August's cover photo is of SAM member Ian Bishop taken on his recent trip to the Arctic Circle. Please send in Pictures for our 2022 magazines Photos of certificate awards at Julys Group Night. They were; Samantha Andrews, Jeremy Berwick and Mark Needham (1st).
The SAM Observer August 2022
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your Committee No Calls After 21:00 Please Officers Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Richard Ockelton Glyn Hill Eric Aldridge Bryan Duncan
Committee Members Chief Observer Membership Secretary Caring SAM Charity Co-ordinator Publicity Co-ordinator Committee member Associate Co-ordinator Continuous Training Coordinator Events Webmaster Communications Magazine Editor National Observers Mike Roberts 01473 718915 Tony Chyc 01206 231782 Geoff Scott 07983 939998 Paul Newman 01473 620450
07872 925532 07986 319163 07984 022646 07879 654122
Paul Ballard Dave Franklin Brian Ellis Brian Ellis Dean Harris Trevor Read Geoff Scott Geoff Scott Steve Bingham Les Smith Les Smith Felix Oliver
07850 715063 07801 688639 07740 564097 07740 564097 07956 339112 07525 724002 07983 939998 07983 939998
Derek Barker Paul Ballard André Castle
01473 327555 07850 715063 07730 526674
07792 273334 07792 273334 07712 649860
Local Observers Ian Leedham Dean Harris Phil Sayer Terry Fellowes Ian Bishop Steve Bingham Dave Franklin
07747 792992 07956 339112 07990 565451 07870 764187 07775 920661 07971 075424 07801 688639
John Rudland Rob Baker Glyn Hill Graham Parker Nick Braley Andrew Robotham Karl Grimwade
07740 874300 07710 537844 07986 319163 07905 468995 07990 734581 07816 128591 07885 717771
I.A.M. Examiner Ian Maxwell
07974 941545
Neale McConnell
07899 714136
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Contents Group night certificate pictures Committee Chairman’s Chat Test Passes Master Passes Mid Suffolk Light Railway SAM Theory Evening CCMC Bike show The Great Challenge Associate only ride Great Bike Impromptu ride CCMC Charity ride Ride Leaders Where are we going? Scuba diving or Bike riding Advertise Here SAM Events for your Diary Members Information Mid Suffolk Light Railway Editorial Mid Suffolk Light Railway Pictures Marshall’s awaiting Our Venue
by Bryan Duncan by Richard Ockelton
by Sonnie Westley by Paul Ballard by Eric Aldridge by Nigel Chittock by Dave Franklin by Les Smith by Geoff Thornington by Eric Aldridge by Trevor Read by Vini Evans by Eric Aldridge by Committee by Mike Roberts by Sonnie Westley by Editor by Sonnie Westley by Eric Aldridge
2 3 5 7 7 7 8 9 10 12 15 18 19 20 21 23 25 25 29 30 32 35 36 36
next Issue Closing date for copy – Monday after club night. Send via e-mail or on a USB memory stick (which will be returned) The Editor reserves the right to edit, amend or omit as he feels fit.
