaging noise I do want to hear music and conversation through the helmet mounted headphones. That‟s where the magic filter comes in allowing low level noise to penetrate the plug whilst blocking high level noise. Guess what - they work. A bit more expensive than standard plugs but cheaper than specially made at around £12.00 - £20.00 coming in a nice case I think they are value for money. Will they protect my hearing as I get older? I‟ll let you know when I‟m 70. Thanks to Bill Hollingshead (Bike Secretary and Trainee Observer)
ADVANCED RIDING TIPS Roundabouts One of the regular discussions we have with Associates is „straight-lining‟ roundabouts. Used well and in the appropriate circumstances it results in a Safe, Smooth, Systematic and Progressive (Speed) technique. Here‟s what Road Craft has to say about negotiating roundabouts ... “The approach position will depend on which exit you intend to take, the number of approach lanes and the lane markings. The route through the roundabout will depend on the presence of other traffic and on the road surface. The best route is generally the shortest route between entry and exit.” Remember that this explanation is given in the context of IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration). All roundabouts are different and traffic volumes and your route will vary the way in which you negotiate them. The objective is to keep the bike as stable (upright) as possible through the roundabout to give yourself the safest route. Ideally, you should try to avoid the areas of the roundabout where debris, grit, gravel and DIESEL tend to lie. If you are able to „straight-line‟ the roundabout then:
The bike remains as upright (stable) as possible You will tend to avoid sharp turns in the roundabout 9|Page
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You will tend to avoid areas of debris and DIESEL
However, please take the following issues into consideration:
Your speed into the roundabout may be higher if you follow a direct route between exits, so you may catch out motorists who are on or entering the roundabout Your observations need to be carried out in plenty of time If there are other vehicles on the roundabout or approaching the entrances, then your position and speed should change accordingly
Even TWO magazine (now VisorDown) is giving tips on roundabouts in their August 2009 issue, with this diagram and a write up on what to look out for ...
BORING SH*T Region 3 Forum This year has seen a bit of a shake-up in what had become a bit of a lost cause. We are in IAM Region 3, which covers the Midlands and Mid-Wales and a new Chairman for Region 3 was elected earlier in the year - Bryan Davis – he came to our End of Month meeting in March to talk about radios (his ‘day’ job). From now on the Region 3 forum will have an opening session with both Car and Bike groups, then split into separate Car and Bike discussion groups, then come back together to finish the meeting with a plenary session. At the recent Region 3 forum in July (photo of attendee shown), the Bike groups exchanged views on how we could share ideas about Observer Training and developing a Members Log Book. It was agreed that a specific get together for Region 3 Bike Groups would be held in October to see what material we could pool together to start to improve standards across the groups. The usual suspects for attending these thrilling sessions are Roy Follows and myself, as the Region 3 forum organisers keep on missing Bill off the circulation list – but he’s not bothered – just ask him ... As they say, “Watch this space”. Thanks to Simon Heptonstall (Roy and I go, so you don’t have to!)
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LAMM COOL WALL Un-cool
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HAVE YOUR SAY… Wheelie School For anyone riding a motorcycle, this is music to our ears! The excitement of being taught how to do a wheelie in one day and safely in controlled conditions put a big smile on my face! Wow - Then I thought there was no way anyone could teach me how to wheelie in one day over 30 meters without me falling off and hurting myself including the bike! I thought ‘what the hell’ and gave it a go anyway! What had I let myself in for? On the day we turned up in our group at Long Marston Airfield, split into two halves and each small group took it in turns to practice on Yamaha Fazer 600‟s fitted with electronic anti-flip devices, under the careful instructions of Paul Millhouse. To start off with, I found it difficult to even get the front wheel up in the air let alone keep it there for 30m! As I was not getting anywhere it seemed, Paul gave me a few pointers in my ear to help and on the next run - it sure did! The front wheel came up off the ground and as soon as it did my first reaction was to shut the throttle dropping the front wheel with a hard bang back down again! What a feeling my first wheelie - all be it small and uncontrolled! After that the wheelies seemed to come natural but only a short distance was achieved which got very frustrating! Time for a break, so we had lunch whilst watching Paul‟s 15 year old son show us how the wheelie and other tricks were done properly - how gutting! Putting that aside it was time for us to have another go to achieve our 30m goal. One step at a time my confidence and wheelies were getting better with Paul‟s excellent tuition, to the stage where I could keep the front wheel up for a good distance between the cones but not the full 30m. Paul adjusting the ‘anti-flip’ sticks on Simon’s bike
It was near the end of the day when something just clicked and I got it right! The front wheel came up and the balance felt good, so I carried out the precise throttle movements „til I ran out of revs, gently touching the front wheel down past the 30m cones!
