Feb 2012 TUG by Nigel Barton

February 2012

Motorcycles in Bus Lanes, This and That, Ride Reports and more...

JOURNAL OF THE ESSEX ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS GROUP Registered Charity Number 1107703

The Committee Chris Reed

Chairman

creed@eamg.org.uk

& Group Contact Dave Iszard

Observer Co-ordinator

diszard@eamg.org.uk

Sue Saunders

Treasurer

ssaunders@eamg.org.uk

Roger Wardley

Secretary

rwardley@eamg.org.uk

& Regalia Lynn Childs

Membership Secretary

lchilds@eamg.org.uk

& Associate Rep Graham Childs

Promotions

gchilds@eamg.org.uk

Graham Simpkins

Webmaster

gsimpkins@eamg.org.uk

Madelaine Murphy

TUG Editor

newsletter@eamg.org.uk

Guy Jones

General

gjones@eamg.org.uk

John Tipper

General

jtipper@eamg.org.uk

Nigel Barton

General

nbarton@eamg.org.uk

Paul McKelvey

General

pmckelvey@eamg.org.uk

Paul Staples

General

pstaples@eamg.org.uk

Geoff Preston

General

gpreston@eamg.org.uk

Welcome!

Chairman’s Piece

Membership Secretary Report

Letters

Secretary’s Report

Notice of AGM

This and That

BMF

Editor’s Corner

Diary (Pull Out)

22/27

Membership Form (Pull Out)

24/25

Réveiller Rides 2011

Réveiller Rides 2012 Itinerary

Full Member Training

Nigel Barton spills…

Tailender

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Piece In the 27 or so years of the groups existence, it has been my greatest honour to have been Chairman for some 13 years in total, initially in the 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with Colin Cherry and Judith Roberts as Co-Chairs, and the last 11 years as Chairman. During this time, I have worked with and met many wonderful people, and have received unerring support both from the

Committee,

members and the Training Team in everything that I have done, and I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to every single member of the group, both past and present, who have helped support and promote the group through what has been, on occasion, difficult times for me. It has been a truly amazing experience for me. This year has brought new challenges for me, and unfortunately I have not been able to give the Group as much as the role deserves, and it is for this reason that I have had to finally hand over the reins to someone new. My love for the group is undiminished and I will support the new Chairperson and Committee in whatever way I can. I hope that the members will do likewise, and give them the support that they have given me over the years. Over the next year, there are going to be some radical changes in motorcycling, in the form of the new European Third Driving Licence Directive. This

will have a

profound affect on new riders and therefore the number of people, particularly younger people, coming into motorcycling. The new licensing structure will mean that 17-21 year olds will only be able to ride 125 machines initially. The A2 category of licence will only be available to those 21 years of age and above, or with 2 years experience prior experience having held the A1 licence for those 2 years. The A2 licence, which currently evolves into a full unrestricted licence after 2 years, will no longer automatically upgrade, and to move up a tier, each will be either required to take a further test or training option, which has yet to be specified. The DAS will then become available only to 24 year olds or A2 licence holders with 2 years prior experience, and the current date for implementation appears to be the 9th January 2013. The second half of 2012 may see a glut of riders trying to pre-empt the new test changes but it also may affect the number of new riders coming to motorcycling because of the complex nature of the new licensing structure. More available on the DSA website, and I more than happy to discuss these changes with you.

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I now find myself in the position of a parent who is going to learn to ride a motorcycle for the first time, with my son Niall’s 17th Birthday just a few months away. I hope to get him through his A2 licence prior to the new Directive. Those 17 years have come round very quickly! I’d like to wish everybody in the group well for 2012.

Chris Remember, it's not how fast you ride but how you ride fast!

Special Winter Offer—Until 31st March 2012, 1:1 Training Day discounted to from £229 to £149 PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Membership Secretary Report Dear Members, Please remember that your membership needs renewing for 2012. Membership Forms are down load able from the EAMG Sight or I will have copy’s on group night. Fees for 2012 New Associates Members £55.00 Associates member’s Renewal is £45.00 Full member’s Renewal is £25.00 Socials Member’s are £25.00

Membership

Number

FMT £20.00

Full

Associate

Social

Life

Total

If you want to take of Extra full member training (FMT) with you own regular observer there is an extra payment of £20.00. Please tick box on membership form and enclose the Fee. There is no increase in membership fees for 2012 . Ride well, ride safe Lynn Childs