WEBSITE ADDRESS http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com SAM is a registered Charity ~ No. 1067800 All Official Correspondence to:
The Secretary, Eric Aldridge. The SAM Observer August 2022
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Chairman's Chat A very warm welcome to the August edition of the SAM Observer. Well I hope this chat finds you all enjoying the really good weather and that you have managed to get out on your bikes and to enjoy the challenge this year whilst having some interesting tales to tell. For one I have enjoyed this year’s challenge, it has been quite an interesting especially the Essex leg. So for those of you who took part and enjoyed the challenge there will be a presentation at our September Group Night. For all those who took part and completed this year's challenge they will receive their 'trophy' from the organiser, Nigel Chittock. This will be followed by the draw for this year's prizes. As you are aware the club functions with the help of volunteers from the membership who are elected to form the Committee that in turn enables the club to run on your behalf. These Committee members carry out various roles that allows the club run as smoothly as possible. Now that we appear to be finally coming out of COVID it is time to ask for volunteers for the committee to ensure the smooth running of the club for now and the future. By asking now we have built in resilience within the Committee and for the various roles. We had started the process before COVID however circumstances have delayed us moving forward on this particular point. Currently we are looking for a deputy to assist our editor Felix. Whilst assisting Felix to deliver an award winning magazine for the club, but also developing the future communications strategy for the magazine with Felix. If you are interested in the position, then please either contact Felix or me, Thank you. As most of you are aware we are always asking for members to submit a short piece about their adventures or events they think will appeal to the wider membership. It is important that we as a club continue to submit and write these articles, so that we are able to deliver a magazine for the whole membership. Please continue to do so those that do and for those who are thinking about it please give it a go. As you may or not be aware our club secretary is standing down at next year’s AGM on completing his three years in post. We are looking for a volunteer who The SAM Observer August 2022
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would be interested in the role. Please contact Eric or me directly to discuss the position, Thank you. The years Copdock Motorcycle show is being held on Sunday 4th September 2022. Eric Aldridge is looking for thirty volunteers for the Copdock Motorcycle Show. We will be parking possibly 15,000 bikes between 9am and 1pm (as last year). If you are able to assist please contact Eric either by email or mobile. Your help will be rewarded with a free pass to the show. To all associates if you are not aware the club has organised dexterity days. These courses are run over the year. Look out for email invites, website and speak to your Observer. Then all you have to do is book onto the course. Please note all associates and members that the club hold regular SAM theory evenings every fourth Wednesday of the month. You are more than welcome to come along and join in. As we have had an uptake in new associates, if you are not aware you are more than welcome to join any of the organised ride outs the club has arranged. You should receive an email invite for each event. So why not come along to see another social side of the club. I would like to thank Julys guest speaker Paul Hatfield, for his talk on Undersea World and Local Life of the Derawan Archipelago in Indonesian Borneo. Our editor Felix is always looking for new photographs and adventures that you may have been on recently for the magazine, thank you. Cheers
Richard
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New Associate Member A warm welcome is extended to our most recent Associate members:
David Finch If anyone else has joined us and not had a mention yet, let the Editor know and he will put your name in the next Issue
IAM Test Passes Congratulations to the members who have passed their Advanced test this month.
Jeremy Berwick Lee Kendall Chris Craddock
his Observer was his observer was his Observer was
Glyn Hill. Mathew Baker Geoff Scott
When you pass your advanced test please let Paul Ballard or Geoff Scott know
Picture taken by Sonnie Westley at the Mid Suffolk Light Railway The SAM Observer August 2022
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SAM Theory Evenings As most of you know, on the 4th Wednesday evening every month, SAM holds its monthly Theory Evening. Based on an ever revolving subject list of important rider skills these nights are an informal evening of facts and lively banter all aimed at improving your ride based on the information in the Advanced Rider Course Logbook. Each session covers one of the four main topic areas; Overtaking Cornering
Planning & Positioning Gears & Acceleration
Mainly aimed at Associates going through the course, these evenings are also a good way for full members to brush up on their theory and add their experiences and questions to the session. The great benefit of attending these sessions in the classroom means it saves time on the road, covering theory and has the added advantage of an opportunity to discuss any issues you may have generally on your Advanced Rider Course. Next theory night meeting will be August 24th 2022. 19:30 ~ 22:00.
Paul Ballard The SAM Observer August 2022
SAM Chief Observer www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com
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The CCMC Copdock Bike Show 4th September 2022 Just in case you have missed a mention in the other editorials in this magazine there is the renowned and probably the biggest bike show in East Anglia (if not the world) at Trinity Park Ipswich on Sunday 4th September 2022. Once again SAM will be assisting CCMC by parking the bikes in the allocated bike areas. The gates open at 9am so we will be assembling at 8,15 ready to receive the first bikes. This year we are not marking the parking bays on Saturday. You have only one opportunity to volunteer and that is on the Sunday. Briefly, this year our intention is to have 3 separate teams in each parking area, each with a leader and radio contact. The idea is to allow/control the bikes to each area in turn in order not to overwhelm a particular team. To achieve this I need 30+ volunteers. Those who volunteered last year will recall we parked some 15000 bikes in less than 4 hours. By 1pm the numbers arriving are only a trickle and the volunteers can use their free entry to visit the show, look around the stalls, dealers, exhibits and display teams and enjoy some refreshments. Of course the SAM Publicity team will be at the show promoting the Club and would welcome a visit from you too. You will be fully briefed beforehand and on the day. Any member, Associate, full members or Observers etc can volunteer. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact me by email or mobile (ealdridge49@gmail.com or Tel 07984022646). Eric Aldridge
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The 2022 Great SAM Challenge *** The Deadline is getting near! *** Thanks to all those members who have forwarded their photos to me. I have received literally hundreds of your pictures of the signs you have found as proof of visiting the locations in this year’s Challenge. You have used churches, village halls, schools, road signs, shops, notice boards and of course the customary village sign, including one which rather inconveniently disappeared but then apparently reappeared looking a lot smarter than before. If you haven’t sent your photos in to me then please remember that the deadline is August 31st, so there’s still time to get out and find those last remaining places to get yourself into the prize draw. The draw will be held on our September group night at our usual meeting place and it would be “Great” if as many of you as possible could be there to accept your SAM flasks and to see if you are one of the three lucky winners in the draw. If you haven’t signed up for the Challenge yet and fancy being in with a chance to win either £200, £100 or £50 to spend with a company that advertises in the SAM Observer magazine then please contact me by email. Only 2 weeks to go? Some members completed it in 2 days so there’s still time!