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Wow! The smile on my face was forcing my helmet apart! I couldn't believe I had done it and wanted to do it again! After a couple more disappointing runs I managed to do it again and with more confidence to the point of looking at the camera whilst doing a wheelie - the Meercat pose!
Pulling a wheelie was great fun and gave me more control and confidence on my own motorcycle. As I have been on the wheelie course and now I am observing others to take their advanced test, I agree that wheelies or any other stunts on the public road is very dangerous and could cause harm to others and myself! This was done on flat tarmac on an air field under controlled conditions! (Ah, the mandatory Health & Safety disclaimer – Ed) What a fabulous day - thanks to Paul for the tuition and Steve Watt for organising. Thanks to Simon Simpson (Trainee Observer and resident LAMM Stuntman)
Paul Miilhouse, his son Evan and the LAMM Wheelier’s
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My return to Biking - Part One - 250‟s and the 80‟s For me, 2 wheel lunacy started Autumn 1977, in an attempt to make me attend Tamworth College to re-take all the ‘O’ levels that I should have passed at school and not join Her Majesty’s Army for 6 years, my father dangled the keys to a ‘P’ reg Kawasaki KE125 trail, in obligatory green. With a straight choice between: long hair, motorbike and girls; or short back and sides and a tour of duty in Northern Ireland, the bribe succeeded. However, it almost backfired as I spent most of my time riding around Staffordshire rather than studying!
August 1978 - now working full-time at Halfords, I had money to burn and decided to replace the Kawasaki with a new 250. Despite being an ardent Mick Grant fan and my then best friend telling me to purchase a Kawasaki KH250 triple, I purchased the latest Honda - a silver 250N Superdream. Needless to say he was disappointed and ridiculed the performance of my heavy 4-stroke, who cares it was beautiful with alloy wheels. As with most 17 year olds I over estimated my riding prowess and within a month I dropped the bike on loose gravel, luckily only scuffing the indicator and crash bars. Then a few days later, whilst following a friend back from Stafford through unfamiliar roads somewhere around Cannock Chase, I overshot a left hander at some 50 mph. Fortunately the bus to Stafford was late and with a cushioned landing in bracken I emerged unscathed, however, the bike wasn’t so lucky flipping over a couple of times before coming to rest. After pushing the bike out of the undergrowth I managed to start it (can’t knock the Honda’s robustness) and limp home with my friend riding beside me to light the way. The next morning I entered the garage and realised it hadn’t been a bad dream (was it a Wet Dream? No, it was a Super Dream! – Ed) February 1979 – After four plus months of waiting for parts the bike now sporting a silver Oxford cockpit fairing is returned to me. I’m now working in Broad Street, Birmingham so forget the bus, come rain, snow, fog, sleet and the occasional sunshine I’m on the bike, plus 4 - 5 evenings a week to Sheldon, Birmingham to see the girl-friend. July 1979 - passed my test at Burton, quick ride around the block and done! Circa late 1980 - Unfortunately the high mileage combined with a serious lack of servicing and oil resulted in one of the cam-followers breaking. A friend of a friend replaced the cam follower and did what he could to dampen down the tapping. It had to go.
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Enter the Yamaha RD250 in Kenny Roberts yellow and black. Dodgy electrics meant I had to return to the dealer for replacement bulbs to be met with “Are you the guy who part ex’d the Honda 250N, take these bulbs and *#*# off” this was before the days of customer service. The Yamaha proved to be pretty unreliable with dodgy electrics, leaking battery and a tendency to stop in the rain. This and passing my car test in March 1981 ended part one of my motorcycling life until 2009.
