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….

Hi My Biking Buddies.  Just a reminder for this weekend the Ride Out to Stonehenge, as a send off for Francis Maxey who is continuing on to the Sinai Desert to Raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Trust will take place this Saturday.

He is hoping to have a bit of a send off from Riders BMW/Harley/Ducati dealership, Sloper Road, Cardiff on Saturday the 28th. (Not Hein Gericke for this one)

A 10am departure is planned (so please be there early- or at least earlier than 10)  and we will ride to Avebury and Stonehenge where Francis will leave us (or we will leave him) to continue to Dover and beyond…

Next French Trip

Also the next French trip will take place on the weekend of the the 1st of October.  If you haven’t been…come.  If you have been..come again!  Full details will be published closer to the date but if you wish to reserve a place please contact me as soon as possible.

Spaces on these trips are limited, so don’t be disappointed.  Get your name on the list.

Next Bike

Also on Saturday you might notice a small change.  I won’t be running a ‘Spot the Difference’ Competition but you might notice that I won’t be riding my ‘old’  Green BMW but will be riding something that begins with ‘K’ and ends in GTR 1400.

At the moment I’ve still got the ‘old girl’ hidden away so if anyone wants to give it a good home (and give me some of your cash in exchange) then let me know if you are interested.  She has served me well enough.

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“Will my bum look big on this”……

Join us Saturday…..Come on you know you want to.

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

Finally the date has been set for the next French Tour. Friday the 27th to the 29th of August 2010.

The trip consists of a group of no more than 10 bikes. The trip is planned for an 8am Ferry from Dover on Friday 27th staying for two nights in the Picturesque and Historic City of Arras before returning on the evening ferry from Calais on Sunday the 29th.

The tour will visit Historic sites, WWI Battlefields and War Graves in the Somme Region. The Somme was the scene of the Bloodiest day in British Army History and there are many poignant reminders of the ‘lost generation’.  You will walk in the footsteps of true heroes

The cost for this three day/two night tour will be £300 and this includes your ferry crossing on the prestigious Sea France fleet, plus two nights twin room accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast basis, and my professional services as your tour guide and ride leader.

You will be provided with an information pack of general routes and destinations together with safety & legal advice for travelling in Europe.

In the past these trips have proved very popular and spaces sell out fast.  If you wish to get your name on the list please contact me as soon as possible.

A deposit will be required to secure your booking, and this can be paid through my main web site.  Details on paying the balance will be forwarded nearer the departure date.

In order to be in Dover for the 8am ferry on previous trips the group left Cardiff on the afternoon of Thursday and stayed over night at the Dover Premier Inn. (this cost is not included in the £300). This avoids the need to travel in the early hours to meet the ferry check in time, and it gives the group members a chance to relax and get to know each other.

This is an excellent opportunity to experience riding in France in safety and under the watchful eye of your experienced ride leader.

Come on… you know you want to….

Bon Soir.

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….

So we will be meeting at Hein Gericke, Cardiff Store for a 9.45 departure.

The route will be up the A470, over the Brecon Beacons turning left onto the Defynnog Road to Sennybridge. A40 to Llandovery and then taking the unclassified lane signposted Llyn Brianne.

We will be using the ‘Drop off’ system again, but it is important to be aware of who the tail end bike is. It won’t work unless everyone is aware of how it works.

Some advance news for the July Ride Out ; We will be going to Aberdare Park Road Races. An event not to be missed (and the breakfast in the Hot Pot cafe is also not to be missed).

Some advance news for the August Ride Out, This will be a bit special as we will be accompanying a good friend and ride out regular Francis Maxey on the first leg of his solo charity ride to ‘The Sinai and beyond’.  This is to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care, in memory of Francis’ life long partner, Kate who sadly passed away recently.

We will be riding with him as far as Stonehenge so please join us for this one.  Support him and please give generously.

Also…,here is a good one.  In Cardiff on Saturday the 12th you can join in on the UK 2010 Naked Bike Ride!  Yes that’s right, the Naked Bike Ride.  The poster states that it is a protest cycle ride against Oil Dependency and a Car Society.

The poster proclaims that you can Ride as Bare as You Dare!  For full details of this visit the Naked Bike Ride web site.

So I hope there is something there that tickles your fancy!

Come and join us……..Come on, you know you want to.

Events start on the Beach today and tomorrow around 2pm with the record attempt taking place approximately 3pm.  There will also be an aerobatics display (but surely not on a lawn mower – unless of course it’s a Fly Mo!).

The public will have access to an area of the beach near to the pits (What?… Sand Pits?) from where the run will start before it heads off down the beach.  There will also be a Cafe set up in the vicinity.

We are meeting at Hein Gericke-Cardiff Store at 9.15 ish for tea toast and possibly a bacon sandwich before departing at 10am. Remember to use the back door.