Nigel Chittock
nigel.chittock@btinternet.com
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The SAM Observer August 2022
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Associate only SAM Group Social Ride. On Saturday the 9th July a small, but very friendly group, of SAM Associates, Ride Leaders, and an Observer, met up at Beacon Hill Services. The sun was shining, some caffeine was consumed, you could feel the tension in the air! Vini Evans introduced the group and started proceedings with an introduction about SAM group riding. Everyone laughed and nodded in all the appropriate places, as Vini explained the intricacies of ‘junction marking’, and ‘Sat Nag’, yes Nag not Nav. So initial briefing done, the Associates were split into smaller groups, each led by a Ride leader, and off we set, at staggered intervals. Our destination ‘The Bakehouse at Emmerdale’, Darsham. A good, relatively direct route of approximately 40 minutes, 24 miles, along the A140 to Stonham and the A1120 to Yoxford, crossing the A12 to Darsham. Having dealt with the usual challenges on the road; Cyclists, Sunday drivers (on a Saturday), potholes, road resurfacing etc, it was… Time for a break. Yes, food and drink were consumed, everyone agreed that the selection of food on offer was brilliant, the service first class. Well worth a visit. Suitably refreshed, it was time for Vini to address the group again. More nodding and laughing, as some finer details around group riding were discussed. Concepts such as ‘staggered position’ and ‘overtaking’. Even more nods of approval and the groups were keen to set off once more.
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Sun still shinning and hot. The return route to Beacon Hill Services, this time a little more challenging, on a delightful mix of roads, some barely wide enough for a BMW GS (other bikes are available), we set off. Our return route took us through some lovely Suffolk countryside, villages, and towns like: Leiston, Snape, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Ottley… Did another 1 hour and approximately 38 mile ride just end so quickly? Brilliant! Debrief and Q & A, some even had room for more coffee and a cookie. Everyone agreed that this had been a great morning, much learned and a few laughs, great riding, good food and new friendships. It is hoped that this type of event will be repeated in the future. Remember it is run by your club volunteers, for you. Keep your eyes open on the all new SAM website for details of all future events. Thanks to Vini Evans, for putting this event together, passing on his knowledge, the route, and the jokes. Trevor Read for organising the Ride leaders, Les Smith and Dave Franklin, for their support on the day. See you all next time.
