We’ve had a few new members join us at Harrogate Advanced Bikes recently. If you see them at meetings or other HAB events please say hello and welcome them to the club.

Thank you for the warm welcome.

I’ve been riding motorcycles for over a decade overseas and recently passed my UK motorcycle licence. I currently ride a Kawasaki Z900. I’m looking forward to getting started with Harrogate Advanced Bikes.

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A bit about my motorcycling: Still relatively new to biking having passed my test in November 2023. I’m finding riding fun but scary, I’ve managed to do quite a few miles on my Hornet and lucky to be living in such a great area for riding. I’ve also enjoyed rides to the Black Forest, Isle of Syke and down to the south of France. Just wish I had more holidays!

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I’ve been riding bikes continuously for fifteen years +now. I had a triumph street triple for years, great fun but not so good on long trips. So I’ve gone down the adventure bike route and recently bought a BMW F750GS with low suspension and low seat, but the jury’s out on it so not sure yet. Recently retired and I want to go further afield with maybe a bit of touring.

I’m not particularly good, but probably not terrible and not as confident as I should be after all these years.  I’ve often thought about doing an Advanced Training Course and now I’ve got time. 

Dear Members,

The speaker at our meeting on Monday 11th August is Peter Riley from Airvest. He will tell us about this effective safety device which greatly reduces the risk of injury and has, I’m sure, prevented fatalities. Several police forces and other Emergency Services make it compulsory wear for their motorcyclists.

Peter will be describing how the vests work, including an update on the operating system, and compare them to other makes on the market. I believe he will demonstrate one on a willing volunteer!

I know that its the holiday period and that many of you have other commitments but it would be greatly appreciated if as many of you as possible could come along to show that we are an appreciative audience!

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at Bilton Cricket Club or prior to that you can join the Ride-In from The Route 59 Cafe just past Bolton Bridge, on the A59 of course, (BD23 6AF). Get to the cafe for 6.00pm and we can set off for a ride around the hills to arrive at BCC for around 7.15pm.

Thanks and best wishes

Richard Stembrowicz

Chairman

Meeting at St. James’s Retail Park in Knaresborough (HG5 8PZ) at 9.00am for departure at 9.30am. Fuel nearby Asda Express Wetherby Road (HG5 8LH).

Then we leave, go over the toll bridge at Aldwark, onto Easingwold, through Yearsley and to Hovingham Bakery and Rolling Pin Cafe for breakfast (YO62 4LG).

Then to Barton le Street, up to Sinnington, then up to Newton on Rawcliffe,  and Egton Bridge and then to Yorkshire Cycle Hub at Fry Up (YO21 2AP) for lunch.

We then go up to Ainthorpe, Kildale up to Urra, and then down to Helmsley. From Helmsley we go through Coxwold and Helperby, through Boroughbridge, before finishing the ride near Great Ouseburn.

The route is just over 120 miles, so we should all be okay for fuel if we all brim up prior to our arrival at the meeting point.

Ride leader is Trevor Cooper, TEC David Haywood.

Wednesday should be sunny and pleasantly warm. Here’s a GPX link. Any problem with using it please get in touch with Barry 07 847 786 608.

https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/a787f852-8566-4eda-83cd-b23e9339edb5

See you Wednesday.

Trevor

Dear Members,

Below is notification and agenda for the group committee meeting in August. If the membership would like any other points discussing the please notify the Chair (Richard), Or Secretary (Paul). A new Secretary, Bob Robinson will take over the roll of Secretary as of this meeting, leaving Paul as Treasurer.

HARROGATE ADVANCED BIKES COMMITTEE MEETING

Date: Tuesday 26^th August 2025, 7p.m.

Venue: Harewood Arms, Harrogate Rd., Harewood, Leeds, LS17 9LH

AGENDA

1)        Welcome new members

2)        List of attendees

3)        Apologies

4)        Statement from the Chair

5)        Rider reassessment/Protocol/Observer expenses for pilot        programme

6)        Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

7)        Reports – Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Chief Observer, Ride

            Co-Ordinator

8)        Appointing a Data Manager

9)        Protocol for website posts

10)      Signposting the Masters programme

11)      Members poll

12)      Frequency of committee meetings

13)      AOB

14)      Time/date of next meeting

If there are any other points that you wish to raise, the opportunity is under AOB

Sorry to disappoint Folks,

It looks like the rain will definitely will be persisting tomorrow with a strong chance of thunder and lightning. You may have been expecting this anyway, but Ranjit and I have reluctantly decided to cancel the Ride-Out. The roads will be awash with gravel, it’s plainly not very safe and it’s no fun getting a good soaking no matter how good your riding kit is.

At the moment neither of us can do next weekend so we will put our thinking hats on, and unless anyone else can come forward with a bright idea then that may be it for official rides this July.

Barry Ring

Dear HAB Members,

Through a message recently received from one of our group, I became aware that not all of you know about the changes in the committee over the last few months. My apologies for not informing you all about the changes before now.

At the AGM Paul Dresser, our former Chairman, swapped roles with me to become Treasurer. We didn’t elect a Secretary as no one came forward at the time. Thankfully, Bob Robinson volunteered at the June meeting and his offer was snapped up, as in the meantime Paul was also looking after this post too.