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Test Passes Congratulations! 11.11.11

Kevin Davis, RoSPA Silver Observer John Tipper Examiner Mark Anderson

02.12.11

Rob Enifer, RoSPA Siver Observer John Tipper Examiner Mark Anderson

09.12.11

Nigel Rowland, RoSPA Gold Observer Steve Shortis Examiner Dave Solomons

Special Congratulations to our Senior Observers: 17.10.11

John Tipper, RoSPA Diploma Retest Examiner Tony Gabb

04.12.11

John Tullett, RoSPA Re-test (@ Gold) Examiner: Mick Jones

Our Apologiesâ&#x20AC;Ś On the 6th November 2011, Keith Brades achieved ROSPA Silver, and there appears to have been a mis-spelling of his surname, our apologies. Well done Keith.

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

This and That We are supposed to love and cherish our grand children and of course I do. They get their normal education but as a Grandad I need to teach them the things that school doesn’t, for example how to ride a motorbike. I bought a Yamaha TY80 ’kids bike’ for them, made it safe and the lessons begineth. Grandson No 1, Sam, 10 years old, was sat on the bike and told where all the bits were and what they do. Here is the choke for cold starting, here is the petrol tap to turn on the fuel, this is the kick start to make the engine go, here are the brakes to make it stop and so on. After several attempts the bike is running and I am instructing him about the function of the twist grip,” turn it this way makes it go faster, turn it that way to slow it down.” With lots of stalled starts behind us we are finally on the move and for the next hour he showed promise and progressed well. He seemed to be quite delighted that he could obtain forward motion without the customary pedalling. Something was wrong though, it seemed that he had reached his threshold and refused to try a little more speed or attempt to change into second gear. With one or two crashes motor bike fascination faded and he resorted back to his Nintendo. Grandson No2 Joe 7, sit him on the bike, tell him, “push that, twist that, kick that, wind this, pull that, brakes, got it?” “Can you say that again Granddad”. “No! get on with it”. Well the first lap of the field went well and then for some reason while doing a turn he wound open the throttle and the bike just spat him off. I could see he was hurt because his little face was all screwed up in pain and then he burst out into tears and wailing whilst holding his leg. A quick roll up of the trousers leg revealed many bruises with previous history and then I found the new fresh one, all red but not too serious. A prod with a finger confirmed that it was only a bruise and I convinced him that in a month or two the pain would subside, more wailing. I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to tell his Mum that he is in A&E and he’ll be home tomorrow when the plaster is set. Joe still visits us but I have to promise I won’t make him ride the motor bike or he won’t come. I PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

guess they are not going to be motor cycle champions but wait there are four more grandchildren who are eager to be taught how not to ride a motor bike ( I hope their mums don’t read this). I have often kept hens and I like them very much. They are not so stupid as you might imagine and they are great characters. All had names and they led a long and happy life raising families and scratching in the garden in return for an endless supply of eggs. On a dry day just after Xmas I thought I would go out for a spin on the CB500. I’d been suffering with back ache and forgot to take a Paracetemol as I went out. It started to spit with rain and with late nights to bed at Christmas I felt a bit ’woolly’. I passed by a farm yard and on the other side of the road stood a lovely white hen. She made no indication of panic but I slowed anyway and just when I was level she ‘bolted’ straight under my front wheel. I looked back and white feathers drifted down ‘to and fro’ like a small snow storm, some feathers wafted along in the wake of the bike but she lay dead in the road, sadly. With no point in stopping and getting the wrath of the farmer I cleared off. (If he had taught his hens to use the crossing non of this would have happened). This made me very sad. I consoled myself by thinking the farmer would find his dead hen in the road and on Sunday it would be on a plate surrounded with roast potatoes and brussel sprouts, all floating in a sea of gravy. This way it would mean it wasn’t a waste of life. Further down the road the bike went sideways on a gravel patch and then an Audi came around the corner sharing my side of the road. Best go home. As I turned into my road a neighbour was walking her Spaniel using one of those dog leads on a retractable spool. The owner could be in Essex but the dog, still on the lead, can be in the next county. It spotted me coming and ran out into the road barking furiously I did a big ark across to the other side of the road and avoided him. I imagined the worst scenario and I ran over and killed Benjie. There would be no consolation of thinking of him on Sunday surrounded with roast potatoes and brussel sprouts all floating in a sea of gravy. I abandoned the bike in the driveway and retired to a comfy chair with a copy of ‘Bike’ magazine. Safe from chickens, poor road surfaces, Audis and dogs. Being an ‘Advanced Motor Cyclist’ means knowing when ‘not’ to go for a ride. It’s official the Hornet 900 ( 9-19 as the yanks call it ) is the dullest looking bike Honda ever made. A series called Café Racer on Sky’s ‘Shed’ channel is all about reproducing the Rocker period in America. 10

