January 2024 - Training, Examining and getting the 2024 FireBike project under way.

It's already February, can you believe it! I know, me neither!

Well, despite the weathers best efforts, I did manage to get a few bike related activities completed in January. Here's a look at what I got up to.

Training.

First training session of 2024 was completed with Ash on his R1200R. Ash is a CBT and DAS instructor looking to add an Advanced qualification to his biking CV. It was quite cold and there was still a lot of standing water and road closures due to flooding, but we managed to cover lots of ground.

IAM Examiner duties.

I conducted one IAM test in January and it was a car test! However, candidate Alan is a biker who already holds an IAM bike qualification, so it was great to see him pass his car test successfully too. great result.

RoSPA training with Advanced Riders North Yorkshire.

The weather put paid to a couple of Saturday training sessions, but when it was dry we managed to get out.

Pre ride briefings.

Final destination and time for a brew and a debrief.

Little social ride group.

NYF&RS FireBike.

FireBike

As you may remember, back in October I announced that I had been accepted as a volunteer rider to join the North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, FireBike road safety project team. The project was launched in 2022 and aims to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on the county’s roads by directly engaging with motorcyclists and other road users. The FireBike team is made up of volunteer personnel from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service who each bring expert knowledge of the emergency services alongside a passion for motorcycles and rider safety.

Well, January saw both bikes finally ready to roll after both receiving new 'Fire' livery, services, new driveshafts, MOTs, and software updates. Since then, myself, Stuart, and project leader Andy, have been quite busy getting familiar with the bikes and visiting various locations around the area that are popular with bikers. In fact, despite the weather, I managed 386 miles in January. Here's a few photos from Januarys activities.

Bike security day at Infinity York.

Sir Tatton Sykes monument, near Sledmere.

Seaways Cafe, Fridaythorpe.

Safely negotiating the bends.

Andy Chatting to riders in Masham.

Andy at Squires cafe bar.

Stuart encouraging Dave 'Moonie' to try the RT for size!

Andy in Helsmely.

Andy and Stuart on their way to another location.

And of course, with winter bike riding comes winter bike washing! A necessary evil.

FireBike is now on Facebook, please head over and give us a 'like'.

BMF - Blue Riband Rider Award.

On the 16th , I met with Roger, the latest addition to BMF Blue Riband Rider Award, Instructor Assessor team. Roger runs Moto Wales and successfully passed his assessment on January 3rd 2024. Roger was passing through 'my' region on his way from the Midlands to the North East, so decided to stop off to say hello and discuss all things BMF and training.

My BMW 1250GSA.

Mileage 1/1/2024 - 10744

31/1/24 - 11102.

Mileage in January - 358

Not many miles covered in January on my own bike, in fact it was a pretty shocking 358 miles! In may defence, I did do a few hundred on the FireBike.

Few photos from my limited rides.

Flooded roads made for lots of road closures.

Out with the ARNY lads.

Seaways.

And of course, bike washing....

And that sums up a very wet January. Thanks for reading, ride safe.

Ian S