October Club Night Presentation Evening with IAM Examiner Eastham Ferry Hotel Ferry Road Eastham CH62 0AU
Where do you want to go today?
Issue No 199
Wales. Err, OK!
October 2014
W I R R A L A D VA N C E D M OTOR C Y C L I S T S Group Council 2014 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
Derek Jeffries 07957341692
associatecoordinator@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 & Minute Secretary & WebMeister
Peter Lovatt
newsletter@w-a-m.co.uk
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
rideout@w-a-m.co.uk
Other Council members Ian Roberts Nicole Rigby Carl Mason Cliff Evans
CONTACT WAM
MAGAZINE TEAM:
Rob Cooper Coopers Upholstery The Old Bank Everton Valley Liverpool L5 0RH
Distribution: Magazine Dispatchers and the Post Office!
Editor: Peter Lovatt Duplication: Martin Titley
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Welcome to the October issue of the WAM newsletter. When you read this, the Editor will have got just a little bit older, but not necessarily any wiser, but apart from that, it just WAM business as usual. We have had official runs out, and also the final FLC of 2014 is underway. Which brings me onto this issue, and inside, you can see the pictures taken from some of the WAM activities which have gone on through the last few months sliding down a steel rope, riding motorbikes in Yorkshire, Der Fatherland, and Rob C’s quiz last month Pix inside…. Also this month marks the end of the humble tax disc as we know it after its introduction in 1921, and an end of an era. Sales in tax disc holders have collapsed, and windscreens of cars should be a bit clearer to see out of. Woe betide anyone who forgets to tax their vehicle, as it is the owner who owns the tax, not the vehicle… much confusion will ensue! More in depth article inside this issue
There are a couple of pix of Derek and Margy Roberts who have passed their IAM tests. Well done to them, and well deserved! But don’t you think Ken looks like Jesus? He even has his own halo…. ;o) which brings me to mention this months club night……. Don’t forget that this month is Presentation night, with guest IAM examiner Dennis Nicholson. This month is also the final OFFICIAL Sunday ride out. Rob T is taking any riders willing to follow him on a trip to Criccieth, via a nice route through North Wales. WAM have now a Twitter and Facebook accounts - Twitter has been set up by me, and Facebook by Nicole. There will be a guide in these hallowed pages soon on how to Like, join, follow, or ‘whatever you want to call it’ and get on the WAM Social Media bandwagon (or should that be motorbike?) So just go to www.w-a-m.co.uk and click on the little Twitter and Facebook icons on the page. If you want to contribute something to Facebook, please contact Nicole at her email address and can you please include FB in the subject title nicolerigby@hotmail.co.uk So it’s time for me to sign off, and prepare the 200th edition of this incarnation of the WAM mag - more next month Pete
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20mph ZONES
Most motorists don’t want 20mph zones. Drivers are against the idea of a blanket 20mph speed limit on urban roads, according to research published by road safety charity, Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Half of drivers from the UK are against a blanket 20mph speed limit with under a third willing to embrace the idea and a fifth are undecided. Male drivers are more likely to be against the idea than female. Fifty-five per cent of young drivers were against 20mph zones as a speed limit for towns while thirty-four per cent of older drivers were in favour. Drivers are very supportive of lower speed limits outside schools, with ninety-four per cent of respondents agreeing that this would be a good idea. Areas with high numbers of pedestrians such as parks (34 per cent), hospitals and shops were the next most popular with 21 per cent of drivers in favour. Only eight per cent of respondents opted for 20mph near cycle lanes. Over three quarters of drivers believe that 20mph speed limits help to increase safety for pedestrians; however, only a fifth saw it as a positive advantage