Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group
October 2019
Welcome to T.U.G. Dear Members, We conclude Tony Seaman’s account of his epic tour of Europe, and also have the first ‘real’ Member Profile from Vince Eade, plus an informational piece from John Tullett and the usual suspects. There has been some copy sent in and I have two articles to carry over to December. Two articles do not make an issue, so please send more. In particular you can download a blank for generating your Member Profile from a News Flash on the website. There are plans to resume a regular item from the training team. Training is the heart and soul of this Group, and it is important that they have a voice in T.U.G. to balance out some of the more frivolous stuff which I unfortunately am disposed to include.
Chairman’s Piece
2
Test Passes
5
Membership Info
7
New Members
8
Tour 2005
10
Biker Down Course
20
Membership Form
22
Dates for the Diary
24
Picture Gallery
26
Events Report
31
Member Profile
36
Further Training
42
Chris
Editor (TUG@eamg.org.uk)
What’s happening next?
Log into www.eamg.org.uk, then
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Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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CHAIRMAN’S PIECE October 2019 Where does the time go? It seems like only last week I was typing Chair’s report for T.U.G! The ever patient Chris Johnson reminded me yesterday that today was the cut-off point. Apologies Chris but I’ve been away enjoying the roads round Luxembourg on a trip organised by Sue Cannon.
Since the last issue we have supported the air ambulance run at Harwich where we chatted to lots of bikers and added 10 addresses to our email list. Obviously the photo was just after setup before the masses arrived. Other breaking news is the new flyer, designed and altered by many until this version was approved. I’m looking to place as many in dealerships and workshops etc. Members have contacts to place leaflets in the following:Jim Aimes: Harris Motorcycles: Mark Davall: S & D motorcycles: Belle Vue Motorcycles: T.K.Copes: Colchester Kawasaki: Shaun Davis Motorcycles: J & S Accessories: Lings Ipswich: Adventure Bike Shop: Cannon BMW: Bacon’s East London. If you have contacts in other shops let me know and I’ll get a leaflet stand to you. We also need help finding speakers for group night. If you have any contacts or ideas please email me info@eamg.org.uk and I’ll pass on the information to Andy. The SOA’s have assessed some trainee observers and I’ll keep you updated on their progress.
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It might be early to mention it, but the AGM is in February. Most of the committee are happy to stand again but as always we need new ideas that only come from new members. Remember we are all volunteers and the more we have on the committee the lighter the load for everyone. This is one of the reasons there was not a BBQ this year. I’m looking to organise a Barn Dance towards the end of the year with fish and chip supper to keep the cost down. Anyone with any experience or ideas please contact me‌all help gratefully received.
Luxembourg
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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·
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CONGRATULATIONS Recent Test Passes
Andy Parnham
17th September 2019 RoSPA Gold (re-test) Observer: Mick Hewitt? Examiner: Mick Jones
Heidi Hill 3rd September 2019 RoSPA Silver Observer: Andy Parnham Examiner: Mick Jones
Paul Carden
4th September 2019 RoSPA Gold (re-test) Observer: John Tullett Examiner: Mick Jones
Simon Wright 11th September 2019 RoSPA Silver Observer: Jill Winn Examiner: Mick Jones
Joe Johal 7th September 2019 EAMG Trainee Observer Assessor: Richard Parjer
Phil Jones 3rd September 2019 RoSPA Gold Observer: Andy Parnham Examiner: Mick Jones
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Membership Information Dear Members & Prospective Members, The membership form is on the website or page 22 if you wish to join or if you are renewing.
Also please remember to spread the word about EAMG, recommendation is such a valuable tool and current members are always the best advocates for what a good group this is. The membership appears to dip in the first quarter because renewals have not all been made promptly!
Membership Fees for 2019
New Associate Members
...£55.00 (Includes AGT Training)
Associate Member Renewal
...£40.00 (Includes AGT Training)
Full Member Renewal
...£25.00
Social Member
...£25.00
Full Member Training
(For more information on Full Member Training see page 42) This is in addition to the Full Member Fee
...£20.00
Membership
Number
Full
100
Associate
55
Social
1
Observer
18
Life
13
Total
187
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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New Members
Associate Members: Vicky Wright Sam Tweed Tim Cooper Steve Page
Keith Haywood Doug Chapman Nigel Lewis Bernie Hill
The editor has viewing access to the membership database and hopes he has not missed too many people this time., or got their names too badly wrong. Sometimes it was not clear (to my old eyes) if a new member joined as a full member. Please accept my apologies if any of the above have the wrong status,
We wish you all heartily welcome to the Group, and hope that you can take full advantage of the wide range of training and social events which we offer, We all aim to be, not just better riders, but happy better riders!
