Route:

A full briefing will be given at 0915 at the ASDA car park. We plan to leave at 0930 we will travel to Hawes, Creamery for coffee and a refuel if needed. Over Buttertubs to Tan Hill,  Brough and thence over the tops to Middleton in Teesdale for Lunch Stop.  Our return will be via a picturesque route into Richmond then down the back roads to finish in  Ripley for a first Ice Cream of the year.  Follow the link below for exact route but beware, if the weather is unkind another more expedient route may be chosen to avoid snow and ice!!!

Note, the route is 155 miles so plan fuel accordingly

 Ride out 20 March 2016

http://tinyurl.com/h9bckog

Before you go on the ride out please prepare your bike.

It doesn’t seem long since many of us were spraying our bikes with ACF 50 and the like and putting them out of harm’s way into garages etc. For those of you who have forsworn riding over the winter,  I would urge you to consider some minor checks before getting the machine back on the road:

Do:

Check the bike over as per POWER.

Beyond this take a careful look at the condition of the tyres to ensure they are not perished or have developed flat spots.

Check tyre pressures.

If you have a trickle Battery Charger ensure battery is charged up before starting.

Double check all instruments and warning lights are coming on and then going off after start up.

Do static brake test and whilst dong it ensure suspension is moving and not seized.

Move bars from stop to stop to make sure there is nothing binding or nesting in there!

Don’t:

Assume everything works.

Just jump on the bike and ride off!!!

Riding

If your bike is difficult to start, and has had the same petrol in the tank since you laid it up it may be necessary to drain the tank and put some new petrol in there. Modern fuel contains ethanol which evaporates out of the fuel, creating starting difficulties.  In extreme circumstances the residue left can block carburettors and injectors

If you have not ridden your bike for two or three months then take it easy. You are likely to have lost some of your skill, particularly cornering and braking.  Once everything seems to be working ok do a low speed moving brake test.   If that is ok try a more positive check and finally do a firm brake test.

Whilst riding along make sure there is no notchiness in the steering and that the bike is not tending to steer to one side, solidified grease in steering head bearings can cause this.

Finally, please take care and remember, a lot of roads have debris on them following the winter wetness, many have damaged surfaces due to frost and if that’s not enough, service machines used in clearing up can and do spill diesel.

Once you have done these checks you are ready for the first ride out of the year on Sunday 20 March 2016

Best regards,

Bob

In anticipation of the new riding season, Harrogate Advanced Bikes is pleased to notify associates and members of the first theory and slow riding events that will be held in 2016. All associates are asked and expected to attend these events, even if similar sessions were attended last year. Please note these dates in your diary.

Theory 1              Monday 29^th February 7:30pm to 9:00 pm.

Theory 2             Monday 7^th March 7:30pm to 9:00 pm

Both these events will be held at Bilton Cricket Club, Bilton Lane, Harrogate HG1 3DQ

Slow Riding         Sunday 24^th April 9:30 am to 12:00 noon

The venue is the car park at the Knaresborough Technology Park, Manse Lane, HG5 8LF

(This date and venue is subject to confirmation)

The theory sessions cover understanding of the core motorcycle roadcraft skills that underpin the test by the Institute of Advanced Motorists and complement the practical observed rides that associates undertake with their individual observers. The sessions have different content and associates are strongly advised to prioritise attendance at both. The slow riding event gives the opportunity for slow riding techniques to be practised in a secure and safe environment with the support of experienced and skilled riders on hand to help and advise.

There is an open invitation to all members of Harrogate Advanced Bikes to come along to any or all of these sessions to brush up skills and knowledge and to contribute to their effectiveness.