for cyclists. Pollution and noise were not seen as important benefits. Using 20mph speed limit signs only to enforce lower limits was twice as popular as physical traffic calming measures and three times more popular than the use of speed cameras. Only a fifth of drivers think enforcing 20mph limits should be a police priority. Sixty-eight per cent of drivers would like to see a specially tailored re-education course for drivers caught doing up to 30mph in a 20mph zone. There is a difference between speed limits and zones. Councils have the power to introduce 20mph speed limits and zones without obtaining consent from the Secretary of State. Speed zones are a collection of streets with a 20mph limit whereas speed limits are set for individual roads. Some local authorities have set 20mph speed limits on a number of individual roads so creating blanket coverage of residential areas with a 20mph speed limit. 20mph speed limits can be introduced without any form of traffic calming. In many areas they are being used across the whole area. Whilst not as effective as 20mph speed zones they can still produce significant lowering of speeds over a wide area for very little cost. Compliance is increased by publicity, driver awareness and community involvement. This can and does play a large part in self enforcement. IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Drivers are not as negative about 20mph speed limits as many commentators would have us believe. Those responding to our survey found it quite easy to stick to 20mph and there is large scale support for 20mph outside schools.” “However, most drivers don’t want 30mph zones to be replaced with 20mph in towns. Many drivers still need to be convinced it would be a benefit. Re-education is also much more popular than prosecution. Good design and widespread consultation is the key to the successful use of 20mph zones as a road safety tool because limits that match the road environment enforce themselves.” See IAM survey on 20mph zones: http://www.iam.org.uk/images/stories/policy-research/iam%2020mph% 20survey.pdf 4
Snowdonia / Criccieth Sunday 19th October 2014, 9.30am IAM Wirral Group (5115) are organising an official Club Ride Out in accordance with IAM Policy, (Medium Pace) starting at the Tudor Rose Car Park, Two Mills, Parkgate Rd, Wirral CH66 9PD. The Briefing will be at 9.30am
Please be prompt with a full tank of fuel.
Wirral –Criccieth: TR, A540, TR A550, TR A494, and follow the A494 to Mold, TR A541 towards Denbigh, forking left onto A543 thro Denbigh & continue on A543 over the Moors to the A5, TR into Betws-y-Coed for morning coffee. Continue on the A5 to Capel Curig. TL A4086, TL A498 to Beddgelert, TR A4085, TL B4418, TL A487, TR B4411 into Criccieth-by-theSea. Criccieth – Wirral: Exit east on the A497 onto A498, TR B4410, TL A487, TL A496, TR onto B4391 & cont through Ffestiniog to the B4407 & TL, then TR A5, TL B5105 to Ruthin and follow the A494 to Wirral. Having past Mold and Queensferry TL A550 and A540 to Two Mills and The Tudor Rose, Wirral for a head count. Please note: This a long distance ride. Each section taking 90 - 120 minutes. For I.A.M. Insurance reasons this Ride Out is for full members and Associates. This is also a great opportunity for non members wishing to join WAM. They are permitted one Official Group Organised ride out per year following an initial assessment, provided they are considering joining the IAM group to complete the Skills For Life Course! Anyone requiring to be Observed please bring it to the attention of one of the ride out team on the day. If numbers are large we may have to have more than one group in which case there will be one further group with a leader and sweeper. If the Snowdonia Winter snow arrives early we may consider changing the route on the day. The tail rider, nominated on the day by means of a short straw will be riding at the back looking after the rear of the group! If any other Full members are interested in leading another Group Organised Ride Out or have good ideas for future ride outs please contact: WAM Ride out co-ordinator: Rob Tutchings 07950 626622. Lead Rider. ©RT 8/14.
