A seasoned biker & Motorcyle Live 2022

I haven’t put up a post in a while, mostly due to my cloud storage being so full I couldn’t upload photos and being too tight to pay for additional storage I’ve only just got around to posting Motorcyle Live Photos from last November. Here we are now in February and usually I would be thinking of unwrapping my bike from the vacuum bag with excited anticipation, but not so this Winter since I decided to ride it throughout the year instead.

I’m still riding with Patrick my IAM Observer and getting close to taking the test. I’ve been out most Sundays in all weathers…torrential rain, below 5 degrees, flooded roads with the first time I’ve ever seen the ice warning pop up on the dash TFT! We’ve been out riding routes designed by Patrick out as far as Crossgates into Wales during January and recently more motorway, dual carriageway, lanes and backroads for as much unfamiliarity as possible, testing me in all sorts of situations dealing with many types of hazard. The GS has never been so dirty just lately, up to session 15 now, and I’ve even attended the KAB AGM as an associate and really enjoying meeting other Observers and Associates too. I’ve finally invested in a heated jacket recently, bought from the Gerbing stand at the Motorcycle Live show with 15% IAM member discount, it’s been a game-changer for me, below 10 degrees and I’m riding like it’s a summers day. Great bit of kit!

  

I’ve noticed some interesting advancements in Electric bikes on display at the show, as we head toward the Net Zero Carbon emissions. Quite a few manufacturers offering Scooters and all sorts of re-chargeable electric machines. Personally as a MAG member I find myself campaigning for choice instead of being told we would lose access to new Internal Combustion Engine bikes in favour of EV’s in the future. I may not be riding in 2050, but the thought of a total ban and the impact on industry is reckless in my mind. I’m not against Electric anything it’s a matter of choice and myself and Will really liked this little Maeving as featured on Henry Cole’s Bike Show a few months back.

Made in Coventry the battery detaches so you could take it in work to attach to a charger, and the offer additional tank storage for an additional battery giving you greater range. Nice little machine, I wouldn’t mind a go. Unusually though there seems to be few accessories or a rear rack .. how would one transport a laptop, sandwiches and a banana to the office? I couldn’t resist mentioning the lack luggage space to the young chap on the stand, he agreed it was an oversight, and they are working on some accessories.

 

 

Good to see BSA are back, still in production for a second year. Indian made I think, I wouldn’t mind one for a sunny Sunday ride. No oil leaks on these thankfully. Can’t wait to see some at the bikers cafes this Summer. A few celebrity racers too, Peter Hickman (fastest around IOM TT) and James Whittam. Will was quite taken with the latest Ninja, seemed to fit him quite well. I must say since I saw Top Gun Maverick last year I’m smitten too.

 

 

A good few rarities and classics like this mint ‘fizzer’ that takes me back to the late 70’s so too the Zed. Cracking bikes my early teens staring in the window of the Kawasaki Centre in Cradeley Heath drooling at the bikes I could only dream of affording. I’d have happily settled for the ‘fiz’ (Yamaha FS1E) but ultimately with later visits watching the Z750’s 900’s and 1000’s wheeling down the straight near Bobbington, Halfpenny Green. Mental times, happy days.

 

Always good to have a mooch about the Harley stand, they are really pushing the Pan-American Adventure bike, and I guess they must be selling a few. I haven’t seen many out there on the roads but I really do still like the Street Glide CVO models with that huge Batwing fairing. Some of the tech’ on the Harley looks great, so too the custom paintwork. i wouldn’t want one though, couldn’t afford one and would need a new garage building to keep it in. Always amazes me the Harley stand with exhaust fume extractors so we can actually rev the bike and get the real vibes and ‘potato,’potato’ sound even with a fan effect blowing in your face. I only wish they gave you a free bandana !

 

Me on the latest RT 1250 blood bike from one of the local groups. Great charity and spending time with Patrick listening to him explain how the advanced riders run the group on a volunteer basis, on call 24x7 as as I understand, delivering all sorts of ‘body tissue’ between hospitals. Always worthy of s good donation in my mind, so too Air Ambulance.

 

I think we are all pleased Norton and their new owners are going from strength to strength. As I understand made in Solihull, they are such a quality retro’ cafe racer style they look so special. Quite a price-tag compared to the Royal Enfield or the BSA, but the Commando really does look the part. Real good quality. The off-road section at the show is always popular, never really had chance to have a go and good to see the new Triumph Tiger 1200’s on display and doing the circuit. 

A good day out with Will as my Birthday treat. A bit light on manufacturers this year again though, not quite recovered from the pandemic but better than last year. A good variety of alternative and classics there. I can’t wait to start thinking about this years tour away on the GS now.

Strictly Come Biking !

