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We are Back! Ride Outs are restarting.

We’ve been away but now we are back!     I apologise for the missing ride outs lately but here we are!

We have been extremely busy with ‘Learner’ training through the last few months, (and we are still heavily booked up now) but I have been asked a few times when the ride outs will start again. So here we go.

To make up for the missing ones I will be running 2 in November.

Sunday the 6th of November.  Tintern Abbey, Wye Valley and the Banks of the Severn.

Starting from our new meeting point. 9.30am at the Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, (which is a snack bar….on Caerphilly Mountain).  The snack bar has been revamped and now offers covered seating – and still has the same range of burgers, rolls and drinks etc. that we (I) have grown to love over the years. It is the home of the ‘Mountain Monster’ which is a massive breakfast roll – and not the woman who works there!

Sunday the 20th of November. Motorcycle Live 2011.  (The NEC Bike Show to you & me).

This is an old favourite taking a scenic route up to the M5 near Worcester and jumping on to the Motorway for the last run in to the NEC.  Starting at the ‘Mountain Monster’ for an early start at 8.30am. Tickets for the Show are £19 on the door or £16 if you buy them in advance from the ‘Motorcycle Live’ website.  If you don’t want to visit the ‘New’ bike show there will be an opportunity to visit the British Motorcycle Museum, which is just the other side of the NEC roundabout.  Either one is a great bike day out.

Sunday the 11th of December.  The Teddy Bear Christmas Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at UHW.

We have done this before and we will do it again.  All I ask is that you bring along a New Teddy Bear or similar, (at least 1).  Please don’t bring along a massive bear as the idea is for the Bears to be given to the children who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in the Casualty Unit as Christmas approaches.  As an idea, IKEA sell small (pocket sized) soft toys for around 40p up wards. So for a couple of quid you could fill your panniers!

The reason is that it is believed that if a child becomes attached to the toy whilst they are being treated, it aids their recovery if the are allowed to take the toy home with them afterwards.  Obviously there is no funding for this in the NHS.  So please support this one and dig deep for your Teddies.  So remember it is better to buy a few small ones rather than one big one (which can become cumbersome in the confines of the Casualty Unit).

So I hope there is something here for you and you can join us on one or all of these.  As before these ride outs are free but all I ask is that you buy a ‘Full Stop’ badge in aid of the NSPCC.

Also, get your free copy of ‘Motorcycle Monthly’ plus discount vouchers for clothing at ‘Infinity Motorcycles’ and also ‘Bikegear’ at Bridgend.

If nothing else…. come and see the Mountain Monster!

Come on…… you know you want to.   We are back!

Follow us on Facebook.  Just search for ’1st Class Rider Training’ and see some things about some stuff and some pictures with things in….. 1st Class!

October 26th, 2011 | | 12 comments | Continued
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Some Date Changes

Hi Chums,  As the summer draws to its dripping wet end, its not quite time to put your bike away.

I just want to give you an up date about the North Wales Trip that was advertised on the last Blog Post.  Due to unforseen circumstances we have to change the date for the trip.  I apologise to those who have already put your name down for the trip.

It is now proposed to run the trip on the weekend of the Friday the 7th of October – Sunday the 9th. ( I promise it will be Sunny that weekend…….. I had my fingers crossed when I typed that…)

I hope those that are on the list are still able to come, and hopefully these dates may also allow others time to get their names added.  The trip is limited to 10 bikes and there were a few spaces left.

We are still very busy with the learner training and we are also planing more of the one day topic courses.  Courses to come will be, Overtaking and for those who have just passed a test with us, we will be running ‘Pillion Passenger’ 1 day courses, to name just two.

With regards to the planned Four Day Advanced Course, it may be necessary to re-schedule the start date.  This is due to juggling the duties of my instructors.  I am very pleased to welcome back Jeff Johnson who has trained with us for quite some time but has been busy with the Bikesafe Scheme.

Jeff is a fellow RoSPA Examiner for the Advanced Motorcycle Test and he will be doing CBT, Direct Access and Advanced Training for us.  Jeff is still a serving Traffic Cop so is well able to help you get the best from your bike, before it gets the better of you. He will also be examining the candidates from the Advanced Courses that we run.

As soon as his availability is confirmed hopefully we will be able to re-start the Monthly Rideouts and still deal with the high demand for cbt’s.

So please be patient with me for the time being whilst it is more work than play…

If you didn’t before, do it now.  Get your name on the list for the North Wales Trip.

We have set up a page on facebook for other biker news so log on and join us.  Just open facebook and search ’1st Class Rider Training’

Come on……. you know you want to………

September 14th, 2011 | | 1 comment | Continued
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Missing Ride Outs, North Wales, & Advanced Course.

Busy, Busy, Busy…. Its a busy time at 1st Class Rider Training and there have been a few changes recently which has resulted in me being short of a few instructors for various reasons at the moment. This means that I’ve had to work extra days to cover the trainer shortage, hence no ride out for a little while.

