You are maybe wondering if there is a HAB Club Ride-Out this Sunday and sadly the answer is no. The weather forecast is very poor with low temperatures and sleet for this area and also where we were planning to go.
The plan is to try again next Sunday 23rd with currently forecast of light rain and higher temperatures, fingers crossed. GPX file below: We will watch the forecast and a full post will go out during next week.
Please note: Because of room availability at Bilton Cricket Club our February HAB meeting will take place on Monday 3rd, a week earlier than usual.
On Monday 3rd we have a presentation by Jade-Ambulance Biker & NHS Medic. Please come to the meeting if you can and make her welcome.
Get there from 7.00pm for an official start at 7.30pm. Sorry no buffet is available this evening.
Thank you for the marvellous response to our Ride-Out Leader Request. The Wednesday Rides are now covered for this year, the Sunday Rides are covered until and including August with just September, November and December awaiting a leader.
A1 Moto York- New Model Open Day this Thursday 6th February 9.00am until 8.00pm (cafe open until 7pm) Tiger 800 Sport, New Tiger Sport 660, New Trident 660 and New Speed Twin. For off road fans the New TF450-RC. Even if you’re not in the market for one it’s a wonder to look at. If there’s interest I’m happy to lead a short ride over to A1 Moto for lunchtime. Get in touch on 07 847 786608.
Hello everyone, just a quick note about the upcoming mid-week social ride on 5th February.
Meet at the town centre car park in Ilkley (LS29 9LA) with a full fuel tank at 9.30am for a 9.45am start and return to Ripley Ice Cream around 4pm. We’ll be covering approximately 149 miles, starting from the car park in Ilkley our route will take us close to Selby, Driffield, Pickering and finishing at Ripley Ice Cream. Breakfast brew at the Village Tearoom in Cawood (YO8 3SG), lunch will be at the “Caffe Stop” in Pickering (YO18 7DP) and we will finish at Ripley (HG3 3AX).
Looking forward to seeing you all there in Ilkley for a great day out!
If you are using Garmin Drive to download to your sat nav select .gpx 1.1 (route, track, POI) and only tick Car Share Lanes & Unpaved Roads in your navigation AVOIDANCES.
PLEASE NOTE: If you intend to join this social ride out and it will be your first HAB ride out, please e-mail beforehand.
IMPORTANT: If the weather is particularly unkind the ride may have to be cancelled. Should this be the case any changes or cancellation will be entered on the HAB website and Facebook page before 8am on the morning of the ride so be sure to check before you leave home.
Please note: Because of room availability at Bilton Cricket Club our February HAB meeting will take place on Monday 3rd, a week earlier than usual.
On Monday 3rd we have a presentation by Jade-Ambulance Biker & NHS Medic. Please come to the meeting if you can and make her welcome.
Our meeting is at Bilton Cricket Club. Get there from 7.00pm for an official start at 7.30pm. Sorry no buffet is available this evening.
Thank you to all the Ride Leaders who have already volunteered and now listed on the 2025 calendars shown below. If other full HAB members would also have a look and see if they are able to contribute this year it would be very helpful to get a few more names on the list before you all finalise your 2025 plans. If you have not led a ride before please consider doing so. It takes a little bit of organising but is much easier than you think and you do need a willing partner to act as Tail End Charlie.If you are a first timer, any help or advice you need, just ask myself or any other experienced ride-leader, check out our Ride-Leader Guidelines on the HAB website with more information available on the IAM website too. Contact barrya.ring@gmail.com
Leading up to the AGM we are covered for speakers for our Monday meetings but we are always looking for interesting presenters as the year goes on. If any members have a contact or pal they can call on to inform or entertain us please get in touch with secretary@harrogateadvancedbikes.co.uk., leave a reply at the bottom of this post or speak to a committee member at one of our events.
The first Mid-Week Ride-Out of 2025-setting off from St. James Retail Park in Knaresborough HG5 8PZ (fuel available nearby at ASDA Express on Wetherby Road HG5 8LH). Meet from 9.00am for a set off at 9.30am. It’s Riccall for breakfast with Castle Howard (YO60 7BY) for lunch, before returning to Morrisons, Boroughbridge where you can jet wash your bike and refill your fuel tank.