The route to Pendine will be North along the A470 over the Beacons at Storey Arms to Sennybridge and the A40 towards Llandovery. Continuing along the A40 to Llandeilo before turning onto the Golden Grove Road towards Carmarthan then on to Pendine.  I can smell the seaside chips already !

As Stef and the chums at Hein Gericke are going to cater for us again it would be useful to know how many are coming along on the day.  so could you let me know or give the shop a ring on 029 20665151.

See you tomorrow…..come on….you know you want to !

In this Blog.  1 Next Ride Out. 2 Gravs Great Bike Run. 3 Vintage Bike Show. 4 Euro Tours.

Next Ride Out. The next ride out is scheduled for Sunday the 23rd of May.  Meeting at Hein Gericke (Cardiff) for a 10am departure.  We will be travelling to Pendine Sands to witness the World Land Speed Record Attempt……..on a Lawn Mower!

The current record, set in America at Bonneville Salt Flats, stands at 80mph.  Over the weekend of 22nd & 23rd of May, Don Wales,  the Grandson of Historic British Speed Ace, Sir Malcolm Campbell, will attempt a 100mph run on a ‘sit on’ lawnmower.  The rules state that the  vehicle must be constructed out of lawn mower parts and on the day of the speed run it must be capable of mowing the lawn!

This has got to be worth a look…..and a nice bag of chips from the place overlooking the beach.

Gravs Great Bike Run; Sunday the 2nd of May.

Short notice for this I know, but I have been requested to re-publish the event as there has been a change in the registration fee.  I’ve copied and pasted (hey listen to me…computer geek) the original information about the charity run below. So have a read and support the event if you can.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Show. Sunday 9th May.

The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club are holding a Motorcycle Show at Whitchurch High School on Sunday the 9th of May.  Doors Open at 10am.  You must pay to get in, but it’s free to come back out.

The show will be spread over two large indoor halls, as well as trade and club stands both in and out.

1st Class Rider Training will have a stand (and hopefully a sit) at the show so come and say ‘Hello’ and find out what’s new, what’s not, what’s happening and what tastes good with brown sauce on.  I’ll see you there!

That’s about it for now but don’t forget to check out the ‘News’ page on my main web site where I post lots and lots of interesting stuff about bikes and stuff, and some stuff about stuff.

Euro Tours

The plan is to run two more Euro Tours before the end of the year.  One in early July and another in September.  So if anyone may be interested please let me know as soon as you can and I will get the details finalised.

So………Come on……..you know you want to.

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff have donated two prizes for the auction which are currently waiting for bids on the Real Radio (Wales) web site.

One prize is for a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training – worth £125).  The prize includes the use of a Yamaha YBR 125cc bike, and the loan of a helmet, jacket, gloves and waterproofs for the duration of the training.

The other prize on offer is a full day of Advanced Training with a Police Class 1 Motorcyclist, (worth £180).  This would normally be carried out with you using your own bike but we can provide the use of a Honda CBF 600cc if preferred.

Both great prizes worth placing a bid for such a worthy cause.  Visit www.realradiowales.co.uk for details.

There are just a few days left to run on this, so place your bids, grab a bargain day out,  and support this worthy cause.

Next Ride Out – Thruxton Circuit.

Just a reminder that the April Ride Out is this Sunday.  An earlier start with an 8am departure from MacDonald’s at junction 32 of the M4, Coryton Interchange.

We will be using the ’2nd Man Drop Off System’ that has served us so well in the past (except last month when I ran out of ‘drop offs !!) So by way of a reminder as to how it works I have put an explanation at the foot of this Blog Post….. but just in case… here is a brief outline of the proposed route for Sunday.

Turn left out of MacDonald’s car park!!!  Okay, okay… we can get that bit right.

M4 Eastbound to junction 18 – Signposted Bath.

A46 towards Bath and then the A4

A4 to Box

A365 towards Melksham

A365 – A361 towards Devizes

A342 towards Andover

A338 towards North Tidworth

A303 towards Andover

To Thruxton off the Dual Carriageway. Into Car Park…join queue at the Burger Van.

Website News Blog

For some time I have been running a News & Views Blog page on my main website.  There are over 60 posts there already covering a whole range of bike related topics.  As this Ride Out Blog generates an automatic email to your inbox, I didn’t want to inundate you every time there was something to write about so I’ve been up dating the website news blog instead.

So if you visit the website and click on the ‘News’ link in the list on the left you might just find something of interest.

I’ll be posting an index listing on there so you can browse at your leisure.

Hein Gericke Sale Now On.

A big thank you to Stefan and James at the Cardiff Hein Gericke store for the tea and Bacon Toasties they did for us at the start of the Wootton Bassett Ride Out last month.  Cheers Chums, enjoy your lie in this Sunday as we won’t disturb you for the early start for Thruxton.