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Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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Tour 2005 (continued from the August T.U.G) Tony Seaman ONE MAN AND HIS BIKE WENT FOR A RIDE Friday 16 September booked out of the hotel at 9.30am and took a stroll to the tower for more photos before pulling out at 10.15am joining the SS1 road towards the town of Masca, with the route taking me through a marble mining and manufacturing area. At La Spezia it was raining but it was still very hot in my rain gear with route diversions signs that just left me stranded so I headed up the hill away from the shore until I found a main looking road and just followed my sense of direction and found myself on the S1 road heading for Genova. It was a pity that the weather had turned wet, as I would have liked to have stopped and taken some photos of the town and harbour.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Cathedral in Miracle Square Not must chance of losing the key A shot from the breakfast table, my bike was parked behind the bushes to the right The S1 road proved to be a mix of hill and valley riding that in the dry would have made interesting riding, but on wet roads I was making slow progress with the scenery being largely of densely planted trees.
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I joined the auto route just as soon as I was able, at Genova I turned of the auto route towards the centre but it was all industrialized so I back tracked and carried on my way to Savona this also proved to be industrialized so continued on to Alassio, with the roads now dry I was making steady progress. Turning of at Vertimiglia having over shot San Remo where I had planned to stay, I found a hotel for the night at 5pm. (232 miles) An interesting point is that I have yet to pay a toll for this last leg of the autoroute and I will be using the S1 coast road tomorrow. I received two text messages one from Suzanne at base control and the other from Russell wishing me a happy birthday for tomorrow. Russell is the captain of the cricket team I normally turn out for on a Sunday and through his generosity I am still playing even if by normal standards I am well past my sell by date, who is in Slovenia on holiday with his wife Marcela, who shares the same birthday as mine but is just a few years younger! Earlier as I was going through a series of road tunnels I became concerned that the lights seemed very starry, on stopping I found I had not put my glasses back on after the lunch stop, “O well never mind�. This evening I had the worst and most expensive touristy type meal to date with the house wine being of the sparkly type that I returned, ending up with a small bottle of red wine that was expensive (43 Euros total), but the hotel was ok. I received a second txt from Suzanne wishing me a happy birthday just before retiring for the night.
Hotel in Vertimiglia
The beach
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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Saturday 17 September, pulled away at 9.40 r ode into town to find a bank took the above photos and finally pulled out at10.40, by now I had found that I had lost my toll ticket for the last leg, On consulting the map I spotted a hill road to Breil-S-R and then a back road to Menton. At some point along this route I crossed the border into France. From Menton I rode the coast road to Monte Carlo that is in the principality of Monaco, famous for its F1 racing circuit and casinos. I recognized some of the roads used for the racing circuit but apart from that I was not over impressed so carried on to Beaulieu where I turned inland and headed up into the French Alps.
Monaco Heading into the Alps Stopping for the night at St Martin-Vesubia. It was as I standing under the hotel sign trying to make out where the entrance was located that a man appeared out of an arched walkway, seeing that I appeared a bit lost he indicated for me to walk up the wide walkway from whence he had appear. On doing so I found the entrance to the hotel where I was fortunate to get the last room, the rooms are priced upon the number of people that they hold but as it was another 30 miles to the next town shown on my map and evening sky was starting to draw in I book the room for the night on having completed this formality it was then indicated to me that I should ride the bike up the walkway and was then shown where I could park it under cover for the night (103miles) The road at St Martin-Vesubia is cut out of the side of a very steep sided valley with the village houses cut into the hillside beyond the road with the village center being a little further up the valley and was gained internally by climbing a walkway comprising of a series of long steps with a channel carrying stream water and flanked by houses and a few shops.
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Later I took a walk up to the village center but there was not much to see, but it was as I explored some of the side streets that I spotted a small restaurant and upon enquired about a meal this seemed to create a bit of a debate that ended with me being offered a table to myself. As there only appeared to be a few locals residents in the place at the time and they had gone out of there way to accommodate me, I offered to buy them a drink as it was my birthday (with the owner turning out to be a real character and well known locally). It was not long before the place started to fill up to over flowing, it was only later after I got chatting to a couple on the next table that I learnt that it was the weekend of the village festival and the village was packed. Word also got around that it was my birthday and I was serenaded with a good number of toasts being drunk. It turned out to be one of the best birthday’s celebrations I have ever had with the people, complete strangers being so friendly. The locals who joined me in the original drink The owner and a right character As I was taking my leave at the end of the evening two of the lady’s present insisted that we parted using in the traditional French custom that for me just about capped the evening.
Sunday 18 September, The pr evious evening I had been dir ected to another restaur ant up in the village center by the hotelier but I was glad that I did my own thing, I also got the impression that the restaurateur may not of been of local stock. This morning I discovered that there were a number of houses on the valley floor below by room window. Before leaving I walked up into the village center to have a look and take in the carnival scene before departing at 10.40. Last evening there was a cold edge to the air so this morning I donned my full riding gear for the first time since the 6th September.
