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.

The New BMW S1000RR has been launched. I received an invitation from Riders of Cardiff but the weekend found me in Plymouth so I paid a visit to an Old Friend, Peter Cramp of Ocean BMW.

The launch was pure drama.  Meet at the Mayflower Steps I was told.  So to the Mayflower Steps I went on a dark wet windy night.  There I was met by a stranger who handed me a torch (A BMW torch at that).  You’ll need this for when you get off the boat.  Please climb aboard.

A boat??  So with forty other equally confused looking potential BMW punters! we set off from the Mayflower Steps, (not to seek out new lands) but for a bumpy 20 minutes across the Ho!

We stepped ashore at a dis-used Naval Store Yard where we were greeted by Fire Eaters, and Jugglers and supplied with Christmas Cake, Mulled wine, Christmas Cake, more juggling, Christmas Cake and just one more piece of cake for me please.

Then in out of the cold for more Christmas Cake and for the unveiling of the New BMW.  Photographs were not allowed but I managed to get this picture on my  phone before eating some more Christmas Cake.

It looks just like this, only the real bike had a young lady with hardly any clothes on, stood by it.

The new S1000RR is a new concept for BMW.  It comes a long way from the old boxer engine.  Gone are the pots, gone are the BMW ‘either love em or hate em’ indicator buttons, gone is the shaft in favour of a chain.  Gone is the Christmas Cake so I’m off now too.  Oh yes, I got this photo before I left.

Now for the technical stuff:  It’s shiny and it goes fast but I can’t fit on it!

The Teddy Run.  Thank You.

Last weekend we did the Teddy Bear Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff.  A total of 17 bikes went along, and we delivered over 100 teddies to be handed out to kids who find themselves in the Casualty Unit over Christmas.  This is a fantastic amount and I want to give a heartfelt thanks to all who came along, and also a big thank you to those that couldn’t make the run, but delivered teddies to Hein Gericke in advance.  They were all delivered safely to the hospital staff, who were very grateful for your efforts.

This picture shows just a few of the teddies who made it!  Thanks again.

So I hope that we can make someones Christmas a little happier.

Now all that remains for me to do…is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.  For all of you who have joined me on the ride outs through the last year, thanks for your company and I look forward to riding with you in the New Year.

If you haven’t joined us yet……Come on…You know you want to.

Have a 1st Class Christmas.  Now where is that Christmas Cake.

For those of you who will be joining us on the Teddy Bear Run to the Heath Hospital….if you haven’t bought your cuddly toy yet then here is an idea that will give a double benefit.

I was at Ikea today (yes…I know… we all have to go…) and they have a range of cuddly toys from just 39p upwards.  So for a couple of quid you can fill a big bag of Teddy’s.

If you do, at the moment, for every cuddly toy purchased, no matter what the price, Ikea will donate 1 Euro to UNICEF to aid Children throughout The World.  So make your pound go even further, all aiding Children less fortunate than they should be.

If you can’t make the run, please remember that you can drop your Teddy off at Hein Gericke and we will make sure it gets to the Children’s Casualty Unit.

Now for a bit of a Group Riding Warning which may have a far reaching effect on our 1st Class Rider Ride Outs, as well as your own riding, if you are riding with a mate or in a group no matter how small!

Have a read of this.  I recieved this in an email so have no details of the Court ruling other than that given here but the petition is active with over 1200 signatures so far.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Lead-Biker-Fined/

Motorcyclists at the head of a group of riders will face stiffer penalties for speeding under a Crown Court ruling.

Being the lead rider in a group is an aggravating factor making you partly responsible for speeding offences of those behind you according to the decision.

The ruling can be applied in any future cases where two or more motorcyclists riding together are accused of speeding. The head rider might be only a few mph over the limit but could be given the same penalty as the worst offender behind.

Road traffic solicitor Robert Dobson said: “Any crown court decision can be stated in future cases. This is potentially a very dangerous judgement for motorcyclists.

“Riders in a group change position frequently.

“If you are riding at the front any group at excess speed, then the very fact you’re at the front is an aggravating factor.”

Ken Clark, 49, reached 85mph on his Yamaha R1 while leading a group of three riders on the 60mph A272 near Rogate, Sussex, last June.

The speed is within the usual threshold for a fixed penalty of three points and a £60 fine.

But Chichester Crown Court ruled he should receive the same penalty as a following rider accused of going 103mph.

Barrister notes on the ruling given to Clark after the hearing state: ‘Although his was the lesser speed, [the bench] found it an aggravating feature that he was the lead motorcyclist, was setting the pace and he knew that the other two motorcyclists would want to catch him up and would be speeding to do so.’

