WAM Magazine - March/April by WAMbikes

March 2022 Online Edition

Issue No 256

MARCH / April 2022

W I R R A L A D VA N C E D M O TO R C Y C L I S T S Group Council 2022-2023 IAM Group 5115 Web Site

http://www.w-a-m.co.uk

Chairman

Steve Hunter

chairman@w-a-m.co.uk

Vice Chairman

Pete Montgomery vicechairman@w-a-m.co.uk

Honorary Treasurer & Gift Aid

John Temple

treasurer@w-a-m.co.uk giftaid@w-a-m.co.uk

Membership

Andy Poustie

membership@w-a-m.co.uk

Associate Coordinator

Hadyn Abbey

associatecoordinator@w-a-m.co.uk

Trainee Observer Coordinator

Steve Hunter

TOC@w-a-m.co.uk

Chief Observer

Dave Rees chiefobserver@w-a-m.co.uk Derek Jeffries assisting

Honorary Secretary

Rob Cooper

secretary@w-a-m.co.uk

Minute Secretary

Mike Hurst

minutes@w-a-m.co.uk

Events Organisers

Andy Churchill Rob Burns

events@w-a-m.co.uk

Newsletter Editor

Peter Lovatt

newsletter@w-a-m.co.uk

Social Media

Steve Lord

SocialMedia@w-a-m.co.uk

Group Shop

Martin Titley

groupshop@w-a-m.co.uk

Ride Out & Bike Safe Coordinator

Rob Tutchings

rideouts@w-a-m.co.uk

Other Council members

MAGAZINE Editor: Peter Lovatt Contributions welcome! 2

Welcome to the March/April edition of the WAM magazine Back in February, we had the famous WAM AGM, and as a result we now have a change of people in the Council - please see the previous page Inside this issue we have some of the pictures taken at the AGM and the awards given out on the night. Also as the better weather - Yes, summer is just around the corner (hopefully!) so inside you will find IAM Guidance on Group rides - that is those, designated as ‘Official Ride Outs’ and the protocols that are advised. The guidance may also may be of use on just non club organised ride outs too. Especially use of the ‘Drop off’ system. ARC Courses start this month too, so we need Observers for the courses, and if you are interested, please contact a member of the Council. Lets see if we can do as good as last year with the tests! Just to put you in the mood for getting out and about, here are a few pix from the ice cream stop on the Nant Gwynant Pass view point! Pete

IAM RoadSmart Polo Shirts

We can now take orders for polo shirts. These are a charcoal shirt showing the new logo plus two lines of text Wirral Advanced Motorcyclists Your Name Size Guide: S: 36/38" M: 40" L: 42" XL: 44" XXL: 46/48" Female: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 £20 each - Nina Jeffries will take your payment at the group social evenings (second Tuesday of every month).

You may see some WAM members wearing them at club nights

Well Done Everyone!! Extract from January IAM Inform Magazine "In the last 12 months, an outstanding 3,046 associates have taken their test and 2,680 have passed to successfully join us as a full member – each new member contributes towards saving lives and making the roads safer through the skill, knowledge, development and support provided by you, our amazing network of volunteers."

This equates to a pass rate of 87.9%, ours is close to 100% On the IAM RS website I see there are 'over 200 groups' and '100,000+ members.' Simple arithmetic gives an average group size of perhaps 500 members. Compared with WAM at around 130+. Also, on average, groups generated 13.4 tests per year. Compared to WAM last year at 21 tests. Lastly the national average for F1rsts is 15% of passes. WAM achieved 11 out of 21 in 2021. Overall, we are punching well above our weight! Rob C

Well done to the WAM Members receiving their Pass Certificates!

Glenn Molyneux

Stuart Camsey

Chris Pugh

Andy Cope

Bill Walsh

Wirral Advanced Motorcyclists celebrated a very successful year at their AGM in February. Out of the Associates taking their Advance Rider Tests, 11 achieved a F1RST status, our best ever year! Outgoing Chairman Ken Smith thanked all our volunteer Observers for their hard work and dedication. Ken (pictured on the left) receives the Gary Clark Trophy for his past achievements from new Chairman Steve Hunter. Along with other awards, it was also the first year that we presented the Pat Goodison Award, in memory of our friend and ex Associate Coordinator Pat Goodison, to the Associate who achieved the most on their advanced rider course.

Karen Boswell was Associate of the Year

Below:Stuart Camsey received the Pat Goodison Achievement Award the new Pat Goodison award in memory of our friend who sadly passed away last year.

Hadyn Abbey got Observer of the Year

Well done to Everyone!!

