Worcester and Hereford Advanced Motorcyclists

WHAM! is a local Motorcycle Club focused on improving your enjoyment of motorcycling and helping you to improve your safety on the road.

We meet every Sunday (9.00 in Summertime; 9.30 in Wintertime) at McDonalds in Worcester and in Hereford . You're welcome to come along and try it for yourself, no strings attached. Click here for Worcester location map and here for Hereford location map.

There is always a group at Worcester and our Hereford membership is growing. For the moment do let John Hodges know if you intend to come to the Hereford meet - use this link.

Formed in late 2006 WHAM! is affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists. WHAM! applies IAM principles and techniques in all it’s coaching activity so you can be sure you will receive the best standard available.

Should you wish to develop your Motorcycling skills we expect you to enrol as an Associate on the IAM’s “Skill for Life” training programme. The standard for this is set by the IAM, nationally. Coaching is provided by a WHAM! Observer who will explain the theoretical basis of motorcycle training, no dry theory sessions we promise! Your Observer will put the theory into context using the experience of your Observed Rides. Be warned; we will expect you to do some "homework" too! To enrol on the "Skill for Life" programme click Contact Us.

The "Skill for Life" course is £109 from April 2008; that includes membership of WHAM for your first year!

Once you’ve joined "Skill for Life", you’ll start with an assessment ride. One of our experienced and fully qualified Senior Observers will arrange with you a mutually convenient time and place for a ride to assess the potential for improving your riding. There will be a short briefing before the ride and a debrief after the ride. This normally takes place over a coffee to appraise you of aspects where WHAM! could help you in developing good riding habits.

The assessment ride is normally a one-to-one session and conducted in a relaxed and informal style. To minimise the pressure on you, we are simply assessing your current riding style – you will not be asked to ride differently in this first session. As well as assessing your ride the Senior Observer will also provide a short demonstration of “Advanced Riding”.

Come and “have a go” - You have nothing to lose and potentially something to gain!

As a taster test your hazard awareness skills here with our quick interactive demonstration.

Your Observer gives time freely to assist you and others in developing Motorcycle skills on observed runs. Frequently an Observer will have several Associates at the same time so we do ask that you make a voluntary contribution of £10 per run towards your Observer's motorcycle running expenses. This is capped to a maximum contribution of £100.

Success in the IAM Motorcycle examination brings the recognition of Full membership of IAM nationally and recognition (by most insurers) that you qualify for lower premiums.

Having passed your test should you want more training and experience then we can arrange that! WHAM! has a structured programme to develop your skills further including:

Track events
Roadside First Aid
Off-Road events
Slow-handling skills

If there is something else you think should be on our programme please write to us using this Contact form

We are often asked “how long will it take” to become an Advanced Rider? Difficult one that, as we all learn at our own pace. Generally we find that 6-8 Observed Rides is sufficient for the average rider who listens and can readily absorb the training into their ride.