That was it I was going to have a bike but where to start? What to buy? Having not ridden since 1981, there was little point in embarrassing myself with a test ride - and no one seemed to build 400-500cc bikes! It would have to look and sound good, which narrowed it down to an Italian marque and eventually it was down to either the Ducati Monster or Multistrada. The Monster looked how bikes used to look and the sound… so decision made. (don’t they also break down like bikes used to break down? – Ed) Tim there is a lesson here! The Ducati sales chat about it being a lifestyle thing and the Ferrari of the bike world also helped. Next Newsletter - Part 2 - Italian Love Affairs! Thanks to Paul Salt (Full Member and Marco Melandri impersonator)
LAMM “Invasion of Scotland” - May 09 Day one ... Saturday 2nd May Early start, met with Roy Follows, Richard and Louise Benfield, Graham Gilbert, Jeff and Shaun Norrie and Brent Millage then up the M6. First coffee/fuel break at Tebay services and we‟re near enough to hear bagpipes in the distance! Next Glasgow and northwards on the A82 to Loch Lomond. Then west onto the A83 through Inveraray and on towards the coast with a pit stop in Lochgilphead for afternoon tea. Onto Oban on the A85 to pick up the coast road until we came back onto A82. Caught the ferry at Corran for the short crossing of Loch Linnhe. The scenery was spectacular, which proved to be the case for the rest of the trip. On the shore of Loch Eil, Graham pulled over - puncture in the rear tyre, a rip about 20 mm long. Graham tried to repair it using a foam repair sealant but to no avail, the rip just would not seal. After a call to breakdown service news wasn‟t good. Two options: a lift to the hotel (which would mean waiting „til Tuesday to get a new tyre because of the Bank holiday), or a lift back home!
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Graham trying to use a tin of squirty cream to seal the tyre!
Brent cleaning
Ben Nevis (Isn’t Steve good at photos! - Ed)
Sadly Graham had no choice but to return home. Brent showed his dedication whilst these deliberations were happening by cleaning his bike with water straight from the Loch! Group minus 1 continued to Fort William and a nice family run hotel in Roy Bridge – with en-suite views of snow capped Ben Nevis. Day Two ... Sunday 3rd May Good hearty Scottish breakfast then a tour of the Isle of Skye. We had a quick stop at the Spean Bridge Commando memorial to take in the view, then at Sheil Bridge we turned off onto a single track mountain road that took us to the Glenelg Bay ferry, which has appeared a couple of times on BBC‟s Coast programme.
Onto Skye to do a loop up to Dunvegan and then down to Portree for lunch. Back on the mainland we headed east towards Loch Ness passing Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Cluaine. We had a Ferrari F40 for company for a while but with a flash of flame from his exhaust he sped off as we all stopped for a break at Loch Ness. No signs of Nessie so we continued to Fort Augustus before returning to the hotel about 7.00pm and another good dinner and compulsory beers to reflect on a brilliant day. Day Three ... Monday 4th May
Sadly, our last day. Ben Nevis was covered in cloud and it was raining. Off we set southwards with no sign of rain letting up, indeed from the Glasgow area down over the border the rain and wind were of biblical proportions and we had to lean the bikes into the crosswind to force our way through, I think we passed Noah at some point! The further south we came, the weather improved thankfully and stopped raining!
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SEPTEMBER |2009 Thanks again to Richard for a great mini-tour of Scotland and our mileage for the three days was 1,250! I would recommend Scotland for the good hospitality, beautiful scenery, and fantastic biking roads. Thanks to Steve Veraca (Qualified Observer and Mid-month ride out Coordinator)
The Wizard of Oz – Cook discovers Australia In September 2007, Colin and Lin Cook shipped their BMW R1200GS halfway around the world to Perth (Australia, not Scotland) for an epic bike tour lasting „til March 2008. They kept a blog during the trip which you can read at ... http://cooksbigoztrip.blogspot.com/ ... here is an „interview style‟ version. Ed – So how did you get your bike all the way to Australia? CC – We had it air freighted, James Cargo on the way out, and Ship My Bike for the return. Had to remove screen, top box, oil, petrol and drop the tyre pressures – then into a crate originally used to import new BMW bikes. Colin at James Cargo in Manchester making sure that he has put enough 1st Class stamps on the parcel - No turning back now! Ed – What route did you follow? We set off from Perth and travelled anti-clockwise all the way round the coast to Cooktown in Queensland next to the Great Barrier Reef. On the way we rode the GOR, the NEH, the Bruce Highway and finally the Captain Cook Highway. We even crossed the Tropic of Capricorn - twice! We also took a trip into the outback visiting Bourke and then down to Melbourne and Phillip Island, then north again to Sydney. Total distance just under 13,000 miles - phew. Ed – Huh, GOR, NEH ...? CC – GOR is the Great Ocean Road, this world famous road extends for more than 300k along Victoria's Southern coastline winding along some of the most dramatic and scenic seascapes in the world. We were impressed with The Twelve Apostles, limestone seastacks and the awesome views from Cape Otway Lighthouse and spotted wild koala's sleeping in the trees. NEH, New England Highway which run along the eastern Australian coast over 650 miles from Sydney to Brisbane. Ed – You must have met some interesting people on the way? CC – Yes, so many, including a stay with our relatives in Queensland. Also a Canadian couple doing a similar tour to ours – on a Fireblade and a guy from Durham cycling from Perth to Sydney! Ed – What was Bush Tucker like? CC – Oh, you mean the food ... well we didn‟t have to eat any Witchetty Grubs if that‟s what you‟re getting at, but the Parmi‟s were nice – it‟s an Aussie delicacy, chicken schnitzel with a tomato, ham and cheese topping. Typical counter meal (bar snack).
