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Affiliated to The Institute of Advanced Motorists
Awarded for contributions to Road Safety
‘NAM MATTERS’ The ewsletter of orthamptonshire Advanced Motorcyclists Group 7226 (Registered Charity No. 1107148)
www.nammc.org.uk
January 2015
WITH THE SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM SANTA (ON HIS NEW BIKE) 1
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The E-newsletter of Northamptonshire Advanced motorcyclists group
www.nammc.org.uk Editor: - sec@nammc.org.uk
Contents:-
This time: -
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Front Page - 2013 BMW F800 GT
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Contents Page
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Chairman’s Page - Thoughts of Chairman Geoff
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Sec’s Notices - & Items for Sale
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a) Recent Test Passes b) Need a mid-week observe?
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Events Notice Board - what’s coming soon
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Sunday Ride Destinations
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English Lesson for bikers
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Making our roads safer
10.
Support the ABD - Road pricing petition
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You’ve got to smile
12.
NAM Contacts Page
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The Thoughts of Chairman Geoff ( His message is in the green print below)
This month I am standing in for our leader while he continues to recuperate from his injuries.
As you have been informed, Geoff had an accident when returning from our ride-out to Hook Norton the weekend before Christmas. This meant that he had to spend the festive season at the tender mercy of the nursing staff at the NGH. I’m sure they looked after him pretty well but this is not what he intended to happen when he set out that morning! Accidents can, and do, happen to even the most experienced and skilled riders. This time of year creates many adverse road surface conditions for us to cope with. All I can say in re-assurance, to our newer members in particular, is that the advanced riding system we use does work; such accidents are quite rare amongst our many members many of whom ride all year round. I’m sure our odds as advanced riders are very much reduced than for the average motorcyclist about whom we hear such alarming KSI statistics when compared to four-wheeled road users. I’m sure he would agree with this observation.
Dave H.
“To all my friends who have posted their thoughts and best wishes my sincere thanks. I have escaped from NGH which I have to say looked after me very well. Gill is not quite ready to send me back yet but I remain on best behaviour just in case! I had many visitors (some of whom did make me laugh- cracked ribs notwithstanding) to NGH and many offers of assistance on my release. It has reaffirmed my views that we have a strong club and the support given to me renews my faith in human nature and the bond that exists between bikers. I look forward to seeing you all again on my new bike and seeing us go from strength to strength.
A Happy New Year to All
Geoff
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Our website- www.nammc.org.uk with link to Members’ Forum and IAM. Find out what’s going on— updated regularly, so get in the habit of looking, you won’t know what’s happening if you don’t. From the website you can also access the NAM Forum. If you are an existing member and still require login access you’ll need to contact our Forum Administrator whose details are on the last page. New members will be contacted upon joining. These days we can contact just about all of our members by email. Regular communication by this method is quick, cheap and effective. The cost saved can be better applied for our members’ benefit. You should be getting regular groupmailings from me? If you aren’t, then the email address you gave me doesn’t work or you’ve opted out! My thanks too to all who contribute items for publication; keep them coming: let me know what you’d like to see—or not.
NAM’s BIKE PANNIER SALE
(it’s like a Car
Boot Sale only smaller)
Nothing on offer this month except an item or two of a humorous nature, some of it contributed by our members, so I’m not entirely to blame!
Got som e looking fo thing to sell? r someth ing, or know of a provided good service by a Then sha 3rd party? re it here .
Ed.