 I’ve been having a lot of fun recently with the IAM Advanced rider sessions now with last Sunday’s 10th session a challenging ride into Wales along the Devils Staircase and beyond chosen by Patrick my KAB Observer. Come rain or shine despite some pretty dire wet days out in October Patrick’s been available each week to improve my riding skills as I learn how to ride to the IPSGA system mentioned in the previous post. At the start of this I was really struggling to remember to do rear observation, identify potential hazards, identify and anticipate on warning signs, junctions, straight line roundabouts and position my bike for best visibility at all times. Over the weeks I’ve found my riding style is so much better and improved now. I’ve had a good deal to think about, Patrick being a Blood Biker for Severn Freewheelers and Advanced rider for 20 years has given me a lot of advice, his enthusiasm is infectious, and using his bike mounted video camera filming my ride we often stop at a cafe for a video replay ‘critique’ along with a long list of detailed notes as he replays the ride back to me identifying wrong positioning through bends along with accuracy on overtakes. Each week I end up with a feedback report identifying the focus for our next ride to include a cue to studying up with the IAM and Roadcraft material. It’s been quite a revelation to realise how I must have been riding around in the past oblivious to some of the hazards and ignorant to what was happening not only ahead of me, but also behind. 

 
 

I always thought I was riding ‘defensively’ most of the time to a satisfactory level, but with Patrick’s coaching he has helped me get to another level. While in the car I often listen to podcasts on Adventure ride Radio, and advanced rider training ideas feature quite often with riders who decide to tour and need to acquire some advanced skills, especially after an accident. The old idea of ‘years riding’ equating to ‘you can’t tell me how to ride a bike’ seems foolish to me now. While Patrick was away touring France I was invited to ride behind Dan another Observer who was observing his own associate Rich. I found it fascinating how Rich, having passed his bike test only last year hadn’t slipped into the ‘bad habits’ I had and proved to me despite my experience on long tours away Its obvious that experience on the road could lead to complacency and being ‘set in my ways’ it was hard to get the new style of riding into my ‘muscle memory’. I’m now looking forward to the next challenge in taking the advanced rider test, observed by an examiner who is usually a serving or retired Police motorcyclist. Honestly, I had no idea I would enjoy my ‘Strictly Come Biking’ sessions this much. So glad I signed up! 

Queen Elizabeth II. Thank-You Ma’m. Rest In Peace

 

A sad time for us all as we mourn our beloved Queen and look back on the truly magnificent service she gave our country and commonwealth. The motorcycle community has been paying tribute, I recently read how as a 19 year old she became quite skilled on a motorcycle too. Pictured around 1941 on the cover of Motor Cycle magazine riding a BSA C10 250cc while in the Auxiliary Territory Service (ATS) she became quite skilful at riding around tight turns while attending her vehicle driving and maintenance course at No1 Mechanical Training Centre, Camberley. 

One of the most endearing moments came while watching the Police outriders assist in returning her to London this week. Their precision riding skills with the seemingly simple task of slow riding in formation had me in full admiration as I watched the procession, cool under pressure and smooth skilful riding while keeping in time together, and then gently coming to a halt I realised their actions went mostly unnoticed to all watching at the time. For me, their final act as each rider pulled up gently to a halt, in unison and then slowly bowed their heads as her coffin passed by really did put a lump in my throat. Perfect! What an honour that must have been. Well done. It seems the act of stoic service provided by our Queen of 70 years is reflected well in those who serve too, she served us faultlessly as our Monarch. Thank you Ma’m.

The Ponderosa and Llangollen via IPSGA!

Apart from a week off holiday to visit Lake Garda with Helen, I’ve been out and about most Sundays with Patrick my IAM Roadsmart Observer. Patrick has been keen to setup each weeks session to reinforce my understanding of the Advance Rider IPSGA system (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) and I have to say, I’m really enjoying these sessions now on my 5th one already. I’m finding the sessions quite intense at times, from low speed machine handling and manoeuvres on a coned off car park to performing tight u-turns in a very limited space with a variety of roadcraft essentials covering  positioning for bends and other hazards, motorway observation speed, gearing and acceleration through all sorts of hazard perception and overtake preparation. I’m really starting to feel the benefit now, and Patrick’s attention to detail and keen eye amazes me how he can tell what gear I’m in and what I have or haven’t seen!

 

Despite these hot training sessions sometimes hitting the 30’s with this summers sweltering record breaking temperatures that found me paying out for a new ‘mesh’ ventilated jacket just to get by, I’m really surprised to discover how complacent my rides must have become. It seems that my riding experience acquired over the years was insufficient. We tend to think miles and years equate to better riding skills, but only if you apply them in the first place and don’t get lazy. I’m now convinced, like most things we learn that our riding skills and roadcraft need a reboot from time to time, if only to sharpen up and break bad habits. I’m also surprised to find as a side-effect, these sessions have renewed my enthusiasm for motorcycling too.

 

 

With all of the training sessions I was looking forward to getting out for a longer ‘practice’ ride into Wales now the weather had returned to a typical British summer and the Azores ‘high’ had dropped at last. While Patrick was busy on Blood Bike duties this weekend, myself and Mark arranged a ride into North Wales for the Saturday. The usual run in these parts include lakes Vrynwy and Bala via the mountain road, but I fancied a change today instead, heading up to the Horseshoe Pass via Bala to visit the Ponderosa Cafe. Neither of us had ridden up here before, so it was well overdue meeting in Cleobury Mortimer to plot our ad-hoc route on the Navigator/Garmin to take us out through Montgomery and on to Castle Caereinion along the B4385. A nice road running through some stunning Welsh countryside just across the border with Shropshire. 

