Dear Members,

Firstly, I would like to wish all of you, on behalf of the committee, compliments of the season and hope that you and all your families are safe and well and especially that you remain so over the coming holidays.

Secondly, it is that time of year when I send out notice that the annual subscriptions for 2022 become due on the 1st January. This also applies to any associates who have passed their advanced test during 2021, if you wish to remain a member.

I should also remind you that, to qualify for club membership, IAM membership subscriptions also need to be paid up for the period appropriate to when you joined.

The preference for payment of the HAB £15 subscription is by BACS, to Lloyd’s Bank, sort code 30-93-91, account number 01807888 and the reference should be your name.

However, if you cannot or do not wish to pay by BACS, the other methods are in person at Lloyd’s or your own bank or by giving me cash or a cheque at the club meetings.

Thank you all for your continuing support over what continues to be a difficult period and I look forward to seeing you at club meetings.

Best wishes,

Richard Stembrowicz

Treasurer

Following our recent posts regarding these evening’s meeting we have had a number of messages from members expressing their concerns and some saying they are not attending.

Given the current Covid situation we think it is prudent and responsible to cancel this evening and review in the new year.

We hope all members have a safe and happy Christmas.

Best wishes.

Paul, Chairman.

In light of recent Covid anouncmnets we are taking the following approach with regards this evenings meeting.

1. We would ask all members attending to take a lateral flow test in advance.
2. We would ask all members to wear a mask during the evening, except when drinking or eating or if medically exempt.

We hope you can all understand why this precaution is being taken in the best interest of all members.

Paul Dresser

Chairman

I hope some of you will be up for a brief but interesting ride prior to getting too involved in the Christmas season. This will be the last official ride before Christmas. The ride out on Sunday 19th December has taken into account the limited daylight and possible problems with the weather, not to mention the dreaded Omicron variant! The exact route will depend on these issues, which may cause route changes on the day, or in the worst case, sadly, cancellation. However, all being well we will depart from ASDA lorry park on Dragon Road, Harrogate at 9.30am hopefully with the sun shining on an unseasonably warm day!! We will take the direct popular main road route to the Biker Café at Bellerby via Ripon and Leyburn for an indulgence of Spam and Egg sandwiches or similar.

From Bellerby we will travel to Reeth then onwards through Gunnerside and Muker, finally diving down via the Buttertubs Pass and stopping in Hawes for lunch.

Lunch Venue to be decided on the day!

After lunch, returning via Kettlewell, Grassington and Pateley Bridge finishing at Ripley.
Ice Cream for the hardy? The aim at this stage is to get back before the darkness and cold spoil things.

The total distance of the ride is 110 miles so most bikes should make it on one tank.
Please Note. Weather: If freezing conditions or snow are forecast the ride will be cancelled so check your phones before setting out.
Covid: If you have symptoms please do not attend.

Look forward to seeing you there.
Bob and Andy

Dear Members.

The committee have received enquiries about the format and rules on group ride outs and this would be a good opportunity to publish some guidance. The IAM provide a guidance document as attached at the bottom of the page, which should be read in line with this group guidance.

The ride outs occur every month, usually on the third Sunday, additional weekday ride outs are usually held on the first Wednesday. All ride outs are published on the website in advance with route descriptions, meeting times and names of the ride leaders and TEC (tail end Charlie). These posts will be published around a week before the ride and subject to the final recce ride conducted by the ride leader and TEC.

The rides are scheduled in advance by our ride out coordinator, Barry Ring, planned by our ride leaders and published on our Website Calendar. The ride leaders are all current and full IAM members who volunteer to lead rides and plan the routes.

Each ride out is usually between 120 and 170 miles with planned breakfast, lunch and fuel stop breaks. Prior to the ride out the ride leader and TEC with carry out a recce ride no later than a week before the ride to establish any issues such as road closures and other hazards which may be encountered. This will then form part of the notification post and pre-ride briefing.

On the day of the ride the ride leader will provide a briefing on the ride prior to departure. This will be a description of the route, any scheduled stops and any potential hazards such as difficult junctions or potentially hazardous roads (sheep, cyclists etc.). One important part of this briefing will be an explanation of the drop off system and that the ride leaders will be riding to an Advanced standard and within the rules of the road, both legal, safe and within speed limits. It should be noted that the same is expected of all members on the ride and that all members should ride for themselves and within their own limits making their own judgments.

The Drop Off System.

The drop off system exists to enable a smooth and progressive ride without interruptions or breaks and to allow the whole group to follow the route without getting lost.

The ride leader and TEC will have advanced knowledge of the route and junctions. The ride leader will take up position at the front of the ride and the TEC at the rear. As the group ride sets off the members will set off in turn behind the ride leader. As the ride leader approaches a junction he will indicate that he wants the rider immediately behind him to stop and mark that junction.

The ride leader may elect not to mark certain junctions, these will be ones where the route is obvious and stays on the same road. Typical examples are straight on at roundabouts. This will be explained at the briefing. In certain circumstances it be unsafe or difficult to mark a junction and the ride leader will identify any such junctions during the briefing and explain how these should be negotiated. One example is when riding to the lakes and crossing the M6 flyover where the exit joins a left hand motorway filter and there is no safe place to stop.

The junction marker must find a safe and legal place to stop so that they can direct the remainder of the bikes passing through. As soon as they see the TEC rider (identified during briefing) they can re-join the ride. The junction marker should be ready to move off when it is safe to do so. The TEC may provide a signal in advance and if it safe to set of the marker can do so, even if riders are still to come through. This is on the basis that if the TEC has seen the junction then all the riders in front will have seen the junction.