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SEPTEMBER |2009 Ed – Tell us some of the amusing things you saw CC – I could tell you about lots, but I‟ll keep it to 2. Firstly the “Poo 4 Sale” road signs, all manner of it, Chook poo (Chicken) $1, Horse poo $2, Organic goat poo $3, Alpaca poo $4, Rocking Horse poo - still rare! Then, when we stayed in Batemans Bay, we had dinner at the Bowls Club, a bit of an institution in Aus. This is flat green bowling played by all ages and we enjoyed good value food and drink. Whilst we were there, reported on local TV, raiders held bar staff and elderly members of the Bowling Club at knifepoint. Fortunately a local bike club were holding meeting in the clubroom and when police arrived, the raiders were found tied up in the carpark, one naked, with minor injuries. Aussie justice. Bike club had free beer for the rest of the night! Ed – What was the scariest moment? CC – I guess it would be a close run thing between the huge road trains (trucks with 3+ trailers) and animals crossing the road in front of us, Roo‟s, Emu‟s and snakes. My peripheral vision soon got tuned in for wildlife approaching from all sides! Ed – Isn’t an Emu a bit like an Ostrich? CC – Yes, they‟re silly, tall birds that stand at the roadside debating whether to cross. Ed – We have some of those in the local pub ... At least they drive on the left in Australia, but what was the standard of driving like? CC – Pretty good, but for most of the trip we didn‟t see many other vehicles. But you do have to watch out for the „Melbourne Hook‟ though – as well as trams Melbourne has a unique traffic system, whereby to turn right at city junctions, you need to keep to the left and turn whenever possible - Has to be seen to be believed! Ed – So how would you sum up your epic bike tour? CC - A quote from the Buddha - 'Who travels for love finds a thousand miles not longer than one'. And also our motto, seen on the back of a grey camper van somewhere in Australia 'ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA' Ride Safe, Col and Lin xx Thanks to Colin Cook (Full Member) and wife Lin
Father / Son bonding - An Excuse for a Motorcycle trip I had been planning a European trip with Simon Heptonstall since about February. All domestic favours had been cashed to get my 'pass out' for one week in June and then for a variety of reasons, neither of us could go - we were gutted. In an attempt to snatch victory from defeat I decided to promote some father / son bonding, courtesy of a motorcycle trip. Europe was out, so the plan became to tour the coast of Scotland in 4 days or less. Michael (18 years old and bigger than
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SEPTEMBER |2009 I am) had just finished his ‘A’ levels and was sold a 'tour of the north', a bit of an adventure, a bit of a laugh and (as it turned out) a bit of a trip too far ... The weapon for choice for the trip was the trusty Triumph Sprint 955i. A bit of shopping on Ebay had equipped it with a gel seat (for added distance comfort) and new chain and sprockets (it was making a bit of a racket). Budget constraints meant it was camping for us and hence a hold-all was strapped on the back containing tent, mattresses and sleeping bags. We had Oxford throw-over panniers for clothes, shoes, books, mp3 players, phones, toiletries and towels. Space was at a premium (So Michael’s Rock Axe guitar had to stay at home! - Ed). Day 1 - Nottingham to Loch Lomand We departed 2h later than planned on the Friday morning in early July due to the difficulties in motivating Michael and a sudden outburst of last minute packing. The bike looked very small all packed up and as we travelled up the M1 I wondered about the sense of what we were doing. The bike felt cramped, Michael was sticking in my back and the Triumph felt a little 'wallowy'. At about Leeds I realised that the thing sticking in my back was my back protector. But the bike was running beautifully and the whole of country was just waiting to be travelled - This was going to be marvellous. Progress up the A1 was rapid and we arrived for lunch and sightseeing at Vindolanda in Northumbria where the gear lever connector bar broke off. We stared at the broken metal disconsolately as we tried to phone the AA, then I had a brain wave. Some M5 bolts and nut from a garage in the middle of nowhere and it was useable (if a little high - making 1st to 2nd changes a little hit a miss for the next week) we were off again. After filling our boots on Roman history we scuttled up to Edinburgh in the mist and light rain and across to Loch Lomand for the evening camping, right on schedule.