I’m really sorry for this, but I have been let down and it is beyond my control.

Anyway… I don’t want to let you down, my loyal biker chums!  So there have been a few changes to the plans to try and fit around our learner training demand.

NORTH WALES TRIP.  It has been decided to postpone the planned French Trip for later this month.  (With the Euro Exchange Rate being so poor it has been decided to stay closer to home).

We are planning a three day/two night run to North Wales on Friday the 30th of September – 2nd of October.  Staying at a very pleasant seaside Hotel at Llandudno, on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Spaces are limited and we need to finalise the booking quite quickly to avoid disappointment. So if you are interested, please let me know as soon as you can.

The best way to do this is to text me on 07545567273, with your details. Start the text with the word ‘TRIP’.   The total cost will be finalised shortly when we get numbers in.

This will be a guided tour,  conducted in the same manner as the Euro Tours so will suit all abilities and bikes. Taking in some of the best biking roads, (and cafes) throughout our glorious Principality.

So please be quick to get your name in.

ADVANCED COURSE. There are still spaces on the next Four Day Advanced Course, leading to the opportunity to take the RoSPA Advanced Test, at the end.  This is a four day course, which is spread over a number of weeks to suit you.

The last course we ran resulted in the award of 3 Gold Grades, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze.

For reviews of the course, and to find out what previous students think of us, please search ’1st Class Rider Training’ in Google.

This will bring up our business listing pages, where you can click on ‘Reviews’.

This course is set to the highest level, and a Gold RoSPA Grade is deemed to be the highest Civilian grade available.

So get your name on the list.  Te reserve your place on the course text me your details.  Start your text with the word ‘ADV’.

Hopefully the normal Monthly Ride Outs will resume shortly and I will keep you posted.  I aim to publish a calendar of ride outs, courses and tours  for next year and it is my intention to give the ride outs greater priority next year.

Thank you all for your support over the years, and thank you for your patience now.

In the mean time you can also follow us on Facebook.  Just become a friend of ’1st Class Rider Training’ on Facebook for regular biking and training up dates.

MAG Demo Flash Mob Ride. 1pm Sunday the 25th of September.  This is a good one.  There is a whole host of legislation being planned by our Euro Governors in Brussels and some strange laws intended against bikers in France, which could well be heading our way in the future.

The intention to show our dislike of this Euro Interference is to partake in a Flash Mob Style Demo Ride.  Meeting at various Motorway Service Stations approx 12.30 on the 25th, for a prompt National move off along the Motorway at a steady 40- 50 mph, just for about 15 – 20 mins, for a quick impact, disruption and ‘show of force’ along the motorway network.

This is a national event with many starting points being arranged.  Coryton Asda is one and Cardiff West Services (top of Ely Link Road) is another. The Mag Website is continually updating the start point list so check them out for full details.  It’s got to be worth taking part.

If you are not yet a MAG Member then please join.  I can supply you with an application form.  They are fighting for your rights to ride, and that must be worth £25 a year for your membership.

Jackets & Gloves. We are still selling CE approved, waterproof jackets with 2 styles being available at just £85 each  and 2 styles of gloves at just £25 per pair.  Enjoy a discount and buy a jacket and a pair of gloves together for just £100.

Motorcycle Monthly & Gear Up Magazine.  We are now distributors for Gear Up magazine.  A new quarterly glossy in a handy A5 size and we continue to distribute Motorcycle Monthly  newspaper.  Both are available from me and both are completely free.

Come on…..you know you want to……

August 28th, 2011 | | 1 comment | Continued
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July Ride Out, Courses, France & 1st Class Jackets

Hi My Biking Chums.  Here is an overdue up date on things happening in the 1st Class Rider World of Biking things, riding stuff and eating.

In this blog: July Ride Out.  For Sale Jackets & Gloves. The Next French Trip, Next Advanced Course. Plus details of a series of one day specific topic training days, the first one is a Cornering Day.

Ride Out. This weekend was intended to be set aside for a ride out to Aberdare Park Motorcycle Road Races but unfortunately I have to work again to cover the exceptional demand that we are experiencing at the moment for CBT courses. If you are attending Aberdare Park be sure to take your breakfast at The Hot Pot Cafe is in a side street just off the main road by the park, opposite the end of the start straight.

So the July Ride Out will be Sunday the 17th. This will be up towards Barmouth, replacing the Ride Out that was cut short in June.

Meeting at MacDonald’s – Golden Arches Restaurant – at Coryton Interchange, junction 32 of the M4 for a 9.45am departure.  Please arrive in time to allow for the pre-ride briefing, and wherever possible please arrive with a full tank of fuel.

