Hi All

Following the success of our 2-day trip to the Borders last year, we’re organising a similar event to the Lake District this June.

The venue this year is the Skelwith Bridge Hotel situated about 3 miles west of Ambleside. I’ve stayed here a number of times over the years and as recently as last October.  It’s a very pleasant hotel with excellent food and in a very attractive location.

The exact route isn’t finalised yet but it’s likely to head north from Harrogate, then west through Alston before entering the west Lakes.  Moving on from the Cockermouth area, over to Honister Pass, and then arriving at the hotel.

On the second day the intention is to do Wrynose Pass and Hard Knott Pass before returning homewards over Cold Fell.  Full route details will follow nearer the time.

The cost of the hotel is £74 per person on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis with a deposit of £25 required to secure.

If you would like to join the group, please let me know as soon as you can. Also advise if you’re happy to share a twin room or would prefer a single room.

Rooms are limited so please contact me asap as availability will have to be on a first come, first served basis.

Hope you can join us!

Regards

David Haywood

PS. My bank details for the deposit are:

Account no:        73133325

Sort code:           09-01-28

Hello All

Our Associates Induction Meeting will be held at Bilton Cricket Club on Saturday 9th March, starting at 9.30am finishing at 12.30pm.  All current and new Associates are invited and should attend, and of course all current and trainee Observers.

All other HAB members are also welcome to come along, brush up their knowledge, and meet our most recent members.  Tea and Coffee will be available as well as Breakfast Sandwiches.

So all Associates need to come along and as many HAB members as possible to help make this an informative and enjoyable event (a bacon sandwich always helps!).

Looking forward to seeing you all on the day.

Best regards.

Bob Hill

An update to the HAB calendar, Sunday rides are filling up fast and extra volunteers for first Wednesdays have also come forward. There are still a couple of Sunday rides unallocated so any HAB member considering leading one of those or a first Wednesday or even a summer evening ride have a look at the HAB calendar and take your pick of the remaining dates. Drop me an email via barrya.ring@gmail.com

All the best

Barry

During last Monday’s HAB meeting I mentioned the IAM Motorcycle Skills Day on Tuesday 25th June at Croft Circuit near Darlington not far off the A1.  I contacted the IAM today and have confirmed there are 34 places still available.  It would be great to get a HAB contingent to take part.  I know it is expensive at £149 but it is a great opportunity to take part in a closed road activity.

These are not “track days” but as described “IAM RoadSmart arranges a number of closed-road circuit based Skills Days for our members to develop additional skills and knowledge with expert tuition on safe closed road environments. These are not race days but rather skills development days that enable you to understand and develop the capability and performance of both you and your machine. Non-members and family and friends are also welcome as we cater for first-time circuit attendees to those who regularly brush up their advanced skills in this way”.

I recommend a read of the appropriate Skills Day pages on the IAM website and get a flavour of what is on offer.  Check your insurance cover before booking your place, but remember it is a training course not a typical track day.

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/campaign-pages/end-customer-campaigns/skillsday

Please let me know if you book a place. barrya.ring@gmail.com

Best regards

Barry

Our HAB website calendar has been updated with Sunday rides already allocated to ride leaders and those still available to HAB members willing to give it a go. If you haven’t lead a ride before it’s a good way of getting the ride and destination you favour. I still get surprised by our ride leaders taking us on very unfamiliar roads. Guidance is available, both on our website, or just ask myself and any previous ride leader. So please get in touch if you are tempted (barrya.ring@gmail.com) and get your ride booked in.

There are also some provisional dates for other events this Spring. Watch that space for changes and additions. Notices will be sent out of course.

This coming Sunday 16th Chris Armstrong is leading his run to Saltburn on Sea. The Spa Hotel does a very good lunch! Meet at the usual place (Harrogate Asda lorry park) with full fuel tanks 9.00am for 9.30am start. The weather forecast is very good, partly cloudy with 12 deg temperatures, low chance of rain.

See you this Sunday.

All the best,

Barry

This may be of interest to HAB members.

