Chris Armstrong will lead this ride to Silverdale through the Trough of Bowland stopping there for lunch overlooking the Morecambe Bay estuary.

Return will retrace our steps partly with a coffee stop at Tosside.

Meet at Cafe 59 on the A59 West of Bolton Abbey, at 09.45 for a 10.00 departure.

Dear John Blanchfield,

On behalf of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity we would like to thank you for your generous online corporate donation of £95.00

The YAA currently operates two helicopters – one based at Nostell Air Support Unit, near Wakefield and the other at RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk. Both of which can be airborne in just two minutes, flying at speeds of up to 160mph. We currently attend over 1000 missions a year, an average of 3 incidents every single day.

• 90% of YAA patients are flown to one of the region’s four Major Trauma Centres: Leeds General Infirmary, Sheffield Northern General, Hull Royal Infirmary or James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.
• 90% of all emergency missions result in a patient receiving expert clinical treatment from YAA aircrew paramedics or doctors.
• 90% of Yorkshire’s population live within a maximum of 20 minutes’ flying time of the two YAA Air Support Units.

As you are probably aware it costs the charity £12,000 every day to keep both our helicopters maintained and in the air. Every donation we receive will help us to carry on flying and saving lives across the region seven days a week, 365 days a year and we are extremely grateful for your support. Thank you for thinking of The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and supporting our work.

Yours sincerely

A Turner

Meet Ripley car park 9.15 for a 9.30am start.

The route takes the A61 north from Ripley before turning east on minor roads through Bishop Monkton and Roecliffe to Boroughbridge then on to Tollerton and Huby before turning north through Ampleforth to Helmsley for the morning coffee stop.

From Helmsley we’ll head further north on single track roads to Bransdale then loop back down the other side of the valley towards Fadmoor then on to Rosedale for lunch. This is a fabulously scenic road, especially on a good day (so fingers crossed!).

The return journey heads north east to Egton Bridge, Grosmont and Sleights then south down the A169 to Pickering. After Pickering, we’ll turn right off the A169 to Kirby Misperton then minor roads again passing Ampleforth College and on to Byland Abbey for the afternoon coffee stop. Finally on to Coxwold, Rainton and Ripon before heading back to Ripley on the A61.

Mileages: 67m OUT and 81m IN

Hope you can join us.

==================

David Haywood

I aopologise for the short notice to members and associates but the Slow Riding workshop that I had arranged for the morning of Sunday 24th of April in Knaresborough has had to be postponed.

The facilities and equipment that we need are not available on that day. Without our cones or access to a toilet etc., the event would be greatly compromised.

A new date will be notified as soon as possible. Please would all observers ensure that this postponement is brought to the attention of associates, who may not receive this message.

Thank you for your understanding.

Doug Masterton

Chief Observer Harrogate Advanced Bikes

The Harrogate Advanced Bikes meeting on 11th April is at Bilton Cricket Club, Bilton Lane, Harrogate HG1 3DQ. at 7:00 for 7:30.

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