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Next Ride Out, France & Fairy Cakes.

Hi My Biking Chums.  It was nice to see so many of you at the Bike Show at Whitchurch High School on the weekend.  It was another good turn out and some of you actually brought me food as I requested on Facebook.

Hark at me!  Facebook indeed.  It almost sounds like I know what I’m talking about but you can now follow 1st Class Rider Blog and other news on Facebook.  So come on be my friend.

So now to the Ride Out news.  Our next Ride Out will be Sunday the 22nd of May.  Meeting at the Golden Arches, (MacDonald’s) at Coryton Interchange at junction 32 of the M4 for a 9.45am departure.

The theme for this Ride Out will be Welsh Rivers and we will be riding over the mountains that issue forth the Wye, The Severn and that old Welsh favourite, The Mighty Taff!

See the picture above.  This is where the Wye and the Severn rise from the same mountain, only several hundred yards apart, but both set off in different directions.  These reservoirs are spectacular but remember they don’t pump the water up there for the tourists….it actually falls out of the sky, so bring a coat!   The Taff rises further South and heads for the sea at Cardiff, collecting old Shopping Trollies and car tyres as it meanders through the Valleys.  Too picturesque for words… Bloody Lovely Mun.

Okay, that’s enough Welsh for now.  How about a bit of French.  We all love a bit of French don’t we?

Next French Trip.

Our next trip to France is scheduled for Friday the 24th of June.  Three days, two nights hotel accommodation with bed & breakfast, maps, information pack and the services of an experienced tour leader all for just £350.  Full details of the trip can be found on our sister website www.1stclassridertours.co.uk

There are still spaces left and for those of you who have told me you want to come, please confirm it so I can get your name on the list and get your bike on the ferry.  Don’t miss out, but let me know today if you want to reserve a place.  The trips are limited to just 10 bikes.  This is an ideal way to get your first taste of riding on ‘the other side’ under the watchful eye of our experienced lead rider.

We will be visiting the ancient French City of Rouen and then travelling for a ride through scenic Normandy to the coast.  Where you can visit the Normandy beaches or simply sip a coffee at one of the seaside cafes.  Bloody Lovely Mun…. sorry I mean Tres Bien Monsiuer !

Fairy Cakes.

Now for some culture.  Fairy Cakes!  Take a look at www.teaandfairycakes.co.uk  This is a new website and you can see why my nickname is ‘Foody’ because Mrs Food is an ace baker and cake decorator.  This is her web site and she makes the most delicious Cup Cakes, Fairy Cakes, Fruit Cakes etc etc, including Wheat Free for those who prefer a wheat free diet.

Now I know that those of you who have visited my house may have tasted Mrs Foods’ creations…..well now you can buy your own (and I’ll come to your house and eat all your cakes!!)

This new web site is under construction and photos are being added daily but you will get the idea.  So any special occasion that needs a cup cake or two, or more give her a call.

Ride Outs, France and Fairy Cakes…….. come on …you know you want to…..

May 11th, 2011 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Ride Out Reminder This Sunday to Wootton Bassett, & Normandy (later)

Sunday the 3rd of April 2011.

Meeting at The Golden Arches Restaurant -MacDonald’s at junction 32 of the M4, Coryton Interchange at 9am before departing to Hullvaton Airfield to gather for the Mass Ride through Royal Wotton Bassett.  This ride of respect is in support of the Afghan Heroes and is well worthy of our support.

We did it last year….we’ll do it this year……and probably do it next year….  So come along and show your support.  Pre-registration on the Afghan Heroes web site is essential to ensure entry to the Airfield where bikes will be organised in to groups of 1000 before being lead through Wootton Bassett and surrounding villages.  You can be guarantee’d a warm welcome by the villagers and locals who have shown immense respect to those members of our Armed Forces killed in action overseas, and repatriated with full honour bestowed on them by the residents of Wotton Bassett on their final journey home. A humbling experience indeed.

Also coming soon, so book your place to avoid disappointment.  Our Next Tour to France.

Rouen,  The Capital of Upper Normandy. France. June 24th –  26th 2011.

Our next trip across the Channel is scheduled for the weekend of the  24th – 26th of June 2011.

For those of you looking for something different, then this is it.  Rouen and the Normandy Beaches.

Crossing from Dover to Calais on Friday morning (24th) and travelling cross country to the Medieval Town of Rouen.  Rouen is one of France’s most ancient and historic Cities.