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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As I rode through the village and climbed on up the hill I was able to look down upon the village it became clear that area was a lot more populated than I first thought although it was not long before I had the road to myself and was to spend the day in the mountain and valleys not making much progress due the very bendy roads with a sheer drops on one side which were definitely not the type of roads to go scratching on. I also had to make a route change due to poor road surfaces, nor had I come across an open petrol station and was getting low. At 12.30 I finally found one in the back streets of ST Etienne-de-Tinee thanks to a sign I spotted on a second visit to the village after back tracking 5 miles. I then started the climb up to the top of the C. De la Bonette (2715m) it just kept going up and up until I reached the summit, fortunately it was a nice clear day and I was able to take more photos. An interesting point was that they were reconstructing the road surface at the top of the mountain while the lower stretch comprised of the original old worn out road. Probably something to do with the sever winter weather in these areas. While in the village earlier I spotted a number of skier transport buses parked up but there did not appear to be any ski lifts. There were more route changes due the road slippages during the afternoon that sent me of to Barcelonnette on the D900 turning onto the D954 that ran along the side of a lake, it was raining at this point and I was starting to get cold due to the wind as I headed for Briancon where I stopped for the night at 4.30pm. (169miles) I turned of the main road and rode up the hill into the village, the first hotel I tried were full up sent me across the road to what looked like an annex but it was no more than a doss house. My next attempt proved to be good it was a restaurant / guesthouse type place within the walls of the local castle it was a very old type building but was lovely and warm and just what I wanted.
My room dĂŠcor was in need of freshening up but it self-contained with a toilet, and a shower cubical made of plastic that creaked and groaned every time it was used with the
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Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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Page 19
water supplied from the nearby washbasin via a hose, but it worked. It was dark by the time I was ready to go for a meal and I was shown out the back door by the owner and directed to a nearby restaurant. Earlier while I was in my room sorting out an alternative route for the next leg of the journey as the weather looked as if it had started to turn for the worse, a couple of German bikers had arrived and booked in looking very tired and cold. Having eaten I retired at 9.30pm. Monday 19 September, I awoke to find the weather was br ight and sunny so I r ever ted to my original route plan departing at 9.40, filled up with fuel before leaving the area to ride along the valley before turning of and up towards the Co du Galiberier and was on the summit (27550m) just over an hour later. Just beyond the monument there was a one way traffic flow system through a tunnel cut through the mountain top to connect up with the down road on the opposite side. There had been a similar system in the form of a cutting in the mountainside that I used and in doing so missed out by approximately 500m at reaching the very summit of the Col de la Bonette the previous day. So I was not going the make the same mistake twice. As I descended I could see in the valley below a bank of cloud with the road I was traveling on heading in that direction and sure enough as I got lower I realize the road to the village of Vollaire took me into the clouds. On the next leg down to the valley below the visibility was down to 15m and on strange twisty mountain roads was not a very pleasant experience, coming out of the cloud base some 500m above the floor of the valley at St Michael-deMaurienne. It was here that I stopped for a short break to insert my inner lining into my jacket, remove the cool air scoops from the fairing that I had fitted in an effort to reduce the engine heat effect on my legs and to don my heavier gloves.
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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St Michael-de-Maurienne
The cloud cover was to stay with me until clear the mountains at Chambery, where it started to warm up again. I used the m/way for that last leg and it was good to let the bike have its head. Stopping for fuel on the way and putting another layer on as it I was getting chilly. At Chambery I found the N504 to Bourg-enBresse without too much trouble, finishing the day traveling through wine producing country. Stopping for the night at Beaune south of Dijon at a rather nice hotel 5.15pm. (256m) That evening I walked into the town center and had a nice meal before retiring at 11.15pm.
Tuesday 20 September After a pleasant br eakfast I hit the r oad at 9.50am by 12 noon I had passed Dijon and was at Chatilion-s-Sienne on the N71 where I stopped to purchase some fruit. At Bar-s-Seine I turn onto the D443 and head up country on minor roads to Brienne le Chateau and onwards to Vitry-le-Francois. It was about this time that my rev counter started to malfunction and my speedometer was not perfect. But they were to correct themselves later on and have been ok ever since, I just wonder if they had been affected by some local interference.
An entrance arch to the center of Beaune
The countryside
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Point of no return
Vitry-le-Francois came and went, stopped for a break north of Chalons-en-Champagne at 2.15pm with the weather now hot again I was riding in a jacket and tee shirt. It was at this point that I decided to strike out for home. At St Quentin I got onto the M/way by mistake, of at the next Junction at Cambrai for fuel, it was at Cambrai that I had planned to joint the m/way for the last leg to Calais. By now it was 5.30pm and I decided to go for it and try and get the 6.45pm boat I was booked to travel on, once again I let the bike have its head, as it was I arrived on the dockside at 6.40pm just in time to see the boat pull away. I sailed at 7.50pm and had a meal while on board.
On arriving at Dover and getting ready to disembark there was a young lady and her new BMW with an immobilize that refused to disengage resulting in the bike having to be pushed of the boat fortunately she was not traveling alone. I arrived home at 11.15 (10.15pm) (482m) having completed a journey of 5445 miles in total since leaving home on the 25 August. (Clock mileage 28260). Upon entering the house I was in for a lovely surprise, my daughter Suzanne had been in and left me welcoming messages all over the house. Postscript At Christmas following my journey I received from my friends Russell and Geoff a disc plus the book of the epic journey undertaken by Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman entitled the “Long Way Round�. Prior to receiving the above disc and book I was unaware that such a journey had been undertaken but how I wished I had been traveling with them.