Dave Franklin
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The SAM Observer August 2022
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Great, Bike (and biker) friendly place to stay in Scotland I’m sure many of you enjoyed Paul & Ben Sharpe’s write up of their epic cycle ride from Land’s End to John o’Groats in the last issue of the SAM Observer – well yours truly took on the same challenge a couple of weeks after theirs, riding with an organised group, rather than arranging everything myself – a great trip, which I undertook just for personal satisfaction and to tick it off my bucket list. I won’t go into any detail here, as that was well covered in last month’s magazine, but I do feel obliged to mention one of our lunch stops, which provided a little unexpected fun. On Day 9 of our tour, which took us from Gretna Green to Hamilton, we stopped for lunch at The Buccleuch Arms Hotel (& Restaurant) in Moffat (https://www.buccleucharmshotel.com) where we were provided with some excellent sandwiches, chips and snacks along with plenty of tea, coffee and soft drinks (we saved the beer drinking for the evenings). On arrival we were told to take our bikes (no motors) round to the back of the hotel, where there was some safe storage – imagine the surprise when we found a range of “Motorcycle sheds” (see photo) all in a neat line, which are provided for hotel guests. The Smith family (no relation) who run the hotel, originally come The SAM Observer August 2022
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from Zimbabwe, and made us feel really welcome, so I took the opportunity to chat to one of them about their “biker friendly” hotel and learn a bit more about the area. The hotel is positioned in a great location if you are travelling to the North of Scotland (i.e. NC500/highlands) but is also a good base to explore the local area which has some great scenery, and is often overlooked as people just pass through on the way North. The hotel has some interesting features in the garden, which I felt worthy of a couple of photos, firstly the “planters” on the railings at the back (see photo) I did ask if these were from those bikers who “did not make it” but was assured that they were just helmets that had reached the end of their useful life. Secondly, I found a new “friend” in the grounds (see photo) so could not resist a quick picture. If you are planning to visit Scotland sometime I would highly recommend the The Buccleuch Arms as either a stopover, or a base for a few days, you can be sure of a warm welcome, and a secure home for your bike.
Les Smith
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The SAM Observer August 2022
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Geoff Thorington
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www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com
The SAM Observer August 2022
Attached a photo of my Honda VFR & a couple of BMW GS's, from an impromptu midweek ride out, when I bumped into a couple of SAM members Steve Hart & Al Foreman at Orford Quay. We enjoyed a coffee, then rode on to Raydon airfield cafe for lunch.
Cheers
CCMC Charity Fun Rides 2022 As you should be aware by now CCMC arranged three charity Fun Runs this year. Each one has been supported by SAM members acting as Marshalls at strategic locations and junctions. We have now completed our third and final ride on 24th July when we saw some 180 bikes take the scenic route to Leiston FC. Once again it was sunny and the warmest at 28deg C. Some Marshalls were in position and directing riders for well over an hour. Some found a safe location in the shade but it was not always possible. Some kind residents offered chairs to reduce the wear and tear on the Marshalls legs. It was an endurance test and our volunteers all passed with flying colours. This time I even managed to enlist my wife and the hairdresser’s car. Some of the volunteers have marshalled all three (Tom Coomber has marshalled the same location for each ride for this year and previous years and maybe facing vagrancy charges soon or applying for squatters rights on the A1071 roundabout). I would like to thank all the volunteers on behalf of SAM and CCMC for their support. In addition I would like to thank Mike Roberts who not only led the Marshalls for each ride but checked the routes and Marshall locations giving me every possible assistance and advice.
Eric Aldridge The SAM Observer August 2022
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Ride Leaders
Social Ride Coordinator Trevor Read Ride Leaders Eric Aldridge Ken Beckinsale Kevin Bolt Chris Bond Martin Drury Brian Ellis Vini Evans Dave Frankin Mike Roberts Glyn Hill Alex Jones Fred Sparrow Adrian Tadman David Wood
Please check the SAM Calendar online for last minute changes/cancellations – this also includes a link to the registration page with more details..