Developed over the centuries  by the Romans and the Vikings and was taken under English control after a long siege in 1431.  It became the stage for the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, before the City was returned to French control in 1449.  Overlooking The Seine it is situated in the heart of picturesque Upper Normandy.

This will be a bike trip with a difference.  So take a tour under the watchful eye of your experienced Guide/Leader. Taking a leisurely ride through very scenic countryside, this is a great trip to experience riding in France.

If you’ve never been… then you must.

It is anticipated that this trip will be quickly sold out so please ensure you don’t miss out and let me know, and get you name on the list.

Costs are as before, and will be £350 per person*.  Cost includes return Ferry Crossing for you and your bike,using the prestigious Sea France Fleet, Shared, Twin Room Hotel Accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast basis, Information Pack, Maps and the services of our Experienced Tour Guide/Lead Rider.

These tours are limited to 10 bikes only and are suitable for Riders of All Abilities.  Using a Group Riding Navigation System which allows each Rider to ride at their own pace, it ensures that everyone can ride safely yet still be sure that they won’t be left behind.  (This navigation system will be fully explained).

As with the last trip you will have the opportunity to purchase a personalised ’1st Class Rider Tours’ Polo Shirt.  Embroidered (not printed) with the 1st Class Logo on the breast and with ‘Rouen 2011′ across the back.  The left sleeve can be personalised with either your name or bike make and model.

These quality Polo Shirts proved popular for the Amsterdam Trip and are available at only £25.

France is waiting…… Come on………You know you want to……….

CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE.  07545 567 273

* Please note, if you have travelled with us on one of our Euro Tours before then a discount of 10% will be given off the tour price.  So insted of paying the full amount of £350 you pay only £315.  (You can’t not come can you…)

March 29th, 2011 | | 0 comments | Continued
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Next Rideout, Advanced Course..etc etc

Hi My Biking Chums.

Here is a quick up date about the next ride out, the next advanced course, the next Euro trip and the next bike for sale and a few more bits and pieces which may interest you. (Or may not…but here they are anyway).

In this Blog.

Euro Trips

Bike For Sale

BMW New Bike Launch

Advanced Bike Course

Ride Out This Weekend and Wooton Basset.

Amsterdam and then next Rouen.

We all survived the trip to Amsterdam and I am sure that there are a few stories to be told by all those who went.  What an experience it was. Apparently the ‘Red Light District Window Girls’ would tap the window as you passed to entice you in to check out their wares.  The only one to tap the window for me was the waitress in the Pancake Shop!  She knew when she had an easy sale in her sights.

Rouen; So if you missed the Amsterdam trip then get ready for the next one.  We are off to the Medieval Town of Rouen in Northern France. Towards the end of June (date to be finalised) we will be taking a leisurely jaunt through the French Countryside to the historic town where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake.  Our chosen hotel over looks the River Seine and gives us easy access to the Normandy Beaches area.  For those interested in Military History, we will visit the Cafe at Pegasus Bridge which was the first place to be liberated in the D Day offensive.  For those who are not interested in Military History we will be visiting a cafe, by a bridge, by a river, in France!  And an Ice Cream on the beach. Bloody Lovely!

It’s well worth the trip.

Bike For Sale.

My Old BMW is up for sale again.  Tony, the gent who bought it is going to live in France and won’t be taking it with him.  So he has asked me to do the honours and see if I can sell it for him.  He is asking £1650 for it.  S Reg BMW R1100RT.  See the picture on the left and more pictures will be posted  on the News Page on my main website. If you are interested I can pass you his contact details and he will be happy to show you around it.  It’s a lovely bike.  The ultimate tourer and it’s the engine that BMW never had any problems with.  81,000 miles.  He hasn’t ridden it much since he bought it with the snow and all before Christmas but now his move to France has caught him up and it won’t be going with him.  (I was hoping to go an visit it from time to time!). Give me a call if you are interested.  07545567273.

BMW New Bike Launch.

Saturday the 19th of  March see the launch of BMW’s new season range.  Riders of Cardiff and BMW dealerships across the country such as Ocean BMW in Plymouth are holding a launch event (I was going to go until I realised it said ‘launch’ and not ‘lunch’).  So go along and have a look at the new K1600  Six Cylinder Super Tourer, the updated R1200 R Roadster and for a bit of a dirty weekend the 650GS Enduro.  Riders of Cardiff are at Hadfield Road just along from Cardiff City Stadium.


Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course.

At last, the long awaited 1st Class Rider, Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course is taking place next Month.  Saturday the 9th of April sees the start of the course.  It is four days with the practical sessions spread over a period of weeks to suit you.  The course is all based on the Police System of Motorcycle Control – Roadcraft, and each candidate will be given the opportunity to take the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle test at the end.  In all our previous courses 1st Class Rider Training has a 100% pass rate in the RoSPA test, with many riders achieving the highest GOLD Award.

The course is set to do the classroom based theory as a group and then split into pairs  (2:1 with the Instructor)  for the Practical Road Ride Sessions.  This course is amazing value at only £500 (that’s only £125 per day – you could pay that for a cbt) an additional charge will be made for the RoSPA test fee and membership for those wishing to take the test at the end.

The course will be based in Cardiff (the venue is just being finalised as they’ve had builders in and I want to make sure that they have finished – painting and decorating is not part of this course).

I already have some names on my list for this course but there are still vacancies.  This course is suited for experienced riders and recently qualified riders alike and it will show you how to get the best out of your bike, before it gets the better of you. Using some of the best and most challenging  biking roads that Wales has to offer you may cover 150 -200 miles during the road riding days.  Previous students who have done the course have found it particularly useful in topics such as cornering and overtaking, some of the areas where many bikers come to grief.

This is an opportunity not to be missed.  And here is a challenge for any rider who thinks they may not need any training (I know you’re out there) – Come and do the course and if you don’t learn anything… I’ll give you your money back.  Give me a call on 07545567273 to book your place.

Ride Outs !

I know there has been a bit of a break (literally – my wife broke her wrist – which has curtailed my riding a bit recently) but now the Ride Outs are up and running again.

Sunday the 20th.

Dave Payne – a regular on our rides is offering a short notice impromptu ride out this Sunday.  The forcast is good and this Sunday Dave will be at the Golden Arches Restaurant (MacDonald’s !) at Coryton Interchange, junction 32 of the M4 at 9.30am for a 10 am departure.  He is heading North for some mountains so if anyone wants to join him please turn up and grab a quick coffee with him and enjoy the ride.

Royal Wooton Bassett

The next Monthly Ride Out will be Sunday the 3rd of April (Mother’s Day). This is for the Afghan Heroes Ride to Royal Wooton Bassett.  You must pre-regsiter your attendance at the Afghan Heroes Web Site.  Last year was an enormous event and you will get to ride in convoy through the town that is now synonymous with the repatriation of fallen military heroes from conflicts around the World.

This is one not to be missed.  This will have to be an earlier start so the start point won’t be Hein Gericke (as is normal) but the meeting point will be MacDonald’s Restaurant at Coryton for this one too.  This will be a 9am meet for a 9.30 departure.

Last year over 10,000 bike turned up……It was the longest queue I have ever seen at a Burger Van! But well worth it.

Come and show your support for our Armed Forces.  No politics here.  Whether you think they should be fighting or not is not important, just remember that they are.

So come and show support for extraordinary young men and women doing an extraordinary job.

I hope there is something there of interest for you.  Other items and snippets can be found on the News Pages of my main website.

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

March 18th, 2011 | | 3 comments | Continued
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Next Ride Out ?

Happy New Year my biking chums!  Here is a bit of an up date about a few things coming up.

In this Blog;  Monthly Ride Out,  Bike Maintenance Course,  Amsterdam Trip,  Advanced Riding Course, Afghan Heroes Ride to Wootton Bassett.

Monthly Ride Out.

Firstly, I won’t be able to do a ride out this month.  My Wife had a fall before Christmas and broke her wrist, (Not Snow or Drink related).  As we have a two year old toddler I can’t leave either of them on their own, and I can’t fit them both on the back of the bike for the day, so I won’t be doing a ride out this month.

If anyone was planning having a ride and wouldn’t mind taking along a gang then please let me know through this blog and I’ll spread the word.

Bike Maintenance Course.

We have had a few requests for a basic maintenance course so we are going to run one.  This will  be an evening event, based at a local Garage Workshop. Local to me, but not necessarily to you!

The date is to be fixed but at the moment I am looking for approximate numbers, to see who may be interested.  This will be a three hour session with the opportunity for practical hands on experience, with a quiz, and refreshments.  It will cover basic vehicle safety checks, chain adjustment, brakes and puncture repair techniques etc.  The cost will be £50 and spaces will be limited so get your name on the list.