A GPX link is attached for you if you need it. A route of about 105 miles, we shouldn’t need a refuel. A nice handy run at this time of year.
Weatherwise it’s looking like it’s going to be an okay day on Wednesday (warmer than last Sunday) but watch out for any weather warnings and HAB/Facebook notifications.
Meeting at Otley Garden Centre, Pool Road, LS21 1DY for ourfirst Sunday Club Ride of 2025. Please arrive with plenty of fuel from 9.00am for chat and pre-ride briefing before a 9.30am set off.
The route takes us through Menston, Bingley, Harden, Cullingworth and into Haworth, stopping for a morning break. Using the Museum car park BD22 8DS (£1.50 card fee-use RingGo £1.60 app for ease).
After morning break, off towards Oxenhope & Pecket Well, taking a left in the village after The Robin Hood Inn, along Ackroyd Lane & the aptly named Height Road affording spectacular views across Hebden Bridge. Then switching back downhill at Midgley into Mytholmroyd in the valley. Right onto the main road and immediately left over the humpback bridge onto the steep B6138 Cragg Road for a few miles, turning right at Blackstone Edge reservoir the A58 towards Littleborough & Hollingworth Lake for lunch at The Wine Press OL15 0AZwhere there is dedicated motorcycle parking. A table is not booked as they wanted a substantial non-refundable deposit. We will take our chances as there are other eating options around the lake.
After lunch, retracing our steps back home through Mytholmroyd (fuel stop if necessary), then Hebden Bridge, Haworth, through Keighley across the A650 roundabout onto the B6265 (signposted Riddlesden) Road and then after a couple of miles turn left at traffic lights on to Swine Lane across the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, through East Morton, past The Dick Hudson and through Menston to Otley & finishing back at the Garden Centre.
Ride leader Barry Ring. TEC Paul Holmes. Approximately 90 Miles in total & GPX file available. Text to 07 847 786 608.
All subject to suitable weather conditions of course. Watch out for further messages.
Over the past twenty years, I’ve dabbled in just about every type of motorcycle riding to keep things interesting. From off-roading with Mick Extance (a riotous good time) to trials riding at Inch Perfect (let’s just say it’s a workout you won’t find in any gym) and the adrenaline-pumping track days at Oulton Park with No Limits (equal parts thrilling and terrifying and delivered with plenty sphincter tightening moments). But without a doubt, the most game-changing experience was signing up for an IAM Skills Day.
Regular track days are fun but let’s be honest, they often devolve into a “who can scare themselves the most” competition. In contrast, a Skills Day is where you learn to ride better, safer and with more finesse. Forget just twisting the throttle and hoping for the best – this is about mastering the art of motorcycling, from smooth braking to nailing those corners without feeling like you’re holding on for dear life.
Please don’t think you can rock up to a Skills Day with a dedicated track bike. This isn’t a MotoGP warm-up session so no tyre warmers, race slicks, or number plates covered like a secret agent on a mission. Your bike needs to be road legal, meaning and before you ask – yes, the exhaust needs to behave itself, especially at Croft, where noise restrictions are stricter than a librarian with a headache. So, baffles in, unless you want to spend the day as a spectator! As for the type of bike – whatever will do. There’s always a vast selection of bikes attending on the day from Pan Europeans to much smaller capacity bikes and electric bikes too.
Worried you’ll be out of your depth, intimidated by track day warriors, or destined to end the day with more dents in your bike than you started with? Fear not. To be frank, there are new risks (you are on a racetrack, after all), but the IAM have designed these events to be as safe as possible. Plus, let’s not forget the perks of riding on a racetrack: no manhole covers waiting to catch you out, no speed cameras to ruin your fun, no junctions, pedestrians or oncoming traffic, no paint on the road or broken tarmac and finally no potholes or speed bumps to launch you into orbit. There’s even a speed limit – though at Croft, it’s set at a brisk 90 mph (or, let’s be honest, maybe a cheeky 100 mph). But you get the point – it’s not about breaking the sound barrier, but rather about building your confidence and skills.
On arrival, you’ll get a safety briefing that’s non-negotiable – miss it, and you’ll be sitting out the day. You’ll be sorted into one of three groups (‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’, where ‘C’ is the newbie squad) and then paired with an instructor who’ll guide you through the day. And before you get any ideas, this isn’t a race. You’re encouraged to practice smoothness and accuracy and not chase speed (Precision Triangle), aim for about 75% of your max ability – enough to push yourself, but not so much that you’re clinging on for dear life.