The junction marker must not set off until released by the TEC, even if they have to wait a long time. If there has been an issue on the ride then someone will come back along the route to notify them.

The only time the ride leader will stop is if there is no rider behind to mark the next junction and they will only stop to allow the next rider behind to catch up so the next junction can be marked.

FAQ.

1. What happens if I get lost?
   
   During the briefing the location of any break stop will be given and you should make your way to the next location. Leader and TEC contact details are published on the ride notification. You should make note of these and message the ride leader/TEC where you are heading.

• I am marking a junction, what happens if no one comes past for a long time?
  
  You should continue to mark the junction; large gaps can develop and are not unusual. If you do abandon your post then potentially the whole ride may collapse. If there has been an incident causing a delay then the ride leader will back track to pick up any stranded junction markers. Feel free to send a message or call the ride leader to check for issues.

• Can I overtake?

Yes, we are advanced riders and overtakes can be carried out if safe to do so. This includes other riders on the ride-out. Everyone has a different pace and may want a more relaxed ride, however if you choose to ride at a steadier pace then please be aware of other road users, members of the ride or other bike groups/riders coming from behind and give them room to come past if safe to do so.

• Do I have to maintain the same pace as all other riders?

No, you should ride at your own pace and within your abilities and safely taking the road conditions into appreciation. This is the whole point of the drop of system, that it allows riders of different abilities to enjoy the ride without feeling under pressure.

• Is the ride considered as training?
  
  Whilst the ride is not a training ride all members are still expected to ride within HAB and IAM standards. Observers may be on the ride and members should feel free to talk to them about riding standards and any issues encountered during the ride. Similarly, if an Observer sees any dangerous or poor riding standards then they may choose to discuss this with the member. This will be done constructively and discretely and all members should be open to receiving any advice in a constructive way.

• What happens if I am in, or witness and Accident.
  
  We should stop and give assistance if safe to do so. The TEC will eventually catch up with the group and will then assess the situation. If you are a witness it may be feasible, and with agreement that you come out of the ride and the ride then continues without you.

• Can I leave the ride and go home?

Yes, you can pull over at a safe and legal position until joined by the TEC to discuss or at a break stop with the ride leader or TEC if you wish to do so.

• Can non-members join the ride?

No, we only allow full members and associates on the ride.

Bilton Club have advised that as they are a pub/restaurant the wearing of face masks is not compulsory. They have re-introduced screens on the bar and will open windows for natural ventilation.

Whilst wearing masks is not compulsory we will leave it to the individual members discretion.

Paul

Our December meeting is this coming Monday, 13th December at Bilton Cricket club.

Doug will be our quiz master for our Xmas biking quiz and the club will be adding some Xmas treats to their excellent buffet.

Look forward to seeing you then.

Paul.

Following David’s invitation to book for our Wednesday Christmas lunch, here is our route to the Bay Horse.

Meet at Morrison’s, Boroughbridge car park from 9am for 9.30am latest start. 

We head east via Thornton Bridge, Brafferton, Brandsby, north to Helmsley, then on the A170 to the old favourite Beadlam Grange Farm Shop Cafe Y062 7TB for a quick coffee.

Its just less than an hour from here to our lunch stop, so we’ll leave Beadlam at 10.50am and should arrive at the Bay Horse, Great Broughton TS9 7HA in good time for our 12 noon lunch, via Hutton le Hole, Castleton, & Kildale.

After a great lunch we head back to Boroughbridge, via Rievaulx, Scawton, Bagby & Thornton Bridge.  This is a 1 hour and 15 minute run or if time/weather is against us we can return via Northallerton & Thirsk in just an hour.

Total mileage is 100. If any lunchers are going straight to the Bay Horse and not joining our ride in, please let me know on 0747 300 5849.

Looking forward to our ride & lunch.

Andrew

A Dip into the Peak District

A whistle stop journey south from the lorry park on Dragon Road, Harrogate heading south on the old A1. Meeting from 9.00am and setting off at 9.30am.

Morning stop is the Fox & Hounds in Newmillerdam (WF2 6QQ). After coffee and a snack it’s southwards again towards Penistone and on to the stunning Mortimer Road with switchbacks and surprise corners good enough to grace an alpine road. Just as you are getting into the groove we will reach our lunch venue at the Strines Inn in the Peak District (S6 6JE) overlooking its’ very own reservoir. We will need to book in so get in touch with me as soon as you can (07847 786608 by text please) so we can give the Inn an idea of the required numbers. You never know we may end up with decent weather and sit outside.

After lunch a mile or so south again onto the A57 westwards onto Snake Road past Ladybower Reservoir. It’s a little neutered with the 50mph limit these days and policed too, but you may get a careful overtaking opportunity in and the corners are certainly entertaining. Glossop is just up the road and where we make a right turn in the middle of town northwards again, on the B6105 with its’ own share of hairpin turns. Up on to the A628 and if the weather is clear and time permitting we will have a run up Holme Moss, through Holmfirth and on towards Denby Dale, in any case, for a fuel stop.

Last leg of this ride would normally include a quick stop at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park but the days are now short so it is straight onto the M1 north at junction 39. We will be finishing the ride at the Wetherby Services on the A1.

Total max mileage is 144 (if we go over Holme Moss and includes stint on the M1 at the end of the ride).

I hope you can make it, please get in touch on the number below.

Ride leader Barry Ring (07847 786608) TEC Roy Beniston

A reminder that the meeting is this evening with guest Nick Jefferies.

Look forward to seeing you.

Paul