Following the government’s relaxing of social riding rules, hot off the press (well yesterday), we received the IAM’s views on the latest changes to the Corona virus restrictions, so far as motorcycle riding is concerned. 
The following are extracts from their bulletin; 

‘You can ride your bike to an open space and there is no restriction on distance travelled.  Social distancing should be maintained, and on your arrival you should stay two metres from other visitors.’ 

‘IAM RoadSmart does not believe the time is right to start observing on motorcycles’ ‘Group rides and observed runs do not fit within the guidelines. If you are accompanied on your travels it should be by a member of your household (or one socially distanced friend so two bikes).’

Given that last sentence it would appear that we can legitimately ride with one friend, socially distancing. This looks like the new norm for us for a while. I think its’ ‘pick a friend’ time.  As soon as there are any further changes they’ll be posted out. 

Happy and safe riding (with a friend).

John

I guess we’re all feeling pretty strange as we enter the 2nd of the 3 week lockdowns not knowing how many more we must endure.  As I wander in and out of my garage to use the lawn mower, garden implements etc. I keep glancing at my bike wondering when I’ll next manage to get back on it.  I could of course go to buy some food shopping, but Yvonne (quite rightly, as usual) says I shouldn’t and we should do our food shopping online and avoid the public. I’ve given the bike a fair share of attention; oil and filter changed, chain and sprocket renewed (courtesy of Bob Hill and his angle grinder-just before lockdown) and the brakes bled.  Thermal linings now removed from my kit, washed and packed away for next winter. My Gortex suit is Nikwaxed, washed and hung out to dry.  I’m all ready for the off.

Paul, our Secretary and I recently took part in an audit of the Group’s activities with Peter Serhatlic, the IAM RoadSmart Area Service Delivery Manager, via the Zoom video app.  He commended our training and social activities, but suggested we need to be more proactive in Associate recruitment and Committee succession planning.  It was explained and accepted that this is difficult given our geography and member resource.  It would be helpful therefore, if all members could be mindful of trying to encourage recruitment among family, friends or colleagues if ever the situation arises. These matters will be discussed in detail at the next Committee meeting when our activities resume.

There is plenty of activity on our Facebook page so please share with us any of your stories about how you are coping with this lockdown. Please be assured that your Committee will be monitoring the lockdown situation and as soon as there appears to be light at the end of this long tunnel we will be making arrangements for our Associates to get on with training and also our ride leaders to take us once again into the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and maybe even beyond!

And finally on a more personal note, I recently had a birthday, my last when I could claim to be in my sixties.  I received this birthday card made by my lovely 5-year-old granddaughter.  Even she, it appears, thinks my F800 GS is too tall for me!

Stay safe.  Go out as little as possible and keep a safe distance. See you all soon.

John

Temporary Suspension of HAB Activity

It is with great regret that, following Government and IAM Roadsmart advice on restricting the spread of Coronavirus, we have decided it will be necessary to suspend all HAB organised Ride-Outs and meetings until further notice. Obviously individuals are free to make their own arrangements outside the scope of HAB to ride; pay at the pump fuel and picnic on the moors which has been suggested as a potential way of still riding and self isolating. We will continue to monitor the situation and look forward to resuming our activities again once this beastly business is over. Please try to keep in contact with each other by safe means throughout this difficult period and hopefully we can remain a cohesive group until we can return to normal. Stay safe.

John Blanchfield

Chairman

Harrogate Advanced Bikes

Another epic ride from Andrew & Bob, we shall meet as usual at 0900 for a 0930 start at Asda Lorry Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate.

We take the A61 north to just past Ripon, then minor roads through Wath & Burneston to Bedale, then Kirkby Fleetham & onto Ellerton on Swale and the Lakeside Farm Shop and Country Café (DL10 6AP) where we can enjoy tea, coffee cakes & buns. 

After coffee, we head to Bolton on Swale, then north & east via Entercommon, Appleton Wiske, Rounton & Swainby, where we enter the North York Moors national park. Then to Osmotherley & over the moors to Hawnby, Helmsley & Beadlam Grange  YO62 7TD where we will lunch.