The day is broken into six sessions, each focusing on a specific skill like positive steering, braking, and body positioning. As the day goes on, the pace picks up, but only as a natural result of your growing skills and confidence – not because your instructor has decided to vanish into the distance. It’s all about building up, not burning out.
The format is simple: 20 minutes of briefing, 20 minutes on the track, then a debrief. Rinse and repeat. By the end of the day, you’ll have spent more time on the tarmac than most race schools allow you to do in a day. It is a very structured day delivered in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, absorb the info and actually remember what you’ve learned as you head out on track.
Ultimately, the goal of an IAM Skills Day is to make you a better rider, whether on track or road. It’s an advanced riding day so you will be using the SYSTEM on track to constantly gather information about the track and riders around you, positioning for corners, adjusting speed for different track features, selecting the right gear to keep the machine responsive and then accelerating out of the corners. The consistency of track conditions allows you to focus on refining your technique without worrying about unexpected hazards. By the end of the day, you’ll have ridden the same corner so many times that you could probably do it blindfolded (note: not recommended). It’s also a chance to get to know your bike better – because, on public roads, you rarely get the opportunity to push your machine to its limits without risking a stern chat with the local constabulary.
My regular IAM Skills Days have worked wonders for my road riding skills and confidence. I can’t recommend them highly enough – seriously, sign up. You’ll thank me later.
IAM RoadSmart are about to announce nine motorcycle events from April to September in 2025, at four of the best UK circuits: Thruxton, Mallory Park, Croft, and Knockhill. In addition, there will also be a machine handling day at Bicester in Oxfordshire. For us friendly, thrill-seeking Northerners, Croft is an easy day trip but Knockhill might require a bit more planning and a comfy bed for the night before and after. These Skills Days are open to everyone – IAM members and the general public – so there’s no excuse not to join in and learn new skills that will make your road riding safer and more enjoyable. When you have a minute take a look at the IAM Skills Day web-page – https://www.iamroadsmart.com/events/skills-days
The cost? A reasonable £240ish for a day packed with expert advice, track time, and the kind of learning you just don’t get from YouTube videos. But be quick – these events are popular, and places go fast. So, keep an eye on your in-box at the end of January for an email from the IAM announcing the dates. Don’t delay book straight away or your only option will be watching the highlights on social media.
Finally, in closing this article take a look at the following feedback from 193 customers that attended a Skills Day in 2024 – its impressive: –
Well, I’m sure you’ve guessed it already, but Monday’s ride won’t go ahead after all. It’s beginning to thaw but not fast enough. There’s plenty of snow and ice in lots of awkward places, indeed, particularly in my little cul-de-sac and I can’t get my bike off the drive. Trevor says the ride may go ahead sometime soon and of course we have a Sunday Ride-out coming up on the 19th.
Images and links all copyright and courtesy of Mental Heath Motorbikes
The first HAB meeting of 2025 . Starting us off with Mental Health Motorbike. Jez Hardcastle is coming to discuss his UK charity promoting good mental health amongst the motorcycling community. He’s coming a long way from the North east to be with us so please come to the meeting if you can.
Get there between 7.00pm and 7.30pm when the meeting will start.
No buffet food provided at this meeting as per a previous post.
Recently we have received communications from Bilton Cricket Club increasing the cost of the room hire and the food. The room hire is only a marginal increase, however the cost of food on the evening has doubled.
The costs were already significant and even with the £2 contribution from members, the provision of a buffet signified a loss to the group depleting finances.
The committee has discussed the situation and has taken a short term decision to suspend the buffet until a solution can be found, We aim to discuss this at the next committee meeting in January and then gather consensus from the wider membership on options moving forward at the AGM in April.
As a result the £2 contribution for the buffet will be not collected at the meetings.
The January meeting on the 13th will host a speaker, Jeremy (Jez) Hardcastle from Mental Health Bikers, a UK charity promoting mental health amongst bikers. We hope for a good turnout for this speaker who is travelling down from the NE to be with us.
If any of the members have any comments or suggestions then please reply/email.
