feb 2012 tug

JJJ O U R N A LO U R N A LO U R N A L O FO FO F T H ET H ET H E EEE S S E XS S E XS S E X

AAA D V A N C E DD V A N C E DD V A N C E D

MMM O T O R C Y C L I S T SO T O R C Y C L I S T SO T O R C Y C L I S T S GGG R O U PR O U PR O U P Registered Charity Number 1107703

February 2012

Motorcycles in Bus Lanes,

This and That,

Ride Reports and more...

Chris Reed Chairman [email protected]

& Group Contact

Dave Iszard Observer Co-ordinator [email protected]

Sue Saunders Treasurer [email protected]

Roger Wardley Secretary [email protected]

& Regalia

Lynn Childs Membership Secretary [email protected]

& Associate Rep

Graham Childs Promotions [email protected]

Graham Simpkins Webmaster [email protected]

Madelaine Murphy TUG Editor [email protected]

Guy Jones General [email protected]

John Tipper General [email protected]

Nigel Barton General [email protected]

Paul McKelvey General [email protected]

Paul Staples General [email protected]

Geoff Preston General [email protected]

The Committee

PROMOTI�G EXCELLE�CE I� MOTORCYCLI�G SI�CE 1982

Chairman’s Piece 2

Membership Secretary Report 4

Letters 7

Secretary’s Report 8

Notice of AGM 10

This and That 13

BMF 17

Editor’s Corner 20

Diary (Pull Out) 22/27

Membership Form (Pull Out) 24/25

Réveiller Rides 2011 29

Réveiller Rides 2012 Itinerary 40

Full Member Training 42

Nigel Barton spills… 45

Tailender 48

Welcome!

2 PROMOTI�G EXCELLE�CE I� MOTORCYCLI�G SI�CE 1982

Chairman’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 90’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 re-

ceived 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 cate-

gory 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 speci-

fied. 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 struc-

ture. More available on the DSA website, and I more than happy to discuss these

changes with you.


Chris

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

I now find myself in the position of a parent who is going to learn to ride a motor-

cycle 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.

Special Winter Offer—Until 31st March 2012, 1:1 Training Day

discounted to from £229 to £149


Membership Secretary Report

Membership Number

Full 74

Associate 13

Social 2

Total 98

Life 9

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

FMT £20.00

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


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 Apologies…

On the 6th November 2011, Keith Brades achieved ROSPA Silver, and there ap-

pears to have been a mis-spelling of his surname, our apologies.

Well done Keith.

Test Passes


This and That

We are supposed to love and cherish our grand children and of course I do. They get their nor-mal 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 be-hind us we are finally on the move and for the next hour he showed promise and progressed well. He seemed to be quite de-lighted 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 at-tempt 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 be-cause 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 fin-ger 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


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 scratch-ing 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 feath-ers 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 Sun-day 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 float-ing in a sea of gravy. I abandoned the bike in the driveway and re-tired to a comfy chair with a copy of ‘Bike’ magazine. Safe from chick-ens, 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.


Dave Iszard

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 col-ours, 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.


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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 appropri-ate.

TFL’s route map of the lanes can be found at;

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/redroutes/10151.aspx


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 inter-viewed 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. Hope-fully 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 peo-ple 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 show-ground 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 de-scription.

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


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, mo-

torcycles will be able to drive in bus lanes on a permanent basis on the major-

ity 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 net-

work.

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 en-

forcement 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 colli-

sion 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-


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 per-

mitted access to bus lanes, there was a significant (11.6 per cent) decline in over-

all 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 involv-

ing 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 pro-

portion 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 av-

erage speeds for riders in bus lanes, delivering benefits for all road users in Lon-

don. This is an important measure which has proved popular with motorcyclists

across the Capital.”


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

Editor’s Corner


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February 5 Eamg Full Member Ride

7 Group Night, Annual General Meeting

12 Associate Group Training

March 4 Eamg Full Member Ride

6 Group Night

11 AGT

18 Peer to Peer

25 Full Member Training 1

April 1 Eamg Full Member Ride

3 Group Night


22 Annual day tour to France. Eurotunnel 7.20 depar-ture from Folkestone. Return 17.50 from Calais.Currently £28 return. Watch the Fo-rum for further details.

21-25 Reveiller Ride 1: 4 Day Scenic ‘D’ Tour

29 Peer to Peer

May 1 Group Night

5-9 Reveiller Ride 2: 4Day Cote d’Or


13 Eamg Full Member Ride


June 3 Eamg Full Member Ride

5 Group Night


23-02 Reveiller Ride 3: Schwarzwald & Bavaria

July 1 Eamg Full Member Ride


Here is an opportunity for your late Christmas

present for that certain someone (male or fe-

male) 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

Grand

Roger Wardley,

Group Secretary


3 Group Night

7-11 Reveiller Ride 4: 5 Day Scenic Cote d’Or


15 Peer to Peer

August 5 Full Member Training 3

7 Group Night


19 Boys & Girls Ride, Cotswolds


September 4 Group Night

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

8-19 Reveiller Ride 5: 11 Day Austrian Alps



October 2 Group Night

5-10 Reveiller Ride 6: 5 day Massif Central


14 Peer to Peer



November 4 Eamg Full Member Ride

6 Group Night


December 2 Eamg Full Member Ride

4 Group Night


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Given that Chris Johnson has been sidelined for a while and hence un-able 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 sup-porting 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 be-fore 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 loca-tions 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

Ride Reports


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 immedi-ately 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


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, Stu-art 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 num-bers 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 ex-plained 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 enter-tainment, 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 scur-rying around in a desperate attempt not to get left behind. It's hap-pened before and I'm sure it'll happen again. Having relinquished the back marker baton, I managed to be out and


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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 ar-rived 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 con-tact, 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


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 Al-

penstrasse 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.


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. Anonym-

ity 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: [email protected]


We now have two training schemes for Full Members:

Full Member Training (FMT) - Four one-day training courses;

Further Training for Full Members (FTFM)

– 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 haven’t deterio-rated, 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 manda-tory 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 en-deavour 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 familia-risation, 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: [email protected]

Full Member Training Courses


Name:

Address:

Post Code: Tel:

Email: FMT Ride date:

Riding Experience:

Reason for interest:

Typical annual mileage: Machine:

Full Member Training Course Application Form

Please complete and return it, with your cheque for £45,

made payable to EAMG Ltd., to :

Jo hn Tippe r,


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