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Motorcycles are the cure to UK congestion. It’s a bold statement… motorcycles are the cure to UK congestion. We’re sure many a car driver will disagree but its been backed up by empirical studies which proves the case. The study, by research company Transport and Mobility, Leuven, investigated the impact of increasing the percentage of motorcycles on traffic flow on a stretch of busy commuter road leading into Brussels. They looked at not only traffic flow but also air quality as improvements in this area were assumed to take place if congestion was reduced. By using sensors placed along the route, and measuring traffic flow every 5 minutes, the team were able to map a typical rush hour pattern and used this to set the benchmark for the study. Using sophisticated analysis software and data from the Federal Planning Bureau they were able to simulate traffic flows and check their simulations against actual measured figures. The results were very close and served to prove that their computer modal was working accurately. The team then began to adjust the percentages of different types of vehicle during rush hour and discovered some startling results. A shift from car to motorcycle of just 10% resulted in a dramatic reduction of traffic queues and a quicker return to ‘normal’ driving conditions. In terms of actual figures what this means is that if just 1 in 10 drivers switched to two wheels an overall reduction in travel time of 63% would be achieved. Interestingly the team found that if just 25% switched then congestion would be eliminated altogether. The results prove that not only do bikes save time for those riding them they save time for everyone else too! As a result even if you don’t decide to jump from your car on to two wheels, you should be thanking those who do because each one is actually saving you time. Fact. The team also looked at emissions and found that as well as the fact that total external emission costs of motorcycles (all pollutants combined) is 21% lower than that of an average car, when 10% of the traffic is made up of bikes a 6% reduction of emissions overall is achieved, with 5% of this due simply to smoother traffic flow and higher average speeds. In the UK over 80% of daily commuter car traffic is single occupancy so Get On sees no reason why a 10% shift to bikes isn’t achievable. With this comes smoother traffic flow for everyone, a 60%+ saving in journey times and a 6% reduction in overall emissions. That’s not mentioning all the cost savings those who switch to bikes make or the time savings either.
So, if you’re one of those drivers fed up with being stuck in traffic do yourself – and everyone else for that matter – a favour and make the switch to two wheels now. Hurrah!
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WIRRAL ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS
Diary of Events www.w-a-m.co.uk *************************
October
14th Club Night - Presentation Evening - and talk with IAM examiner Dennis Nicholson 19th Official Ride out - Last official ride out. Criccieth *************************
November
11th Club Night - Steve Mort and Mark Owen (NWAM) joint talk
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. 7
Pat and Dave’s Trip to Germany by Suzuki Dr 800 Monday 24th June We left home for Hull and on the way we ‘collected’ 3 Round Britain Rally landmarks. The Round Britain Rally is an annual event, in March we are given a list of landmarks and we have to find out exactly where they are, we use the internet and plot the points on our map and enter the location into our GPS; we then visit the site and photograph the motorbike together with our unique control card, before the end of October we submit our photographic evidence, this is checked and our award is determined. We visited: Keighley and North railway station at Oakworth Long Marston battle memorial Kiplingcotes Derby Finishing post We had a late lunch at a transport café and arrived at Hull docks late afternoon for the crossing to Zeebrugge. Bike 290 kms Tuesday 25th June After a relaxing crossing we rode to Brugge old town and had a walk around the cobbled streets, we then zig zagged to Rocroi in France, stopping at Oudenaarde for cake and coffee and then saw a group of kids on monkey bikes who had gathered in the town centre; after a few photos our next stop was at Beaumont for an ice cream. That evening we booked a room at Hotel Du Commerce in Rocroi and parked the bike in the hotel garage and enjoyed a 12 Euro meal of the day. Bike 278 kms Wednesday 26th June We rode in the direction of Monthermé which is located in Champagne-Ardenne, following the River Samois, we had hoped to go canoeing but the river was covered in weeds and there were no canoes to be seen, unlike previous years. We stopped at a local market and bought cher-