Our arrival was relatively late and the campsite was lively. It was not ‘til we started to pitch that the receptionists happy remark 'the midges are out tonight' was experienced in context. The air was black with the little sods. We put the tent up in crash helmets in an attempt to protect ourselves, but they got everywhere and once there, bit everything. Michael was forced to retreat for a shower and we went to the pub to put the experience behind us. In the pub, no one sat on the rather inviting veranda so I thought I would give it a go. I was covered by midges in seconds, again and once again beat a retreat indoors. After a couple of pints of lager we squeezed, along with all of our gear, into the Gelert Eiger-2 tent, which I had bought following the abuse I received from Bill Hollingsworth on the trip we had to Anglesey in 2008 over my 'children’s play tent', but that’s another story. An excellent tent for touring on a bike, but go on your own or with someone very small! Day 2 - On to Ullapool Saturday was a sprint up through Glen Coe to Fort William and up to Ullapool via the roads hugging the coast and the weather was glorious. It was thick with bikers generally riding aggressively on twisting roads congested with cars and caravans. The standard was not high and is a natural for a 'BikeSafe' event (Bill, is this in our area? – Ed). At the end of the morning we had passed a fallen Aprilia Mille, a Suzuki GSX’er and a sports bike (unknown manufacturer) buried in the radiator of an oncoming car. It was all very sobering.
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SEPTEMBER |2009 The trip through Glenn Coe was the only one I have ever done without rain. It was glorious! The ride from Fort William up to Ullapool was via A87, A890, A896, A832 and the A835. It was hot and the roads after Lyle of Lochalsh are poor and the schedule hopelessly optimistic. We reached Ullapool at about 8’ish. A pleasant enough place to stay, the campsite in the town is to be avoided at all costs - the ground is hard enough to land a jump jet on.
The harbour featured a couple of ships that ran diesels all night and the wind carried the noise for miles and a dozen drunken Scots bikers partied all night until the wind forced them under canvas at about 3’ish. It was a very long night. Still as Michael pointed out when asked how he had slept, “Great, there were no f'in midges!” Day 3 - the North Coast One of the highlights of the trip. Following the coast road through places I have only seen on a map such as Durness, Tongue, and Bettyhill. The weather was fantastic and the roads (A836 and A838) were a disgrace, single-track west of Bettyhill and no better than a donkey track. Just outside Durness, a stag jumped over a fence and appeared from nowhere to stand in the road in the path of the Triumph. Once it saw us it cleared the road in a bound and was up the hill side at high speed. Michael said it really shifted and banked over further than I do when cornering in its bid to cheat death. As it stood in the road (it was only 10-20m away) and you could see the panic in its eyes. If I hadn't been wearing a tinted visor the stag to would also have noted that I was also filled with terror at the prospect of wearing a stag for a hat and that my eyes were the size of dinner plates as we approached one another. We wasted the afternoon at Duncansby Head (near John O’Groates) watching seals and the Puffins on the cliffs. Friday and Saturday had both been 350+ mile days and had covered 250 miles from Ullapool - it was clear that neither of us had the stomach for much more riding. We gathered our last reserves of enthusiasm for one last push south to Inverness but 2h later and we were 40-50 miles short of the schedule, it was after 6pm and so we pulled in the for the evening at Dornoch. This was a delightful (if very quiet) Scots seaside town with a lovely beach front camp site. A shower, a few beers and various accounts of close encounters of the antler kind and Michael had convinced me we could pull the schedule it back the next day. Future career in project management? Day 4 - Dornoch to somewhere in England (not) Monday morning and the weather was once again great. We went to Fort George outside Inverness which is an unspoilt Georgian fortification built to ensure British domination of the highlands and is a super day out so we spent far too long there. Lunch came and went, the schedule was in tatters. We had no plan and didn't seem to care. We headed for Braemar and then for Perth in an attempt to escape the highlands. The A93 was the second stunning highlight of the trip and south of Braemar it must be the maddest road I have ever taken. It is very undulating, has many blind brows and many sudden changes of direction. Rather than erect signs to warn you about any of this the Scots have covered the road with signs proclaiming how many bikers die on the road in a year. It makes the 'Cat and Fiddle' look flat and boring. A good 20 miles north of Perth and we had to stop. It was 4pm. I was shattered and Michael was feeling sick. Progress slowed from then on. Petrol stops, wee stops, burger stops, feeling-funny stops and “where-are-we-now” stops all frustrated progress. 22 | P a g e