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They don’t seem to have grasped the idea that Rockers and Café Racers (I did it) of the 50’s and 60’s rode British bikes and not Z1’s and CX500’s. That didn’t stop them transforming a Honda CB 900 into a café racer. I just happen to have one and I absolutely love it but I have to admit it is visually the dullest most boring bike to look at on the planet. It is no wonder Honda abandoned it as a sales flop. I look at it and wonder how it can be made more attractive, nicer colours, glossed wheels some graphics. I’m convinced that what ever I do it is still going to look crap. If you improved Ann Widdecombe would you wind up with Susan Boyle. I think I’ll leave it alone at least it would be the last bike to be stolen. To ride or not to ride. Stupid question.

Dave Iszard

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PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

BMF Report

Bikes in Bus Lanes

The BMF and others have been campaigning for years to open Bus Lanes to motorcyclists and the London Mayor has finally announced that Bikes will be allowed into most the Bus Lanes run by TFL which are mainly the Red Routes in and out of London. A step in the right direction and it has only taken them 10 years since trials began in London to decide that it won’t be detrimental to the safety of Bikers and other vulnerable road users and 16 years since Bristol proved the point and opened up their Bus Lanes in 1996. Pretty speedy for a bunch of politicians. The changes in London are effective from the 23rd of January. The BMF is still campaigning to open up the rest of London’s Bus Lanes where appropriate. TFL’s route map of the lanes can be found at; http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/redroutes/10151.aspx

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

In 2007 the Government issued a Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL 02/07) to local authorities encouraging them to make an objective of their Bus Lanes regarding their use by Bikes. So if you know of a bus lane on your commute that you think could be opened up write to your County Council and give them a bit more encouragement.

Transport Minister is a Biker

Mike Penning, MP for Hertfordshire is the current Under-of State for Transport was recently interviewed for the BMF magazine Motorcycle Rider. In the interview he said that he started his life as a Biker as an Army Dispatch Rider. He now owns a 900 Ducatti Monster and a Royal Enfield. Hopefully his first hand experience will come in handy when British and European Laws and Regulations are being proposed. He said that on the subject of Rider Testing and Licensing that “I keep referring to a single test and I still think that’s the best idea. We have to create a test that gives people the skills to enjoy their future riding and ensure that they are safe with other people on the road”. Talking of European regulations he added that “he had permission from the Prime Minister to “push back as strongly as possible” on anything he didn’t like and on the Commission’s latest Type Approval legislation and he said he would do just that.

Events The BMF’s opening show of the year is at The East of England showground Peterborough on the 19th and 20th of May. There is a camping site available and evening entertainment with live bands, in door and out door stands, a stunt show and when possible racing events of some description.

You can catch up with what’s going on with the BMF at:- www.bmf.co.uk

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Motorcycles in Bus lanes—Paul Osborne 21 dec Surface transport

Motorcycles to be allowed permanent access to bus lanes on TfL road network. Transport for London has announced that following two extensive trials, motorcycles will be able to drive in bus lanes on a permanent basis on the majority of the Capital’s Red Routes from 23 January 2012, helping to deliver a key strand of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Analysis from two 18 month trials has shown that allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes is popular, with an estimated 50,000 journeys a day now being made by motorcyclists in the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) bus lanes. This has helped contribute to achieving key Mayoral priorities to smooth traffic, cut CO2 across London and to improve journey time reliability for motorcyclists on the network.

The second London-wide trial, scheduled to end on 23 January 2012, builds on an initial trial that took place between January 2009 and June 2010. The first trial produced a large level of detail about the behaviour of motorcyclists in bus lanes. This information was used to shape the second trial, which included increased enforcement against motorcyclists speeding and a road safety marketing campaign designed to address issues identified in the first trial.

An independent review of the second trial analysed a wide range of data to help understand the impact of the measures introduced following the first trial and collision rates (calculated by comparing the volume of journeys against the number of collisions). The review also analysed the longer-term impact by assessing changes in collision rates between the second trial and the period before motorcyclists were allowed into bus lanes.

