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Writer's pictureIan Speight

A Look Back at February 2020

Well what a wet month that was!! First we had storm Ciara, then storm Dennis and as I sit typing this, storm Jorge is looming. If you've been affected by the flooding, I hope you're sorted out and back to normal as soon and as swiftly as possible. The storms certainly put paid to a lot of my riding and I would guess I only managed about 500 miles for the whole month. However, I still managed to keep busy.


A new qualification.

The month kicked off with me taking the 2 day RoSPA Diploma in Advanced Motorcycle Instructor Training. Over 2 days I was assessed on my riding and my Instructional skills as well as completing a 75 question test paper on Roadcraft and the Highway code. A few days after completing the course I was notified I had successfully passed all elements and managed to achieve a very respectable 96% in the test paper.

I was joined on the course by RoSPA Tutors Simon (on the left) and Paul (on the right). We spent a lot of time together over the preceding weeks to make sure we were properly prepared for the course and I'm pleased to say that they both also passed successfully. Well done guys, great result.

For full details of my Diploma experience, have a read of my blog dated 8/2/2020.


RiDE Magazine.

Back in January I spent the day with RiDE Magazine journalist Jon Urry. The idea was for him to review my training by replicating a customer experience for an article named 'Riding School Rated'. We met on a very cold day at Cadwell Park and then had a very cold but enjoyable few hours together.

The article was published in the April Edition of the magazine that actually went on sale on 15th February. I'm pleased to say that all went well and Jon gave me some great compliments about the day.

RoSPA

Two Saturdays in the month saw me join my local RoSPA group for their weekly training. This photo was taken on the 8th, a great turn out on a bright and clear day. Little did we know what was to come weather wise!

The 19th saw me deliver theory training to two new RoSPA group Tutors. Paul (BMW R1200R) and Dave (Triumph Tiger) have already passed their RoSPA advanced motorcycle test and now want to pass on their new found skills to other riders. 'Classroom' sessions are now completed and the next phase will see them out on the road putting the theory into practice.

Non biking

The end of the month saw me, Kim and our dog Vinnie head off in the car to the Lake District for a few days. It has to be said that the weather was pretty awful for most of the time, yet we still managed a few sessions in the hot tub and whenever we ventured out from the lodge, we somehow managed to dodge the rain. Here we are at Lake Windermere but the photo doesn't really tell the whole story, it was freezing and blowing a gale!

Here's one of Vinnie and me and as you can see, he's obviously having a great time, he just forgot to tell his face!

And that just about covers a very wet and windy February.

Next month

March sees me heading to the Brecon Beacons in Wales for the annual Tour Leader training with Motorrad Tours and I will also be trying to obtain another qualification. More of both of those next month.

Thanks for reading.

Ian S.






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