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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EAMG BIKER DOWN COURSE 23rd NOVEMBER 2019 John Tullett EAMG's Observers regularly attend First on Scene/ Biker Down training courses and this year with the help of Tony Smith, from the Herts Fire Bike Team, we have arranged an additional training day for EAMG Group members. Many motorcyclists ride in groups or pairs and it is often the case that when one is involved in an accident the first person in attendance will often be a fellow motorcyclist, the care of a downed rider is uppermost in rider’s minds and many clubs and groups often discuss the need for the training of riders in how to deal with a crashed motorcyclists. Injured motorcyclists need to be dealt with in a specific manner by a First Aider due to the mechanics of the type of injuries possibly incurred and the sensitive issue surrounding helmet removal from injured bikers. The half day course is based around the First Aid requirements of an injured motorcyclist and is divided into 3 Modules: 1. INCIDENT SCENE MANAGEMENT A presentation from a Fire Bike Team member, on scene management and personal safety for a biker happening upon an RTC involving a motorcyclist, this covers the individuals initial considerations including their own Dynamic Risk Assessment to assess the most appropriate action to take in order to protect themselves and other road users at the scene, an order of actions and instruction on management of resources available (i.e. other witnesses). Information they should gather to assist attending Emergency Service Personnel and possible legal obligations. (Continued on page 30)
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Building, Civil Engineering and Maintenance
Extensions - Garages - Loft Conversions
Block paving Driveways - Patios
All Types of Roofing
Carpentry - Brickwork
Water Main and Sewer Repairs and Renewal
Fencing - Replacement Windows (uPVC, Hardwood, Aluminium)
uPVC Cladding, Fascias, Soffits
Underpinning - Landscaping
Painting and Decorating Fully Insured (But not yet Needed!)
For free no-obligation quote, phone Clint on
01621 828276 (Office) 07836 277223 (Mobile) Domestic and Commercial Work Undertaken Insurance Work also Welcome Member of The Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors Flagstaff Farm, Green Lane, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BQ
All Full Member Rides will leav e Sainsburys Spring-
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January
2019 Sunday, 6th Tuesday, 8th Sunday, 13th
Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night - Natter Night Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride
Sunday, 3rd Tuesday, 5th Sunday, 10th Sunday, 17th
Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night - AGM Associate Group Training (AGT) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride
Sunday, 3rd Tuesday, 5th Sunday, 10th Sunday, 17th Sunday, 24th Sunday, 31st
Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night Associate Group Training (AGT) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride Observer Peer to Peer Ride (1901) Full Member Training (FMT 1901)
Tuesday, 2nd Sunday, 7th Sunday, 14th Tuesday, 16th Saturday, 20th Sunday, 21st Sunday, 28th
Group Night (Skid Bike) Associate Group Training (AGT) Richard's Full Member Ride Bob's Midweek Ride - Krazy Horse Cafe (Bob Cowl) Super Sausage Run (to be confirmed) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride Observer Peer to Peer Ride (1902)
Sunday, 5th Tuesday, 7th Sunday, 12th Sunday, 12th Tuesday, 14th Sunday, 19th Sunday, 26th
Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night (Rapid Training) Associate Group Training (AGT) Essex Motorcycle Show, North Weald Bob's Midweek Ride - Rye (Joe Johal) Full Member Training (FMT 1902) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride
Sunday, 2nd Sunday, 2nd Tuesday, 4th Sunday, 9th Tuesday, 11th Sunday, 16th
Richard's Full Member Ride Slow Riding Day Group Night (Eddie’s Quiz) Associate Group Training (AGT) Bob's Midweek Ride - Southwold (Neil Bullock) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride
Tuesday, 2nd Sunday, 7th Sunday, 7th Sunday, 14th Tuesday, 16th Sunday, 21st
Group Night (Mens Health!) Maldon Motor Show Associate Group Training (AGT) Richard's Full Member Ride Bob's Midweek Ride - TBC Observer Peer to Peer Ride (1903)
February
March
April
May
Diary 20 19
June
July
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Observer Peer to Peer Ride (1903) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride Full Member Training (FMT 1903)
Sunday, 4th Tuesday, 6th Sunday, 11th Tuesday, 13th Sunday, 18th Sunday, 25th September Sunday, 1st Tuesday, 3rd Sunday, 8th Sunday, 8th Sunday, 15th Tuesday, 17th Sunday, 22nd Sunday, 29th
Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night (S&D Motorcycles) Associate Group Training (AGT) Bob's Midweek Ride - TBC Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride Audrey & John's Cotswolds Ride (to be confirmed)
Tuesday, 1st Sunday, 6th Sunday, 6th Sunday, 13th Tuesday, 15th Sunday, 20th Sunday, 27th November Tuesday, 5th Sunday, 10th Tuesday, 12th Sunday, 17th Sunday, 24th December Sunday, 1st Tuesday, 3rd Sunday, 8th Sunday, 15th
Group Night Associate Group Training (AGT) Copdock Show Richard's Full Member Ride Bob's Midweek Ride - TBC Full Member Training (FMT 1904) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride
October
Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night Associate Group Training (AGT) Essex Air Ambulance Run/Show Slow Riding Day Bob's Midweek Ride - TBC Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride Observer Peer to Peer Ride (1904)
Group Nigh ts @ 19 : 30 , AGTs @ 9 : 15 am
August
Sunday, 21st Sunday, 28th Sunday, 28th
Group Night Associate Group Training (AGT) Bob's Midweek Ride - TBC Richard's Full Member Ride Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride Richard's Full Member Ride Group Night - Xmas Quiz Associate Group Training (AGT) Mick & Alan's Associate/Member Ride
