November 2025 - Snow and ice disrupted training and Examining, but on the plus side, it was Motorcycle Live, and I went Scotland!

Ian Speight
1 day ago
7 min read

November saw some heavy frosts and some snow, meaning all training and Examining was postponed or cancelled. I did however, manage to get to the NEC for Motorcycle Live, had a meeting with BMF Blue Riband colleagues and went to Scotland for 3 days, so all was not lost. Read on to learn all about November.

RoSPA Tutoring.

On the 8th, I Tutored with my local RoSPA group, Advanced Riders North Yorkshire (www.arny.org.uk). It was another great turnout with numerous Associates and Tutors in attendance for training. I was paired up with Jane on her Kawasaki Z500 for a pre test assessment as her riding nears test standard.

BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award.

On the 24th, I headed down the M1 towards Chesterfield, where I met up with Helen from BMF HQ, and Region 3 Regional Chief Instructor, Kev. We discussed all things Blue Riband, looked back at the changes made early in the year and forward to next year. It was a really productive get together, rounded off with a festive photo in front on the venues Christmas tree! If you want to know more about the BMF Blue Advanced Rider Award, head to https://www.britishmotorcyclists.co.uk/bmf-blue-riband-rider-award/

Motorcycle Roadcraft & Highway Code.

At the end of October, the latest version of Motorcycle Roadcraft was published.

To be fair, there's not a lot of new stuff, mainly because the 'old stuff' is still relevant. There's a new chapter on bike tech, and a few other tweaks here and there, but as I say, not massively different, but it's still appropriate for me to have the latest copy and while I was logged in to Amazon, I also bought a new copy of the Highway Code. Didn't really ned one, but for £3.99 I added it to my basket, as mine was looking a bit tatty! The fact they were delivered the same day as my weekly MCN, just added to the reading material!

Social Rides.

On the 18th I headed out with mates Simon (1300GSA) and Dave on his new 1300GSA. Dave's bike needed it's 600 mile service completing before we headed to Scotland.

We headed up onto the Wolds, called in at the Field House Coffee barn for a brew....(and cake....obvs)... before heading back towards York and parting company for home. It was cold at 3c, it was chucking it down, there was lots of standing water, and yes, our bikes were filthy by the end, but it was still great to be out on the bike. Riding in those conditions really focuses the mind. You have to be precise, yet super smooth and relaxed with all your inputs, and when you are, you're suitably rewarded.

Chilly and wet, but still good fun.

Very needed T, P and cake stop!

Motorcycle Live.

On the 17th I attended Motorcycle Live at the NEC. I went with mates Dave and Daren, and although going on bike was tempting, we opted to take the car. It was a busy show, but not excessively so, meaning the bikes weren't too swamped. As usual, the BMW stand seemed to have the most visitors and the most 'activities; for visitors to try or watch. My ex colleagues from Motoradd Tours were there, chatting to riders, giving puncture repair advice and trying to sell their excellent tours.

Excited to be entering.

The 3 cylinder Honda prototype.

Lots going on on the BMW stand.

I had one of those! 40 years of the GSXR1000

New CB1000F. It seemed everyone wanted to look at this and the CB1000GT next to it.

Tour Leader Paul M giving advice on puncture repair.

Motorrad Tours team, L to R - Dan, Chris, Paul and Lizzy. Want to know about Motorrad Tours and the tours they offer? Head to https://motorrad-tours.com/

FireBike at Motorcycle Live.

Although I wasn't able to join them, FireBike colleagues Nige, Andy, Jade and Karl were at Motorcycle Live on the final Saturday to assist on the BikeSafe stand. It was really busy, with lots of questions about post test training, as well the team giving demonstrations on scene management, first aid and safe helmet removal.

Andy, Nige, Jade and Karl with BikeSafe colleagues.

Andy and Jade giving first aid guidance.

Karl chatting to visitors.

The 2026 FireBikes on display......really looking forward to getting these......haha I wish!

Scotland.

On the 26th, 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.

Day 1.