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ries which we ate later on by the riverside in Bouillon. At our next stop at Neufchateau we chose traditional onion soup from the menu, it was delicious and we ate outside in the sunshine. After lunch we set off in the direction of Villares and Ettelbruck (Luxembourg) the roads were twisty and the scenery very picturesque. A few drops of oil were starting to appear every time we stopped, so after investigation found that the filter housing had developed an oil leak, we went to the Yamaha/Triumph/ KTM dealer looking for an ‘O’ ring but they were not at all helpful. We toured around looking for a smaller garage and found a Ducati workshop, the owner kindly loaned tools, and sealant to reseal the ‘o’ ring, once sorted we took to the road and later stopped at the centre of Larochette, about 50% of the hotels were closed, we found a lovely room at Hotel de Chateau it was 80 Euros for the night, once settled we went for a walk up to the Chateau and then a Chinese meal and some drinks. Bike 195.2 kms Thursday 27th June We awoke to rain but it stopped during breakfast and then the sun shone. We tried to get to Mullerthal, but some roads were closed due to the bridges being rebuilt after recent heavy rainfall. At Mullerthal we went to the information centre looking for accommodation, the cost was 150 Euros so the girl phoned our previous night’s hotel to book another night there, the hotel was closed but the owner said that they would open for us at 6pm that night. We got changed into our walking gear and did a couple of circular walks and returned to the bike at 4.30. Back at the hotel we met a couple from Barnsley, they had collected vouchers from the Sun newspaper and were enjoying a cheap holiday at the local Eurocamp site. We ate at the Chinese again as the cafe opposite was closed. Walk 15 kms & Bike 51.5 kms
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Friday 28th June We left Larochette and went to Gravenmacher then Remich, crossing the Mosel into Germany, heading for Merzig. The GPS was set for an old disused railway at Birkenfield, all we found was a loco and carriage on 50 metres of track. For lunch we bought cakes in the town and then went to Hoxel to our Motohotel. This was the venue for the annual German Monoconnection, single cylinder motorcycle rally.The Motohotel was owned and run by a young Dutch couple who ran it as a bikers’ motel, it was well managed and the rooms were large and extremely comfortable. The atmosphere was very friendly and that afternoon we went for a brisk walk along an old railway with the owner Gerben and his dog. We had a tasty meal and chatted with Steve, Dan and Martin in the bar they are fellow members of the UK Thumper club. Walk 5 kms & Bike 170 kms Saturday 29th June We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, paid Matthias, the organiser, the 190 Euros for food and accommodation and chatted whilst waiting for the rain to stop; the weather delayed the ride out. We eventually left at 1pm and zigzagged the Mosel riding up into the vineyards, later we stopped at a cafÊ by the river for refreshments, whilst sitting under the canopy around a long table we chatted with the Germans in English. We had a very scenic ride back to the motel returning at 7pm. A BBQ was set up and there was lots of drinking, eating, chatter and laughter. Most people were smoking in the bar so we moved into the 10
games room with others who enjoyed cleaner air. There was a lot of banter with Rene, a Cloggy living in Ireland and Steve from South Wales. Bike 196 kms Sunday 30th June We had breakfast and paid the weekend bar bill, 15 Euros, they charged 1 Euro a drink – simple! We said our goodbyes, heading for the town of Raalte in Holland to visit an American motorcycle museum. Lambert on his Ducati overtook us then we met him again at the next fuel stop.The autobahn traffic was stationary due to a crash, so as in the UK, we started filtering through the stationary traffic and was surprised to get verbal abuse from other motorists, we pulled up behind a stationary bike and found that filtering is not allowed and if caught it would be a 100 Euro fine. We arrived at the museum and enjoyed traditional Dutch apple tart and coffee, we then toured the museum and spoke with the owner and a lad who was sitting outside, the lad was a proud owner of a Suzuki Savage. We then set off to Breda which was 2 hours away, the wind was getting stronger. We arrived at 5.40 pm and Pat’s family had gathered and were waiting for us. We had a lovely evening eating and chatting outside in the sunshine. Bike 613 kms Monday 1st July We walked to see another relative who lived in Breda, had a chat and a cup of tea, played with her parrot and walked back to Pat’s aunt’s house. We loaded the bike, said our goodbyes and headed for Gouda. We had problems with missing motorway junctions on our GPS the mapping has since been updated. We walked around Gouda on a sightseeing tour and then over to Delft for more of the same and an ice cream. We then took the ferry across the Maas on our journey to Europort. Once on board the bike was secured we found our cabin and had a delicious Indonesian meal in the restaurant. Bike 127 kms Tuesday 2nd July On the car deck we met a tattooed biker who had ridden from Croatia the previous day 900+ miles on his HD Softail chopper. We disembarked and went over the Humber bridge for our first RBR of the return trip and then to Barnsley for a second one, then headed for the Woodhead Pass and home, but the M56 traffic was stationary at Preston Brook, so we filtered and came off at Frodsham, arriving home at 12.30pm. Bike 288 kms Total 2,208 kms/ 1,380 miles 11
WAM Congratulations Time! Firstly Congratulations to Derek Jeffries for Passing his IAM National Observer test on the 16th August Now to some Pix! Congratulations to Margy Roberts for passing her IAM test!!