Diary 20 19
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Picture Gallery ■ Picture Gallery ■ Picture
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Gallery ■ Picture Gallery ■ Picture Gallery
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
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2. CASUALTY CARE This module is delivered by Herts Fire & Rescue Service Instructors and covers: Trauma and mechanism of injury, Snatch rescues, why when and how, basic life support, CPR, managing spinal injuries and crash helmet removal, when and how. 3. THE SCIENCE OF BEING SEEN During this session the attendees receive instruction and advice on conspicuity, how effective is Hi – Viz, looking at the use of conspicuity clothing and Hi-Viz aids. Within this talk phenomena such as Motion Camouflage and Looming are discussed as well as tips on what you can do to be seen without necessarily the need for covering yourself head to foot in luminous yellow! This module is designed by K evin Williams of Survival Skills Motorcycle Training who is an Advanced Instructor and widely experienced as both an Author of several Motorcycling Books and as a lead rider, regularly leading parties of bikers both in this country and abroad.
---ooo0ooo--Jill will be announcing details of this course at October's Group Night meeting and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. While there is no charge to attend the course we would request attendees to make a voluntary donation of £10 which the Group will then forward to the Herts & Essex Air Ambulance charity in recognition of the training provided by the Fire Bike Team. Over the two course dates scheduled for 2019 this should add up to a donation of around £300.
It is important for bookings to be honoured as these courses are very popular and non-attendance will mean that someone else will have missed out. The course starts @ 09:00 at the Joint Emergency Services Academy,
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Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue, Hitchen Road, Stevenage, SG1 4AE. If there is sufficient demand it should be possible to organise another EAMG Biker Down course providing we have a group of between 12-16 members (e-mail training@eamg.org.uk to register your interest).
If you would prefer to attend the next available event as an individual then please e-mail your details to bikerdown@hertfordshire.gov.uk and you will then be contacted as soon as a space becomes available. The standard courses include the option of attending a brief assessed ride, following the classroom sessions, which is primarily targeted at riders who have done no post-test training (and will not be needed on 23rd November). Further information can be found on the ‘Biker Down Herts’ Facebook page.
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Newsflash!
Our Membership Secretary. Hopefully to be written up in the December T.U.G
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Events Report Chris Johnson Still no further punctures. Something really awful must be lined up for me. At the end of the last report I mentioned that preparing T.U.G meant that on 28th July I could not attend either Mick's run to the Rushbrooke Arms, or Jaque's unusual run to the Amberley Industrial Museum in the South Downs National Park. There was virtually no feedback on the Forum about them but they seem to have gone OK, but with Jaque's group getting better weather. The first ride of this period was Richard's run to Sizewell on 4th August. On the whole it was a great day. We had 22 bikes (one with pillion) and the weather was excellent. The trip out to Sudbury was fine, except for Jill who was stung on the neck by a wasp shortly before the Tea Stop. One down. It was a nasty sting and poor Jill subsequently reported that the next day her throat was significantly swollen. Almost immediately after Sudbury the final 3 bikes failed to notice (all 3 of them, strange that) a right marker and, to make a long story short, ended up limping their own way to Sizewell, They arrived 50 minutes before the main group, since the disappearance of the back marker (me) had logistical consequences for them and caused massive delays. However the markers dutifully held their positions in trying circumstances so it wasn't a debacle. Sizewell is a funny little place, and the sea looked very grey and uninviting, but the Tea Shop was humming and proved very efficient at serving food. The power station is BIG! We all stayed together for the return journey, which even featured a U-turn, and was very enjoyable. We arrived back at Regiment way a little before 17:30. The errant tail had done 193 miles. I am now under formal caution by Richard, and one further transgression means that I shall lose the
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right to act as back marker. As you can imagine, my feelings about this prospect are not wholly negative! On 18th August there was a 'supplementary' Full Member ride to Diss lead by Graham Cooper. Richard, presumably still smarting from the Sizewell run, elected to act as back marker himself. There was also a Mick and Alan relaxed run for Associates and those who prefer a less aggressive pace. Graham's group had ten bikes, whereas Mick and Alan attracted twice as many. I decided to go with Graham to keep his numbers up, which I am sure he regarded as a mixed blessing. The weather was OK until the stop at the Stradishall Cafe, when unforecast rain came down and persisted until just short of Diss. Morrison's is hardly a fast food outlet, but one stalwart elected to have the Big Daddy breakfast. I would have photographed it if my camera had had a wide angle lens. Never before has so much food been piled on a plate for so little money. He finished it, but admitted that towards the end it was a determination not to be beaten which motivated him, rather than hunger. The run back was in the sun on substantially dry roads We finished at the Regiment Way McD's at 16:00 after 172 miles.