Saturday the 12th of December.

Meeting at Hein Gericke, Cardiff store on Wellington Street, Cardiff for ‘tea and toast’ before a 10.30am departure to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the Hospital.

This is not the Children’s Hospital but the Children’s Casualty Unit who deal with any children unfortunate enough to find themselves needing emergency treatment over the Christmas period.

Please bring a Teddy (or 2.. or more).  There is no need to wrap them and nothing too big please.

I can’t guarantee that there will be a child there when we arrive !!  In fact I hope not…., but the Staff know we are coming and will gladly accept the  Teddies from us.

It is believed that if a child gets attached to a toy whilst in hospital, it aids the recovery process if they can then take the toy home with them.

So we want Teddies of a size that is easy to handle, not too big and cumbersome that it will get in the way of any treatment the child is undergoing.  It is hoped that the Teddy will be a welcome distraction for the child from any treatment which they may find unpleasant such as stitches or injections.

So please support this event and if you can’t make the actual date of the run on the 12th you can deposit your Teddies at the Hein Gericke store in advance,  and we will ensure the safe arrival at the Hospital.

So come on….You know you want to…..  It’s Christmas…come on you know you’ve GOT to…

I’d like to add a big Thank You to James and Alan at Hein Gericke for letting us in early on Sunday morning and for the excellent catering that they put on for us before our soaking on the way to the NEC Bike show.  A few of us braved the elements to go and see the promo girls….I mean new bikes.

The date for taking of the the Ear Plug Impressions will be Saturday the 21st of November.  The venue will be at the Cardiff Hein Gericke Store.

For those of you who don’t know where it is, it is situated just opposite the Old St. David’s Hospital onWellington Street in Canton at the junction with Cowbridge Road West.  (If you don’t know where St David’s Hospital is…..well it is opposite Hein Gericke of course!!).  The post code for your Sat Nag is  CF11 9BE

There is plenty of free parking at the rear of the store.  If you don’t know where the rear of the store is….. it’s around the back from the front.

The session will start from 10am and each set of impressions take about 20 minutes to complete.  So for those who are waiting there will be free tea or coffee (or both if your caffeine intake needs a kick).

The standard ear plugs will be done for the discount price of £85.  They also do the ‘InEarMonitor’ plugs which incorporate a speaker and connection for MP3 players etc.  These will be done on the day for a reduced fee of £180 (a discount of over £15 off the normal retail price).

Please note that the impressions will be taken by, and plugs provided by Minerva Hearing Protection.  1st Class Rider Training nor Hein Gericke will not be responsible for the production, sale or supply of these plugs and you will be dealing solely with Minerva.

Don’t underestimate the importance of ear protection when you are riding. So don’t miss this opportunity of getting your ears protected at this great discount price.

So Come on….. you know you want to… ‘Pardon’…. I SAID… COME ON YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO….

Now that this date is confirmed I will need to know how many of you will be coming along on the day.

If you could place a comment on the blog as Lee from minerva visits the Blog and can view the comments so he will have an idea of numbers.  Cheers

Ride Out to the NEC.

The NEC, Bike Show Ride out arranged for Sunday the 29th will also start at the Cardiff Hein Gericke Store.  You know where it is….it’s where you got your Ear Plugs.

The store will be opening in advance of their normal hours to let us in for a cuppa and maybe a slice of toast before we depart.  Staff will be there to welcome you from 9am, for a 9.45 departure.

Park at the rear and use the rear entrance as the window shutters will still be down.

Remember, 1st Class Riders enjoy a good discount at Hein Gericke – get a voucher from me.

So come on…you know you want to….

Hi Chums.  All still Riding?  All getting Wet? Well come and get wet on the next ride out to the Annual Bike Show at the NEC at Birmingham on Sunday the 29th of November.

Hopefully the meeting point will be the Hein Gericke store in Cardiff, for a 9.30am departure. (to be confirmed…) Did you know that 1st Class Rider ’students’ will get a 20% discount on purchases at Hein Gericke.  Get a voucher from me & Happy Shopping!

This ride out will take us up the A465 to Hereford for a stop at the Golden Arches on the way into Hereford before travelling cross country to Worcester and joining the M5 -M42 for the final run into the NEC.

So come and see whats new in bikes, clothing, kit and all those shiny bits and pieces that you just know you can’t live without. It’s always a great day out.

What’s This Ear?

The up date on the Ear Plugs is that we have managed to get the price down from £99 to £85 and apparently it’s ‘buy one…get one free’.  You buy the left one for £85 and you get the right one for nothing.

