Another cracking month, full of all things biking! The above photo was taken during a ride out with my fellow IAM Examiners, but more on that later. Here's what I got up to in August.
Training.
Rachel trained in August on her BMW 1250GSA. Rachel is 'back to biking' after a significant break, so decided to take some refresher training and is looking to complete the Enhanced Rider Scheme in the future.
Husband and wife riders Richard and Kate came for a joint day in August. Richard has been riding for many years and came along on his Triumph T100 for a refresher. Kate was Richards pillion for many years, but 2 years ago decided it was time to get her own full licence, and now owns a Triumph Scrambler, and felt it was time for some post test training, with a view to completing the Enhanced Rider Scheme. Kate has already booked some follow up sessions.
I met Patrick in 2022 whilst leading a tour for Motorrad Tours. Last year Patrick came for some rider training and successfully completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme. This latest session was a refresher to brush up on his skills and ensure no bad habits had crept back in. After 170 miles around some of our amazing Yorkshire roads, I was pleased to say Patrick's riding was still on point, with only a few tweaks required here and there.
Sri came along for his second session (his 1st was in July) on his Triumph 765R, and thankfully this session was a lot cooler than his session last month, when the temperature reached 29c! Sri used to ride years ago, and returned to biking earlier this year after a long lay off, so decided to have some refresher training. In this 2nd session, Sri successfully completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme.
Alan came along on his Triumph 660. Alan already holds an IAM advanced qualification and is a member of his local IAM group, but decided to come along for some 'top up' training. Alan wants to improve his last test grade and work towards taking his Masters test in the future. Further sessions booked.
BMF Blue Riband Advanced rider Award.
It's been a busy month for BMF Assessments, with one test candidate and 2 Instructor reassessments to conduct.
Steve was up for first, on his BMW R1250GS Adventure. Steve passed his BMF test 3 years ago, so it was reassessment time. We started in the rain, but finished in glorious sunshine, and if that wasn't enough, Steve put in a great ride resulting in him passing successfully, obtaining a Gold pass grade.
In my role as the National Lead for the Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award, I am responsible for conducting the initial and the triennial assessments for all the Regional Instructors around the country. On the 2nd August I was up and out early and headed to Barnard Castle, where I met up with Colin on his 1250RT. Colin is the BMF Region 1, Regional Chief Instructor and owns DART Advanced Rider Training, based in Dumfries. After a quick catch up and pre-ride briefing, we were off, with Colin leading the way. 45 minutes later, we arrived at The Nook, near Alston and I was pleased to inform Colin that after putting in a great ride, he had passed successfully.
Alf was next. Alf is the owner of AG Rider Training based in Ripon, and like Colin is also a BMF Trainer Assessor. Alfs ride took us along some great roads around the Yorkshire Dales offering us some fantastic scenery. Alf put in a great ride and I was pleased to inform him that he had passed successfully.
IAM Roadsmart.
On the 3rd August I met up with fellow IAM Examiners Chris, Andy, Alf, Cookie, Martin, Nigel and ADSM Steve, to discuss policy and process. After some great discussions, we headed off for a social ride into the Dales. We stopped for the obligatory photo at Ribblehead Viaduct, followed by lunch in Hawes. We then headed off over Buttertubs Pass, through Reeth and Leyburn and onto Brymor ice cream parlour. All in all, a bloody fab day 'in the office'!
L to R - me, Cookie, Steve, Alf, Martin, Nigel, Andy and Chris.
You can't pass Ribblehead Viaduct without a photo stop.
IAM Car Examining.
On the 6th, I conducted an IAM Advanced car test with candidate Rob, in his lovely Volvo S80 T6. Rob put in a good drive and I was please to inform he had passed successfully.
RoSPA.
On the 21st I conducted a RoSPA bike test with candidate Jo, on her Royal Enfield Hunter. Jo rode very well, and passed successfully, achieving a Silver grade.
RoSPA group.
On the 24th, I trained with my local RoSPA group, Advanced Riders North Yorkshire. 7 Associates and 7 Tutors in attendance. I was paired up with Steve on his Triumph. We started in the rain, but finished in the sunshine.
Putting the world to rights pre ride, over a brew and a butty.
Pre ride briefings.
Steve R and his Triumph.
The group trains every Saturday, throughout the year, subject to ice/snow/excessive weather. www.arny.org.uk
BikeSafe & FireBike.
On the 25th, I assisted Humberside Police to deliver their latest BikeSafe event. I represented NYFRS FireBike, the IAM, RoSPA, BMF and ERS! So many hats to wear!! Lol. There were 7 candidates who paired up with volunteer Tutors and Observers from RoSPA and the IAM for their 'on road' assessed rides. I was paired up with Malcolm on his 1250GSA. Malcolm is an experienced, lifelong biker, but this was his first ever BikeSafe event.
Early start to drop off my bike and collect the FireBike.
BikeSafe candidate Malcolm and his BMW 1250GSA.
Pre birthday mini tour.
At the end of August, Kim and I loaded up the GSA and headed off for a 3 night, 4 day pre birthday mini tour. We had 2 nights in the Scottish Borders at the Springkell Hotel, and then a final night in Barnard Castle at the The Three Horseshoes pub.
Day 1, saw us head north, with stops at Tan Hill Inn, (the highest pub in Britain) for lunch, followed by a stop off at The Nook near Alston for afternoon cake before continuing on to the hotel.
Day 2, we had a ride out to Kielder Castle, then up to Hawick and onto Selkirk for coffee. We then turned south to St Mary's Loch for more coffee, and onto Moffat for something stronger at the Buccleuch Arms. A hotel I've heard lots about but never stayed there, or even been inside before. From there, we headed to the famous Blacksmiths at Gretna Green to search for the pad lock we left when we got married there. Unfortunately there's about 10 sqillion more now, so we didn't succeed in finding it!
Day 3, we headed to Barnard Castle via Langley Castle for tea (absolutely beautiful), another stop off at The White Monk tearooms in Blanchland for cake, and finally to Barnard Castle for the night.
Day 4 was a meandering scenic ride home, through very pretty villages and a visit to Brymor ice cream parlour for a final treat. All in all a great few days away. Total mileage for the weekend was 498 miles.
Packed and ready for the off.
Tann Hill Inn for lunch.
As the sign says, highest inn in Britain.
Scones (done properly) at The Nook, Alston.
Day 2 loop. Hotel, Kielder, Hawick, Selkirk, St Marys Loch, Moffat, hotel. Approximately 140 miles.
Coffee and cake at St Marys Loch café.
Buccleuch Arms, Moffat. (don't worry, it's just a shandy.
Back at the hotel for beer and pool!
Langley Castle.
Tea at the Castle.
Well built, robust, ancient and difficult to conquer.....but enough about me! The very impressive Langley Castle.
My GSA
As you've read, a busy month on the bike, so not surprisingly, I racked up another chunk of miles, 1852 to be exact! As usual, the GSA took it all in its stride, it really is an impressive bit of kit. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's probably the most 'complete' bike I've ever owned. The bike has now passed the 19000 mile mark, but it's in for its 18000 miles service in September.
Here's my GSA mileage figures for August;
01/08/24 - 17529
31/08/24 - 19381
GSA mileage in August - 1852
FireBike mileage for August - 158
Total mileages for the year to date;
GSA - 8637
FireBike 2898
Motorrad Tours 2490.
Total for the year as of 31/08/24 - 14025.
So there you have it. August 2024. I hope you've enjoyed reading about what I got up to as much as I did doing it all. Until next month, ride safe everyone.
Ian S
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