I met Dave A, Simon and Phil just outside of York, and we headed north. It started fine and dry, but temps struggled to get above 4c. We got to Manor Farm Café at Bellerby late morning, where we were joined by Dave T. From there, it was onward through Barnard Castle, Middleton in Teesdale and Alston, and then stopped at The Nook for afternoon tea and cake. Unfortunately by this point, the rain had started, but on a positive note, the temp was up to 7c! We arrived in Dumfries around 5pm, got checked in and then after freshening up, we met in the bar for food and few beers.

Mileage for the day, 168.

Me, Phil, Dave A and Simon preparing to leave York.

Manor Farm café, where 4 became 5.

Bikes parked up at the hotel. Day 1 done.

You can't beat a good mixed grill .

In the bar together, beers in hand and the wet ride is soon forgotten.

Day 2.

Day 2 was another cracking day on the bikes. We met for breakfast at 830 and decided to give the weather a couple of hours to 'pick up', and we then set about deciding where to go. I had 2 routes in mind, one was 85 miles, the other 150, but I ended up adapting the 2, to create one 115 mile route. As we left the hotel at 1030, everywhere was wet, but it wasn't raining and we headed up the A701 to Moffat.

Unfortunately, by Moffat the mist and drizzle rolled in, but we pushed on north along the excellent A708, passed St Mary's Loch and then turned left to take the single track '3 Lochs run'. The weather really couldn't make up is mind, it rained, it stopped, there was low cloud and mist, then the sun came out.... but only briefly!

We carried on to the A701 and then headed south back to Moffat, where we enjoyed lunch at the aptly named Rummlin' Tum café, where Dave A had a HUGE club sandwich!

From Moffat, we dropped on to the M74 and headed north to Elvanfoot, where we took the A702 south along the Dalveen Pass. A wonderful stretch of open, flowing A road, with great views, which despite the rain, still allowed for an enjoyable and spirited ride.

We arrived back at the hotel at 3pm, 115 miles after leaving. It was then hot bath time for me, before meeting the others in the bar for a beer, food, and anecdotal tales about the day! Bloody brilliant!

Wet, but not raining as we prepared to leave.

Scenic photo stop! Despite the weather, the terrain is still fantastic on the 3 Lochs run.

What a view!

We were having a great time, honest!

Look, 'thumbs up'....we're all super happy lol.

The aptly named Rummlin Tum Cafe in Moffat.

How's that for a sandwich!

Day 3.

We were up bright and early for our third and final day. We left the hotel in glorious sunshine, and double digit temperatures. Happy days! We headed along the A75, then south along the M6 as far as Penrith, where we headed for the Hartside Pass.

After a brief photo stop at the top, we continued into Alston and then took the excellent B6277 towards Middleton In Teesdale. The plan was to then head to Tann Hill Inn for lunch. However, about 10 miles from Middleton, the heavens opened, so we made the decision to stop in Middleton and seek sanctuary in a café until the rain passed.

Unfortunately, the weather gods had other ideas, and the rain just became worse and worse! After an hour, we decided to kit up and carry on, but decided to head straight for home rather than the meandering route we'd originally intended. We picked up the A66 after Barnard Castle, and it looked like things were brightening up.....how wrong we were!

Joining the A1, the conditions were horrendous, quite possibly the worst rain, spray and standing water I've ever ridden in. Visibility was very poor, so we hogged lane 1, riding at a steady 50-55mph. Which was pretty much in line with the general traffic flow.

Eventually we got to the A59, where myself and Dave T said our goodbyes to Simon, Dave A and Phil and we peeled off towards York. Having arrived home safely, it was a case of getting out of my wet gear, unpacking, and then it was hot bath time again!

Top of Hartside Pass.

Look at that view!

Middleton In Teesdale. The photo really doesn't do justice to how heavy the rain was.

All looking a bit grumpy. We thought it was brightening up. We were very wrong!

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?!

MY GSA.

November saw another milestone for me and the GSA, as I saw my bike pass the 40,000 mile mark. It's the first bike I've owned that has passed such a figure.