April 2025 - Spring has finally sprung, training, Examining, FireBike and social rides.

Well, it's as if everyone has finally got their bikes out of hibernation and the biking season has finally started. The above photo was taken nearing the end of a social ride with my RoSPA group. It was taken at Kirkham Abbey, near York. Here's what else I got up to in April.

Training.

Rob kicked off the month with 2 back to back days on his Africa Twin. Rob successfully completed the 7 modules of the DVSA approved, Enhanced Rider Scheme and we had 2 fab days. The sun shone the whole time and the roads were dry. The evening of Day 2 Rob sent me a very nice message as follows;

"Hi Ian, had a great time, learned a lot, feel better on the bike, but not complacent .... thanks for your help and hope to see you soon ...what a nice chap"!!!!

Thanks Rob, much appreciated.

Next up was David on his Z1000SX. David had 3 sessions in total as he works towards an advanced qualification in order to become a volunteer Blood Biker.

Patrick came along on his BMW 900GSA. Patrick is an experienced rider who wanted a fresh pair of eyes to have a look at what he's doing well, and to see if there's any areas for development. Great day in the sunshine.

Gareth was up next on his Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Edition. Gareth has trained with me plenty of times over the last 4 or 5 years resulting in him passing the Enhanced Rider Scheme core modules and the BMFs Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award. Aprils session was a pre season refresher and a chance for him to put his new bike through its paces. Lots of miles covered in glorious sunshine, and just a few tweaks needed here and there to get him back on point. Fab.

Rob came along on his CB1000R. Rob is another customer who has trained with me several times over the last couple of years and had hoped to take an advanced test by the end of 2024. Unfortunately that didn't go to plan, and then winter took hold, so he decided to postpone until the Spring. Rob is hoping to take his test in May.

Glynn on his BMW 850 is back to biking after a substantial break, and wanted to get his riding to an advanced level. Glynn had 4 sessions in April. During the first 2 sessions, Glynn successfully completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme and we spent the 3rd and 4th sessions getting his riding to a good Advanced test standard.

I had another fab day in the sun with Patrick on his 1250GS. Patrick has trained with me several times since his first session in 2022 and has previously completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme. He now returns a couple of times a year to keep his skills fresh.

Over 100 miles covered during the session on some of our most beautiful county roads, and then I get his photo in a petrol station!

Mick finished off the month with 2 sessions on his Honda NT1100 DCT. Mick is back to biking after a 20 year break so thought he'd best have a refresher.

Here's what else I got up to away from normal training.

RoSPA Examiner duties.

I conducted 2 advanced bike tests in April. First up was Keith on his Ducati Multistrada. Despite runners in the road, a large cycle event, farm vehicles shedding mud all over the place and even a Classic car rally! Keith put in a cracking ride which resulted in him passing successfully.

The second test was with Richard on his Vstrom 1000. Richard gave a good display of advanced riding and so like Keith, passed successfully.

RoSPA Group - Advanced Riders North Yorkshire.

I attended my groups weekly training session 3 times during April and also joined them on an evening social ride. Now the season seems to got started, the group had a busy month. Here's a few phots from various weeks training and the social ride.

Pre ride cuppas.

Some of our members on route to a Biker Down event.

Post ride debriefs.

Social ride pre ride briefing.

Kirkham Abbey. A fab evenings ride.

FireBike.

With the weather on the up, and more bikers out and about, I have managed a few rides and events as part of my role with NYF&RS FireBike project.

I attended an event at The Motorist, which was by far the busiest event I attended. It was a fab day, and we spoke to loads of people and the bikes and the project.

It was a very hot day, so it was shirt sleeve order and baseball caps to project our heads from the sun!

Fiat 500 owners were out in force.

Very busy event, loads of people, bikes and cars.

Thanks to Sizzler 600 for the photos.

Other occasions saw me visiting various cafes and biker venues.

Leaving Strawberry Fields Cafe.....or that might be Stuart!

Parked up and ready to chat.

Other FireBike Colleagues visited venues around the region and joined police riders from North Yorks Police.

Squires Egg run.

Joining police riders on their RT and....BMW S1000RR!!

Entering Squires.

Barrie Robson BMW customer ride out.

On the 13th April, I led the first ride out of the year for Barrie Robson Motorcycles BMW Motorcycle Dealer York & North Yorkshire. 14 bikes and riders and 2 pillions, one of whom was my very own Mrs S. Meandering route to Uncle Henrys in Lincs, and back via the Humber bridge. 160 miles in total. No rain, and 13c. Thanks to Kev and Team BR for inviting me to lead the ride and for their continued support.

About half of the group.

Lunch at Uncle Henrys in Lincs.

Crossing the Humber Bridge.

Final T&P stop before everyone peeled off to head for home.

Social Rides.

On the 22nd, I was joined Dave T, Dave H, Steve, John, Helen and Chris for an impromptu ride to Oliver's Mount for tea and cake....ahem....I mean tea and salad...Cracking day.

BMW Club - Yorkshire Section, social ride.

On the 23rd I joined members of the BMW Club Yorkshire Section for their monthly 'Wednesday Wobble'. Really good turn out, cracking meandering route, lovely cafes, great company.

Mid morning coffee stop.

Next stop was Rosedale.

Social ride - every 10 years or so!!

On 25th, I met up Hoody, Pat, Jacko and Robin. They're all ex colleagues and biking buddies, but we haven't actually ridden together as a group since we went to the Alps about 10 years ago! We met at Seaways Cafe Fridaythorpe, and after a catch up over a brew, we headed north to The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge for lunch. We then made our way south, skirting York and finished at Fenton Café & Grill at Church Fenton for a final cuppa and cake. Door to door was 130 miles. Brilliant day, thanks guys.