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Where are we going and how are we getting there? Social Rides in September Sunday 4th brings us to the last of our scheduled, longer Brunch Runs. Oh dear, does this mean that summer is nearly over already? Never mind, let’s make the most of it. We’re heading off to the smallest county – Rutland. Another Garden Centre would you believe, on the southern banks of Rutland Water. Covid played mayhem with some of our eating establishments with many going out of business and disappearing, or trying again under new management. This one, within Rutland Nurseries, used to be called Wellies but now seems to be called simply ‘the café’. https://www.rutlandnursery.co.uk/rutlandnurserycafe As with the rest of our Summer Brunch Runs we shall be departing from Bury Tesco car park – not by the bins! We’ll get out of our well-known local territory by means of a quick trundle along the A14 to Cambridge. Turning up through the Cambridge Fens to St. Ives and up through the Riptons to Sawtry. Then, running sort of parallel to the A1, up to join the A47 via Elton. We’ll then branch off through Collyweston and Edith Weston to the Nursey in Manton. Saturday 24th is our Jaunt to The Blue Egg at Great Bardfield. Departing again from a Tesco, - well they do provide adequate room for parking with fuel and toilets available on-site – this time it’s Stowmarket. We’ll ride out to Long Melford via Needham and Lavenham then on to Clare. Then we’ll cut down to Great Yeldham and Finchingfield and terminate at the café now run as Knead Food. Browse through the menus if you need something substantial but many will settle for pastries and cakes. https://kneadfood.com/menus Finally to our Chip Run. What? There is no Chip Run? That’s it – how depressing, summer really is over. No more Chips Runs until next April! Plenty of time then for you to think of other chippies you know of that we could visit. Places (plaices?) that can cope with our numbers in seating, - about an hour from one of our regular departure points, and, of course, really tasty fare. Your suggestions help, otherwise we’ll keep churning out repeats. Not that there’s anything wrong with the ones we’ve used regularly but variety is the spice of life they say. Vini Evans The SAM Observer August 2022
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The SAM Observer August 2022
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Scuba Diving or Bike Riding more rambles from the Secretary What a nice change in the weather for July and it has been even better to store my mantle of the rain god. Of course that abruptly changed on the July Group Night when a sharp shower dampened the spirits for some. That mention of water brings me to our 'impromptu' guest speaker, Paul Hatfield who spoke on his diving trip to Indonesian Islands. For those members who didn't make it you missed an interesting, if non-biking, presentation about a remote part of the world we may never see, albeit I've spent a few days exploring Kuala Lumpur and went up the Menara Kuala Lumpur tower as Paul did but never came close to the remote islands he visited. We were on our way to North Island New Zealand and I had hoped to dive in the Bay of Islands, renowned as one of the best in the world dive sites. Unfortunately, we had gale force winds for the two days we were in the area so I never made that dive. I should explain that in a former life I belonged to BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) and the local dive club in Sudbury. Through that club I trained and qualified to Sports Diver standard, the same as Paul's PADI trained qualification. Unlike Paul, most of my experience is dry suit diving around the UK. A slightly different method to maintain buoyancy by inflating the dry suit as well as using the same buoyancy aid that Paul uses with his neoprene suit. The dry suit should be exactly that - a suit of waterproof membrane worn with a padded (duvet type) inner lining, Occasionally, a seal does leak resulting in a damp experience. The intention of the dry suit is to use the air inside the suit to keep you warm- even when the water is freezing. However, whilst Paul's fascination is the large and small marine life around coral reefs that he illustrated so well with his photographs there are hundreds of wrecks around the UK together with the associated UK marine life that hovers around the wrecks. In addition we have our own reefs in the UK. There's one off the Norfolk coast that is now protected. There are some commonalities between BSAC and SAM. The clubs are run by highly qualified experienced volunteer trainers and aided by other divers (or for SAM other riders) with varying degrees of experience. The advantage for using this route to learn is that there is no commercial incentive or time constraint for the organisation or trainee in achieving a qualification. As with SAM the driving force for BSAC is safety and building the divers confidence. The SAM Observer August 2022
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Another benefit of diver training through a club is going on weekend diving trips using one of the club members own rib boats adapted for diving. This allowed us to plan our own dives rather than the expense of hiring a dive boat and crew. It also meant that we could add another qualification for boat-handling, enabling the club to have several members who could safely and confidently handle the boat giving more flexibility when planning dives. On one trip off Newhaven we were diving a wreck. Having already dived once we were 'degassing' (naturally releasing the nitrogen from our system as Paul explained) before undertaking another dive. I was enjoying my lunch using my folded down dry suit as a tray to support my food. One of the divers suggested an apple explodes under pressure. Before we could debate this I was told I should prepare to dive as I would be in the first pair over the dive site. I quickly gathered my equipment and prepared to dive. You always dive in pairs or groups but one diver is classed as your 'buddy' and you look out for that person in particular during the dive. Before you enter the water that person checks your equipment and you theirs. So we went in and carried out the dive to some 40m and returned to the boat. After I had taken off the equipment and checked everything was stored correctly I once more started to relax and removed my arms and neck from the dry suit. As I sat down I noticed a huge lump by my groin. My raised concerned voice (possibly a little high pitched) attracted some attention from my fellow divers. I reached inside my suit and carefully removed the offending bulge. I then continued to eat my lunch including the apple that had fallen inside my suit during my earlier break. At least I proved an apple can survive the pressure at 40m. As with riding, diving is a high risk sport with many hazards to encounter often in potentially dangerous conditions. As with riding the risks can be reduced by training divers on how to react and safely remove themselves from the hazard. That way, whilst we still encounter new issues, by using our new found knowledge and experience we can anticipate arriving home safely.