The key findings of the review include the fact that:

• Collision rates in bus lanes in the second trial decreased by 5.8 per cent for mo-

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

torcyclists and by 8.5 per cent for cyclists when compared with the first trial. • There was no significant change in the collision rates for pedestrians in bus lanes between the two trials. • When comparing the second trial with the period before motorcyclists were permitted access to bus lanes, there was a significant (11.6 per cent) decline in overall cycling collision rates in bus lanes and no significant change in collision rates in bus lanes affecting motorcyclists or pedestrians.

As part of the second trial, TfL increased enforcement of bus lanes on the TLRN through daily patrols by the Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Tasking Team. Between August 2010 and December 2011, the team spent almost 1,400 hours carrying out additional enforcement specifically at locations with a high collision history involving motorcycles. In line with this increased enforcement, the average speed for motorcyclists in bus lanes reduced by 6.5 per cent during the trial, with the proportion of motorcyclists exceeding the speed limit decreasing by one fifth (51 per cent in September 2010 down to 41 per cent in September 2011). Enforcement and road safety educational activity aimed at encouraging responsible and safe motorcycling in bus lanes will continue in future.

Ben Plowden, TfL’s Director of Better Routes and Places, said: “The results of our latest trial show that the Mayor’s policy of providing access to bus lanes along some of the busiest roads in London has delivered strong benefits for motorcyclists and in terms of improving the efficiency of the road network. The two trials have shown reduced journey times and environmental benefits with no significant safety issues thrown up for motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.

“The additional enforcement measures we introduced have also helped reduce average speeds for riders in bus lanes, delivering benefits for all road users in London. This is an important measure which has proved popular with motorcyclists across the Capital.”

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Editor’s Corner Dear Members, Here we are and winter has finally arrived with a cold week which will be behind us by February Group Night. For those of you out and about in less sociable hours, or commuting to and from work, it’s been mild but nippy, with some hard frosty mornings, and those of you out and about at the weekends, some really fresh and bracing days! More on that from Paul Scott and Mike Hamilton, thank you to both of you for those ride reports. All change! February Group Night brings the AGM and I am delighted to hand over the reins of TUG to Laura Windram—a committed motorcyclist both in work and play, extremely knowledgeable about biking, an asset to the group and a good egg to boot! Thanks to Nigel Barton, who emails us regularly to keep in touch and what’s on—and is working on a new format for TUG online, I am so impressed!!! Check this out online… it’s fab!!! http://issuu.com/nigelbarts/docs/dec11webtug. Nigel has made a significant impact in EAMG this year, and I look forward to further developments in that direction. Nigel will email you about the next TUG deadline too—send in your thoughts, stories, items of interest—EAMG is all about excellence in motorcycling and part of that is sharing your experiences and views. Thank you to all of you who have given me your support and encouragement in this last year, especially Guy Jones who is just brilliant. I have really enjoyed the process of editing TUG, and from me... that’s all folks! Wishing you the very best biking in 2012,

Ellie Editor

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

All Full Member Rides will leave Sainsburys Springfield, Chelmsford, at 9.30am

2012 February

March

April

Diary 2012

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night, Annual General Meeting

Associate Group Training

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

AGT

Peer to Peer

Full Member Training 1

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

Associate Group Training

22 Annual day tour to France. Eurotunnel 7.20 departure from Folkestone. Return 17.50 from Calais.Currently £28 return. Watch the Forum for further details.

May

June

July

21-25

Reveiller Ride 1: 4 Day Scenic ‘D’ Tour

Peer to Peer

Group Night

5-9

Reveiller Ride 2: 4Day Cote d’Or

Associate Group Training

Eamg Full Member Ride

Full Member Training 2

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

Associate Group Training

23-02

Reveiller Ride 3: Schwarzwald & Bavaria

Eamg Full Member Ride

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Grand

Here is an opportunity for your late Christmas present for that certain someone (male or female) with our bumper regalia sale. For the next three group nights I will set up our regalia table for you to see what we have. Make me an offer (sensible of course) and it could be yours. We need to turn this stock into cash for the group. Gents Hoodies, Ladies Polo shirts, various colours and sizes, Gents Fleeces, Beanie Hats, Baseball caps, Gents Polo shirts new and old styles, Gents Short sleeve shirts, Ladies short sleeve shirts, Gents and Ladies Tee shirts, Ladies V neck Tee Shirts, Key Rings and stickers. LOOK FOR US AT THE DECEMBER, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY GROUP NIGHTS