SEPTEMBER |2009
Finally we went on a desperate sprint down the A7, I realised there was no way we were escaping Scotland that evening the tent was once again dug out of the bag. I think we were in Harwick but that didn't seem important. Day 5 - We must get home today Even accounting for petrol stops we were back in Schloss Watt by mid-afternoon. The rear BT20 was shot to pieces - the Triumph looked grubby and fly splattered. We both had a brilliant time and can now see the appeal of the tranquil highlands of Scotland. We had covered 1440 miles and we spent a shade less than £380. We had laughed together, slept together, drank together and been amazed together with not a moment of tension or disagreement in 5 days. I simply cannot imagine another instrument, other than a motorcycle, that could have done that for us and in the end I was grateful for the random turn of events that had led us to go on the trip in the first place. Motorcycles, you have got to love them. Thanks to Steve Watt (Full Member) and Michael
Off-Road Day In September Steve Watt organised two days of Off Roading with Pidcocks Honda – run by the legendary Mick Extance (Paris-Dakar Rally), who is the most down to earth and helpful guy you could ever meet! The location was the FatCats Moto-Parc near Doncaster, with a number of tracks to play on, from the ‘Kiddies Flat Track’, to the mind-blowing competition track. Day 1 saw seven of us and a guy who had won the day at another event and had driven up from Brighton that morning! Weather – perfect. Bikes – all brand new. Gear – all supplied Mick. He gave us a 10 minute briefing (which I gradually recalled at various stages throughout the day) then off to the Kiddies Flat Track. After half an hour of trying to injure ourselves Mick called us in for more detail on how to get a motocross bike to turn. It all had something to do with getting your weight as far forward as possible to ‘push’ the front wheel into the ground and also explained why off road bikes have a seat that goes all the way to the handlebars! During the lunch break we watched riders going round (more like over) the ‘big’ track. This did nothing to calm our nerves and before we knew it we were on the bikes waiting for some kids to finish their session. Off we went - all I can say is that the first 2 laps were a blur with several moments of sheer panic as the bike crested jumps and bumps that seemed to have vertical down sides! Day 2 with a fresh team of LAMM riders was quieter since there had been some rain, so our group had more time on the big track. The highlight for day 2 was Richard Benfield testing whether a Honda CRF450 can float on water – apparently the verdict is NO it can’t. (See cool wall for photos) Thanks to Steve Watt (Full Member) for organising and Mick Exstance for his patience
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SEPTEMBER |2009
Southern 100 Road Races 13th – 16th July 09 Isle of Man. Heard of the TT? Of course, maybe you have heard of the Manx GP? Possibly, but you will almost definitely not have heard about the Southern 100. Me neither until a couple of years ago but the little brother of the more famous events is an excellent meeting over three evenings and one day held every year in mid July. The meeting attracts some of the top national riders from Clubmans and British Superbikes, indeed many TT riders were present, most notably Guy Martin complete with fully supported Hydrex Honda Superbike as campaigned in BSB and at the TT earlier in the year. In addition to the familiar names many future stars of TT cut their teeth on the 4.25 miles of public roads that this circuit in the south of the island comprises, familiarising themselves with stone walls protected by hay bales and houses whose prized flowers in the front gardens act as markers for turn in points. Doesn‟t really get more grass roots than this. Seen by many as a mini TT festival the course is substantially shorter and the starts are in grid format meaning real road racing between riders rather than against the clock.
Guy Martin at Cross Four Ways
This year saw several lap and race records broken and many almost blanket finishes with the first three or four riders separated by less than 1 second, don‟t see that in the high gloss world of MotoGP. (Catalunya 2009? – Ed)
L-R; Ryan Farquhar, Michael Dunlop (partly hidden) & Connor Cummins at the apex of Castletown corner during S&S Motors 600cc Race 16th July
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SEPTEMBER |2009 Additionally this racing is totally free and open to the public, finding the best vantage points is part of the challenge and being a little known event the island is generally free from „wannabe‟s‟.
Furthermore getting to these races is also substantially cheaper than during TT, my return fare with steam racket came in at £106. Dubbed the friendly races the openness allows you to actually rub shoulders with the racers. Roy Hanks, whom some of you may know, being a regular here, and often willing to have a chat away from the tension of racing.