Life can be tough . Mick and Paddy were fishing on the Irish shoreline when Mick pulled out a cigar. Finding he had no matches, he asked Paddy for a light. 'Ya, sure, I tink I haff a lighter,' Paddy replied and then, reaching into his tackle box, he pulled out a Bic lighter 10 inches long. 'My God, man!' exclaimed Mick, taking the huge Bic lighter in his hands. 'Where'd yew git dat monster?' 'Well,' replied Paddy, 'I got it from my Genie.' 'You haff a fecking Genie?' Mick asked. 'Ya, sure. It's right here in my tackle box,' says Paddy. Be careful, he will grant only one wish.’ 'Could I see him?' Paddy opens his tackle box and sure enough, out pops the Genie. Addressing the Genie, Mick says, 'Hey dere! I'm a good pal of your master. Will you grant me one wish?' 'Yes, I will,' says the Genie. So Mick asks the Genie for a million bucks. The Genie disappears back into the tackle box leaving Mick sitting there waiting for his million bucks. Shortly, the Irish sky darkens and is filled with the sound of a million ducks flying directly overhead. Over the roar of the one million ducks Mick yells at Paddy, 'What the hell? I asked for a million bucks, not a million ducks!' Paddy answers, 'Ya, I forgot to tell yew dat da Genie is hard of hearing. Do yew really tink I asked for a 10 inch Bic?' (Now Paddy ought to go see that Dr Bumbuto I mentioned in the last issue?)
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Advanced Motorcycle Test Passes Guys & Gals, the easiest way we will get to know if you’ve passed is if you tell us!
Recent Passes:
Congratulations to:(Oct) Kevin Sellman (Nov) Steve Bartley, Mandy Dennis (Dec) Jack Marr (On becoming a fully qualified member NAM lapel badges are presented at the first opportunity— usually on a Sunday morning)
Mid-Week Observes For those members who have difficulty attending regularly on Sundays there are a number of Observers who are available to conduct these during the week, by appointment, to suit work schedules etc. The Secretary can arrange these if required. Normally, this would be in daylight hours, Monday to Saturday - allow for 2/3 hours duration.
Observers please note any such appointments must be advised to the Group Secretary or our Associates’ Sec. BEFORE the ride. This is to ensure that both parties are protected by IAM Group insurance which otherwise is only automatically in force on official published ride-outs. So let me know if you make any direct arrangements to observe.
Please also note that on reaching the required Test standard, in your Observer’s opinion, a mock test with a ‘Senior’ prior to applying for a Test date with IAM is advisable. This is to confirm the necessary standard has been reached and to avoid the expense of a re-test if there is any doubt remaining. This might have to be on a Sunday. Group Sec
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otice Board Imminent Events in 2014/15 There will be additional events posted both here in the newsletter and on the website as the season progresses. Please check the NAM diary regularly and if you want to suggest an event, GO FOR IT! Your committee will be more than happy to assist in the planning if it’s felt to be something for all the Group to do. Foreign & other organised trips may be restricted to full members so please ask for more details. Most of the following events (also see the Diary on our website) have been scheduled and more are planned, . Details will given in the website Diary nearer the time. If you can’t find what you want, ask us:-
(NAM’s organised events are shown in green— March 16th - 2015 NAM AGM. Afterwards; Speaker Pete Leach of GlobeBusters 19th April - Pillion Training Day 26th April - Skilled Rider (Slow manoeuvring session) 2nd May - Extended Ride to Staffordshire 9th May -Gaydon Skills Day 14-17th May - French Connection Rally
23rd May—Clay Pigeon Shoot—Newport Pagnell
21st June - BSB Snetterton 28th June - Ride to Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset July (date tbc) - Extended Ride to Derbyshire Peak District
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SUNDAY RIDE-OUT DESTINATIONS We now meet at The Obelisk Centre, Obelisk Rise, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 8UE (there’s a map on our website if you need it)
REMEMBERJOur ride-outs leave at 9.30 am - so arrive by 9.15am latest 1st Sunday - Melton Mowbray Tennis Courts (right at first ‘T’ junction in MM) Bad weather venue - Wetherspoons (ride past TC’s and park at Bus Station, you can’t miss it! The pub is opposite - but don’t park outside it. Tel. 01664 485310 2nd Sunday- The Harbour CafĂŠ at Grafham Water (nr. West Perry ) Tel. 01480 811432 3rd Sunday- The Gate Hangs High, Hook Norton (On the Whichford road from Bloxham.) Tel. 01608 737387 4th Sunday- Jordan’s Mill, Holme Mills, Langford Road, Broom, Nr Biggleswade Bedfordshire, SG18 9JY (our most recent addition) Tel: 01767 603940 5th Sunday- When there is one - venue to be decided on the day. Details of other biker-friendly destinations in these general areas are always welcome contact Sec or anyone on Committee. Extended rides usually also start at the same time and place. These are usually limited to Full members and approved Associates. Places to distant events should be booked with the organiser well before you arrive as this is useful to assess interest and may be needed to organise suitable facilities for the number going. Don’t be disappointed, check the Events regularly on website: www.nammc.org.uk for latest details. If not sure whether you are eligible -ask! Remember POWDER & come suitably dressed for riding and with a full tank of petrol.
