Having just retired I’m looking forward to spending far more hours on the bike than I’ve been able to over the past 40 years. I started riding in 1980 when I passed my test on a single cylinder Honda RS250. Over the following two years both I and the bike survived one or two relatively minor accidents before graduating onto a Honda CB750 which, together with the subsequent Triumph Trophy and Honda Blackbird, carried us on many summer trips throughout Europe. As the Blackbird is now 20 years old I thought it was time for a reliable back up so, late last year, acquired a ubiquitous BMW R1250GS with which I now look forward to riding whilst going through the Skills for Life training. I trained for, but sadly failed, my Advanced Test with Cleveland Advanced Bikes about 25 years ago so I’m now looking forward to correcting my record.
Here is a picture of me and my bike from this last weekend. I road out to Hawes and back seen as we had some good weather.
I have had my full licence for 2 years now but only been riding on a regular basis for the last 12 months since I moved back to Harrogate from London.
I am fairly competent on the bike but and keen to build confidence at higher speeds and progress my skills to the next level. I hope to eventually do longer trips / adventures which this will help with.
No, this is not an account of my walk in the wilderness but my need to make contact with members that I haven’t been in contact with for a long time now.
I have to confess to having become somewhat insular and reclusive, mirroring current restrictions on travel and meeting and I don’t like it. I’m beginning to feel a little better now with limited meeting of the family and being able to travel as far as I like. I expect we’ve all now been out on our bikes and what a wonderful feeling of freedom that gives to help shake off the blues. Despite all this lockdown business I’m delighted to say that we have had a good number of new Associates join us recently and Bob Hill is very busy meeting and greeting them and hopefully will be able to get them all off training with an Observer quickly. If you come across a face you don’t recognise at a ride out or meeting please introduce yourself to them, make them feel welcome and let them know we’re a friendly bunch. Other Associates’ training has resumed and some tests have been booked.
The Committee have been unable to meet but with the use of electronic communications we have been able to keep things going pretty well. Ride outs have resumed but unfortunately with some restrictions. As a responsible official organisation it is important that we abide by these rules and remain ambassadors for bikers. The IAM quickly interpret Government guidance and send us updates on how this translates to our activity. I appreciate that restricting ride numbers to 6 can be frustrating but this is only a temporary situation and I feel sure this will be increased soon so long as the Covid situation continues to improve. Additionally members can always make their own arrangements for rides outside HAB to supplement Club rides. Please feel free to let us know how you are getting on, any news of your rides or new bike changes; anything vaguely interesting on the biking front.
We’d like to know what you’re up to.Email any stories to our Secretary Paul Dresser at pjd0568@gmail.comI hope that you and your families are all well and stay well and that we can all be back meeting and riding together soon.Stay safe.
Paul is a new Associate Member. Give him a welcome when you see him.
My current bike is a BMW R1200R. I had a couple of trials bikes (BSA Bantam and Dalesman) in my teenage years but went onto four wheels when I was 17 and never rode on the road on two wheels. Around twelve years ago I decided that I should get riding again, took my bike test and was given a Kawasaki GPZ500s to cut my teeth. This gave me a good start on the roads and I bought my BMW around eight years ago. I ride throughout the year and regularly ride with Mike Fourie with Ilkley U3a. For the last six years a group of four friends have travelled to Europe, usually to watch a MotoGP event and enjoy some great rides. I’m 63, retired and looking forward to improving my skills and fixing any bad habits.
Next Monday 13th July we have a short ride out for HAB riders.
Destination to decide but fish and chips is on the menu so blow away the cobwebs on Monday evening. The weather forecast looks okay at the moment so no fears there.
Meet at the usual place ASDA lorry park. 7.00 pm for 7.30 set off or earlier if all present.
To book a space please contact Barry on 07847 786608.
Six Riders only-as per government guidelines and IAM recommendations.
An anticlockwise route around York on some lovely roads with nice looking break stops.
We are to meet up from 9.00am at ATS Pannal, Leeds Road HG3 1EP, near the Mercedes garage and fill up next door at the BP fuel station for departure at 9.30am.
First stop is at Spuds and Berries, Hull Road, Hemingbrough YO8 6EL near Selby, an interesting new venue for breakfast, and then on to the familiar and very pleasant Bedlam Grange Farm YO62 7TD for lunch, finishing the ride at Boroughbridge Morrisons prior to coming back home!
Beadlam Grange Farm Restaurant
Trevor Cooper is your ride leader with Mike Holdroyde as tail ender. The route is 126 miles. Fill up at the BP station at the meeting point and there should be no need for a top up. A GPX route file is available. Ask Trevor for the file or email barrya.ringatgmail.com
Sorry, due to current IAM covid-19 rules don’t just turn up on the day as usual-please book a space by contacting Trevor on 07525 130234. Do phone Trevor even if you think that the ride will be fully booked. Dependant on response the ride will be re-run before the month is out.
Very happily Paul Holmes is leading our first summer Sunday Ride Out this weekend on the 21st.
Meeting at Ripley Car Park from 9.30 am with a set off planned for 10.00 am prompt.
Paul has planned a route of approximately 105 miles with just one stop for lunch in Hawes. The route should take roughly 4.15 hrs. which includes a 45 minute lunch stop.