But you should still go and visit them during their normal opening hours as they are having a Sale.  Running from the 16th of April until the 3rd of May they will give you a massive 20% off, (and you might also get a cup of tea whilst you are there). So grab yourself a bargain. First Class kit, worn by 1st Class Riders.

The Drop Off System.

Here goes….  At the start of the ride we will nominate a lead rider (usually me) and we will nominate and identify a tail end rider (usually someone else!).

The way the ride operates is that the positions of the lead and tail end bike never change, so you shouldn’t overtake the lead and you shouldn’t need to drop behind the tail ender.

If the route we are travelling takes us straight ahead we simply follow the road ahead, without turning off.  If we need to turn left or right I wil indicate to the rider behind me to pull in somewhere safe, but also visible to the rest of the following group.  This ‘drop off’ rider will point the way for the rest of the group, to turn either left or right accordingly.

It is important that the ‘drop off’ rider remains in position until the tail end bike arrives and the tail ender will allow the drop off to pull out in front of him and re-join the group.  If we are passing through a town with several sets of traffic lights or on longer, faster stretches of road it may be some time before the tail ender arrives if the group gets spread out, but it is important that you wait, as if you leave your junction before the tail ender comes along then the group will break up as the followers will continue straight ahead past the junction where they should have turned.  (This is what happened last month – someone left their junction too early and the remaining riders didn’t have any direction to follow.)

When it works, it works well, as you don’t need to keep the bike in front in view, or put yourself under pressure to play ‘catch up’ as you know that there will be someone waiting ahead to show you the way.

This system allows for easy travel even in areas which are new to us, as you simply follow the route taken by the leader and should all end up at the tea stop or eventual destination together.

Easy…go straight on unless someone tells you otherwise.  If you are the one showing the turn off point, wait until tail ender indicates for you to move on.

We’ll try it again this Sunday!

So come on and join us……come on, you know you want to.

Next Ride Out. The next ride out has been set for Sunday the 18th of April.  To the British Superbikes Race Day at Thruxton Circuit, near Andover.  Saturday is the practice day but Sunday is the full race programme.  Tickets are £22 in advance via the British Superbikes web site, or £26 on the gate on arrival.  Parking is free, but just note that last time I went it was parking in a field so you may need a pad or support for your side stand to stop it sinking.

As Thruxton is a 2 hour ride if we take the Motorway it will need to be an earlier start if we want to go cross country, to get you money’s worth of the racing.

So as I can’t expect the Chums at Hein Gericke to get up too early for this Ride Out the meeting point will be ‘Old Faithful’  The Golden Arches Restaurant (McDonald’s for those who don’t know) at Coryton Interchange at junction 32 of the M4 for an 8am departure.

For those who want to go for a ride but don’t want to watch the racing then Stonehenge is just up the road and is well worth a visit (Yes…. I know….just another pile of old stones, but these are standing up.  Ooooooh !)

The Euros.

Thanks to those who joined the recent Euro Trip to Belgium.  Fab riding through some fantastic countryside and oh yes, of course a bit of food along the way!  Monsiuer Le Tommy’s cafe saw us pay a visit again.  So if you missed this one join us on the next one coming soon. The next one will be based in Arras and taking in Ypres, The Menin Gate and surrounding areas. Details will be published soon.

Good Food Guide.

I’ve been asked many times for some guidance on where to eat when out riding and if I could do a Mr Food’s Good Food Guide. Well here it is….. Yes, Food is Good!

So join us…go on… you know you want to!

Afghan Heroes Ride Out. 14th March.

The Mother’s Day Ride Out in Support of the Afghan Heroes has closed it’s registration, with over 10000 bikes pre-registered.  Due to the numbers attending they have changed the route details.

For those who wish to join us we will be meeting at The Cardiff Hein Gericke store for a cuppa before departing. We will then ride up together to the assembly area.  For those making their own way please note,  The assembly area is no longer the Leigh Delamare Services.

The new assembly area will be HULLAVINGTON AIRFIELD A429 just off the M4.  The ride will then travel through Wooton Bassett before dispersal.  It won’t include entering on to RAF Lyneham.

The organisers are stressing that only riders who have registered should attend and they are asking riders who have not registered to please stay away.  They have, however,  opened up a RESERVE LIST for registrations.

As the registrations are sifted for the information packs to be sent out they have noticed that there have been duplicated registrations and a few withdrawals etc.  So you can now go to http://www.afghanheroes.org.uk/bikerseventreserve.asp and put yourself on the reserve list.

For more information please visit the Afghan Heroes web site where you will get the latest up to date information.

Please note;  I am not making anything from this run and the five pound entry fee is to be paid to the organisers on arrival at the event. As always my monthly  ride outs are free.