Roger Wardley, Group Secretary

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

September

Group Night

7-11

Reveiller Ride 4: 5 Day Scenic Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Or

Associate Group Training

Peer to Peer

Full Member Training 3

Group Night

Associate Group Training

Boys & Girls Ride, Cotswolds

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

16 Sunday 16th September. Beachy Head run. Watch Forum for furyher details.

October

November

December

Reveiller Ride 5: 11 Day Austrian Alps

Associate Group Training

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

5-10

Reveiller Ride 6: 5 day Massif Central

Associate Group Training

Peer to Peer

Full Member Training 4

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

Associate Group Training

Eamg Full Member Ride

Group Night

Associate Group Training

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Diary 2012

8-19

Group Nights @ 19:30, NATPs @19:30, AGTs @9:15 am

August

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Member of The Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Ride Reports Given that Chris Johnson has been sidelined for a while and hence unable to attend the ride outs, I’ve been asked to do what I can to fill the void with the events and ride reports. It’s an impossible task to fill Chris’ boots and I really hope he’s back in them soon. In the mean time I thought it might be an idea to have some more varied input than just my thoughts so I’m now touting for people to do brief ride reports and let me have them (Please send them as a message on the forum to “Scotty”. I’ll have a EAMG email at some point too). It would be really useful if when Tail Enders are being identified at the start of a ride, if someone can volunteer for this. I’ll do it as and when I can but I don’t get out on as many rides as I’d like. Thank you for supporting TUG, EAMG and myself with this. 02/01/2012 The handy thing about New Years Day 2012 being on a Sunday was that it meant you could have a lay in after a late night (and get rid of the hangover). Even better was that it meant the Bank Holiday was deferred to the Monday. There actually wasn’t an official ride planned but Richard posted up on the forum (make sure your keep checking it !!) a couple of days before that he intended to do a “local run of 100 plus miles”. With the day being free (and me itching for some time out from the family!!) it was a pleasure to see the forecast was for mildish temperatures and clear blue skies all day. I hadn’t expected to need my dark tinted visor for a ride so early in the year but it felt great heading out with in fixed on my helmet. At Sainsbury’s there was a great turn out – funny how this happens in great weather! Once all briefed we set off. Now it’s at this point I have to confess writing this report weeks after the ride and hence the locations and details are largely lost to my memory. <blush> We rode out on familiar roads to Leaden Roding and then looping out through Thaxted, on to Saffron Walden, looping back on a different route via Thaxted and on to Dunmow. The roads actually started off PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

damp and I had a new rear tyre on which needed scrubbing in. As the ride went on the roads got drier and I relaxed more and my hesitancy gave way to enjoying the new rubber. By the time we got to Hatfield Peverel I was having a great time enjoying the ride and the glorious weather. To be honest I sat in the cafe amazed as more and more people arrived and then the tail ender. There had been periods of the ride when I didn’t see anyone for 5-10 miles! I knew the ride was fragmented but it says a lot about the system that we all arrived at the correct location! After an all day breakfast (it felt rude not to) the group split in to those wanting to make the most of the weather and extend the ride and those who’d racked up enough miles for the day. The extra loop took us down through Maldon and the Burnham Bends and around the Dengie Peninsula. It was somewhere in the depths of Eastern Essex that a couple of dogs run out of some woods and on to the road in to the front of the group. Due to the various comments about hare coursing in the area and those responsible for the animals, I don’t intend to say much about the incident. All I will say is that our ride leader showed incredible composure and bike control ensuring that those behind had a much easier ride of it . Since I was immediately behind it was greatly appreciated. We rode on and after a fuel stop we started to go our separate ways. I got home in the dark after a brilliant day and 175 miles chalked up. It was certainly the best ride of 2012 so far ;) and actually one of the most enjoyable rides I’ve been on for quite a while. Paul Scott Ride Report - 08/01/2012 The first official ride of 2012 (I did attend Richard Parker's ride on 2nd January but went home early) started for me at 8am when the alarm went off. A glance out of the window confirmed what the weather forecast predicted, a cloudy but dry day. I love this global warming extending our riding season. Right I said, looks like a good day for biking, the first of many to come I hope. So up and downstairs, I carried out the appropriate pre-ride checks; bike in order, warm gear on (heated jackets are a real bonus) and I 26

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

set off. Around 20 miles to the regular meet at Sainsbury's Springfield is just right for me to get the mind into riding for the day.