There is a First Aid Course for Bikers available at Malton Fire Station on Saturday 16th of March.  I just got on one at Richmond  Fire Station at the last minute taking place during February.  The courses are titled “Biker Down” and sponsored by North Yorkshire 95Alive and are very recommendable.  I attended a similar first aid course a few years ago with other HAB members.  The tutoring I received was invaluable when helping a badly injured cyclist a couple of years ago.

The course is free of charge but places go fast. If you are interested please contact Jackie or Marie by emailing to 95alive@northyorks.gov.uk

Barry Ring

Chris Armstrong will lead the ride on Sunday 17th February to Saltburn.

Meet at the usual place, Asda lorry park, from 09.00 for a 09.30 departure via Sharow and Sutton Bank to Rievaulx Abbey cafe for coffee (YO62 5LB).  On to the B1257 via Great Broughton and Great Ayton with views of Roseberry Topping to Saltburn for lunch overlooking the sea at the Spa Hotel (TS12 1HH).

After lunch we head to Helmsley via Danby on to Thirsk finishing at Ripley.

Distance out is 75 miles, return 70 a total of 145.

Hope you can make it.  As usual in the event of a severe weather forecast members will be advised of a postponement on Friday 15th February.

Best wishes,

Chris

A few of you will be aware Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley have on occasion offered “An Evening With” motorcycle personalities. Their latest one on Friday 1st March features motorcycle racing celebrities Niall Mackenzie and Neil Hodgson!

The event is free to attend, and as previously there will be a popular raffle & auction with fantastic prizes up for grabs, the proceeds of which will be going to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. There will be a bite to eat and a few drinks available in return for a small charity donation to this very worthy cause.

I have booked 4 places for anyone who wants to come along.  Weather permitting we can go by bike or I can offer a lift by car if you live in the Knaresborough or Harrogate area. It takes roughly an hour by car from Knaresborough.

You can also make your own arrangements, if you prefer, by contacting Colin Appleyards direct.

Contact me at barry.ring@gmail to book a space or get a link to make arrangements yourself.

Doors open at 6.00pm and the event starts at 7.00.

Best regards

Barry

The February Midweek Ride on Wednesday 6th February will be lead by John Blanchfield.

Please meet at St James Retail Park, Knaresborough at the rear of McDonalds, 9.15 for 9.30 start.

We will ride east on A59 towards Green Hammerton.  North over the Aldwalk Toll Bridge, then Shipton and Towthorpe onto the coffee stop at the Balloon Tree Farmshop & Cafe at Gate Hemsley. (YO41 1NB)

Continue on through Stamford Bridge, Pocklington, Bainton, Driffield, Skipsea to Hornsea to the Seafront Chippy for lunch. (HU18 1NJ)

Return journey through Beverley, B1230 to Howden for toilet and Tea at the Waterwheel Cafe. (DN14 7JP)

From Howden we head north on the B1228 to the York Ring Road clockwise and then through Rufforth and Tockwith towards Knaresborough.  The ride will finish in the layby on the A658 just before the St James Retail Park roundabout.

Total mileage 148miles.

Best regards and hope to see you on the day.

John

Well, the first ride out this year was on Wednesday and although I couldn’t make it, judging by the positive messages on our Facebook page, it went very well.

Thanks to David Haywood for another cracker.

This January’s Sunday ride out is on the 20th and Chris Armstrong has offered to lead it, ably assisted by Mike Holroyde.

Meet at the Harrogate lorry park near Asda from 09.00 for a prompt 09.30 start. We head to How Stean Gorge Cafe for morning coffee (HG3 5SY) via Ripley and Summerbridge and then over the top passing Leighton reservoir to Masham. After Masham we ride to Askrigg via East Witton and Leyburn for lunch at the Crown Inn (DL8 3HQ).

Following lunch we head towards Aysgarth and over to Buckden and Kettlewell finishing at Stump Cross Caverns (HG3 5JL).

Distance to lunch is 56m plus 30m to Stump Cross caverns, total 86m. In the event of a severe weather forecast members will be advised on Friday 18th January that the ride is cancelled. We have had excellent weather so far this winter so let’s hope it will be kind to us once again.

Nice low mileage winter ride from Chris with plenty of time left to wash the bike when you get home!

See you there.

Barry