Joe Johal sent some pictures from Mick and Alan’s run A week later, on 25th August, it was time for John and Audrey's Cotswald Ride; this time to Stow rather than Bourton (which was a good thing, because now you will not have to read my malicious sniping about Bourton). It was a magnificent
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day, and 26 bikes assembled at the Birchanger Services. There were two groups, one led by John and tailed by Stephen Green, and a 'slower' one led by Audrey and tailed by Doug. As with all Tipper rides, it was meticulously researched and executed, and to my knowledge nothing went wrong. There was the usual break on the outward journey at the Buckingham Garden Centre, where for once there was no sign of rain. Audrey's group arrived about 15 minutes after John's. I believe the subsequent ride to Stow went through some beautiful countryside but couldn't really appreciate it. One unfortunate side effect of this advanced riding malarkey is that I am never comfortable looking away from the road. Honestly! The lunch restaurant (I forget its name) outside Stow was very pleasant. I elected to have a healthy option for lunch but, like a lot of healthy options, it was highly unmemorable. It seemed quite a while before Audrey's group arrived, but we cheered them in. Joe Johal was test riding a new Goldwing, a very expensive bike which is excellent if you need to tow a caravan or a 25-pounder gun. Joe's Indian has shown that he enjoys going large. The thought of trying to lift a Goldwing if I dropped it is enough to give me a spontaneous hernia. The heat for the ride back was incredible, I recorded a 33.5C high, but had taken care to drink masses of water. It doesn't really compare with the 42C I experienced when in a two hour traffic jam (no filtering allowed) crossing the Hoover Dam ten years ago, but it was still plenty warm. We had the usual long stop at the Buckingham petrol station and then those who didn't scuttle off on a more direct route home made it back to Birchanger at about 18:30 (I think) after 234 miles. It was a good outing. Richarf's next ride was to Beccles, not far from Norwich, on 1st September. We had ideal riding weather, sunny but not too hot, and about 28 bikes, with Mick Hewitt tailing. Richard declared that the lunch stop would be interesting, but gave no fur-
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ther details apart from that teaser. There was a superb 80 mile route out to the intermediary stop at the Waterfront Diner in Bramford; Richard excelled himself there. This was a pleasant enough stop but rather crowded with very long queues. What it was like after that I do not know since I got sucked into following 3 bikes which had mingled with our group onto the A14. No way to turn back for several miles, and by that time the group had gone. My SatNav sulked for a bit about always living in the top box, but eventually took me to Beccles. Unfortunately since Richard had been so damned coy about the lunch stop I did not know where to go, and could not get through to anyone. I had a lonely lunch in a McD's. It appeared that they had stopped at a cafe with weird decor in an industrial estate outside Worlingham. I have stolen a couple of Vince Eade's FB pictures of the venue, including one of Andy Hems with a life size statue of Lara Croft. I hit upon a couple of politicallyincorrect captions for that one which were really rather good, but in the current climate in which TUG has become T.U.G I hesitate to post either of them. I returned via B roads. initially through Worlingham itself, and then through Eye and Stowmarket. One tiny rain shower. I arrived home at 19:00 having covered 321 miles. I had a great ride up to the diner on the outward leg, and meandering back with a map and no SatNav was actually very enjoyable most of the time. The official run was apparently over 200 miles.
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Beccles Lunch Stop
Today, 22nd September, there were two rides. Colin Digby had organised a second Full Member Social Ride to The Boathouse Cafe, Earls Barton, Northampton. Distance a little over 200 miles. Mick and Alan had one to the Waterfront Diner mentioned above, but since the round trip was only to be 100 miles their route must have been less 'creative' than Richard's. Since T.U.G was fairly well advanced I was tempted to go on that one since I could be back home by late afternoon. Then I realised that it left no margin for error if I did not want to be finalising the magazine in the small hours, so I slapped myself on the wrist and am writing this report instead.
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Member profile Vince Eade When and why did you develop an interest in riding a motorcycle? I guess you could say for me, riding a motorcycle is in my blood. I first rode on a motorcycle in utero when my mother was pregnant with me, although I can’t remember much about it! My father had a succession of motorcycles in the late 1950s/ early 1960s. The photo below shows me at around two years sitting on my father’s Norton ES 2 Sidecar outfit. I guess like many others, my very early introduction to motorcycles just grew out of my parents need for transport and cars were just too expensive for them. When I was about ten years old I managed to find a non-running BSA Bantam D1, and although I never got it to run it helped plant the seed for my own motorcycling career which has now been thriving for some 44 years.
