Training.
Due to the very wet weather, there wasn't a lot of training completed in February. However, Stuart managed 2 sessions on his K1600 and as a result, he successfully completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme. Well done, and a great result.
If you'd like to know more about the Enhanced Rider Scheme, check out their website
or give me a call. https://www.gov.uk/enhanced-rider-scheme
RoSPA Examiner duties.
Only 1 test conducted in February. The candidate put in a great ride and was awarded with a very well deserved Gold pass grade. Well done to Mark.
RoSPA - Training the trainers.
In February I spent a great weekend assisting the delivery of some initial theory and practical training to a group of potential new RoSPA Tutors.
Saturday was spent in the 'classroom', before taking that theory out on the road the next day.
From L to R - Advanced Tutors Phill and Simon, new Tutors Paul, Pete and Matt and yours truly on the end.
FireBike.
The NYF&RS FireBike project continues to gather momentum. The Facebook page is up and running, the website is due an update, new leaflets will soon be printed, and the 2024 BikerDown course dates will soon be released.
During February, I managed to get out on the bikes quite and few times, visiting various locations and chatting to other bikers about biker safety and rider training. In total I managed 7 outings on the FireBike, and covered approximately 720 miles for the month. So far, everyone has been very positive and supportive. Here's a few photos from our various visits. About to head out.
Triumph riding Mark chatted to us at Squires. A rare day of sunshine in February!
FireBike team rider, Mark, chatting to ex biker David at Squires. It was raining.
FireBike even made it into Motorcycle News.
Unfortunately for Andy C, MCN decided to mostly cut him out of the photo!
If you see us out and about on the bikes, please come and have a chat. If you have a bike related event that you'd like us to attend, please get in touch.
BMF Blue Riband Advanced Riding Course.
Since taking over the role of National Lead for the BMF Blue Riband Rider Award (BRRA), I have been working hard with the BMF and other Instructors to promote the BRRA more widely, increase peoples awareness and get other partnerships to help and support the training. Well, I'm very pleased to say that following meetings with BikeSafe and Nationwide Association of Blood Bikers, (NABB), both will now promote and support the BRRA alongside the more recognised qualification from the IAM and RoSPA.
If you'd like to know more about the Blue Riband Rider Award, check out the (recently updated) website or give me a call to discuss. https://www.britishmotorcyclists.co.uk/bmf-blue-riband-rider-award/
DOCBIKE Yorkshire.
This is a great new venture which a friend of mine is planning to get up and running this year. Jade is the Regional Lead for DocBike Yorkshire. A Paramedic by trade, Jade has worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service since 2016. Jade is a passionate motorcyclist and utilises that enthusiasm into improving the safety of other bikers. She’s a group tutor for her local RoSPA group and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others. Jade was drawn to DocBike following a conversation with the Staffordshire team; after discovering she shares their passion for preventing road deaths she has taken on a leading role in the creation of a branch in her home county of Yorkshire.
Myself and Andy C from FireBike met up with Jade to discuss ways in which we can support each others project and we look forward to 'working' together in the future.
Here's KTM riding Jade and FireBike project leader Andy C
DOCBIKE is a registered charity which only survives through donations from the public.
If you'd like to know more about DOCBIKE Yorkshire, become a volunteer, or make a donation, head over to their website at https://docbike.org/yorkshire/
My BMW 1250GSA.
Mileage 1/2/024 -11102
29/2/24 - 11485
Mileage in February - 383
Another very low mileage month, although in fairness, I did about 400 miles on the FireBike and was on holiday for the last week of the month. Hopefully, once the weather starts to turn, I will be out a lot more.
Egypt.
As mentioned above, myself and Mrs S had a cheeky week away at the end of February/beginning of March to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. Neither of us have ever been to Egypt before and it was fab! Blue skies, min 25c every day, lots of chill time by the pool or on the beach and not as motorcycle in sight, we didn't even do the quad bike trip! I won't bore you with loads of holiday photos, but I think this sums up the weather and the resort nicely.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully I'll have much more bike related content next month. Ride safe.
Ian S