Ken our Vice Chairman gives Margy her certificate!
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‌.and here is Derek Roberts also receiving his IAM test certificate from Christ himself!!!!
ZEN BIKER He knows not where he's going, For the road will decide, It's not the destination, It's the glory of the ride.
Club night Venue Eastham Ferry Hotel Ferry Road Eastham CH62 0AU 13
Official Ride out - pix from the 17th August
A few photos of the day, which was much better than expected given the weather forecast. We encountered very little rain, as the photos show - only two 10 or 15 minute periods - and the visibility was good with either bright sun through patchy cloud, or grey skies that didn't deliver much. As is usual for the area, and again the photos show, we saw very little traffic on the roads. The main issue on the day was the strength of the wind along Teesdale, which tended to pick up the front of my bike (with its beak) just as I'd tip in to corner; entertaining though..... The photos are view going to Hartside Top via Bowland and The Dales, and then from Hartside via Cumbria Rob D'Cruze
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WAM, Wires and Zips‌‌ Several brave members of WAM had a day out on the Zip Wire based at Bethesda, in North Wales. Donning giant red wonsies and a helmet, they were strapped up, and slung onto a bit of steel cable stretched over the vast holes in the ground left behind by the local slate quarries. So here are some pix from that day!
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END OF THE TAX DISC
From 1 October 2014, the paper tax disc, first issued on 1 January 1921, will no longer be issued and required to be displayed on a vehicle windscreen. The tax disc will cease to exist in paper form from October 1, with a new electronic system being put in its place. Under new rules announced in the Autumn Statement last year, motorists will now have to register their car online to pay Vehicle Excise Duty, otherwise known as road tax. This can be done via Direct Debit on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website or at a Post Office branch. Those who don't register for the tax, will be caught out by number plate recognition cameras which track each vehicle on the road. While the move aims to streamline services and, it is claimed, save British businesses millions of pounds a year in administrative costs, motorists are being warned to brush up on the new rules or face possible fines. The change mostly affects those buying or selling a used car. Anyone who buys a used car will no longer benefit if there are months left on the tax disc, as the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the car. This means buyers will have to renew their tax disc straight away, or risk being caught out on the road in an untaxed car. [The long-gone tax that everyone still thinks they’re paying] The seller of the vehicle is responsible for informing the DVLA of a change of ownership, otherwise they could face a possible £1,000 fine. This can be done by filling out a V5C form and sending it to the DVLA. Vehicle sellers will get an automatic refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax. Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said: "This is a huge change and vehicle owners and drivers need to be aware of the rules. A driver, not registered owner, can be issued a non-endorsable fixed penalty for driving an untaxed car. An owner can be fined £80 for using an untaxed vehicle (one not registered off the road) and can be charged any back tax." Mr Watters said it was important all vehicle owners and motorists did their utmost to establish whether their vehicle was taxed or SORN’d (declared off the road) before driving the car. Julie Daniels, head of motor at comparethemarket.com, said that the removal of the tax disc, which will in turn eliminate tax dodgers from the road, "should have a positive impact on premiums". The paper element of the driving licence, which accompanies the credit card size photo-card, is also due to be axed in January 2015. 18
Rob Coopers’ Quiz - September Club Night Thanks to Rob for last months quiz - As ever, a few surprises in the quiz too….. especially the WAM equivalent of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
Not forgetting WAM’s Pepsi and Shirley too!! Above, Derek and Nina recognise themselves in disguise!!!!!!!!!
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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