How old were you when you first rode a bike? When I was about 10 or 11 I lived in South Ockenden. Nearby there was some disused gravel pits and several of my friends had old BSA bantams, James Captains and others. I was fortunate enough to blag a ride on several of those. Later, at about 13, a friend who had a very large back garden and a 1950s Royal Enfield Bullet trials bike let me have the occasional clutch. My first real taste of road going motorcycling adventure though was aboard my mum’s Honda PF 50 graduate on the eve of my 16th birthday. This was a revelation! At around my 16th birthday I was living in Norwich and work-
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ing for a motorcycle shop. This facilitated my purchase of a brand-new ‘popsicle purple’ Yamaha FS1- E. I had six glorious months riding around North Norfolk with my friends before joining the Royal Air Force. My first posting was to RAF Locking, this was at Weston-super-Mare and a long way from Norwich. As I needed to get home to maintain my social network the ‘Fizzy’ was sold and I became the proud owner of a Yamaha RD 250 A. That’s me standing with sister and friend Kevin helping polish my new acquisition. Being a law-abiding member of ‘Betty Windsor’s flying Circus’ I travelled from Norwich back to Locking using the ‘A’ roads. It was about an eight hour ride and I vowed I would never do it again so on my next trip to Norwich I went sans ‘L’ plates. When the paranoia of riding without learner plates got too much for me I passed my test, part exchanged the 250 and graduated, at 17 ½, to a Honda CB 750 F1. Following that I had a succession of Hondas, a couple of Laverda’s and some more Hondas and Yamaha’s. Currently in the stable I have a Honda CB X thousand, which I’ve known for over 35 years, an Aprilia RSV 1000 and my BMW RT. Of all the bikes you’ve ever owned which was your favourite if you had one? I suppose my mum’s PF 50 has an important place in my heart as it was my first taste of real independence. Suddenly being able to go much further than I could on my pushbike was a truly liberating experience. My CB900FZ was a quantum leap from the single cam 750; its performance was stunning and it didn’t snap throttle cables like the old 750. My CBX has a great deal of sentimental value. The six cylinder engine is unlike anything I’ve ever
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ridden before and is still great fun but don’t let the super sport logo on the tank and the spindly forks and skinny tyres fool you for a moment! If you are given the opportunity to own any bike on the market which would it be? I don’t think there is any one motorcycle. I would quite like a new Royal Enfield interceptor for those summer evenings in the countryside and the Rotax Vee twin engine in the Aprilia is stunning so a late model Tuono would be nice as I’m just a little bit too much the wrong shape for the RSV! The BMW does just about everything and handles better than it has any right to given its size. A track day at Cadwell was a real eyeopener and great fun. I now know why BMW have such small side stand feet as it’s the first thing to hit the ground, closely followed by the hero blobs, on the LHS. What is your favourite motorcycle gadget? My heated grips are very nice on a cold day as is the heated seat. Modern radial multicompound tyres are just so amazing they have to go on my list as does ABS. I know they’re not exactly gadgets but they have made such an impact on motorcycle road safety they have to be included. I’ve owned my Daytona boots now for about 10 years. They are so comfortable they would have to be included on my list. They’ve also been back to the factory for a refurb. I can’t fault Daytona’s factory refurb service. Finally I would have to include Gore-Tex. Back in the day my waterproofing consisted of a Belstaff Trialsmaster Professional jacket and trousers. This foul smelling combination was neither trendy nor waterproof and only marginally better than the same companies Black Prince rubberised motorcycle (gimp) suit of my father’s era. Where is your preferred place to ride in the UK? Pretty much anywhere away from motorways. We have some truly lovely roads right on our doorstep. The road from Sudbury to Wethersfield, Finchingfield and on to Haverhill can be quite exhilarating. The Burnham bends are quite technically demanding and provide useful practice for riding in the Pyrenees and the Dolomites. The Highlands of Scotland is an amazing place on a bike, well surfaced roads and stunning scenery (in the summer). Make sure you go with new tyres. And abroad? Spain is probably motorcycling Nirvana for me. The Spaniards love motorcycles and you can park just about anywhere. The beer is cheap, the sun shines and the girls are pretty! I have used the Portsmouth to Santander ferry several times and you are confronted with amazing riding as soon you leave the port. Turn right and you’re into the Picos Na-
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tional Park, turn left and you are soon in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Another big benefit of riding in Spain is that the roads are, compared with the UK, deserted. I quite liked the B 500 in Bavaria but quite honestly it was no better than those roads as above. I have always enjoyed riding in France but French draconian speed reduction measures are now beyond a joke. I’m not sure when I will go back to France.