After a quick stop to check on our general direction, we settled on a slight modification taking us to the A490 at Bryngwyn and then along the B4396 following the amazing river valley to Penybontfawr and on past the top end of Bala lake before making our way up the A494 to our adjusted waypoint at Ruthin. What a ride this had turned out to be, with glorious traffic free roads until the horseshoe pass, we had covered quite a bit of ground admiring the scenery some of which revealed parched and dried out fields with a mix of glades and valleys. The pass itself had been reduced to a 40mph speed limit, but admiring the view was certainly consolation and we managed to make the very busy Ponderosa Cafe in time for lunch, a brew and excellent steak and ale pie with gravy and chips. 

Thankfully Mark was happy to lead for most of the way, it was good to have him ride in front today and after the cafe he led us further down the pass into Llangollen where I finally got to visit the famous Pontcysyllte canal aqueduct.We parked the bikes just outside town at one end of the valley and walked the narrow towpath length of the aqueduct. I’m not too keen on heights, and this was quite high up but the valley and fields below revealing the railway viaduct were well worth the sights. Amazing how the aqueduct has a narrow steel edging on one side with a sheer drop, obviously saving money on railings where they weren’t really needed. I didn’t realise it was another a Thomas Telford construction either (the famous bridge builder) and came in at a cost of £47,000!

 

After a decent walk up and down the towpath, crossing over where we could to see the lift bridge at one end, we left Llangollen in the direction of Welshpool, cutting back into Shropshire again via Craven Arms getting home for around 7.20pm. Looking out from Clee Hill toward the Malvern Hills in the evening sunshine topped the days ride off a treat. Amazing views across dry, wheat coloured countryside and we said our farewells at the garage in Cleobury. It was good to get out and practice the new Motorcycling skills, without impacting Mark’s ride too much. We kept to a steady pace for most of the day, having a bit of fun along the way, with some new roads neither of us had ridden before. Excellent!

 

Old dog .. new ticks

Finally managed to get my bike serviced with new tyres after last months puncture woes, so out for a long awaited run with Mark last Sunday. The Metzeler Tourance Next 2 seem good so far, a bit stiffer and sportier than the old Next I’d just had taken off, it will be interesting to see how they wear. With a meet with Mark at Dom’s bike stop (I was late, he beat me there this time ha ha), followed by a nice little run down to Newtown, Crossgates with an aborted ‘Mach loop’ due to stormy weather we came back over to Knighton where we stopped at ‘Shotgun’ Carl’s cafe to listen to many a tale too numerous to mention here. Hilarious chap hailing from Brum’, my ears are still ringing and those home cooked chips are divine. We must make a return visit soon. 

 

So recently, I decided to set myself a new Motorcycling challenge and signed up for the ‘IAM Advanced Rider Training’. I’ve been in two minds over the years, I always enjoyed the BikeSafe courses attended as an introduction to Advanced Motorcycling run by the Police some years ago, and back in the early ‘80’s doing the RAC Star Rider courses. What I didn’t fancy was rolling out of bed early on a Sunday morning and riding miles away to meet an instructor / observer down in Worcester or some other such place. Much to my surprise I found a very active group nearby that meet every Sunday less than a mile away - Kidderminster Advanced Bikers (KAB). On several occasions while touring with Steve he suggested  I might like to try IAM course since he had qualified some years ago. I can only hope his suggestion was nothing to do with my riding when following behind! Anyway, after our Brittany trip I thought yeah, let’s give it a go. I went out for a ‘taster’ session to see what’s involved and meet the rest of the group. I paired up with Derek, one of the chief observers and we headed on down to a meet cafe in Herefordshire. On the way Derek pulled in front and pulled me over to impart his critique on my riding. I’m pleased to say, not too bad as it seems, the assessment was I need sharpening up on certain skills, raise my awareness of hazards. Also tidy the machine handling up a bit too, along with sort out my positioning. 

 

How not to ride .. Road Rash on the Megadrive with Paul. Happy days (and nights).

For the price of a rear tyre I signed up with IAM, and last Sunday went out with Patrick my assigned Observer, who I’ll stay with for the rest of the course. I must say Patrick introduced me to a fascinating insight into Advanced Riding techniques. He took me in hand and methodically broke down my riding style, skill level and put together the beginnings of a plan to get me up to Advanced level. We ended up in Newtown, Wales for his critique, and then paired up with Intercom for his bike to bike narrative and discussion while riding behind. The return ride with his advice proved to be more relaxed than the ride down. He slowed me up a bit, got me thinking about all sorts of  stuff and proved to me the opportunity to think 10 seconds ahead, pointing out all sorts of hazards way, way in advance. Human Factors come into play too, along with the IPSGA framework (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration), it’s clear I have a lot to think about in the coming weeks. I really enjoyed my first real session and did find it a lot of fun. I know it’s going to be a real challenge though, and my head was spinning at the end of the ride but I am looking forward to getting deeper into improving my roadcraft. Watch this space!