August 2025 - Another busy month. Training, IAM & RoSPA Examining, FireBike, social rides, customer test passes. I was so tired, I needed to have a lie down at a BikerDown!

Ian Speight
13 hours ago
4 min read

August has been a fantastic month. So much to tell you about. Read on for all the info!

Training.

Paul kicked the month off on his Triumph Street Triple. Not only did he have a great session, he also successfully completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme. Congratulations to Paul, a great result and well deserved.

Another Paul was up next, this time riding a BMW C400GT. Paul, who came over from Manchester for his training, has previously passed the IAM advanced bike test and completed BikeSafe events and felt it was time for another refresher. Cracking session polishing up on the skills Paul already possesses, and smoothing out a few things here and there.

John came along on his Ducati 800 Scrambler. John first trained with me back in 2022 and as a result, passed his IAM test in 2023 and decided it was time for a refresher so gave me a call.

Glynn came for a final session on his 850GSA before taking his RoSPA advanced test the following day. Great session and a successful result. See below.

Customer test passes.

As mentioned above. Glynn took his RoSPA bike test and passed successfully.

Customer Craig, also took his test in August on his Africa Twin, and also passed successfully. Great result for both guys.

RoSPA Examining.

Only one RoSPA test conducted in August - Candidate Andy was riding his brand new and very nice GSA1300. Andy put in a great ride, clearly displaying all phases of 'the system', in a smooth, safe, legal and yet, still progressive ride. All resulting in him passing successfully and obtaining a Gold grade.

RoSPA Group - ARNY

Although I only managed 1 training session in my role as a RoSPA Tutor, I did manage to attend a few sessions and the group has been really busy through out the summer.

My session was with Ian, who is a Tutor and due to take his triennial retest. Here we are enjoying tea and cake in Rosedale.

IAM Examining.

Three IAM tests conducted in August. two bike and one car. Unfortunately, in the 1st bike test, the candidate made an error near the end of what was otherwise and good ride, but ultimately resulted in being unsuccessful. The second test was with candidate Paul on his BMW 900XR. Paul rode really well, with only a few minor details here and there to address, but still resulted in a successful pass.

The car test was with candidate Anthony, who was driving his very nice Audi RS5.

Great drive from Anthony, smooth, safe and progressive, resulting in him achieving a 'FIRST' pass grade. Congratulations and well deserved. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo. Sorry.

FireBike

On the 2nd of August, I attended The Motorist for their 'Cops and Cars' event. Police, Fire and other emergency service vehicles attended from around the country along with super cars, customs cars, the Armed forces and some weird and wonderful motors.

Lots of American Classics.

CHiPs - well not quite, but nearly.

Thank god this idea never took hold!

Who you gonna call??

FireBike in front of a sea of Police vehicles.

Air Ambulance

Little old me.

BikerDown.

On the 19th, along with fellow volunteers Karl, Jade and Nige, I helped to deliver a Biker Down event to 24 members of the York IAM Advanced Drivers group. A thoroughly enjoyable and well attended event.

Jade giving a demo on CPR.

Me having a lie down during helmet removal.

L to R - Me, Jade, Nigel and Karl.

Social Rides.

I managed several social rides across August, some with RoSPA colleagues, some with FireBike colleagues. A ride out into The Dales and also to a couple of car events. All very enjoyable. A few photos from them.

Yorkshire thoroughbred car club at the Humber bridge.

FireBike 'off duty' social ride with Karl and Jade.

Another 'FireBike' social ride. This time with Stuart and Andy.

Brew and a butty with fellow RoSPA Tutors Andy and Phill.

Seaways Cafe to meet Gaz (Kwak 750), Gaz (Kwak Z900RS), Mike (Goldwing & Pan European) and Pete (FireBlade) - Pete's not in the photo as he took it!

My GSA.

Another 1500(ish) miles covered in August, and also had the bike serviced. It was it's 30k service time. However, doing the mileage I do, its always hard to judge (guess!) exactly what date to have it done that will tie in with the correct mileage, and as a result, I'm always over on the miles. This has accumulated over time, and although its officially the 30K service, I'd actually covered 35,300.

On the plus side, it is only 1000 miles over the 6000 intervals this time! The service was done at Barrie Robson BMW in York, and as usual it was all done to their usual high standard.