Dec2015

Club Night - 8th December Eastham Ferry Hotel Ferry Road Eastham CH62 0AU

Issue No 211

December 2015– January 2016

W I R R A L A D VA N C E D M O TO R C Y C L I S T S Group Council 2015-2016 Web Site

IAM Group 5115 http://www.w-a-m.co.uk

Chairman

Tim Brown

chairman@w-a-m.co.uk

Vice Chairman

Ken Smith

vicechairman@w-a-m.co.uk

Honorary Treasurer

Lindsay Boston

treasurer@w-a-m.co.uk

Membership

Nina Jeffries

membership@w-a-m.co.uk

Associate Coordinator

Rob D’Cruze

associatecoordinator@w-a-m.co.uk

Chief Observer

Mike Boston

chiefobserver@w-a-m.co.uk

Honorary Secretary

Rob Cooper 0151 648 4503

secretary@w-a-m.co.uk

Events Organiser

Dave Spotswood events@w-a-m.co.uk

Newsletter Editor & WebMeister

Peter Lovatt

Minute Secretary

position vacant

Group Shop

Martin Titley 0151 632 3570

groupshop@w-a-m.co.uk

Gift Aid Coordinator

Rob D’Cruze

giftaid@w-a-m.co.uk

Ride Out Coordinator

Rob Tutchings

rideouts@w-a-m.co.uk

newsletter@w-a-m.co.uk

Other Council members Nicole Rigby Carl Mason Cliff Evans Derek Jeffries Graeme Thow Steve Lord

MAGAZINE TEAM:

CONTACT WAM

Editor: Peter Lovatt

Rob Cooper Coopers Upholstery The Old Bank Everton Valley Liverpool L5 0RH

Duplication: C3 Imaging, Liverpool Distribution: The Post Office!

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Thanks to Rob Cooper for hosting the November club night Quiz, and adding a bit of light humour (courtesy of your humble and modest Editor, who is apparently a really brilliant rider. Gosh!) Everyone enjoyed the night!!! See below

To December’s Club night, and that is the WAM Christmas Meal. Last year was a great turn out, and hopefully this year should be the same. It’s a pre-book event only, so hopefully you sorted out your menu options last month - and decided whether your Wife/Husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/partner/escort or whoever is coming too.

OK, as this is the December issue, there is NO January issue of the hallowed and famed WAM Magazine, so please make a note in your diaries that on the 12th January’s club night, we will have Mark Lewis MBA, BSc (Hons), CMgr, FCMI, FInstLM IAM Director of Standards. So please make sure you turn up and fill the room with WAM bods - its cosier that way. You can even ask some IAM type questions if you want. Should be a good club night.

Congratulations to Cliff Evans and Steve Lord on Passing their National Observer Tests, and Dave Allman and Derek Horton in passing their IAM tests. Well Done everyone!!!

Finally, this issue is a bit thin, as (at the time of typing this up) my mum passed away on 30th October and have yet to have the funeral. My head is elsewhere sorting out all the paperwork and other stuff. Thanks to every one who has offered condolences in the club, its much appreciated.

Pete 3

WIRRAL ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS

Diary of Events www.w-a-m.co.uk *************************

December 8th Club Night - WAM Christmas Meal *************************

January 12th Club Night - Mark Lewis Director of Standards for IAM *************************

This is the link for the WAM Official Forum, set up for Members of Wirral Advanced Motorcyclists ONLY. It is a forum for Associates, Observers, and members of WAM to discuss Official Group Rides out, riding techniques, FLC matters, and similar topics. To join you MUST give your name and Postcode when you Subscribe.

Group name: WAMOfficialForum Group home page: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/WAMOfficialForum Subscribe: to subscribe to the group send a BLANK email to WAMOfficialForum-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk Unsubscribe: to UNsubscribe to the group send a BLANK email to WAMOfficialForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk Once your submission has been approved, you can then post emails.

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This week’s tips from the IAM’s head of riding standards, Peter Rodger, are looking at how riders can best prepare for riding in the dark. Read our latest tips to ensure your journey is as safe as possible.

1. Before starting your journey, check your lights are clean and that bulbs are not blown. Check your tyres are in good working condition and ensure the tyre tread is no less than 2mm.

2. Make sure you are wearing protective gear that is highly visible. This is particularly important when riding at night or in poor weather conditions – see and be seen at all times. If you are wearing a backpack make sure it has reflective markings as well.

3. Most modern lights will switch on automatically. If your lights don’t switch on automatically make sure you switch on dipped beams before starting your journey.

4. If you can, keep to well-lit main roads. If you do ride through unlit roads make sure you switch on full beam. However, you mustn’t use full beam during the day even in poor visibility or foggy conditions as you risk dazzling other road users.

5. Avoid filtering through traffic in the dark and when visibility is reduced – it might sound obvious, but you should only change lanes if it’s absolutely necessary and when it is safe to do so.