As I arrived at Sainsbury's I spied Andy Hems on the roundabout, so I knew the day was likely to be well attended. This conclusion was born out by the half dozen riders fuelling and by the gathering number of bikes in the car park. The usual faces were there, George Brown, Stuart Grey, Spider, Andy Lee, Geoff Preston and many more (sorry if I don't mention all of you, love you all anyway.). Not sure of the numbers but there must've been 20 plus bikes and there were some new faces too, which is always good to see. The customary hellos and greetings were exchanged and then Richard turned up on his shiny new Ducati. After a few minutes the crowd were called to order and Richard explained the route, advised the coffee stop would be swift, as the end of the ride, at Hatfield Peverel, had to be at 1 o'clock to ensure brunch would be served. The disclaimer was delivered and upon request for back markers, I volunteered for first stint, with Phil volunteering for the 2nd. Without further ado, each rider mounted their steed and off we went. The A130 got us off to a good start, then out through Felstead and up through Bardfield to Finchingfiled. The B1057 then provided the entertainment, through Cornish Hall End to Haverhill. The group was well spread out by now but sitting at the back I was quick comfortable, picking up each marker without incident. It has to be mentioned (you know who you are) that some markers do like to get off the bikes and wander around or like to be admiring the scenery, this makes for some entertainment when waving them to move on has no effect. i'm sure the Highway Code and Roadcraft make no mention of 'using the horn to alert markers to get going'. Our route took us in a meandering path North then East, thru Clare, circumventing Sudbury and arriving at a cafe to the north. The sight of Geoff Preston waving us in for a hot drink was a welcome sight. A break of about 30 minutes with lots of convivial conversation then Richard was off like a startled gazelle. You could see individuals scurrying around in a desperate attempt not to get left behind. It's happened before and I'm sure it'll happen again. Having relinquished the back marker baton, I managed to be out and PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

running in the middle of the pack. Richard was setting a fair pace and had chosen some excellent roads, heading in an easterly direction along the B1078. All was going well, we picked up the B1113 and arrived at the junction with the A14 where, due to a momentary loss of visual contact with Richard, it all went a little Pete Tong. Richards intent was to go around the roundabout and continue down the B1113, unfortunately, due to said loss of visual contact, approximately half the group went up the slip road for the A14. From that point on, there was a starburst effect, some of the group walked their bikes backwards and rejoined the correct route, others carried on down the A14 and retraced their steps back. However, it was to no avail, the group was split. I not sure who went where from this point, except that myself, Doug & Maz, Stuart Grey and a few others stuck together and tried to find the rest. However, it was a fruitless exercise as back markers had moved on, so we found our own way to the cafe at Hatfield Peverel. This involved a trudge of about 30 miles down the A12. The positive to all this...we arrived at the cafe first so tea and a bacon

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PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Réveiller Rides - 2012 Itinerary “Réveiller Votre Penchant Pour La Motocyclisme” ‘Revitalize your love of motorcycling’ but, I can hear you say, I’ve not lost my love of motorcycling. We’re sure you haven’t but the more mature of us can remember when there was far less traffic, appropriate speed limits and decent roads to ride. Sadly those days are long gone but are they? Join us on one of our rides and let us show you otherwise. We’ll organise everything for you and accompany you unless you prefer to explore on your own. Our brochure will be available early in the New Year but here is a brief summary of the rides we have planned for 2012.

RV1201 (4 day) Sat 21st to Tue 24th April Scenic D’ Tour With a daily mileage within France less than 230 miles, using picturesque ‘D’ roads this scenic tour is ideal for solo riders, riders carrying a pillion or riders who haven’t ventured abroad on a motorcycle before. Audrey and I will accompany you unless you prefer to explore on your own and by using three hotels, we give you the best opportunity in a short time to experience just how good the roads in France can be.

RV1202 (4 day) Sat 5th to Tue 8th May Cote d’Or (Experienced) We haven’t been to the Cote d’Or in earnest for a couple of years so those of you who’ve been there before and miss the fabulous roads and those who’ve just heard about them, now is your chance. We have just four days so there will be days with mileage in France of circa 300 miles so this is a ride for the experienced.

