Thanks to those of you who turned out last Saturday to see Francis Maxey off on his epic solo charity journey to the Sinai.  We left Riders at Sloper Road and took a scenic route to Avebury and Stonehenge before Francis continued his journey alone to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Trust.  Francis will keep us informed of his progress along the way.

Next Ride Out. 12th September

Our next Monthly Ride Out will be Sunday the 12th of September to Bourton on the Water.  This beautiful village in the heart of the Cotswolds has a range of quaint tea rooms, cafes and gift shops, and dozens and dozens of old people aimlessly wandering the streets in gangs.  Last time I was there the Shopping Trolley Display Team took on the Zimmer Frame Dancers in the ‘queue jumping’ and the ‘pushing in’ challenge!  It almost ended in harsh tutting…….

Meeting at Hein Gericke Cardiff store for tea and toast before we go, for a 10am departure taking the scenic route through some fab countryside.

Come and join us for a bit of culture.

France Tour. 1st – 3rd October.

The next French trip is set for Friday the 1st of October – Sunday the 3rd.  For just £300 you get a return ferry crossing on the prestigious Sea France fleet, two nights bed & breakfast / three days guided riding over some of the best biking roads in the region.  Staying in the same hotel (so no lugging your kit about) in the City of Arras and visiting The Somme and Fromelles (the scene of the most recently discovered WWI mass grave).

This is a perfect opportunity to take your first trip across the Channel under the watchful eye of experienced and highly qualified.  You will find the French far more biker aware and biker friendly than motorists seem to be in Britain.  You will get to visit some awe inspiring sites along the way as you can walk in the footsteps of heroes of a lost generation.

We are currently negotiating with an experienced and qualified Battlefield Guide to accompany us on these trips and I will keep you updated about this aspect of the tours.

Leaving Dover at 8am on the Dover to Calais Ferry and returning at approx 7pm from Calais to Dover on Sunday the 3rd.

Spaces are limited to just 10 bikes for these trips and often sell out fast so please contact me to reserve your place.

RoSPA Observers Required.

The Cardiff RoSPA group is looking for enthusiastic riders to become ‘Observers’ within the group.  If your riding is to a high standard and you have the skills to impart your knowledge to others then this may suit you.

The role of the Observer is to give guidance to others within the group to assist them in raising their standards in preparation for taking the RoSPA Advanced test.  This is a volunteer system but you will receive a 40p per mile, mileage fee to cover your expenses when observing.

For further details please contact me and I can talk you through the process and what would be required from you.  This is a great way of keeping your own skills up to date and you can contribute to making motorcycling safer by guiding others along the way.

So go on give it some thought… give me a call… you know you want to….

Please accept my apologies.  I have up-dated the proposed date of the French Trip to the Somme and to the most recent War Graves Discovery at Fromelles.

The date of the trip will be one week earlier than first ‘Blogged’ and will run from the 20th to the 22nd of August.(not the 27th – 29th)

This leaves the following weekend free for the Charity Run to Stonehenge with Francis Maxey.

Sorry for the Confusion.  For full details of the trip please refer to the previous blog

The next ride out is scheduled for Sunday the 25th of July. Meeting at Hein Gericke Cardiff for a send off after a cuppa and a loaf of toast (well that’s me anyway!) departing at 10am for a scenic rote to Aberdare Park Motorcycle Road Races.

On Sunday racing starts at noon this leaves us time for a nice ride and a breakfast at The ‘World Famous’ Hot Pot Cafe. ( if it isn’t World Famous…. It should be). I had heard that the Hot Pot may be closed on the day but I’m going to see if he will open if we can get enough bikes to justify it. So please let me know if you are joining us.

Remember the Hot Pot is the place where they serve the breakfast on a plate the size of a tea tray! So this is not to be missed.

Aberdare Park Motorcycle Road Races is a fantastic event in an unbelievable venue. With lap speeds of almost 100 mph this is amazing as they are racing on the footpaths and roadway inside the park. With spectators allowed close access and view points that mean you can smell the sweat on the racers as they go past. No little dots in the distance like many race circuits but as close to the action as you will get without taking part yourself.

Come and join us. It’s a fab event.

August Ride Out.
An advance warning for the August ride out for Saturday the 28th of August.

This is the charity run for Ride Out regular Francis Maxey, who is raising money for the Marie Curie Cancer Trust.

Sadly, Francis’ life long partner recently passed away having suffered with Cancer so he is raising money for the Trust in her memory.

He is riding, with us to send him on his way, from Riders of Cardiff at Sloper Road, Cardiff. The meeting time will be confirmed but will be approx 10am.

Francis is riding across Europe and on to the Sinai! We will be going as far as Stonehenge. …….

If anyone wishes to come along please feel free. Let’s support him and make a donation for this most worthy cause.

I’ll post a reminder nearer the date.

Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day.
Scheduled for Saturday 31st July.

This is a one day course where we will teach you the art of slow control and you can get a taste of what we had to go through before we were let loose on the road on a patrol bike. Also you will get to try some of the exercises recently introduced for the new two part motorcycle test. Would you be able to pass it? Come and give it a go.

Also on the day we will teach you the technique for safe emergency braking and you will get to try it in the wet as we ‘make it rain’ just for you to practice emergency stops in the wet.

This is a full day course and spaces will be limited to just 10 bikes per course.

The cost of this course will be just £90 per person and that is amazing value. (a Cbt cost more than that).

If you wish to book a place or just want more details please contact me. As soon as possible.

Book Keeper Wanted.
If there is anyone out there with any book keeping skills who is able to help me make sense of my bills, receipts and invoices etc please contact me as I’d be very interested in giving you some work on a casual or part time basis.

Please give me a call or email if you fit the bill.

Just a reminder there is also a News Blog’ page on my main website. Check it out and you can follow it automatically with a RSS feed. (hark at me. Pretending to know about computers and stuff).

So come on chums join us on a ride out

Come on….. You know you want to….