14th May Club Night
The OC Bar (Knockaloe Club) 28 Bridle Road Bromborough Wirral CH62 6AR
Issue No 243
May/June 2019
W I R R A L A D VA N C E D M O T O R C Y C L I S T S Group Council 2019-2020 IAM Group 5115 Web Site
http://www.w-a-m.co.uk
Chairman
Ken Smith
chairman@w-a-m.co.uk
Vice Chairman
Rob Tutchings
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
Nina Jeffries
membership@w-a-m.co.uk
Associate Coordinator
Graham Dixon
associatecoordinator@w-a-m.co.uk
Assistant Associate Coordinator
Steve Molyneux
AAC@w-a-m.co.uk
Trainee Observer Coordinator
Steve Hunter
TOC@w-a-m.co.uk
Chief Observer
Derek Jeffries
chiefobserver@w-a-m.co.uk
Honorary Secretary
Rob Cooper
secretary@w-a-m.co.uk
Minute Secretary
Mike Round
minutes@w-a-m.co.uk
Events Organiser
Dave Spotswood events@w-a-m.co.uk
Newsletter Editor
Peter Lovatt
Data Manager
Vacant
Social Media
Vacant
Group Shop
Martin Titley 0151 632 3570
groupshop@w-a-m.co.uk
Rob Tutchings
rideouts@w-a-m.co.uk
Ride Out & Bike Safe Coordinator Other Council members
newsletter@w-a-m.co.uk
Steve Lord, Mike Boston, Pat Goodison, Andy Poustie Adam Brimage
MAGAZINE Editor:
Peter Lovatt
Duplication: CS Digital Wallasey 2 Post Office! Distribution: The
The Editors Ramblings…... Thanks to the Two Robs - Cooper and Tutchings - for doing a talk at the April club night on Group riding, both on the ‘Official’ Ride outs and other Group Rides. There were some good hints and tips about how to keep the groups together, using various techniques, and on the discussion about the ’Official’ runs, the issue about overtaking other members of the group. I’m not sure if this magazine will get out in time, but the first WAM Official Ride out is due on the 28th April. Details inside…... There are going to be more ride outs in the following months, and before I completely forget….. Merseyside Bikesafe is on the following dates: 2019 Workshop Dates 11th & 12th May 13th & 14th July 21st & 22nd September
1st & 2nd June 24th & 25th August 5th & 6th October
Additionally, the WAM ARC course is well underway with Graham at the helm, and we are getting some good runs out with the Associates, and hopefully this will lead to some good test passes in due course. So it’s congratulations to Gary Green on passing his Advanced Test…… Hopefully see you all out and about soon Pete
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WIRRAL ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS
Diary of Events www.w-a-m.co.uk
ALL AT THE NEW CLUB NIGHT VENUE *************************
May
14th Club Night *************************
June
11th Club Night ************************* Taken on one of Derek’s ride outs at the start of April The group enjoy the view from the viewing point on the Nant Gwynant Pass Ice-creams were mandatory
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IAM Wirral Group (5115) are organising an official Club Ride Out in accordance with IAM Policy, (Medium Pace) starting at the Tudor Rose Car Park, Two Mills, Parkgate Rd, Wirral CH66 9PD. Lake Vyrnwy, Mid Wales, Sunday 28th April 2019, The Briefing will be at 9.30am Please be prompt with a full tank of fuel. Route: Wirral – Lake Vyrnwy: TR, A540, TL A5117, TR A41 & cont to Waverton, TR towards Saighton and Aldford, TL B5130 via Farndon to A528, through Overton and then TR B5069 past Gobowen to the A5, TL A5, fork right A483, TR A495, TR B4396 to Abertridwr and the shores of Lake Vyrnwy for lunch. Lake Vyrnwy – Wirral: Exit from the Café / lunch halt area and follow the lakeside road to left turn onto unclassified road over the hills to Pandy / Lake Bala. Turn right onto A494 through Bala with the option of afternoon tea at the Rhug Café on the A5 and then A5, A494, A494 to Queensferry, TL A550 and A540 to Two Mills and The Tudor Rose, Wirral for a head count. Please note: This a medium distance ride. Each section taking 90 - 120 minutes. For I.A.M. Insurance reasons this Ride Out is for full members and Associates. This is also a great opportunity for non members wishing to join WAM. They are permitted one Official Group Organised ride out per year following an initial assessment, provided they are considering joining the IAM group to complete the Skills For Life Course! Anyone requiring to be Observed please bring it to the attention of one of the ride out team on the day. The ride will take place regardless of the weather. The tail rider, nominated on the day by means of a short straw will be riding at the back looking after the rear of the group! If any other Full members are interested in leading another Group Organised Ride Out or have good ideas for future ride outs please contact: WAM Ride-out co-ordinator: Rob Tutchings 07950 626622. Lead Rider. ©RT 4/19. WAM Official Ride-out Briefing 2019: Welcome / Introductions, and who is doing what, lead and tail riders. Contact / riders details sheet to be completed by all attendees. In accordance with IAM policy and their standard approach, the route for the day unless the weather dictates otherwise, will be as per the advert for the day. SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT EACH RIDER MUST RIDE THEIR OWN RIDE. If you are unhappy with the pace do not exceed your own abilities. IAM Roadsmart = Road Safety = legal ride. Overtaking within the group: It is not a race to catch up with the lead rider. Overtake only when a less progressive / experiences rider would benefit from not have a quicker rider on their tail. This is a tricky subject and should be done with respect to others. The less progressive or less experienced rider may wave rider(s) to pass. The more progressive or experienced rider MUST NOT push the rider in front beyond their limits. 5