It’s always worth a try . A man walks into a cocktail lounge on New Year’s Eve and approaches an attractive woman sitting by herself, and asks, “may I buy you a cocktail?� “No thank you� she replies, “alcohol is bad for my legs.� “Sorry to hear that, do they swell?� “No,� she said, “they spread.�
<<<<<<<NJW Motorcycle Tyres Nick has a mobile workshop fully kitted out to change, expertly fit and balance motorcycle tyres. He can offer a mobile service at a location of your choosing. Many of our members use him, including myself. He can be contacted by email or mobile phone at the e.address and number shown opposite. Ed. 7
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The Alternative Dictionary
A – Z of DAFT DEFINITIONS C Cairngorm – a thick rock-pile builder Calabash – an eating binge Cadenza – scrap-yard crusher Camiknickers – Camel thieves Calamity – over-eating with friends Calibration –marking a dietary success Calligraphy – telephone billing Camel – a horse designed by a committee Camp – a gay holiday site Campanology – study of Boy Scouts Campus – University cat Canal – dog-like Candelabrum –the 2nd City’s lights Cancan – an affirmative echo Cannabis – a dopey weed Canoe – making an enquiry (?) Cannibal – a dodgy dinner guest Cantab – a ring-pull Capsize – head measurement Circumspection – a post-op check (m) Citation – a corner shop Carbide – parking time Carat – a precious vegetable Carbonic – coal theft Carmine – a possessive statement Carrion – an affair Cartoon - vehicle maintenance Catacomb – pussy grooming device (!) Celibacy – keeping one’s thing to oneself Cellulose – a lost ‘mobile’ Census – sight, hearing, smell etc Centaur – a complete horseman Champagne – toothache Chaplain – an ugly bloke Charabanc – love on a coach Charade – tea shop waitress Chaste – but not caught maiden Chastity belt – private no entry device Cheddar – a cheesy gorge Cheetah – large rule-breaking cat Cheque – a bouncy E. European Chestnut – a mammary admirer (m)
Cadence – heavy traffic Cacophony – a false note Caerphilly – Stable Maid Calendar - hire car dealer Calorific - over the day’s food intake Calumny – book-keeping Chic – endlessly stylish bird Chipmunk – a potato Friar Chiropody - birdsong Chirrup – i.e. don’t be miserable Chow mein – it’s my dog Chronic – a poor newspaper Chronometer – Paper circulation measure Chrysanthemum – flower loving mother Chapatti – male headgear Cinderella – the least ugly of three Cinnamon – a naughty Scots person Circumcision – a nicked pullover Circumscribe – Jewish surgeon Captivate – a cannibal feast Conservative – right thinking Clang – a family gang Claptrap – a condom Cleavage – putting up a good front Climate – ambitious friend Climax – a coming together Clitoris – anagram of solicitor (nearly) Club – stick used by Par & Bogey-men etc Cobbler – a good worker to the last Cockchafer – coarse pants material Cockney – part of chicken’s leg Coconut – palm tree hugger Co-education – a learning distraction Collywobbles – Sheep Trial errors Contour – election campaign Comatose – foot deformities Combat – belligerent flying rodent Combatant – a war-like insect Commensurate – starting salary Commodity – lavatory humour Commonwealth - Socialism Conceit – Tory-held Constituency
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Making our roads safer Below I have published a copy letter received from one of our members, which he, with our permission, has sent to the IAM on an important issue of road safety. Your Group Committee does agree with the rationale expressed and awaits developments. I personally have long thought it a strange practice to raise the height of the centre of roundabouts using dense foliage and other obstructions to the point where it is impossible to assess the potential danger from traffic approaching from directly ahead. The erection of solid side barriers on the approaches to them only exacerbates the problem. Many times when leaving my village I have to negotiate the small roundabout at the junction of Vyse Road, Boughton with the A428 to Brixworth. There is very little time to commit to ‘go’ before the next car turns towards you creating the real potential for a collision. The fact that vehicles turning right cannot predict whether there is a danger is often ignored as they have legal ‘right of way.’ Road planners seem to be working on the principle that if motorists can’t see far enough ahead they will slow down—wishful and naïve thinking these days. The example I give is one of many such situations in our county. Couple this with the appalling state of our road surfaces with lethal potholes plus patching and over-banding, it is surprising the casualty rate for bikers is not much higher than it is. In this instance Whitters has written to the IAM. With their backing perhaps we will be able to engage the attention of the local Councils and Highways Planning Depts to do something about it. Dave Harrop Group Secretary. “I refer to the letter in the Winter 2014 magazine from David Straughan regarding the hazard of overgrown hedgerows and hidden signage.