Our route is a true Dales run, Pateley Bridge, Grassington and on to Hawes for lunch. The Chippy is open until 2.00pm, Penny Garth Cafe is doing takeaways and other food shops may be open. When we did last Wednesday’s ride it worked well with takeaways and some riders, belt and braces, bringing their own food and drink.
After lunch we head off to Carperby, Redmire, Leyburn, Masham and finish at our loop back at Ripley.
Get your bike prepared, practice your advanced skills, enjoy the good weather and your riding. Please stick to social distancing rules (2m apart) whilst meeting and having your lunches. We will be out in the open air but wear a mask if you are more comfortable with that (a buff does the trick).
Unfortunately due to those social distancing rules we can only have a maximum of six riders so please book a space by contacting 07847 786608.
For Wednesday 1st July, your ride leader will be Martin P.
Meet at Ripley car park at the southern end of the village as usual, 9.15 for 9.30 departure with full tanks, and I suggest you bring a drink and a snackette.
The route will be a big anti-clockwise circle, on open B roads and the odd open A road. The average speed of this ride is higher than historical Wednesday rides. From Ripley, travelling through Knaresborough and on to skirt Wetherby, across The Vale of York, then around the outskirts of York, continuing north up to The Howardian Hills AONB. After about 20 miles, we’ll turn west to The Yorkshire Gliding Club for a leg stretch & comfort break. This middle section of the ride, goes through Thirsk, then north again through farming countryside before turning west just before Northallerton. Then across to Wensleydale and Leyburn market square for stop number 2. From there we go south across the edge of The YDNP and into Nidderdale AONB. Round Leighton Res, through Pateley and return back to the Ripley Car park.
The route is roughly 130 miles and providing stops aren’t too long, we should finish by 3pm. Total: 6 people. Looking forward to it.
Kind regards,
Martin P
Wharfedale.
To book a place on this ride 07792 574 287 – anytime
Now that we’re allowed to ride together again, Andrew will lead our 1st Wednesday ride of the summer. A shortish first ride of 94 miles to Hebden Bridge. We are limited to a maximum 6 people under government & IAM rules, so to avoid too many riders, you must book onto the ride by contacting Andrew at andrewpratt12 at yahoo.co.uk Please do not turn up unless you receive confirmation that you’re on the ride (first come first served).
We’ll meet at Ripley Car Park, 09.45 to leave at 10.00 then head to Brimham Rocks, Dacre, Thruscross, Bolton Abbey, Embsay, Elslack, Widdop, Hebden Bridge where we stop for lunch. Then Mytholmroyd, Oxenhope, LaneshawBridge, Addingham Moor, Askwith & Timble where our ride will finish.
Lunch. No cafes open, hopefully we can get takeaway sandwich/ fish & chips in Hebden Bridge or bring a sandwich & drink if you prefer. At all times we should observe the 2 metre distancing rule.
Hopefully, we won’t be restricted on numbers for too long;- If we do have more than 6 wanting to ride, we can consider putting on another ride – Volunteer ride leader would be needed & he/she would need to plan a different route & venue. Tail ender to be agreed on the day. Hope to see you on Wednesday 10th. Get in touch to secure a place andrewpratt12 at yahoo.co.uk
As you may already know IAM RoadSmart has announced that ‘motorcycle observed rides can resume from Monday 15thJune, in England’.
‘Bob Hill our Chief Observer will be contacting all the Observers and Associates with a view to making suitable agreements between themselves to get on with training, whilst still complying with Government and IAM guidance’.
Regarding group rides IAM RoadSmart say “group rides can also resume from Monday 1st June, in England where six people will be allowed to meet outdoors, as long as social distancing is still observed’.
There may be members amongst the group for reasons of personal safety who are not ready to socialise with even six riders. That is understandable and their position is respected. With six or even two riders meeting the rules for social distancing are still the same 2 metres minimum.
Our usual arrangements for these large group rides will not apply for the next few months so a workable arrangement is proposed to comply with the Government’s rules, the IAM’s recommendations and our own personal comfort zones. Clearly our Sunday and Wednesday group rides regularly exceed six riders. As only 6 riders can travel together, in theory only 6 pre-arranged riders can attend. It has been suggested we can have two waves of six setting off at intervals or more frequent rides. They are both fine ideas and dependent on take-up can be adopted. Cafes and restaurants are closed apart from a few takeaways, chip shops and ice cream vendors. That also means no public conveniences open either. Supermarkets are open for sandwiches, cold drinks and sometimes provide toilets. Motorway services are open and may have sandwiches etc, at least outdoor seating, and of course toilets. A picnic of some sort seems to be the best idea.
Monday evening rides can take place within the same rules.
David Haywood is unable to lead Wednesday rides until further notice and has emailed regular Wednesday ride participants asking for ride leaders to step forward to keep those rides going.
If you have your own ride planned consider sharing it with your HAB colleagues. Your club needs you. Please put yourself forward to lead a Sunday, Wednesday or a Monday evening ride. All contributions welcome.
Dates of the next few ride outs will be confirmed as soon as possible with an individual post prior to each occasion. Any questions, feedback or suggestions please use the feedback option or get in touch directly.