If you were offered the opportunity to go on an extended bike tour who, family members aside, would you choose as a riding companion? Probably people like Elspeth Beard, Nick Sanders or Charlie Boorman. Their wealth of experience would make life just so much easier. They could also tell some great stories in the after dinner ‘give the lantern a swing and pull up a sandbag’ sessions. How would you describe to a non-rider the attraction of riding a bike as opposed to driving a car? Robert Pirsig, writing in Zen and the Art of motorcycle maintenance, proposed that when on a motorcycle you are actually in the environment, actually part of the scenery. When riding in the summer early evening I get to smell people’s barbecues starting up, the smell of freshly mown grass, watching rabbits in the fields. You just don’t get this when nature is mediated through the windscreen of a car. For me, riding a motorcycle is all about the journey, driving a car it’s all about the destination. Pirsig got it right. When do you intend to give up riding? Being pragmatic, I have to accept that one day I will be too old or unhealthy, (or a bit of both) to ride a large, heavy motorcycle. However, there are things that I can do to mitigate against the time when my mortality catches up with my ego. There are much smaller lighter machines available, and I can try to maintain/improve my personal fitness. This has the dual effect of toning the riding muscles and increasing the power to weight ratio of a smaller motorcycle engine. Describe your scariest moment on your bike I’ve had a few. There was being hit in the chest by a pigeon on my CB900 back in the 80s and then a couple of years ago a pheasant deciding to commit suicide by running into the Aprillia. I suppose a recent scary time on a bike is when I’ve been filtering through station-
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ary or slow-moving traffic on the M25 or the Brussels ring road on the way to Spa. The level of concentration needed to provide a suitable (very thin) safety margin is extreme and very tiring. My heart sinks when I see the overhead gantry speed limit signs light up with ‘caution congestion’. However, I would much rather be filtering at 15 or 20 miles an hour then to be sat stationary in a car listening to Jeremy Vine.
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Further Training Opportunities for Full Members Have you ever wondered if your riding skill is still as good as it was when you passed your IAM or RoSPA Test? Is your RoSPA Retest fast approaching and you feel you’d like a refresher to check that bad habits have not crept into your riding? We are all only as good as the day we are actually riding our bikes. How good our riding was last year or even last month may not be as good as we think it is; complacency can be fatal. EAMG provide two Further Training Schemes for Full Members:
Full Member Training (FMT) – One-day training courses available four times a year Further Training for Full Members (FTFM) – Assignment to an Observer for 1 to 1 training These courses are provided to check riding skills haven’t deteriorated, for those wishing to take a higher grade of test such as RoSPA or for those preparing for qualification as an EAMG Observer. Full Member Training Four FMT Courses take place during ‘summer time’ between March and October. Participation is entirely voluntary and those taking part do not have to join each ride. Training is for your benefit and enjoyment; it is not a mandatory requirement that you go on to take a RoSPA test. To ensure the highest possible standard, Observers undertaking this training will hold a current RoSPA Gold certificate. You will not be riding in one large group. Where possible you will be riding with an Observer and one other Full Member giving you the opportunity to have a 'rest' while your partner is being observed. Every effort will be made to match your riding experience, ability and aspirations with your partner, any miss matching being addressed at the first refreshment stop. The routes, approx. 200 miles, will cover a variety of roads and include several debriefing stops and two refreshment stops. Joining details will be sent by email or post a few days before the event. Events this year:
Joining Fee £45.00
20th October, 2019
Contact John Tipper, 8 Carlton Ave, London N14 4UA. Email: training@eamg.org.uk Tel : 0208 360 8590
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Further Training for Full Members You will be assigned to an Observer and rides will be arranged on a one to one basis when mutually convenient. Although not mandatory, unlike FMT, the training will be structured as preparation for a further test such as RoSPA. To apply to join this scheme: Apply to the Membership Secretary either at membership renewal or during the season. You will be asked to pay an additional Membership Fee (details below). Your Application will be passed to the Observer Co-ordinator who will assign you to the first available Observer. Where feasible, geographical location will be considered. You will be expected to pay the Observer a contribution (details below) towards fuel costs. Participation must be renewed annually.
Name: Address:
Post Code:
Tel:
Email:
Riding Experience:
Aspirations:
Typical annual mileage:
Machine:
FTFM - 2019 Membership Secretary
Observer Co-ordinator
Paula Hockey
John Tullett
membership@eamg.org.uk
training@eamg.org.uk
Additional Membership Fee
Contribution to Observer
ÂŁ20 pa
ÂŁ10 per ride
Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982
Chris Johnson, Editor Printed by Colchester Press. Please mention EAMG when replying to advertisers - it identifies you!
http://www.eamg.org.uk Affiliated to the British Motorcyclists Federation Registered Charity Number 1107703
Disclaimer and Copyright Notice: The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Essex Advanced Motorcyclists Group. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with a view that free expression promotes discussion and interest. Any spelling or grammatical errors are the responsibility of the editor .. Inclusion of adverts is not to be construed as EAMG endorsement, although most advertisers are excellent, but seek personal recommendations.Text Š EAMG 2018 Illustrations Š EAMG 2018, except where indicated otherwise. Group material may be reproduced provided acknowledgement is given to EAMG and the original author.
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Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group Promoting Excellence in Motorcycling Since 1982