In June 2014 Northamptonshire Advanced Motorcyclists (NAM) was asked by the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance to report on a recently reactivated Red Route. A report was duly submitted, in some detail. The major recommendation covered hedgerow and tree lopping at junctions, lay-by's and in front of signage to give an open and clear view. A cheap and easy way to improve road safety. We were thanked for our detailed report on this (and other) red routes. However, contrary to all the advice given in our recommendations, the Highway Code, Roadcraft and How to be a Better Biker, 'when approaching a roundabout calculate the speed and assess the traffic flow on or near the roundabout'; good observation and a clear view are paramount. Why then are solid wooden fences being erected on the central reservation at the approach to roundabouts making it impossible to see and plan. Has the IAM a view on this initiative? Mike Whitbread, Duston”
Skillful riders anticipate in order to make their riding plan more effective
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The Infrastructure Bill and the threat of road pricing. I print the following extract from an email I received, as Group Secretary of NAM, from Brian Mooney of the Alliance of British Drivers. Members may wish to have a look at this and decide whether they too would like to have their say. Ed. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The main reason I'm writing is that as a motoring enthusiast, I feel you might be interested in the Infrastructure Bill. It paves the way for road pricing through the back door. Eight years ago, when the government tried to introduce road pricing. 1.8 million people signed a petition against. Because of likely public reaction, I'm convinced that the Bill has been under-publicised while the government is trying it rush it through Parliament. Only media exposure plus a volume of complaints to MPs is likely to stop it. (The government has already backed down on some unrelated measures). I am encouraging contacts to share this info with others in a personal capacity. The Infrastructure Bill is being debated by MPs and reservations have been expressed about its roads measures. * It changes the status of the Highways Agency that manages England's main routes, the SRN. * The new company created will have sharp financial targets * Road tolling will be enabled. * This will impact many people's mobility or standard of living * This is also likely to cause drivers to detour to less suitable and less safe roads, aggravating local congestion. * Tolling would hit non-drivers too, as it would increase the cost of deliveries, affecting the price of goods in shops and public transport fares. There would be some impact on all parts of the UK. The Alliance of British Drivers is urging the public to contact their MP to so that it is either amended or stopped. To make this easy, there are some standard letters that can be adapted on www.fairdealforthemotorist.org.uk/handsoff.htm This page also helps look up your MP's contact details. If you are pushed for time or not a keen letter-writer, don't worry. Using the 'send email' link towards the end - just enter a postcode and a few contact details - and a quick message is automatically sent to your MP. More information about the Bill and the lobbying behind it is on www.fairdealforthemotorist.org.uk. "If you don't want to pay, write in today" Thank you if you are also able to enlist the support of others. ====================== Suffice it to say that my group, ABD, is doing its best to stop us being fleeced..... All the best, Brianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
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The true story as told by Hilary Clinton...to world leaders . "Some years ago, nearing dinner time at the White House, our regular cook fell ill and they had to get a replacement on short notice. He wasn't the smartest looking guy, in fact he seemed a bit dirty. The President voiced his concerns to his Chief of Staff but was told that this was the best they could do on such short notice Just before the meal, Bill noticed the cook sticking his finger in the soup to taste it and again complained to the Chief Of Staff, but he was assured that many chefs did that. Dinner went okay, although Bill thought that the soup tasted a little funny. By the time dessert came, he started to have stomach cramps and nausea. It was getting worse and worse until finally the President had to excuse himself. By now, he was desperately ill with violent cramps and was so disorientated that he couldn't remember which door led to the bathroom. He was on the verge of passing out from the pain when he finally found a door that opened. As he unzipped his trousers and ran in, he realized to his horror that he had stumbled into Monica Lewinsky's office with his trousers around his knees. As he was about to pass out, this naive girl bent over him and heard the President whisper in a barely audible voice: "Sack my cook" And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the whole misunderstanding occurred." Well there we are; I always knew that there must have been another explanation!!