Eric Aldridge The SAM Observer August 2022
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Advertise in our magazine Annual Advertising Rates: Advertise on the SAM website for an additional £25. Contact Felix for more details 07712649860 editor@suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com £50 for ½ page
£75 for full page
Norfolk Advanced Motorcyclists 3rd Monday of the month, 19:30, at The Cottage, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrew. NR7 0JD
Chairman, Secretary,
John Young, Paul Milner,
07948538036 07834 600665
SAM Events for your Diary 2022 Please see website and magazine for updates
August 2022 Wednesday 17th SAM Group Night. Announcements followed by Guest speaker is John Southgate of Firebike and Biker Down fame. see the Calendar for latest info. 19:30~22:00 at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF Bar serving drinks, including teas and coffees. Saturday 20th Saturday Jaunt to Goodies Food Hall Wood Lane Long Stratton, meet at 13:00 Tesco Stowmarket Sunday, 21st Dexterity & Control. Sidegate Primary School, 292 Sidegate Lane, Ipswich IP4 4JD, 09:00 – 13:00, For more details please contact Observer: Matthew Barker The SAM Observer August 2022
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Wednesday 24th Theory Evening Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF, 19:30 – 22:00 Come along and learn more about Roadcraft. Topic: Overtaking. Contact: Paul Ballard. Meet in The Board Room Thursday 25th Fish and Chip Run to Deep Blue Market Street Newmarket, meet at 18:00 Tesco Stowmarket Saturday 27th Safe Rider is a joint initiative between Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies which aims to reduce motorcycle casualties. If you can help the Publicity Team on the Saturday of this event, please contact Glyn Hill
September 2022 Sunday 4th Copdock Motorcycle Show. The CCMC Show with its new earlier date. We will be asking for SAM members to help run the motorcycle parking on the day nearer the event. If you would like to help please contact Eric Aldridge Wednesday 7th SAM Committee meeting 19:00~22:00. Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF Sunday 11th Breakfast long run to Garden Nursery Lyndon Road Manton Rutland, departure at 08:30 Tesco, Bury St Edmunds (NOT by the recycling bins!) Saturday, 17th Dexterity & Control. Sidegate Primary School, 292 Sidegate Lane, Ipswich IP4 4JD, 09:00 – 13:00, For more details please contact Observer: Matthew Barker Wednesday 21st SAM Group Night. Announcements followed by Guest speaker is Richard Gladman - IAM Hrad of Driving and Riding Standards. See the Calendar for latest info. 19:30~22:00 at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF Bar serving drinks, including teas and coffees. Saturday 24th Safe Rider is a joint initiative between Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies which aims to reduce motorcycle casualties. If you can help the Publicity Team on the Saturday of this event, please contact Glyn Hill Saturday 24th Orwell Demo Day, 09:00 ~ 14:00 Orwell Motorcycles Ltd, 200 Ranelagh Rd, Ipswich IP2 0AQ, SAM promotion event. Contact: Glyn Hill or dean Harris if your available to help The SAM Observer August 2022
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Saturday 24th Saturday Jaunt to Blue Egg, Great Bardfield Meet at Tesco, Stowmarket at 12:00.
