December 2025 - A look back at another biking packed year of training, Examining FireBiking and touring, both in the UK and abroad.

Well, here we are, 2025 has come to an end, and there's a new year ahead. I hope you had a great Christmas and here's wishing each and everyone of you, a very happy and prosperous 2026. 2025 was another biking packed year, which I'm pleased to say I enjoyed immensely, but couldn't have done it without those people who trained with me, chatted to me at a cafe, had their test conducted by me, did a BikerDown with me, or enjoyed a tour with me. So, I thank you all. Here's a round up of what I got up to.

Training.

2025 saw more riders enjoying more training sessions than 2024, and it was great to meet and train with you all. I'd love to share all the photos of everyone, but it would be a very long photo dump! Some came for just a half day session to work on a particular area, others came for multiple sessions with the aim of getting their riding to an 'advanced' standard, or to take a riding qualification.

As always, there has been was a wide range of riders and bikes. Newly qualified young riders like Carter who came over from Rotherham on his Honda 500, to Steve who is 1250GS riding 70 year old and a very experienced rider.

Carter on his CB500.

Steve and his 1250GS

Enhanced Rider Schemes (ERS) - completed.

As an accredited trainer for the DVSA approved ERS, I often encourage riders to think about completing this as the first step on the advanced ladder. The scheme is primarily aimed at new riders, or those coming back after a long break, but other category of riders are also catered for. (head to the ERS website for full details). The training for the ERS is based around the same techniques required for the BMF/IAM/RoSPA tests, so makes a great base to work from. Of those riders who came for training in 2025, the following riders successfully completed the ERS. Congratulations to husband and wife team Rob and Rachel. C400 riding Paul, Tom on his SV Suzuki and Triumph rider Matt,

AT riding Rob

Multistrada riding Rachel.

Paul and his C400.

SV riding Tom.

Final ERS of the year was Matt on his Tiger 900.

Customer test passes.

Many customers went on to take advanced tests in 2025. Some took the RoSPA test, others the IAM or Blue Riband. Congratulations to all.

RoSPA tests conducted.

During the year, I conducted 10 RoSPA bike tests and all resulted in a pass at either Silver or Gold with no Bronze grades and no fails. So congratulations to Richard, John, Helen, Jez, Andy, David, Richard, David, Keith and Richard.

IAM bike and car tests.

On the IAM front, I conducted 3 bikes tests and 4 car tests. Unfortunately, 2 car drivers and 1 rider were unsuccessful. But congratulations to drivers Tony and Anthony, and riders Paul and Phil.

BMF tests conducted.

I conducted 1 Blue Riband triennial assessment, plus 2 renewals for current BMF Trainer Assessors, as well as conducting assessments on 3 new Blue Riband Trainer Assessors. Congratulations to Paul, Ashley, Kev, Jim, Damien and Mark. great to see riders not resting on their laurels.

Paul B on his GS who renewed his Blue Riband triennial qualification.

Ashley joined the Blue Riband Trainers team in May.

Region 3 Regional Chief Instructor Kev M renewed his Trainer Assessors qualification in September.

Damien completed his initial Trainer Assessors assessment in September.

Mark was assessed in December, and passed successfully, to be the newest member of the Trainer Assessor team.

NYF&RS FireBike.

Its been another great year being part of the NYF&RS FireBike team. The team have attended numerous events to talk about post test training and delivered BikerDown courses, attended Motorcycle Live and visited numerous biker related cafes, venues and events around the region. Like 2024, both bikes have been relatively problem free, so lets hope that continues throughout 2026.

About to head out with projector Leader Andy.

Delivering a BikerDown to the local IAM group with Karl, Jade and Nige.

Visiting a local cafe to chat to riders.

Another BikerDown event.

The bikes at NY500 Cafe.

Seaways, a very popular cafe on The Wolds.

Supporting local RoSPA group Advanced Riders North Yorkshire.

Entering Squires cafe bar.

Stuart leaving Strawberry Fields cafe.

Another day at a very busy Squires.

Strawberry Fields.

Squires to support North York Police - note the Police S1000RR!!

Andy and Jade at the NEC bike show.

Karl chatting to visitors at the NEC

Andy, Nige, Jade and Karl with Police Officers at the NEC.

Motorrad Tours -Barrie Robson BMW trip to Scotland - May.

On Wednesday 14th May, I arrived at Barrie Robson BMW in York along with my mate Daren, for the annual 5 day tour to Scotland. This is the 5th year of the tour, and as some of you know, I have led the previous 4 tours on behalf of Motorrad Tours as a Tour Leader. However, having stood down from that role at the end of 2024, it meant that for 2025, I was a paying customer! The tour was 4 nights, 5 days which saw us head up to Strathaven, then to Oban, then up the west coast and over Apple Cross, before tracking east towards Inverness, and then we headed south through the Cairngorms to our final night near Lockerbie, before the final leg back home. My total mileage for the 5 days was 1,124 miles. There were 24 bikes and riders, led by Tour Leader Scott and we had a great time. Here's a few photos from the tour.

Photo get together before heading off from Barrie Robsons.

Beautiful Oban by sunset.

Eileen Donan Castle.

Applecross.

Final night photo. Another fantastic tour, great roads, great scenery, great hotels, great bunch of guys.

Switzerland - Sept.