The impressions take about 10 minutes to take and the plugs get delivered to your door within approx 10 days.

I have the choice of 2 dates and we will go with the majority so please let me know your preference as soon as possible.  A venue will be set as soon as we can pick a date. The choice is;  Saturday the 21st or Wednesday the 25th of November.

December Ride Out

Our usual Christmas Trip to Bethlehem would be due to be made on the weekend of the 5th of December but unfortunately I can’t make this date.  (This is the date of the Christmas Fayre at the Old School in Bethlehem) and your Christmas cards (1st Class stamped only) will be given the Special ‘Christmas Greetings from Bethlehem’ hand stamp to give your Christmas Cards that special touch. So if anyone wants their cards done then that is the time to go…but you will have to find your own way.  (I’ve heard that following a Star from the East works!)

So as this date is so close to the NEC trip I wanted to do something else a little bit special for Christmas.

It is hoped that I can resurrect or Teddy Bear Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff.  All I would ask is that everyone attending buy a teddy (or 2..0r 3.. or – You can get a bag full of teddys for about a fiver from Ikea)  Big or small it matters not.  It is hoped that we can ride to the Hospital and hand our teddys to the staff to be given out to any child unfortunate enough to find themselves in Hospital over the Christmas period.

It has been proven that if a child becomes attached to a particular toy whilst in hospital it aids the recovery process if that toy can be taken home with the child.  Obviously the NHS can’t fund such a thing so I’m asking you to dig deep and go to the shops to pick your favourite teddy.

So if you haven’t joined us on a ride out yet, or haven’t been for awhile then this could be the one to get you back out on your bike.

The date will be confirmed and for this one I would need to know how many will be joining me so I can let the hospital know, and to make the necessary arrangements.

Come on… you know you want to…..

After publishing the first blog post for the ride out to the Stafford Bike Show I changed the destination to the Hoggin the Bridge Event.

But I recieved a couple of emails asking if the original venue could stand and the Ride Out could still go to the Stafford Bike Show.  So as the Severn Bridge is only up the road and most people can find that without my help I’ve decided to return to the original idea of taking the trip to The Stafford Bike show.

If any one wishes to Hogg The Bridge then please feel free and I promise I won’t be offended if you choose to have a lie in and travel over to Chepstow for the event.

So the Stafford Bike Show it is for the rest of us.  Meeting times and place will be as published in the original post.

Sorry for any confusion.

Pardon????  Ear Plugs anyone??

Motorcycling can make you deaf.  So I have a local contact who can supply you blog members and my trainees with moulded ear plugs.

These moulded ear plugs give far higher protection than the common sponge plugs many riders use.  It is quite surprising when you realise just how much damage can be done at low speeds and over a very short space of time.  We were issued with moulded plugs in ‘the job’.

So what I need from you is firstly a show of hands…..come on put youre hands up…. if you would be interested in having a set done.  The MRP is £99 but the more numbers we can get together the lower the price would be.

So if you are interested please let me know, either with a comment here, or an email, or text me to 07545567273 and if there are sufficient numbers I will set up a convenient date.

Taking the impressions only takes 15-20 minutes and the plugs should be back with you in approx 10 days after that.

Noise Damage to your ears is irrepairable so don’t delay.

Come on…..you know you want to…..

For a £10 entry fee you can join the 3 or 4 thousand other bikers, mostly Harleys (although all makes are welcome), as they ride over the Old Severn Bridge, and then take a scenic route into Chepstow where there are plenty of biker friendly events awaiting you.

If anyone wishes to take part you can meet with me at the normal place, MacDonalds, Coryton Interchange, junction 32 of the M4 for a 10am departure (so a bit of a lie in).  We will then make our way over to the Aust Services on the English side of the Old Bridge to leave at 11am (ish) to Hog the Bridge.

This is quite a spectacle….so come and make a spectacle of yourself….I’ve got an old Harley leather jacket somewhere so weather permitting I’ll hang up my Dayglo and ruff it with the rest! (If the truth be known..I’ve also got Harley jeans, gloves, a shirt, Instructor’s cap, boots, waterproofs and a wrist watch somewhere – but don’t tell anyone)

So come and join us for a Jolly Good Hoggin.

Come on… you know you want to.

Also, watch this space for a details of a 1st Class Rider link up with Hein Gericke in Cardiff.

Anyway… the next ride out will be on Sunday the 18th of October.  It’s bike show season again so this ride out will be to the Stafford Classic Bike and Motor Mechanics Show at the Show ground at Stafford. Over 1000 bikes from the 60’s 70′ and 80’s on show plus accessories, auto jumble and clothing.  Adults £10 on the gate or £9 if tickets  purchased in advance on line.