6. It takes longer to react to a hazard in the dark or poor lighting conditions - always ride at a steady pace and within the specified speed limit. It’s important you can always stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

7. Always keep your eyes on the traffic around you and avoid tailgating at any times. You never know when a vehicle might suddenly pull out in front of you or brake sharply. Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you will ensure you have more time to react to a hazard.

8. Remember that everyone else has lights on too – which makes yours harder to pick out. In traffic, think about riding so that you are easier to see, and not lost amongst the other lights. (assuming everyone has lights on in the first place— some idiots don’t!)

9. Use all clues there are to warn you about the road ahead – the pattern of street lights, the reflections of other vehicles’ lights and where the tail lights of other vehicles go ahead of you, as examples.

10. Avoid power slides on damp roads and use the throttle judiciously, so you do not get those ’brown trouser’ moments. Remember, grip is at a premium, the tarmac is cold and probably the tyres won’t be up to their usual temperature either, so the rubber compound won’t be working as it should. Do not use Racing Wets on the road. They are illegal.

Peter said: “Riders should be aware that drivers cannot react as quickly as you might expect them in the dark. So you should always make your movements as predictable as possible. The best way of avoiding an accident is making sure you’re visible and ride smoothly, so everyone around you knows what you’re doing. That’s the sure path to a sweet ride!”

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Ten wamsters were present at the Tudor Rose; Chris Ash, Dave and Graham Dixon, Tony Barber, Derek Horton, Ian Hatton, Michael Collins, Mike Hawkyard, St. David of the Tail End…and me.

The autumnal weather provided fine riding conditions (okay there was a few spots of rain in the morning but nothing to mar the day) and most of us followed Rob T’s planned route to enjoy some fantastic roads and riding…Mike and Ian took a pre-lunch detour to explore more of the A5 than is absolutely necessary but they rejoined us in Criccieth just in time to eat.

The desolate single track section of the B4407 seemed to be a favourite stretch of road for most; made better by the total absence of cars and sheep!

Ken 6

With a view like this, it must be Criccieth‌.

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With a view like this, it must be Criccieth‌.

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IAM's weekly tips offers advice for riders on maintaining maximum safety on the road This week's tips from IAM seek to teach motorcyclists about how to minimise the risk of an accident.

This advice from head of driving standards, Peter Rodger, will ensure maximum security for all riders when they hit the open road.

First, it is important to stay visible at all times. During the day, hi-visibility clothing is encouraged in order for other motorists to see you easily. However, be aware of the limitations when yellow clothing blends into a similar background colour.

Further, lateral movement is much easier to pick up with the human eye so if you think someone didn't see you, move sideways a little bit if it safe to do so.

Clothing that is better to wear at night should have reflective material on the sleeves. You should be aware that your headlamp may blend in with those of the vehicles behind you and twin headlamps, when viewed up close, can be seen as car headlamps. So never place all assurance on the fact that you will be seen easily with the headlamps. This is why reflective clothing is a must.

An important rule of safety is to always leave enough space for the car in front so that they can see you clearly. A lot of the times, motorists won't check their blind spot before making a manoeuvre so give them the space just in case.

If you are travelling at the same speed as the car ahead, sit where you can see the driver's face in the mirror especially in the case of buses. They have more difficulty seeing you from their side mirrors so this will ensure that they do.

Before coming to a junction, anticipate concealed side roads or bends and keep a safe speed in case of delays at the junction. This is why it is imperative to always plan ahead.

When motorbikes filter through traffic at quick speeds, accidents will more often occur. Because of this, you should only filter when surrounding traffic is travelling at less than 25mph. Only exceed their speed by around 10 to 15mph, but no more than that and only if it is safe to do so in regards to the speed limit for the road you are on.

When there are side entrances to your right, be careful before overtaking any vehicle, especially in regards to tractors and other farm vehicles.

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These types of vehicles will often pull into field entrances that motorists or riders would be able to notice so it is important that you remain patient and only overtake them when you have the most visibility.

As mentioned before, it is important to always plan ahead as you never know what could lie ahead of you, especially when you approach a bend. Before you get to the bend, manage your speed and anticipate for the worst by slowing down if you can't see around the corner.

You aren't the only rider or motorist on the road and even pedestrians and cyclists share the road with you as well. Be mindful of how your riding may affect others by never tailgating and avoiding road-rage.

Head of driving standards, Peter Rodger said: "Being prepared for what might develop is a huge key to being safe on two wheels. In town, make sure you're seen and don't assume people can see.

"On country roads, avoid running into trouble on bends by always being in position to stop on tarmac you can see is safe. Try to be as predictable as possible and I'm sure your ride will be a sweet one," he concluded.

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DISCLAIMER:-

The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of Advanced Motorists Ltd, or the Wirral Group of Advanced Motorcyclists. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with the view that free expression promotes discussion and interests. So you have been warned.

Interested in doing the Advanced Car Test? Wirral Advanced Motorists are the people to see. Go to www.wirraliam.co.uk