It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a NAM member who did it ... Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve, there I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, troublemaking biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig. "Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears. "Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn't think you'd CRY. I can't stand to see a man crying." "This is the worst day of my life," I say. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home, where I found my old lady in bed with the gardener and then my dog bit me." "So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the arsenic dissolve. Then some asshole shows up and drinks the whole thing! But enough about me, how's your day going?" I hope he has a happier 2015 .
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AM Committee Members 2014/2015 Chairman
Geoff Russell
chair@nammc.org.uk
Tel. 07802 165544
Group Secretary David Harrop sec@nammc.org.uk (Official Group Address:- PO Box 7124 Wellingborough, NN8 9BA, Tel. 08700 427648) Treasurer
John Durrant
accounts@nammc.org.uk
Tel. 07779 656208
Newsletter Editor
David Harrop
as for Secretary above - or
Tel. 07791 192688
Associates’ Secretary Blair Willis
assoc@nammc.org.uk
Tel. 07771 798278
Events Co-ordinator
events@nammc.org.uk
Tel. 07903 810475
Group Liaison Officer Dave Jay
groupliaison@nammc.org.uk
Tel. 07427 408386
Publicity Officer
5050fowler@googlemail.com
Tel. 07729 945594
forumadmin@nammc.org.uk
Tel. 07946 008950
Tom Palacio
Paul Fowler
Forum Administrator: Chris Capewell,
Also: Mark Curtis, Mandy & Nigel Dennis, Judy Fowler, David Linnitt, Nic Morris, Jim Payne, Graeme Stroud. ______ Group Observers National or Senior Observers: Andrew Beckett, Richard Debell, John Durrant, Geoff Russell, Karl Williams. Qualified Observers: Chris Capewell, Mark Curtis, Paul Fowler, Penny Ganser, Dave Harrop, Dave Jay, Darran Johnson, David Linnitt, John Martin, Tom Palacio, Jim Payne, Mike Whitbread, Dave Wilkinson. Observers in Training:
Dave Craddock, Steve Dawks, Mike Howgego, Geoff Keats, Graeme Stroud. Mandy Dennis.
Website (Fount of all biker knowledge): - www.nammc.org.uk Associates’ Observed Ride Contribution- £8 per ride NAM Group/IAM Membership & Subscription Rates (see below ) Group memberships run from 1st May to end of April, or part of the calendar year, and ALL expire on the last day of April. (See below). IAM renewal is separate and renewable on the anniversary of your enrolment - you will be asked for it direct by IAM when due. The first year’s Associate membership of NAM is by means of the IAM’s Skill for Life package. The cost is - £149. This fee also includes, ‘How To Be A Better Rider‘ handbook, a new Highway Code book, prepayment of the IAM Test fee and the first year’s Associate membership of the IAM. Full membership of both NAM and IAM is triggered by a successful Test. Rates:- Single /Renewal £18 (£15 if paid by BACS/Standing Order) Joint /Renewal £27 (£24) (Payment can also easily be made via our website using PayPal at £16 Single or £25 double.) (Please tick the Gift Aid check box on the renewal form to enable the Group to reclaim tax you have paid)
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this Newsletter are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Editor, Northamptonshire Advanced Motorcyclists or the Institute of Advanced Motorists unless so stated DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 Members are advised that name and address details are held on a computer database. These details are not divulged to anyone other than fellow members. Members not wishing their details to be held in this way should advise the Secretary, in writing, or the Group may breach the requirements of the Act
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