Meeting at McDonalds Golden Arches Restaurant at Coryton Interchange, junction 32 of the M4 for an 8.30am departure.  Please note that this is an earlier time than usual as it’s a bit of a longer ride.

Launch of Our New Training Site, at the Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre.

1st Class Rider Training are pleased to announce the date for the official launch of our New Site for Motorcycle Training in Cardiff.

Thursday the 29th of October will see the Lord Mayor of Cardiff officially open the New Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre at Maindy Stadium, Crown Way, Cardiff.

Since 1st Class Rider Training was established we have been fortunate to work closely with the staff at the Road Safety Centre and we have enjoyed their hospitality using Briardene Road Safety Centre as our Training Base in Cardiff.

The move to Maindy stadium will see the opening of a luxury suite of offices and training rooms with computer simulators and lecture facilities.  We are also able to make use of SID, the portable Speed Indicator to fully prepare our students for the speed related elements of the Part 1 Motorcycle Test.

The new training area is made up of a large ‘Dexterity Area, and mini road system with authentic signed junctions, bends and a full sized roundabout.

Secure on site storage for our motorcycles allows us immediate access to these new facilities and for when we have finished work……there is a swimming pool and a fully equipped Fitness Suite! (no…you won’t find me in there…)

1st Class Rider Training on First Class Machines on a First Class Training Site…. 1st Class !

Coming to France?

There are still a few spaces left on our next Cross Channel jaunt in November.  Please see the previous post for details if you are interested or give me a call on 07545567273 or by email.

Come on ….you know you want to.

Travelling from Dover to Calais on the prestigious Sea France Fleet and visiting the World War 1 Trenches, still intact at Hill 62, The staggering Tyne Cott British War Graves Cemetery, which contains over 12,000 fallen heroes, and to visit the Menin Gate at Ipres to witness the moving Last Post ceremony.

At 8pm every night (and they have done this since the 1920’s) they close the road at the Menin Gate and a Bugler plays The Last Post as Poppy Wreaths are laid in memory of the lost generation who fought in the Flanders Fields.

This trip is timed to coincide with the opening of The Christmas Markets so this will be a moving mixture of ’sombre and festive’.

Please read below the comments of those who joined us on our recent trip to The Somme.

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip.  Great company, lots of laughs – bet Ron is still trying to work out the serviette trick.

Thanks Andy for making the trip run so well.  Hope we can all make the next one.

I have to say what a fantastic weekend that was – hope all got back safe? Thanks Andy for the organisation and I look forward to more next year.

Great trip, first one abroad on a bike, rode 852 miles and enjoyed every minute.

Excellent trip, well organised, great company, couple of beers and a really interesting tour. What more can you wish for? Loved it – can’t wait for the next one!

FAB FAB FAB!

Only trouble was that I think Big Ron lied to us, he’s really 27!

Nice one Andy, bring on the next one.

What can i say that,s not been said,excellent weekend, good riding,bloody good company,very interesting, lot of food for thought,thanks Andy stunning trip.

The cost of this trip is to be confirmed but will be in the region of £250.  This will include the services of our Experienced Guide, Return Ferry Crossing and two nights, 3 Star (at least) shared Twin Room accommodation.

If you wish to reserve your place on this trip, please be quick as our previous trips sold out rather quickly.

Please visit our web site ‘online payment’ page where you can pay the £150 deposit to reserve your place.

These trips are restricted to approximately 10 riders and we operate an easy navigation system that allows every rider in the group to ride at their own pace (unless we are late for the Ferry!).

So don’t delay or you might miss out.  Reserve your place now and come and experience Europe the ‘1st Class’ way.

This Iconic Venue has been feeding and entertaining over the years, truckers, trippers, drivers and mostly Bikers.

Meeting at MacDonalds (The Ace Cafe it aint!!) at junction 32 of the M4, Coryton Interchange for a 9.30am departure.  Last time we visited we took the old A4 rather than track up the Motorway all the way. Joining the Motorway around Reading for the last run in.

There are many events taking place over this re-union weekend, but The Ace is worth visiting at any time (Well, when they are open is better..).

So, as they say, “See you at the Ace”.

Come on you know you want to..

A Big Thank You.

Also I want to say a big Thank you to all of you who joined us on the Ride Out to Rhayader.  I collected a total of £120 from the sale of the NSPCC badges and I have sent a cheque for this amount to the NSPCC.  I know that they put our donations to good use.  £1 from your £10 fee was collected for the charity by Kevin at Riders, I haven’t received this money and he is dealing with that money separately.