1st Class Rider Training – Jackets and Gloves.  Pictured here is just one of two styles of jacket that we are now selling.  We are able to offer for sale a Cordura, waterproof motorcycle jacket.  With CE approved armour in the elbows and shoulders.  This quality jacket comes with a removable thermo lining and and foam back, upgradable comfort pad.  Many zipped and velcro pockets, adjustable arm and wrists and an elasticated waist.  These jackets are brand new, bagged and tagged and are a snip at only £85.  We have two styles, the one pictured here and another plain black with reflective piping.

We also have for sale two styles of motorcycle glove.  1 Waterproof in super soft cowhide, with extra reinforced fingers (no, not ‘extra’ fingers!!).  The other is a mix of textile and leather, a thicker glove, also waterproof.  The gloves are just £25.  But if you buy a jacket and gloves then you only pay £100. All items are available to view at our Cardiff based training site – please ring for an appointment before attending.

French Trip. Rouen. 16th – 18th September 2011.

This will be a re-run of the trip to the Ancient City of Rouen on the banks of the River Seine, and a scenic ride from Normandy. The dates for the trip are from Friday the 16th – Sunday the 18th of September. For full details see our previous blog or visit www.1stclassridertours.co.uk   I should have my bike back by then after being reversed over last month.

The cost is £360 which includes return ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, three days with two nights shared hotel accommodation overlooking the river, on a bed & breakfast basis. The hotel is close to the Medieval City Centre which was the scene of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom.

Don’t forget, if you have traveled with us before, or passed your bike test with us this year then you get a 10% discount off the cost.  You can’t not come can you?

Please call or text me on 07545567273 to reserve your place.  I will need your bike registration number in order to finalise the ferry booking.

Advanced Course. Commencing 1st & 2nd of October 2011.

The next Four Day Advanced Course is due to commence on Saturday & Sunday the 1st and 2nd of October. This is a four day course spread over a number of weeks to suit your other commitments. The first two days are theory based, and the teaching is based on the Police System of Motorcycle Control – Roadcraft.

The course gives the opportunity to take the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test at the end.  The cost of the course is £550 and for those wishing to take the RoSPA test an additional fee(currently £54) is payable which also covers your membership to RoSPA.

To reserve your place on the course please call or text me on 07545567273.

Cornering Course. Thursday 11th of August.  or Friday 19th of August.

The first of our one day, single topic training days will be based on Cornering. Getting a bike around a bend has nothing to do with the amount of bottle you’ve got.  It is purely and simply down to understanding what the bike is doing underneath you when we put it into a bend.  Starting in the class room to discuss the theory of cornering. We will show you how to read a bend and to identify and analyse the limit point.  If you have ever found you experience a drifting or wallowing effect in the middle of a bend we will show you how to combat and prevent this.  We can explain the effects of the cornering forces.  Then out on the road to view specific bends and put the theory into practice.  Once perfected, we will visit The A44 Forest Bends to visit a notorious bend that was given the nick name by one of my students, ‘Grim Reaper Bend’. The scene of many motorcycle crashes, and you will get the chance to ride it under our expert supervision.

This is a full one day course so you can attend on either of the above dates.  The cost is just £110 – that’s less than the cost of a cbt.  With left hand bends being one of the biggest killers of bikers in the UK this course is a must. To reserve your place give me a call.

Facebook.

And finally, you can follow us on Facebook.  Simply search ‘Andy Smith’ or ’1st Class Rider Training’.  If you are not a Facebooker don’t worry as this is the main news place to keep up dated.

So I hope there is something of interest for you here.

All you have to do now is come along and join us………come on you know you want to….

July 8th, 2011 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Next Ride Out. The Longest Place Name.

Next Ride Out to;

Gorsafawddachaidraigodanheddogleddollonpenrhynareurdraethceredigion.

Sunday the 5th of June.  We are going to the Railway Station that is in the Guiness Book of Records as being the longest place name, (but this has may have lately been overtaken).  Meeting at the Golden Arches at Coryton Interchange, junction 32 of the M4. Meeting for a 9.30am departure.

We are going to Gorsafawddachaidraigodanheddogleddollonpenrhynareurdraethceredigion. We’ve been there before and it had the longest name, on the smallest building.  The Station was little more than a bus shelter!  It’s name is longer than the more well known, Llanfair..PG station name by just a couple of letters.

It is on the Fairbourne to Barmouth Railway on the North West Coast of Wales.  So if you want a ride out over some spectacular mountains and along some fabulous coastline then this is the one for you.

I might give a prize if anyone can provide a translation of the place name. (but then again..I might not).

So come and join us….but if this years’ ride outs are anything to go by….bring a coat!

France is Waiting.

There are still a couple of places left on the next trip to France, the weekend of the 24th of June.  To the Ancient Normandy City of Rouen, and the beaches of Normandy.  For full details take a look at the previous blog posts, or visit www.1stclassridertours.co.uk

If you are tempted by a jaunt across The Channel then this is the trip for you.  A small group, professionally lead and hotel bed & breakfast accommodation.

Fine Company, fine food, and some great roads to ride.

Come on……… you know you want to…..

May 30th, 2011 | | 4 comments | Continued
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