Harrogate Advanced Bikes extends a warm welcome to any riders in the region in the region who would like to undertake the Skills for Life programme of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Skills for Life must first of all be purchased from the IAM and riders may then choose the local group that is most convenient and suitable to help prepare them for the advanced test. For further details – Click here

Harrogate Advanced Bikes Chief Observer, Doug Masterton, would welcome expressions of interest from club members (who have already achieved Skills for Life) in becoming IAM observers. The IAM programme and associated club activities depend upon members not only growing their skills but being willing to share them with other riders in order to improve the safety and enjoyment of motor cycling. If this is something that interests you, please email Doug on rdmasterton@btinternet.com

Apologies, that earlier posting should have come from me is my first attempt :-

3D Motorcycle Training, in conjunction with Sue Richards, SLR Training Services, are looking to put on a Motorcycle First Aid Course to be completed over a couple of Wednesday evenings somewhere local in Harrogate. 

Will need to have a minimum of 12 people to attend to make it viable but the more the merrier! 

Once we have numbers will be able to work out a specific cost 

The course will be certificated and is a Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate under Ofqual Regulations and valid for 3 years. 
And we maybe able to add a little something in with it if numbers are good. 

Please email me 3dbiketraining@gmail.com or message through facebook if interested

The final Sunday Ride Out for 2015 will be organised on Sunday 18th October. It will be led by Doug Masterton.

The route will be one used for a number of years at the end of the season. It will go first towards Hawes via Blubberhouses, Greenhow, Grassington and then up over the tops to Hawes for a coffee stop. We will then head towards Garsdale Head and then go over Ais Gill to Nateby where another high road will lead into Swaledale. Lunch will be at Thwaite (TBC) and then the ride home will be through Leyburn. If weather conditions turn out to be poor, appropriate adjustments will be made.

Departure will be at 9:30 am from the usual meeting point – the car park by Asda in Harrogate. Members and all associates will be very welcome.

Do not forget the slow riding workshop that has been arranged for the morning of Sunday 4th October at the Manse Lane Business Park in Knaresborough HG5 8LF. It will be the last opportunity this season to perfect those slow riding skills in a secure environment with help and cameraderie on hand to help.

The cafe will be open for the obligatory bacon sandwiches and hot drinks.

The workshop reuns from 9:30 – 12:00 hrs

I look forward to seeing you there.

Doug Masterton

Chief Observer

Our use of the car park at the Manse Lane business park on Sunday 4th October 9:30 – 12:00 hrs has been agreed by the managers. This date is now confirmed for our next slow riding workshop.

Please come along and brush up your skills in slow riding in a convivial atmosphere with club members.  We will seek to ensure that the cafe is open for us. Their bacon sandwiches are good.

The address is

Knaresborough Technology Park
Manse Lane
Knaresborough
North Yorkshire
HG5 8LF

The session is especially suitable for associates preparing for the ‘Skills for Life” Advanced Riding test. All are welcome.

Doug Masterton

Chief Observer – Harrogate Advanced Bikes

We had been planning a slow riding event on Sunday 6th September in Knaresborough but this has not proved possible. A new target date has been designated on Sunday 4th October. The venue is the business park in Manse Lane Knaresborough This arrangement has yet to be finally confirmed but please put the date and time (9:30 am) in your diary.

Our slow riding events are a useful opportunity for all riders to brush up slow riding skills but are particularly valuable for associates undertaking the IAM Skills for Life programme. All will be welcome.

Doug Masterton, Chief Observer, Harrogate Advanced Bikes

The slow riding workshop scheduled for Sunday 26th of July 2015 has been cancelled. A revised provisional date of Sunday 6th of September 2015 has been identified and we are currently seeking permission of the car park owners in Knaresborough to use their facilies on that day.

Further details will be notified to members.

Doug Masterton – Chief Observer

A theory session on advanced riding will be held on Saturday 6th June at Bilton Cricket Club, Bilton Lane, Harrogate. HG1 3DQ from 9:00 – 11 :15. The session is specially intended for all associates who have not undertaken any theory training but all associates are welcome.

This session forms a key part of the programme offered by Harrogate Advanced Bikes to help associates succeed at the Skills for Life practical examination. Associates are therefore asked to make every effort to attend.

The session also offers the opportunity for observers to contribute to the riding experience that can be drawn upon in discussions and I hope as many as possible might be able to come along.

Doug Masterton

Chief Observer, Harrogate Advanced Bikes