RV1203 (10 day) Sat 16th to Mon 25th June Schwarzwald & Bavaria (Experienced) Our route to Bavaria will take us through Schwarzwald (Germany’s Black Forest) so we’ll be sure to ride a section of the 500! In Bavaria we’ll have the opportunity to visit ‘The Eagles Nest’, Hitler’s retreat in the mountains at Berchtesgaden, ride the Deutsche Alpenstrasse and the 2,505 meter high Grossglockner Pass in Austria. Demanding roads with some high daily mileage (not exceeding 300) mean this ride is for the experienced. 30

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

RV1204 (5 day) Sat 7th to Wed 11th July Cote d’Or Audrey and I discovered the roads in the Cote d’Or by chance when looking for a hotel; road maps of the area give little indication of the wonderful roads to be ridden. Anonymity is to our gain though as traffic is minimal so why not join us to see what all the fuss is about? Five days gives us time to ride scenic ‘D’ roads to the area and a day to enjoy the superb riding that is on offer.

RV1205 (11 day) Sat 8th to Tue 18th September Austrian Alpes (Experienced) By popular demand we are returning to Austria with the added bonus of a full day in Schwarzwald. This 11 day riding adventure takes us to the heart of the Austrian Alps where we stay for five nights at a four star ‘Motorrad’ friendly hotel. The most beautiful Alpine routes and 100 passes are waiting for you in 5 countries; Austria, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Words are inadequate to describe the incredible feeling of just being there, even photographs cannot do justice to the splendour. Demanding roads with some high daily mileage mean this ride is for the experienced.

RV1206 (5 day) Sat 5th to Wed 9th October Massif Central (Experienced) If you love riding your bike then this is a ride not to miss. After a short distance on Péage we join open and flowing ‘D’ roads to our first hotel just north of Auxerre. We continue south through the beautiful region of Nièvre, which will be stunning in early autumn, to the Auvergne region in the Massif Central to our second hotel. A two night stay gives us the opportunity to explore the stunning roads of the area, sadly missed when we visited in 2011. Our route then turns north to the Côte d’Or for our final night before returning to Calais. We’ll cover over 1,500 miles so this 5 day riding delight is definitely a ride for the experienced. Please let us know if you’d like to join any of our rides as soon as possible as places are limited. John Tipper, Réveiller Rides, Email: john@reveillerrides.co.uk

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Full Member Training Courses We now have two training schemes for Full Members: Full Member Training (FMT) - Four one-day training courses; Further Training for Full Members (FTFM) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Assignment to an Observer.

These Training courses are being provided by EAMG for Full Members wishing to take further training to check their riding skills havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deteriorated, or those wishing to take further advanced riding tests such as RoSPA, or those preparing for qualification as an EAM Observer. 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 but for those wishing to do so, a pre-test assessment of your riding may be arranged. To ensure the highest possible standard, EAM Senior Observers or EAM Observers holding a RoSPA Gold standard will undertake the training. 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 the other Full Member is being observed. We will endeavour to match riding experience, ability and aspirations, any mismatching being addressed at the first refreshment stop. Routes are carefully selected and vary from course to course. A route plan will be sent by email or post a few days before the day to enable familiarisation, but your Observer will have ridden the route a week or so prior to the day. Routes will be approximately 150-200 miles duration for summer months but may be reduced for the final course due to failing light. Wherever possible, routes will be simple to follow and cover a wide variety of roads. The first refreshment stop will typically be within 40/50 miles.

John Tipper, Email: john@reveillerrides.co.uk

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

Full Member Training Course Application Form Please complete and return it, with your cheque for ÂŁ45, made payable to EAMG Ltd., to : John Tipper, Name: Address:

Post Code:

Tel:

Email:

FMT Ride date:

Riding Experience:

Reason for interest:

Typical annual mileage:

Machine:

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

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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 and a society that pays footballers more than teachers. Inclusion of adverts is not to be construed as EAMG endorsement, although most advertisers are excellent, but seek personal recommendations.Text ÂŠ EAMG 2011. Illustrations ÂŠ EAMG 2010, except where indicated otherwise. Group material may be reproduced provided acknowledgement is given to EAMG and the original author.

http://www.eamg.org.uk Affiliated to the British Motorcyclists Federation Registered Charity Number 1107703 Essex Advanced Motorcyclists Group Ltd, Registered Office, St Laurence House, 2 Gridiron Place, Upminster, Essex, RM14 2BE

PROMOTI G EXCELLE CE I MOTORCYCLI G SI CE 1982

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