On the 3rd September, along with 7 friends, we set off from Hull for a 10 day tour to Switzerland. I was riding my 1250GSA, and I was joined by Dave A (K1600), Simon (K1600), John (K1600), Bev (KTM890), Phil (Africa Twin), Daren (X-ADV750) and Dave T (Multistrada). After docking in Rotterdam, we headed to Cochem for 2 nights, then Baden Baden for 1 night, Interlarken for 2 nights, Colmar 1 night and a final night in Bastogne, before heading back to catch the ferry. We visited the Nurburgring, where John, Bev and Phil had a lap in a 'Ring Taxi! Apparently it was fantastic and scary in equal measures! We also visited the Spa racing circuit where we somehow managed get unchallenged in to pit lane and watch the endurance and other race cars from the pit wall. Which was very exhilarating! Of course, the main event was 2 nights in Interlarken, where we headed out into the mountains and rode all the well known passes. Susten, Gottard, Furka, Nufenen, Tremola, San Gottardo, Furka (again!) and finally the Grimsel.

The weather was VERY kind to us, with no rain, meaning we enjoyed dry roads, fantastic scenery and very little traffic, lots hairpins, sweeping bends, Ferraris and Porsches!! Of course, we stopped off at the 'James Bond Hotel'......but so did everyone else....supercars everywhere! Beers and food finished off each day. Here's a few photos from the trip.

On the ferry....lets go!

Awesome scenery.

The 'James Bond Hotel'.

Race cars at Spa.

War memorial just outside of Verdon.

Another day done, celebrated with a beer.

Spa.

Top of another pass.

Road block Swiss style.

Colmar.

So much scenery to enjoy.

Cochem

Nurburgring.

The route.

Wales long weekender - Sept.

On the last weekend of Sept, myself and Kim joined 31 other members of Advanced Riders North Yorkshire and headed to Wales for a Welsh long weekend. We met at a local café on Friday morning and after a quick brew, split into 3 groups for the ride over to our hotel in N Wales. The weather stayed fine and dry and after a meandering 200 miles, everyone arrived safely. Once checked in, we all met in the bar before heading into our own private dining area for our group meal.

Despite the predicted rain, Saturday dawned bright and sunny, with clear blue skies as far as the eye could see. After breakfast, everyone headed out into the stunning Welsh countryside, stopping at various locations for coffee, lunch and cake. Amazingly, the rain held off, meaning the roads stayed dry, and the stunning scenery was clear for everyone to see and enjoy. Saturday evening saw the majority head to a nearby pub for another meal together. On Sunday morning, everyone said their goodbyes, before heading for home. It was a fun filled weekend, that saw new friendships being formed over a few beers, good food and great laughter. The whole weekend was testament to what a great group we're all involved with. www.arny.org.uk

Everyone arrived safely at the hotel.

Bala Lake.

Caernarfon Castle.

Group evening meal.

Everybody wave!!

Bala Lake,

Twisting country lanes, dry stone walls and blue skies, what's not to like?

Batmobile.......because why not?!

And they're off again.

Scotland - Nov.

On the 26th Nov, myself and friends Simon (1300GSA), Dave T (Multistrada), Dave A (1300GSA) and Phil (Africa Twin) headed to the Scottish borders for 3 days/2 nights of riding. Another mate (Daren) had hoped to join us, but had to cancel at the last minute.

Over the 3 days, we covered 450 miles and had a very mixed bag of weather. We had low cloud, drizzle, rain, heavy rain and torrential rain! We also had dry weather and dry roads, some sunshine, and temperatures that were as low as -1 and and as high as a whole 12c!

But overall, it was a cracking few days, with great mates, on great bikes, riding great roads. What's not to like?!

Day 1 - Ready for the off.

Cafe stop on route to the borders.

Mixed grill to end day 1!

A beer with your biking buddies after a long day in the saddle. Just the job

A wet 3 lochs run.

Dodging the rain.

Hartside Pass again.

What a great name for a cafe!

And they did a cracking sarnie.

A moment of clarity.....stunning.

Hartside Pass.

3 Lochs run.

Final stop, Middleton In Teesdale, on a very, very wet ride home.

My GSA.

My 1250GSA has delivered another year of trouble free riding.....well almost.

A few days after returning from Scotland, my TFT packed up. Nothing displayed, completely blank. BMW sent a couple of roadside techs who tried their best but couldn't resolve the issue, so the bike was recovered to excellent team at Barrie Robson BMW. Fortunately, the next day, I got a call to say the problem had been identified and resolved. Nothing more than a broken wire and all covered under warranty. Phew!

The other work I've had on the bike this year, is having a completely new engine fitted! My bike had been in for service in Sept, and it was noted that there was some corrosion on the engine. As the bike is still in warranty, a claim was made, and BMW agreed to replace the whole engine. So in early December, and just after I passed the 40,000 mile mark, my bike had the new engine fitted. So far, so good. It will soon need its 600 mile service! Other than the above, my bike just needed the usual routine servicing and tyres. Servicing is always done by the guys at Barrie Robson BMW, and Steve Sirrell, Leeds Bike Tyres takes cares of the tyres.

2025 Mileage.

On to mileages, here's my GSA mileage figures for December,

01/12/25 - 40297.

31/12/25 - 40393

GSA mileage in December - a whole 96 miles!

FireBike mileage for December - 0....again!!

Total mileages for the year to date;

GSA - 16,120.

FireBike 706.

Total mileage ridden for 2025 - 16,826.

And that my friends rounds off 2025.

I look forward to riding and training with you in 2026, so, until next time, ride safe.

Ian S