October 2022 Sunday 2nd Breakfast Run to Route 11, Attleborough Meet at Tesco, Stowmarket by 09:00 Wednesday 5th SAM Committee meeting 19:00~22:00. Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF Saturday 15th Safe Rider is a joint initiative between Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies which aims to reduce motorcycle casualties. If you can help the Publicity Team on the Saturday of this event, please contact Glyn Hill Wednesday 19th SAM Group Night. Announcements followed by Guest speaker TBA or see the Calendar for latest info. 19:30~22:00 at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF Bar serving drinks, including teas and coffees. Saturday 2nd Saturday Jaunt to Marriotts Warehouse, Kings Lynn. departure at 12:00 Tesco, Stowmarket Sunday, 23rd Dexterity & Control. Sidegate Primary School, 292 Sidegate Lane, Ipswich IP4 4JD, 09:00 – 13:00, For more details please contact Observer: Matthew Barker Thursday 26th Theory Evening Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF Come along and learn more about Roadcraft. Topic: Acceleration, Planning and Positioning. Contact: Paul Ballard. Meet in The Board Room
Articles and write up’s pictures are desperately needed The SAM Observer August 2022
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The SAM Observer August 2022
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MEMBER INFORMATION A lot of useful information about SAM and its activities is available on our website. Below are some key links members will find useful. CONTACTS Contact details of SAM’s Committee & Observers, complete with photographs so you can recognise everyone. https://suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/contact-us/ CALENDAR Our online calendar with relevant links which can also be linked to your smartphone. Contact: Les Smith https://suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/sam-calendar/ OBSERVER ASSOCIATE CHARTER What is expected of the Observer and Associate while preparing for the IAM motorcycle test. Contact: Paul Ballard TBA CARING SAM Our customer service & complaints procedures. TBA
Contact: Brian Ellis
DISCOUNT SCHEME Proof of identity will be required to be shown. (e.g. Current IAM/SAM membership cards). Save your membership fee, and more, by using these retailers who give a discount to SAM members. Contact: Dean Harris https://suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/disc ADVERTS Got something to sell? Want to see what other members are selling? See our online adverts section. Contact: Mike Roberts TBA SHOPS T-shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces, hats, and more are available from SAM’s two online shops. Contact: Mike Roberts https://suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/sam-shops/ FORUM All the latest news and discussion on all things SAM and motorcycle related. Have a read, and then register to join in. Contact: Mike Roberts TBA The SAM Observer August 2022
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Mid Suffolk Light Railway Sunday 17th June. The Eastern Region of the BMW owners club invited SAM to put up our promotions "stand" alongside them at the Mid Suffolk Light Railway site which we readily accepted so on the morning of the 17th a short but pleasant ride to Wetheringsett for Jean and myself on a warm Sunday morning. We were actually early for a change, a friendly greeting from the volunteers of the MSLR, issued with wristbands and ushered to a shady part of the yard to await the arrival of the rest of the team, shortly followed by Dave and then several members of the BMW club, needless to say there was a bit of friendly banter. Dean and Jo arrive with all the gear, the Gazebo is put up, bikes parked in front (the Triumph was parked beside so as not to show anyone up) and we are ready to go Glyn arrived a short while later and we have a full crew. By mid-morning a considerable number of machines had turned up for visitors to ogle at including myself. A considerable number of vintage and classic machines mostly British but I did notice a Honda, also several modern machines mainly Harley Davidson cruisers. There were other places of interest to visit and also available were rides on an old steam train pulling/pushing Victorian carriages all be it on a short track which both Jean, myself and some of the others took advantage of. By early afternoon the temperature had gone up and we were very grateful for the refreshments supplied by the MSLR and we did take advantage of the pleasant cafeteria a bite of lunch. We were approached by several visitors throughout the day one in particular (a potential young rider) who wanted to sign up there and then, sadly the IAM website played silly buggers, hopefully things have been sorted since then. By around 3,30 things had begun to wind down, Gazebo etc down and loaded up and a warm ride home in time for tea. Thanks to Dean, Jo, Dave, Glyn and of course Jean for a great day, think it was worth it, many thanks to the BMW owners for the invite (I even got a BMW badge, can't think why) and a special thanks to the volunteers and the MSLR for their hospitality wrist bands etc giving us access to the train and the free refreshments which were gratefully accepted and needed on a very warn day.