Have You Done Your POWDERY Checks? Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of riding and driving advice, explains the POWDERY checks you should do on your bike before setting off for your first ride of the season. Petrol. Make sur e you fill your tank and top up r egular ly. If your bike has been standing for a long period of time, old petrol can cause starting prob-lems as it may clog up the fuel system. The best thing to do is drain your old petrol if there is a lot and fill up with new petrol. Oil. You can check you have the r ight amount of oil by using a dipstick or sight glass in the side of the engine casing. Remember to keep the bike vertical when checking this by getting someone to sit on the bike whilst you check the oil. Bear in mind that overfilling will also cause damage, so top up slowly and check your fuel level regularly.

Water. This needs to be checked if you have a water -cooled engine. Again, the bike needs to be vertical. If you find that you’re low on water, remember never to use tap water as you’ll need a mix of water and anti-freeze. Damage. Check for any damage – this could be on your bike, helmets or even your protective clothing. Electrics. If you’re taking your bike out for the first time in a while, it is always a good idea to check your lights and both the foot and hand brake light switches. Rubber. Remember to check your tyr e pr essur e as well as the condition and tread depth. Bear in mind this could change depending on the amount of weight your bike is carrying. Remember to test this when your tyres are cold, as the reading will be higher when they’re hot. The legal limit is 1mm across threequarters of tyre and visible tread on the rest. You. If you’ve been out of practice for a few months, then you may have lost that ‘bike fitness’. Make sure you are fit to ride your bike and remem-ber to take it slow and steady until you’ve got to grips with it. • Richard says: “If you have been out of motorcycling for the winter then get yourself back into it gently. Make sure the bike is roadworthy and routine maintenance is carried out. Allow yourself some time to regain your sharpness and adjust to bike mode. Remember, a motorcycle needs to be ridden with a smile on your face.”

IAM RoadSmart Group Organised Rides Manual of Guidance

Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Introduction A standard approach Safety The law Definition of a group ride Associate guide Rider ability Planning the ride Publicity Size of group Lead and tail-end rider basic principles The briefing prior to setting off On the road The leader's role When behind the leader When you are the marker Tail-end rider If you get lost

1. Introduction When motorcyclists meet, they often choose to ride together as a group. Riding with a group of bikes can be great fun but riding safely with others requires a degree of discipline – and sometimes restraint too – if everyone is going to enjoy the experience. These guidelines describe a series of techniques that will assist groups of riders to enjoy their riding together in such a way that safety is maximised, without affecting enjoyment. 2. A standard approach The advantage of using a standard approach to riding in a group is that all riders will know what is expected of them and understand what other riders in the group are likely to do, and what is expected of them while they are riding. It follows that this improves the chances of all members of the riding group reaching the required destination without getting lost and in the safest way possible. It also means that, should a rider take a wrong turn, for example, they and the rest of the group have a method of locating each other again. 3. Safety The paramount consideration when riding in a group is always safety. At no time should the safety of riders, or any third party be compromised. Whilst these guidelines should result in the elimination of undue risk for most circumstances, it always remains the personal responsibility of all riders within the group to exercise their own judgement about every course of action that they take. Each rider is responsible for their safety, actions, and any consequences that those actions may have.

4. The law Traffic laws must always be obeyed when riding on the road. Do not worry if you fall behind, there will be a marker rider waiting to show you the route. Ride your normal ride within your capabilities and don’t be tempted to change this. 5. Definition of a group ride The insurance policies cover four specific types of group ride. Type of ride Eligible participants Training Details & Cover Provided 1. Social ride out Full Members Associate members Non-members No A social ride with no formal training or observing element included. IAM RoadSmart group ride guidelines are considered good practice. Full & Associate Members Public Liability Insurance applies Trustees (Group Officials) Indemnity Insurance does not apply. IAM RoadSmart observer insurance does not apply Non-Members Public Liability Insurance does not apply Trustees (Group Officials) Indemnity Insurance does not apply. IAM RoadSmart observer insurance does not apply. 2. Social ride out Full members No A social ride with no formal training or observing element included. IAM RoadSmart group ride guidelines are considered good practice. All Participants IAM RoadSmart observer insurance does not apply. Public Liability Insurance applies as a group organised activity. Trustees (Group Officials) Indemnity Insurance applies. 3. All members Group ride Group full members Group associate members Prospective associates Yes An officially organised ride for full and associate members and prospective associates. Briefing from ride leader and tail-end rider. Coaching available on an ad-hoc basis from observers within the group. Associates must be under observation. Prospective associates must have had an individual assessment before attending and be under observation. IAM RoadSmart group ride guidelines are to be followed. All Participants IAM RoadSmart observer insurance applies. Public Liability Insurance applies as a group organised activity. Trustees (Group Officials) Indemnity Insurance applies. 4. Group training ride Group full members Group associate members Yes An officially organised training ride for members of IAM RoadSmart, formally arranged through the observer network. These rides may be categorised for full members or observers only and can have 14