Glynn Richardson has joined us as Vice Chairman and Martyn Hansen was also joined the committee. Bob Hill continues as Chief Observer, Barry Ring as Ride Co-Ordinator and John Watts and Paul Holmes also remain as before.

Peter McNulty (former Secretary), Peter Smith (former Vice Chair) and John Blanchfield have stepped down. Our thanks go to all of them for their sterling work over many years and also to those joining the team, as without any one of them HAB would not be what it is.

We have very interesting speakers coming up over the next few months and to make it worthwhile for them it would be great if as many of you as possible could come along to the meetings, especially as they are putting in considerable effort to come and talk to us.

If any of you have ideas or thoughts that you would like to put forward, please do not hesitate to contact me. It is very rare that I miss any of the monthly meetings and I’m willing to chat at any time. The number of our Associates is increasing, so if you come across any new members please give them a warm welcome.

Safe and enjoyable riding to all of you.

Richard Stembrowicz

Chairman

Meet at 9:00am in the car park at The Curious Cow, Harrogate HG3 2AP for a quick chat and a ride briefing, setting off promptly at 9:15am to head up to Reeth (DL11 6TH) for our coffee/breakfast stop.  All via a very scenic route: Lofthouse, the reservoirs, through Leyburn, past the army ranges and arriving hopefully before 11:00am just in time to catch breakfast at either the Copper Kettle or of course there are a few choices in Reeth.  

Following coffee, we head out of Reeth for our lunch destination of Kirkby Stephen, through the stunning roads of the Teesdales, up to join the A66 for just a two mile stretch. Through Middleton-in-Teesdale, via Romaldkirk, Egglestone and then onto one of the best biking roads in the country the B6276 which takes us into Brough onto our lunch stop (Kirkby Stephen). We can stop for fuel at the Shell Station on the way into town. The Mulberry Bush cafe is suggested for lunch-just be aware it’s cash only (cashpoint next door), however there are plenty of alternatives available along the main road. There’s a car park on the Market Street and other parking spots along the road.

After lunch, we head over to Hawes via the scenic B6270 along Buttertubs Pass then down into Hawes, taking the A684 all the way into Leyburn and finally finishing the ride with a well-earned ice cream at Brymor Ice Cream Parlour, Jervaulx HG4 4PG (right turn off A6108).

Ride Leader- Ranjit David, TEC-Barry Ring, Distance 136 miles. Fuel stop approx 90 miles. Links to GPX file below.

Looking forward to seeing you on the day.

Ranjit.

https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/11473806

Unfortunately, for the club meeting at Bilton Cricket Club tomorrow, our speaker has had to cancel, so we are going to take the opportunity to discuss the changes to the composition of the committee, our aims, the future of our club and the members ideas on the direction you would like the club to go. We would like to have as many of you as possible attend and come forward with your ideas and opinions. It’s your club, what do you want it to be?

Be at the meeting if you can, a Ride-In is planned. The weather forecast for the evening is set to be warm, sunny and dry again so join us for an hour’s ride to arrive at Bilton Cricket Club well in time for our meeting starting at 7.30pm. Meet at The Curious Cow, Killinghall HG3 2AP at the junction of the A59 and Oaker Bank, 6.00pm for a 6.15pm set off. 

Chairman

Richard Stembrowicz

New Biker or experienced? Do you think you need more training or could improve your riding? Visit harrogateadvancedbikes.co.uk for more information or email secretary@harrogateadvancedbikes.co.uk

For July’s Mid-Week ride we’re heading for the North York Moors.

We’ll meet at Morrisons Boroughbridge YO51 9UR at 09.15 for a 09.30 depart, heading via Thornton Bridge, Bagby, Hawnby & Osmotherley to our coffee break at Roots Farm Shop & Cafe, East Rounton, DL6 2LE.

After our break we’re east via Stokesley & Castleton to the Yorkshire Cycle Hub,  Fryup Gill Farm, Great Fryup, YO21 2AP where we’ll take lunch. 

Following lunch, we’re heading back to Boroughbridge, via Hutton le Hole & Brandsby. 

Andrew Pratt will lead this 120 miler, with John Blanchfield looking after our Tail.

We hope that you can join us.

You can find the route here: https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/11424293?mode=share

Big Bike Sunday is a classic and modern motorcycle show and charity event organised by Aire Valley Classic Motorcycle Club and is taking place this coming Sunday 29th June at Skipton Auction Mart. It’s a charitable event with a small entrance fee of just £5 and with a range of classic, vintage and modern machines on display. There will be trade, food and owners club stands to browse at your leisure.

This year we will have a Harrogate Advanced Bikes stand looking to recruit new members into the IAM system of Advanced Motorcycle Training.

Richard Stembrowicz is manning the stand along with Bob Hill and Derek Saunders. Do visit the show, drop in and say hello, bring a mate who might be interested in becoming an associate or just spread the word that we will be there on the day and of course you can enjoy the rest of the show too.

The current weather forecast is very little chance of any rain and warm too so there could be a Ride-In if HAB members want to do that as well. Text to Barry on 07 847 786608 if you are interested in joining a ride.