Belgium Luxembourg Trip. 19th – 21st March 2010.

There is still space on the next Euro Trip to Belgium for a ride through the Ardennes Forest.  Please note that if you have expressed and interest but have not yet paid a deposit or supplied me with your bike registration details, then you are not on my list.  There is still time to get on the list – but not much!

If you wish to confirm your booking please email your bike registration details to me so that I can finalise the ferry booking etc.

A Shed for Santa?

I’ve had a request from Martyn Williams (a regular on our ride outs) to find a home for Santas’ Sleigh!

Martyn is a member of the Cardiff Lions Club and they are seeking a new storage area (a garage or similar) for a trailer, Christmas Sleigh and some bits and pieces used in their charity work.

So if you could offer Santas’ Sleigh a safe home please contact Martyn on 02920 620000 or on mobile 077188094495.  He will consider any offer but is looking for preferably long term in the Cardiff area. (Yeh… I thought it was kept up at the North Pole too….)

Lidl !!!

As you know I use Hein Gericke kit (mostly) but I’ve got to mention that once again Lidl are about to launch the sale of their biker clothing and kit.

From the 11th of March Lidl will be selling helmets, jackets, trousers, waterproofs etc plus tank bags, bike covers and other accessories at mega cheap prices.  As with most stuff like this in Lidl, it sells out quite quickly.  I can recommend their biker socks for just £2.99.

So get there early,  oh and in case I can’t make it…..get me a pair of socks!

Come on…you know you want to!

When I get your confirmation details I will be sending out a more detailed trip plan and be arranging a group get together to talk through the trip and to answer any questions that any one may have about riding abroad.

This is a great opportunity to take your bike across the Channel and experience France and Belgium safely and under guidance, and meet some nice people along the way.

The Afghan Heroes Ride Out for March!.

The registration for taking part has been closed. A total of 10,333 bikes have registered to take part.

For those travelling from South Wales, we are going to meet at Hein Gericke for Tea ‘n’ Toast before travelling up to Leigh Delamare Services for more Tea ‘n’ Toast.

The cost of the trip, which will include Ferry crossing on the prestigious Sea France Fleet,  Hotel accomadation, and an experienced tour guide leader, will be approximately £300 per person (for a solo bike & rider – a small fee will be payable for a pillion).  Our chosen Hotel, which is pictured here, offers secure under cover bike parking.

Once the accomadation fees have been finalised I will confirm the total cost.  Each trip is limited to just 10 bikes and they sell out fast!

If you wish to reserve a place please visit our web site where you can make the deposit payment.

As with previous tours, this will be a guide lead trip, using a navigation riding system where each rider can ride at their own pace within the group.  It is ideal for anyone who hasn’t ventured across the channel before.

As the result of a previous request, this will not be a ‘War Graves’ trip, (There’ll be more of those later in the year).

So come on…….you know you want to!

The event on the 14th of March is intended to raise money for the charity which gives support and home comforts for serving soldiers, and support and help for the families of those killed in action.

To take part you must pre-register, with your bike details.  The event will meet at Leigh Delamare (EASTBOUND) Services on the M4 (near junction 17).  Each rider will pay £5 and be given an Afghan Heroes wristband, and this will be needed to gain entry to RAF Lynham on the day.

The group will meet from 10.30am and leave the services en masse at 12noon.  The group will ride through the town of Wooton Bassett before entering the RAF base which is so emotionally connected with returning fallen heroes.  All the fivers raised will go towards the charity.

To register visit www.afghanheroes.org.uk/bikersevent.asp   The website declares that the entry has just reached 3000 bikes !  Registration must be completed by the 15th of February.

Visit the Afghan Heroes website for full details.

Come on… you know you must!

Happy New Year to you all.  Here are the details of the next ride out.

Meeting at The Cardiff Hein Gericke store on Sunday the 31st of January for a 9.3o departure and we will be heading for the hills around Llandovery and Llyn Brianne Reservoir.

We had to suspend our training for a few weeks due to the snow and with tests and training sessions postponed we have been working hard clearing the back log.  But there is always time for a Ride Out.

Our thanks again to James and the guys at Hein Gericke who have agreed to open up early for us on Sunday to let us in for a cuppa.  Don’t forget it’s around the back.

Crossing the Channel.

For those who are interested in joining us on our next cross channel tour I am going to finalise a date for March for a trip into Belgium and through the Ardennes Forest.  Our tours have proven popular so far and spaces are limited to just 10 per group.  The format will be as last year with a Friday morning ferry from Dover to Calais and a return on a Sunday evening ferry from Calais.

If you wish to be put on the list let me know as soon as you can if you are interested.  I will finalise the dates and costs shortly.

Come on…you know you want to.