*** Depending on which device you're viewing this on, it may vary from the original format ***
Before I tell you about September, just a quick thank you for all the positive comments relating to the '40 years of Motorcycling' blog I did in September. I really enjoyed putting it together so it's nice to know it has been received favourably. If you didn't catch it, please have a look in the blog list, dated 9/9/19.
So, back to training. Geoff started the month off on his Suzuki RF900. Geoff has been training with his (and my) local RoSPA group but wanted a final couple of sessions with me prior to his test. Geoff had two seesions and rode really well and I'm pleased to say that on the 20th he took his RoSPA test and passed sucessfully, a great result for him and our RoSPA group.
Craig was up next on his BMW S1000RR, Craig is a member of the West Yorks RoSPA Group and like Geoff, wanted a couple of sessions with me prior to his test. Craig also took his test later in September and passed successfully.
After Geoff and Craig came Ben, on his awesome sounding Kawasaki ZZR1400. Ben is a driving instructor but relatively new to biking and wanted an overall assessment of his skill level. As you can imagine, being a driving instructor, his observations, hazard awareness and planning were excellent, so we spent most of the day concentrating on the approach to and riding through corners, using the flexibility a bike gives you with different approach positions that can increase your view, which you don't get with a car. It was a full day and we covered about 160 miles.
After Ben and his ZZR came David on his R1200RT. David has ridden bikes on and off all his life and even used to race Speedway, but only got round to taking his test fairly recently. It was another great day with lots of advanced techniques and miles covered. David hopes to progress to taking his RoSPA test in due course.
Septembers' final three training sessions were with Mark on his R1200GS Adventure. Mark had a session with me last year which went really well and he has now decided he wants to take his IAM Masters test. Marks three sessions were part of the Masters Mentoring programme that I'm involved with that prepares candidates for the Masters test. Mark will hopefully be taking his test before the end of the year so fingers crossed for a good result.
Away from training, I conducted two RoSPA bike tests, both resulting in successful passes. Here's Paul on his R1200R who gave an excellent display of advanced riding, which resulted in a Gold Pass. As you can see, he's looking very pleased.
Also on the RoSPA front, I attended three training sessions with my local RoSPA group. I joined the group back in 2013 and after initially starting as a tutor, I became the groups Training Officer, something I'm still doing today. Amongst other things, the role involves overseeing the Tutor and associate training, arranging the annual tutor training weekend and being on hand to answer any training related questions or issues that crop up from time to time.
Away from training, Kim and I managed a night away on the bike to Stratford Upon Avon. If you've never been it really is a pretty place and obviously there are Shakespeare related things everywhere! Kim also managed to bump into two contestants from the TV programme Great Britsh Bake Off, Michael and Henry. They were very polite and put up with Kims excitement and happily posed for a photo.....although they wouldn't divulge who the winner of the show is! Here's Kim with the 'Bake Off boys', Michael and Henry.
After leaving Stratford we visited a place called Caffiene and Machine, a local cafe which is very popular with car and bike enthusiasts. I'd heard about the place before but had never been. It was quite busy with various car clubs in attendance, but not that many bikes. All in all it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Here's a few photos.
And finally, having started with a 'thank you' I want to end with one. In September my FaceBook page 'likes' passed the 750 mark, this is very humbling, so thank you to everyone who follows me, acknowledges or responds to posts and continues to support me. Never think it's not appreciated.
And that my friends concludes Septembers round up, so until next month, ride safe everyone.
Ian S