All of you will have noticed we are well into spring now and already we have had some splendid Ride-Out’s. No doubt there will be lots of opportunities for excellent riding to come.

Our monthly HAB Club Meeting is on Monday 13th. As usual the venue is Bilton Cricket Club, Bilton Lane, Harrogate HG1 3DQ. Start time is 7.30pm so please arrive in good time to get yourself a drink and a seat.

For this meeting Paul Varnsverry, Technical director of PVA-PPE, has agreed to talk to our club about the essential safety aspects of buying and wearing appropriate motorcycle clothing for our riding activities.

“Paul Varnsverry is widely recognised for his work on motorcycle clothing standards and his efforts to help riders avoid unsafe products. Originally a manufacturer of bespoke garments, he went on to apply his expertise to mainstream clothing and rider protection. For over three decades, Paul has contributed on a pro bono basis as a member of British and European standards committees. He also serves as a specialist technical advisor to the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s motorcycling lead, writes a weekly column for Motorcycle News, and supports Trading Standards officers in identifying and investigating rogue sellers. In this presentation, Paul will explain how PPE legislation applies to motorcycle clothing, outline the relevant standards, and show how riders can verify whether products have been properly tested and certified. He will also expose the tactics used by rogue online vendors to mislead consumers into buying unsafe, non-compliant gear.“

We have invited members of neighbouring IAM group YAM and Paul has travelled a good distance to give us this valuable information so please make an effort to attend this meeting if you can.

Barry Ring will lead an hour’s Ride-In by request and weather permitting. You can contact him on 07847 786608.

Richard Stembrowicz

Chairman