February 2026 - The month it finally stopped raining!

Hello and welcome to my first Blog of 2026. This would normally be my second blog, but due to the continued wet weather, I didn't ride at all in January, so I didn't have anything to tell you about! Read on to find out what I did get up to in February.

Training.

Rachel kicked things off to 2026 on her brand new Moto Guzzi V100 Mondello . Rachel trained with me in 2025 when she completed the ERS, so these sessions were to familiarise herself with her new bike, and refresh her skills after the winter lay off.

Matt trained on his Triumph 900. Like Rachel, Mat has had sessions with me before. It's fair to say, that we had some very changeable weather. We started off in the dry with some urban riding around York, before heading north on twisting rural roads. After a debrief over a brew near Thirsk, we hit the A168 and A1 in the rain, before finishing off on more rural roads. Fortunately, by the end, things were starting to dry up a bit. Matt rode really well, adapting his speed and position for the changeable conditions. 100 miles covered.

RoSPA Examining.

I conducted 3 RoSPA bike tests in February. I'd had 2 of those tests 'on hold' since early December, so it was good to be able to finally get them done.

Dave was up first on his 1300GSA. Dave is an experienced rider and also a RoSPA Tutor, and this was his triennial retest. Unsurprisingly, Dave passed successfully with a Gold grade.

In contrast to Dave, this was Multistrada riding Jason's first ever advanced test. Throughout his test, Jason rode to a consistently high standard, and as a result, was also awarded a pass at Gold grade.

The third candidate was also taking his advanced test for the first time. However, despite riding well in places, he wasn't successful on this occasion. Obviously he was fully debriefed at the end of his test and was aware of what he needs to do for the next time.

BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award.

No riding to report, but as always, we have been beavering away behind the scenes to continue our efforts to promote the BRARA. In 2026 BikeSafe will be helping to promote the qualification through their events, and all NABB Blood Bike groups will now accept the award for their volunteer riders. Want to know more about the BRARA? Go to https://www.britishmotorcyclists.co.uk/bmf-blue-riband-rider-award/

ARNY.

The weather put paid to a lot of training since Xmas, but that hasn't stopped some hardy souls from turning up on some of the less than dry days. As we ended February, there was difinate increase in both numbers and enthusiasm. On one training day, the sun actually came out!

We also had a social evening, when ARNY Tutor Alf G gave a very entertaining presentation on motorcycle touring. This included route prep, what to pack, insurances, documents etc and potential pitfalls. A really well attended event. (There was actually more people there than it appears in the photo!)

FireBike.

I'm looking forward to another year as part of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, FireBike team. We will again be out on the bikes, attending events, and talking to bikers about the benefits of post test training. North Yorkshire and the surrounding counties are well represented with RoSPA and IAM groups, as well as independent trainers and riding schools offering Enhanced Rider Scheme, Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award, as well as back to biking and refrsher courses.

BikeSafe.

I'm pleased to say that after last years 'blip', Humberside Police will again be running BikeSafe events throughout the Summer and I have once again been invited to help deliver assessed rides at their events. Of course, I won't be the only one assisting the Police riders. there will be Tutors and Observers from RoSPA, IAM, ERS and Blue Riband.

If you've never been on a BikeSafe day, they really are worth doing.

Social rides.

With the weather finally picking up near the end of the month, I was keen to get out on my bike. I managed 2 decent outings with mates. One locally around the Wolds, the other out in to the Dales. Two really fab days out.

Ride one, saw Me, Dave T, Mick, Andy, Dave A and Simon, stopping off at the Field House Coffee Barn near Tibthorpe.

Cake and coffees consumed.

The second ride was with John, Pete, Simon and Bev into the Dales, stopping off for lunch in Hawes. We briefly hit some rain and mist, but it soon passed and we had a great day. 170 miles in total.

Obviously the bikes got filthy....

Resulting in the inevitable bike washing.....I hate washing bikes....

Motorcyle News.

As some of you may remember, last September, myself and 7 mates, headed to the Swiss Alps. A few weeks ago, I submitted a summary of the tour to MCN for their 'Your Trip' feature. I'm pleased to say, it made it into one of Februarys editions. Thank you to Lee for the digital images

My GSA.

As some of you may remember, in December 2025 my bike had a brand new engine fitted due to corrosion. The work was carried out by the excellent team at Barrie Robson BMW in York, and was covered under warranty. I'm grateful that new BMWs get a 3 year warranty, had only been 2 years it wouldn't have been covered! The bike will need a 600 mile service, which at the time of typing this blog, I haven't quite reached.

As I didn't ride in January, I obviously didn't add any miles, so I was glad when the weather perked up in late February. Here's my GSA mileage figures Feb.

31/12/25 - 40393

28/02/26 - 41207

GSA mileage in Jan/Feb - 814 miles

FireBike mileage for Jan/Feb - 0.

Total mileages for the year to date;

GSA - 814

FireBike - 0.

And that my friends rounds off for February 2026.

Ian S