associates present for training purposes. If associates are present, there must be an associate to observer ratio of no more than 3 to 1, and the associates are to be under guidance during the ride. No prospective associates should be on this group training ride. IAM RoadSmart group ride guidelines are to be followed. All Participants IAM RoadSmart observer insurance applies. Public Liability Insurance applies as a group organised activity. Trustees (Group Officials) Indemnity Insurance applies. 6. Observer to associate guidance This section is intended to apply ONLY when the associates are receiving a guidance ride and where the observer will be giving a full briefing/debriefing. The ratio of associates to observers on a group organised ride should not exceed 3:1, and ideally should be no more than 2:1. Groupings may be arranged directly between the associates and observers OR the group could arrange a set venue/start point where associates are allocated to observers. 7. Rider ability Every rider must ride within their capabilities and exercise judgement when determining the safety of their actions. If at any time a rider feels that they are not capable of continuing, as the ride exceeds their skill level, then they should pull over at a safe and legal position until they are joined by the tail-end rider, who will consider appropriate options to take, which may include: Organising 1:1 guidance for the rider separately from the group ride. Adjusting the pace of the ride. Agreeing that the rider should ride separate from the group. 8. Planning the ride 9. The organiser should decide the purpose of the ride and the capabilities of the members who will participate. If either of these factors subsequently changes, the organiser should re-plan the event accordingly. The ride plan should consider the distance to be covered, types of roads, fuel range of machines, breaks etc. No on-road section between breaks/debriefs should be planned to exceed 90 minutes. The group should ensure that suitable full members are appointed as the rideleader and if there is an element of training/coaching a qualified observer as tailend rider as a minimum. Groups should consider providing ride leader and tail-end rider training courses. For more information contact your Area Service Delivery Manager who can recommend groups running successful courses. All riders associated with the running of the group ride should be fully conversant with this manual of guidance regarding IAM RoadSmart policy and advice. 9. Publicity Group organised rides should be advertised within the group’s usual communications channels. These channels should include a reminder that participants in group organised rides are responsible for their safety and compliance with the law 15

and should always ride within their capabilities. 10. Size of group Be aware that large groups of motorcycles riding together can disrupt the flow of traffic and should be avoided. Where the number of participants is large, riders are of mixed ability, the route complexity or required skill level justifies it, consideration should be given to splitting the run into smaller groups. Lead and tail-end rider basic principles Riding in convoy and stopping on the road to allow riders to regroup are two practices that should be avoided when riding in a group and a well-established method exists that makes both unnecessary. This is the leader and tail-end rider system. The basis of the system is that the leader (usually the ride organiser) stays at the front of the group and the tail-end rider remains at the rear as the names suggest. Whilst not compulsory and depending on distance, communication via radio/ Bluetooth/mobile phone can greatly assist both the leader and tail-end rider. Whenever there is a deviation from the obvious straight-ahead route, the rider travelling behind the leader pulls over in a visible, safe and legal position to point all bikes in the correct direction. This bike is called the marker and when the tailend rider comes along the marker re-joins the route in front of the tail-end rider. As the journey continues each rider will, in turn, become the rider behind the leader, and therefore become a marker before re-joining in front of the tail-end rider. By following this basic system every rider regardless of ability within the group may ride their own ride, without the need to maintain a pace they are not comfortable with and without the risk of getting lost. There is never a need to ride in convoy with all bikes in sight of each other. 11.

The briefing before setting off

• Remind all riders that they are responsible for maintaining safety and complying with the law at all times. • Make sure that everyone is familiar with the lead & tail-end rider system. If the group is large, consider riding in two or more separate groups. • All riders should be made aware who the lead and tail-end riders are and how they can be identified on the road. • Ensure every rider knows how to recognise the leader’s signal to stop and act as a marker. • Every rider doesn’t need to have full route details, but it may be beneficial that all are aware of the rest stops and final destination. • Ensure that everyone is aware of the number of bikes within the group and who are riding together . • Remind participants that if any rider is planning to leave the group other than at a pre-arranged stop, they should inform the lead or tail-end rider of their intentions. • Although no rider is expected to become separated from the group, it may be advisable to have a plan.