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 sure you fill your tank and top up regularly. If your bike has been standing for a long period of time, old petrol can cause starting problems 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 right 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 antifreeze.
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 tyre pressure 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 three-quarters 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 remember 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.” 6
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2018-2019 _ Australia-Indonesia Tim's Trip Report for WAM. Tim's travels in Australia and Indonesia 2018-2019 PART TWO Normally we stay at Fian's Brother's house in the Bumi Sagu area of Palu. However this building was unsafe due to earthquake damage. The family have to live elsewhere, under difficult & cramped conditions. Consequently we had to choose a hotel, preferably low rise, that we felt safe in. There was the possibility of more earth tremors. We chose the Mary Glow Hotel in Jalan Patimurah, where the structure appeared sound. We were very well looked after there with comfortable rooms and a good selection of food for breakfast, including juicy dragon fruit. It is a sad fact that less than 220m to the South of the Mary Glow Hotel the more recently constructed, multi story, Roa Roa hotel collapsed with the loss of 38 souls buried in the debris. We noted that the earthquake seemed to have affected some areas - such as Balaroa, Jono Ogo and Petobo and some buildings much more than others adjacent. The tsunami, which came right after the earthquake, with no warning, was much more indiscriminate. It took out virtually everything along both sides of Palu Bay and Palu City waterfront. See Photographs 11, 12, 13.
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Palu is quite a large city - with a population of around 363,000, according to website: https://allpopulations.com/en/id/population -ofpalu. html Areas away from the coastline were not affected by the tsunami, but did suffer from the earthquake.
See Photographs 14, 15, 16.
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In particular the areas of Petobo, Balaroa & Jono Ogo experienced “liquefaction� where everything was swallowed up by the ground or drifted away. Signage and street furniture here is quite interesting and different from the UK. Very large signs are fixed to substantial steel posts advertising anything from motorcycles to beds as well as various politicians. See Photograph 17. I was particularly amused by a sign near a school for young children. This showed a teacher in front of well behaved children learning about Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity. Einstein's equation E = mc2 shows that energy and mass are interchangeable. I do not remember being taught this at primary school in England! See Photograph 18. We took an interesting trip into the mountains to the South West of Palu City. This very beautiful, but inaccessible, area is gradually being opened up for development. We visited Desa Wayu, at an elevation of 800m, which is being developed as a paragliding site. Far below Palu and Palu Bay seemed so tranquil. It is hard to believe that disaster could impact such areas. {See two images at the end of this text}. As we contemplated the scene and bought simple refreshments, at the local shop, a group of motorcyclists came by - heading for Palu. See Photograph 19. They stopped and we had a chat. They were from the Salvation Army, working with tribes in these remote mountain areas. As you penetrate these mountain areas the roads gradually peter out to horse tracks or walking 13
trails. There is not yet a road thru' to the West coast of Sulawesi. The officers are normally quite accomplished and resourceful motorcyclists. They have to be to be able to safely move around and operate in such places. The mountains are steep and where they are cultivated they may be accessed by specially low geared motorcycles capable of tackling such gradients. Fruit such as durian are grown. Quite heavy and wide loads are carried, at speed, to market on motorcycles. See Photograph 20.
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To Be Continued……...
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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