(Robin, this is why I didn’t answer your tyre question as I was hoping to run this before Christmas, so I hope your wheel hasn’t fallen off!).

Amsterdam March 11th, 12th, 13th.  Pre-Trip Meeting.

Pre-Trip Meeting.  Saturday the 19th February. 11am at The Travellers Rest, Caerphilly Mountain.

This will be a meeting for those who have booked to go on the trip, and also for those who may have expressed an interest but not yet made a firm booking.  At the meeting I will issue maps and ferry booking details and answer any questions you may have.

So if you are still undecided come along, meet the group and get your name on the list. We still have a few places left so don’t miss out.  Give a call to ensure you get a space on the trip.  Just a few spaces left.  (For those of you who may have enquired about the trip…if you haven’t given me your bike registration details then you are not booked on the list so please don’t miss out).

For details of the trip see the previous blog posts.

Advanced Riding Course.  9th April.

This is it!.  This is the (long awaited) four day Advanced Riding Course.  Commencing Saturday April 9th.

Just £500.  That’s only £125 per day – You can pay £125 for a CBT so this is amazing value.

Four days spread over a number of weeks to suit each individual.  This course is based on the ‘Police System of Motorcycle Control – Roadcraft’ and gives the candidate the opportunity to take the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test at the end of the course, (although you don’t have to).  This may suit those who have expressed an interest in becoming a RoSPA Observer within the Advanced Motorcycle Group.  In order to become an observer you must first achieve the RoSPA Gold Standard.  This is certainly achievable on this course, though this is dependant on your performance on the final test ride. But this course has something to offer everyone.

It will show you how to get the best out of your bike……before it gets the better of you.

The course consists of classroom based theory followed by a period of self practice, and then instructor lead (2:1) on road practical training rides.  Each phase after the classroom can be spread to suit your needs.  On each practical on road session you will cover approximately 150 – 200 miles using some of the most interesting and challenging roads Wales has to offer and you will even the get the chance to visit ‘Grim Reaper Bend’… not to be missed!

The course will cover, cornering and cornering forces, how to analyse the limit point of a bend, how to read the road, observation links, overtaking and much more.  I know some of you have been waiting for some time for a space on the course so don’t miss out.  Get your name on the list.  Spaces are limited and are likely to be snapped up.

Afghan Heroes Wootton Bassett Ride. 3rd April.

If you didn’t do the last one, do this one.  If you did do the last one..do this one as well.

The date has been set for Sunday the 3rd of April and you must pre-register your attendance on the Afghan Heroes Web Site.  You must pick a time slot for your arrival.  I’m going to arrange a ride out to the event and last time I looked the last hourly slot of the morning is probably the best time to suit.

This was an immense event last year, and very emotive riding through the town, being applauded by the families of fallen heroes.  Them showing their appreciation for us!  This ride is a way that you can show your respect and appreciation for them.  There is no politics in this.  Whether you agree with the fight that they are involved in or not is not the issue.  The issue is to show respect for those who have fallen or been injured in battle and give support to their proud families who will make you feel very humble indeed as you ride past.

This is a must do event.  What better excuse to get your bike out!

So I hope there is something there of interest to you…if not let me know and I’ll see what I can come up with!

So get your name on a list,  get your name on all the lists.

Come on…..you know you want to!

January 14th, 2011 | | Comments Off | Continued
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Toy Run to UHW IS STILL ON. Saturday the 4th

The Toy Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at UHW, Heath Hospital tomorrow is still on.  I have received a text telling me that an item on the evening news said it was off ??????

My Teddies are ready to go.  The run is still on.  See the previous blog post for full details, and join us at Hein Gericke in the morning.  Toys to UHW and then on to Bethlehem.

Also, I’ve had notification that the Mother’s Day Afghan Heroes Wootton Bassett Ride is on again next year and registration is now open.  They are limiting the ride to 10,000 bikes, after last years runaway success.

So I’m going to register and organise a ride out as on the last occasion.  When you register you must nominate an anticipated arrival time slot.  So I would suggest that we pick a slot between 11am -1pm. Go to the Afghan Heroes web site for full details.

Please join us on the toy run in the morning.  Come on…. you know you want to..

December 3rd, 2010 | | 4 comments | Continued
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