After a great lunch we head south west, through Wombleton, Hovingham, Crayke, Alne,  Alwark Bridge, Arkendale, and finally Ripley village where we finish our ride.

Hope you can join us on this 121 miler.

Andrew

Hi, Please see message below sent into our group email. May be of interest to combine a tour with Advanced Riding Instruction.

I am a retired West Midlands Police traffic officer who has moved to France. I run a small tour and training company aimed at improving the skills of advanced riders in the wonderful French countryside. If any of your members are interested they can get details at www.advancedmotorcycletours.com. If you have other contacts with other groups I would appreciate you passing it on. Thanks in advance, Regards Kelvin Street.

Paul.

In preparation for the AGM please find below agenda and audited accounts for your information.

Thanks, Paul

Dear All.

In preparation for the upcoming AGM please find attached last years AGM minutes.

Thanks

Paul

Dear All,

Please find attached formal notice of our annual AGM to be held Monday 9th March at 7.30 pm at Bilton Cricket Club.

We invite members to nominate and second members of the committee either as elected officers or general committee members. It is only through the efforts of an active and full committee that we can develop and maintain the group.

The form can be completed and sent to secretary@harrogateadvancedbikes.co.uk, or you may email nominations directly if you don’t have printing/scanning facilities.

Paul Dresser (Secretary)

Your Club Needs You!

Dear Full HAB Club Members

Our Sunday Ride Outs have all gone well this year, but we don’t as yet have a ride leader for March 15th or April 19th. Please volunteer if you are able to. Advice is available on the HAB website and also available from yours truly or other experienced HAB members.

Guidelines are:

Plan your route – no more than 90 minutes to morning coffee stop. Another 90 minutes (max) to lunch stop.

Keep it simple–not too many junctions. A complicated route spoils the flow.

Suss out coffee and lunch stops, can they cater for up to 20 or so riders?

Pre-ride your route with your tail ender (a volunteer tail ender can be found for you). Remember a large group will be slower than the two of you.

Ride leaders should demonstrate an advanced riding style, i.e. safe, legal and progressive, with due consideration to road conditions on the day.

Use the drop of system at all junctions, allows everyone to ride at their own pace, without bunching up.

Prepare a briefing with riders before you start, note junctions difficult to mark, fuel stops, identify leader and tail ender and make it clear that you will be obeying obey all rules of road, including speed and you expect everyone else to do so. Consider preparing a hand-out for the riders with contact numbers and locations of stops/fuel. Record the details of all riders on the ride.

Aim to finish between 16:00 and 17:00 – Choose a convenient place to end your ride (i.e. Ripley car park, Stump Cross Cafe Etc.).

Please let the Ride Out coordinator have a note of the route-a basic route with stops noted.

Above all enjoy the experience.

Please contact Barry Ring-your support would be much appreciated.

barrya.ring@gmail.com or 07847786608

The next Mid-Week ride will be on Wednesday 4th March and will be led by John Blanchfield.

Meet 9.00 am for 9.30 am start from St James Retail Park, Knaresborough HG5 8PY.

We begin by heading south to Wetherby then Tadcaster, Cawood, Stillingfleet, crossing the A19, Escrick, then SE to pick up the the A163 at North Duffield. At Bubwith we turn south to meet the A63 and head for Howden where we stop at the Waterwheel Tea Room for coffee (or tea!) DN14 7JP.

After our break continuing through Howden and east onto the B1230 to North Cave. North through Market Weighton, Bainton, Wetwang and onto Sledmere House for lunch, YO25 3XG.

The route home runs westward through North Grimston, Kirkham Priory, across the A64 through the villages to the south of the Howardian Hills, crossing the A19 and eventually also crossing the River Ouse at the Aldwark Bridge. Further west, crossing the A1 and finally onto the A59 where the ride will finish in the lay-by just before the St James Retail Park roundabout.

Total distance 126 miles.

I hope you can make it on Wednesday the 4th.

John.