Roy Hanks & Dave Wells exiting Cross Four Ways getting the power down for the run up to Church Bends
Should you go to TT then I recommend you avoid the rush for the ferries and stay on for the Saturday after Senior race. The 125 & 250 TT races are held at the Southern 100 Billown circuit, and as a taster to the main event held in July, you will not be disappointed; you too will be in on the wonderful secret – The Southern 100 races. Thanks to Nigel Morris – Observer and road race enthusiast
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SEPTEMBER |2009
TRACK STARS Three races at Mallory then off to California Having added advanced riding to my biking repertoire, I decided that racing would be the next challenge! I did some track days in 2008 and met with considerable success in terms of achieving a very respectable pace (Cadwell Park incident aside!) - it was a “logical” progression! How wrong could I be? I turned up at Mallory Park, complete with my “personal mechanic” Grant, his van suitably prepared in team colours, to match the bike, which matched the leathers, which matched the helmet - you get the picture! A very professional outfit, which no doubt worried a lot of the other competitors. Scrutineering passed without incident (thanks Grant) and we were ready for the off. Timed practice first - bike fuelled, rider in the “zone”, onto the track we go. Take it steady warm up the tyres even though they had been cooking in the tyre warmers since 7:30am (I now know how to cook the turkey next Christmas). After two laps the time came to “give it a go”, maximum concentration and maximum speed. Flat out down the start / finish straight, brake, shift body position, turn into Gerrards and then - another bike cuts underneath me leaving a “huge gap” of at least half an inch. Brent looking mean and moody Welcome to racing! I qualify 21st out of 25. After the session I realised that this might be a little trickier than I expected! Grant asked “Did you enjoy that?” I did not have time to answer due to my haste to get to the Gents! Onto the grid for my first race - there is a slight delay, just enough to let the tyres cool down after taking the warmers off, a tad concerning. I flip up my visor and talk to the competitor alongside me - “OK mate, yeah you? This is my first race”. He replied “I have been racing for 6 years and I am 17”. This did little for my confidence! I realised I am 35 years, a foot and a half and three stone out of “spec” from your current racer! Undaunted the lights go out - 7,000 rpm, ease out the cutch, get moving then pin it! Through the next row of the grid, what a start, then oh no! Someone up the grid had stalled! Chaos ensued, bikes diving everywhere to avoid this unfortunate rider! I then arrive at the first corner and realise that 25 bikes will not fit onto the same piece of tarmac. It is about now that I appreciated the true talent of Rossi and Co. Two bikes exit into the gravel to exchange views on what had just happened; they were still at it one lap later! I ‘tucked in’ at the back, which unfortunately is where I stayed.
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SEPTEMBER |2009 What an experience and it shows the level of competition, even in clubman racing. Very different from track days and although I finished last, at least I finished, which four other competitors failed to do. Simon and Roy came to watch and were a little concerned about my life-savers each time I went into Edwina’s! My next race meeting was in the wet! The only bit I remember was opening my eyes just in time to see the chequered flag. A very scary experience, especially when you are summoned to the medical centre to see a mate on a body board about to be shipped off to hospital! After my third race meeting, with equally “poor” results, the time came to face facts. I was trying very hard, scraping boots, knees and even the fairing but I was rubbish! Not to be deterred I thought it was time to learn how to do it properly. I booked up the level 1 course at the California Race School at Silverstone. What a day 30oC, 8am start, 5 classroom sessions, 5 track sessions and a 5pm finish! A fantastic experience, well organised and the tuition on and off track was of the highest level - the result was spectacular. By the end of the day I was so much faster and in a controlled way. So I booked up for levels 2 and 3 for August.
Superbike School instructor showing how it’s done ...
Brent getting there!
Next to Mallory for the fourth race meeting of the season. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to practice beforehand; it is annoying when work gets in the way! On the grid for race one, 30 competitors and could I remember any of what I had been taught? The lights go out and I make my usual “steady start”, equating to last into Gerrards. Not to be put off I start to apply one or two of lessons learned. My first target came into view as I am dragging the knee slider round Gerrards on lap two. I overtake one on the outside round Gerrards and out brake the second on the entry to Edwinas. Suddenly I have become a racer and set off after the next target. By the end of the race I finished 22nd out of 27 finishers. Not last! It was as good as winning the Moto GP at Laguna Seca. The amazing thing was I was 4 seconds a lap faster that I had achieved before I went to the race school. Race two I finished 21st out of 28 and the third race 15th out of 25. What a day and a big thank you to the California Superbike School. Rossi better watch out - that’s Bill Rossi from Bilston, in case you were wondering? Thanks to Brent Millage – Full Member and Trainee Observer
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SEPTEMBER |2009
Darley Moor Here are a couple of pictures of my recent track training day with the Mick Boddice Track Training Day school on CBR600RR's - bloody awesome!
Simon finds a far more interesting way of cutting the grass than using a mower!