Sonnie Westley. M ud
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The SAM Observer August 2022
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Editorial 2022 What the editor does So the committee has asked me as editor to write up what the job entails. Dead line is the Friday after club night which gives me a week to arrange the new addition. I have made 12 folders, one for each month, so I copy the previous magazine into my current month, change the date of the file, open it and remove any content that doesn’t need to roll over, leaving all the core adverts and events which I mark in red so I can see if anything needs changing, change the month at the bottom of the page. This sometimes causes an advert to be accidently deleted as its “Anchor” moves to another page. Then sit, head in and hands waiting for the ping of an email containing a new article….. So as editor it’s up to me to use any fonts that I feel is fit, each page is made up of the heading which I use “Felix Titling” font size 36 centred (It’s not my font just a coincident?? ) but this all depends on how it looks, sometimes I have to reduce the font size so the heading fits on one line. Then the body is in “Times New Roman” font size 16 in “Justified” this means the computer automatically spaces the words so I have a straight line down both margins, Space between lines is set at 1.0, and with no auto paragraph spacing. I also have the paragraph mark ( ¶ ) turn on so I can see how the page it made up, It’s the backwards P at the top of your toolbar. I make up the magazine in A4, and the printer shrinks it down to A5, and that why we use a 16 size font as it looks like a 12 in A5. Names I put in size 20 so that they stand out. I don’t use “Bold” or underline as I think it can look messy. The magazine has to be made in blocks of 4 pages so that we don’t have any blank pages. Pictures are great because I can make them bigger or smaller to fit the pages, with pictures I use the format wrap tab and normally I would have the picture in “tight” which means I can move it around the text and the text will flow round it. I also can crop the picture deducing the background and just showing what we want to see. We now have a colour front and back cover which also includes the inside front and back pages, this I use for pictures and sometimes adverts if there aren’t any The SAM Observer August 2022
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pictures to put in. and as a special treat you might have another picture of my GTR…. “Ping” an email has arrived. Depending on what format it’s in, some emails add a document that I can download and save to my folder, I open it copy and paste into the magazine, sort out the formatting, spacing, justify, font and size, then a quick glance at the text, being dyslexic I don’t always pick up on the grammar or spellings, then get it to fit so it finishes on a full page, in some cases I reduce the paragraph to an 8 size which shrinks the text so it fits on a page, or sometime make them bigger but that can look wrong as the gap looks too big. I go on to the SAM website, which has now changed to a new server, go through all the dates in the diary and get them in order, once happy they are put back in black. Double check that I have no blank pages, then go though and write down all the page numbers with whose done what for the contents page. I then use “Primo PDF” to convert it from word, save it in “Screen” and send it to the committee to double check and send me the corrections. ( sometimes the editor page has quite a lot….) once the corrections have been verified I then primo PDF two copies, one for the website and one of the printer which is in higher resolution so that the pictures print without pixilation. Meanwhile Mike Roberts has arranged the cover picture and sends it to me, I send the web version of the magazine to Les Smith to publish on the website, And the print version with the cover picture to the printers who needs 2 ~ 3 weeks lead. Once that’s done I copy the magazine into the next month’s folder, change the date of the file, open it and remove any content that doesn’t need to roll over, leaving all the core adverts and events which I mark in red so can see if anything need changing, change the month at the bottom of the page. And wait for the articles to come flooding in. The printer then prints the magazine, who sends it to Susan Smith who in turn packs it up and sends it to the membership. The new website has been made live, and my email is back up editor@suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com Safe Riding Felix... Editor Bowman’s Barn, Back Street, Gislingham, Suffolk. IP23 8JH. Tel: 07712649860 Thank you The SAM Observer August 2022
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To all the members who have contributed to this month’s magazine.
Note from Editor Please check the SAM Calendar, Forum & Facebook page for further details and for any changes after going to press. Especially in winter months when the weather can be unpredictable
Disclaimer The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of Advanced Motorists or the Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclist Group. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with a view that free expression promotes discussion and interests. Any comments please email the editor.
Closing date for copy Friday after club night If you’d like to help save the Group on the printing and postage costs of your monthly ‘hard copy’ of the ‘SAM Observer’ by opting to receive an email notification instead, then please give me your email details on Group Night or send me an email. I hope that you have been enjoying the reports that members who go on ride outs have written, and as you can see, it doesn’t have to be a wordy passage, so feel free to scribble a few words down, a few pictures and next month you will have another great magazine to read Don’t forget to take your cameras and a notebook to record your trip then you can write a nice article about it for your favourite magazine. I have a word template if anyone would like it, email me and I’ll send you a copy which has all the formatting re-set on it. Please remember that we use Times New Roman as the main font for the magazine at a size 16 so that when the printer converts the A4 pages down to A5 the font looks like a 12. I like pictures to be separate to your articles because I can make them bigger or small to fill the page
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Pictures taken at Mid Suffolk Light Railway by Sonnie Westley The SAM Observer August 2022
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On the CCMC Fun Run. The SAM Marshalls ready to go to their stations
The SAM Observer August 2022
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