• If this is a training ride the IAM RoadSmart disclaimer should be given to the associate by the observer before commencing the ride. Suggestions: Agree a rendezvous point and time. All riders should have the mobile phone numbers of the lead and tail-end rider. 12. On the road • Remember- Safety first! • At all times, every rider is responsible for their own safety, their actions and any consequences that those actions may have. • The leader is responsible for navigation only, every rider must use their judgement about every course of action that they take. • Always obey traffic laws. • Ride at a pace that is legal and at no time ride faster than you consider safe for the conditions, always ride smoothly and predictably, try to avoid harsh acceleration, sudden braking or changes in direction. • At junctions take the obvious straight-ahead route unless a marker bike indicates otherwise. • At roundabouts, the marker bike should be on the exit route, if you cannot see the marker on the approach be prepared to circle the roundabout to confirm the correct exit (mainly large roundabouts). • Overtaking within the group should be facilitated where safe and legal. A rider should not be pressured into going any faster than they feel safe and the following rider should not pressure the rider in front. The following rider can make their intentions known and where appropriate the rider in front can yield allowing for a safe and courteous overtake. The tail-end rider will not overtake others in the group. • If you intend to leave the group, allow all riders pass you and indicate to the tail-end rider your intentions. Preferably this will have been communicated at the briefing stage if possible, however circumstances may change during the ride. • When on the open road, ride in staggered formation when near other group riders. • Allow other road users to overtake the group if they wish. Where it is safe make space for them to do so. 13. The leader’s role • Plan a route that will be achievable for the abilities of the expected riders, with suitable refreshment stops and refuelling opportunities. • Brief all riders before setting off (see 12 above) • Ride smoothly and at a steady pace. • If you do not have a bike behind you to act as a marker for a change in direction, stop in a safe place or slow down until one arrives. • Unless there is a deviation from the obvious straight-ahead route, you do not need to mark the junction except at roundabouts when the exit should always be marked.

• Always leave a marker at a change in direction even if you think all the group are in sight of each other. • The ultimate responsibility for the safety of markers is their own, but you can help them mark the route effectively and safely by giving them plenty of warning that you require them to stop. • If it becomes apparent that the Group has come to a halt because a rider has had problems, consider retracing the route until you discover the cause of the hold -up and take appropriate action. Ensure that those who have stopped beyond the hold-up are kept informed of the situation. • If in the opinion of the ride leader, any participant who through their attitude or actions, endangers others within the group ride, or members of the public, or whose riding would bring IAM RoadSmart into disrepute, should be advised by the ride leader to rectify their riding immediately or be excluded from continuing within the group ride. If any rider is excluded a report must be created detailing the incident and is to be submitted by the ride leader to the group committee.

When behind the leader Be prepared to stop and act as the marker when indicated to do so by the ride lead-

er, however, if you are the second bike behind the leader and you realise that the bike in front has not marked a change in direction when indicated to do so by the leader, then mark it yourself. 14. When you are the marker Never compromise your personal safety or the safety of others by stopping in a dangerous location. No one in the group wants to get lost, but that is preferable to putting yourself at risk. When the leader signals for you to stop, do so only where you are safe and visible to the following riders. It is your decision where to stop but remember that to be an effective marker you need to be visible to the following bikes and point out the direction to follow. Do not move until the tail-end rider appears. If the tail-end rider fails to appear, do not move. If something has gone wrong, someone will return for you. REMEMBER - you are all that’s going to help the following bikes find the correct route. If you see other riders from the group take the wrong direction do not attempt to chase after them. Wait until the tail-end rider arrives and inform them. If the riders return in the meantime, then you don’t need to inform the tail-end rider if you are sure that all riders that took the wrong direction have returned to the junction you are marking. Make sure that what appears to be the last bike is really the tail-end rider who will slow down as they approach to enable you to pull out safely in front. Always remain on your machine and be ready to move off. 15. The tail-end rider • As you approach the marker bike slow down to enable the rider to pull out. If it is necessary to stop and wait, then do so in a safe place. Try not to pass the marker as this is how they will know you are the tail-end rider. • Watch for any rider who feels that the pace is too quick and is signalling for other bikes to overtake Allow such a rider to stay at the rear of the group in front of you. Such riders should be observed and not encouraged to ride faster. • Keep an eye out for riders in front of you that are clearly riding inappropriately or may be struggling. In conjunction with the leader, identify appropriate actions to address the situation. • Watch for any bikes that have pulled over for any reason, if safe stop to find out what the problem is. 16. If you get lost The most common cause of getting lost is a failure to see a marker or someone leaving the group while on the road and the bike behind follows. These are avoidable if everyone follows this guide. If you arrive at a junction and there is no marker it is likely that you have made an incorrect turn. Retrace your route to the last place you saw a marker where the tail -end rider may be waiting for you. Note that the tail-end rider will wait 10 minutes and then proceed on the route, so as not to hold up the ride. Acknowledgements Revised with the generous assistance from: Jerry Rogers - Plymouth Advanced Motorcyclists Mark Canning and Stephanie Evans - Herts & Beds Advanced Motorcyclists 19 Motorcyclists Chris Brownlee - Thames Vale Advanced

DISCLAIMER:-

The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of Advanced Motorists Ltd, or the Wirral Group of Advanced Motorcyclists. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with the view that free expression promotes discussion and interests. So you have been warned. Interested in doing the Advanced Car Test? Wirral Advanced Motorists are the people to see. Go to www.wirraliam.co.uk