Track days at Darley are cheap and usually under subscribed and you can do just the afternoon for £50.00 - see links
Now that’s what I call ‘Lean’!
http://www.darleymoor.co.uk/2009Darley/ http://www.boddicedarleytraining.co.uk/html/track_training.html Thanks to Simon Brockwell – Full Member
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SEPTEMBER |2009
LIGHT RELIEF Speech Therapist A very pretty young speech therapist was getting nowhere with her Stammer Action group, an Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman. She had tried every technique in the book without the slightest success. Finally, thoroughly exasperated, she said "If any of you can tell me the name of the town where you were born, without stuttering, I will have wild and passionate sex with you until your muscles ache and your eyes water. So, who wants to go first?" The Englishman piped up. "B-b-b-b-b-b-b-irmingham", he said. "That's no use, Trevor" said the speech therapist, "Who's next ?" The Scotsman raised his hand and blurted out "P-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-aisley". That's no better. There'll be no sex for you, I'm afraid, Hamish. How about you, Paddy ? The Irishman took a deep breath and eventually blurted out "London ". “Brilliant, Paddy!” said the speech therapist and immediately set about living up to her promise. After 15 minutes of exceptionally steamy sex, the couple paused for breath and Paddy said................... "-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-erry". Thanks to Gerry Walsh (Full Member)
GUEST SPEAKERS AT END OF MONTH MEETINGS To get this year‟s biking season kicked off, we invited some guest speakers along to the EoM meetings at Fradley Village Hall. All were well received and we had plenty of people to make the speakers feel welcome. February 2009 – Noel Shanahan, CEO of the DVLA March 2009 – Bryan Davis, Intaride and Chairman of IAM Region 3 forum April 2009 – Charlie Perry, IAM Car and Bike Examiner May 2009 – Dr Dennis Freshwater, First Aid We may invite more guests to some of next year‟s EoM meetings, and if you know of someone who would make an interesting speaker for us, then let me know. Simon Heptonstall
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WHAT IS “SKILLS FOR LIFE”? What will it cost me?
£139
What do I get for that?
Associate membership of the IAM Membership of a local group 2 Books The Examination
They do all the organising for you They train you „How to be an Advanced Motorcyclist‟ and the Highway Code Carried out by a Grade 1 Police officer
How does it work?
You’ll be assigned an Observer who will work with you on a one-to-one basis to prepare you for the examination. Normally you agree to meet at a mutually convenient time and place and spend a couple of hours at a time working on whatever’s necessary to get you to the required standard
How Long Will It Take?
How long is a piece of string – Factors include how many bad habits you’ve developed, how confident you are, how much practice you get in between observed rides, how quickly you can take on new concepts. On average we find that people are ready for test after between 6 and 10 sessions – you can rest assured that you won’t be recommended to apply for the test until both you and the Observer feel that you are ready
Are there any hidden costs?
Not really – Apart from wear-and-tear on your machine every time you go out that’s about it You will be expected to contribute £5 towards the wear-and-tear of your Observers machine, but most clubs limit that to 12 rides – any more after that is free to you
What will I learn – What good will it do me?
This isn’t rocket science – you’ll certainly learn to be more aware of what’s going on around you and how to prepare better for all eventualities Mainly it’s down to improving observations and planning
But I already do that – you won’t teach me anything!
A lot of us felt that way before we started the tuition It may well be that you do already do a lot of what the examiner will be looking for You’ll be tutored to the same standard as the people who are recognised as the best motorcyclists in the world – the UK Police Force The only difference is they have blue lights, and sirens and you don’t
What else can you do for me?
We consider all aspects of what is in fact for most of us a hobby. Organised group runs, social events, other skills improvement etc. The IAM organise rider skills days at Mallory Park, where we can practice all the skills without the normal day-to-day problems such as kerbs, on-coming traffic, lampposts etc We also organise wheelie schools, holidays and plenty more. . .
Come and have a chat we’re bikers - just like you! Lichfield Advanced Motorcyclists Bill Hollingshead – Bike Membership Secretary 01543425821 or 07711648580 bill@lamm.org.uk 31 | P a g e
SEPTEMBER |2009 Come and see us‌ We meet on the last Sunday of the month at Fradley Village Hall just off the A38. Meetings start around 10.00 with a welcome session and all new members and existing members are welcome to attend. For new Associates, we pair up an Observer and organise first assessment rides and there is usually a ride out for existing members.
Disclaimer Please note that articles and advertisement are individual contributions and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Lichfield Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists or the Institute of Advanced Motorists
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