Meet the Team – WHAM Committee & Observers.
Tony Davis – Chair, National Observer, Webmaster & Routemaster.
Observer Qualifications:
2017/2023 – National Observer
2002 – IAM test pass
Tony started riding bikes (off road) when he was 14 and has spent most of the rest of his life being obsessed with them. At 16 Tony joined the then massed ranks of 50cc moped riding teenagers and managed to break a wrist arguing with a truck in the first month. This taught him to look where he was going… and that crashing bikes is easy and it hurts.
That episode put him on the track to seek out some proper training, eventually becoming a voluntary instructor with the old RAC/ACU Motorcycle training organisation.
Tony has been a Member of WHAM since its inception back in 2007 and an Observer for most of that time. He is also WHAM’s Webmaster, responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this site. He is also our Routemaster, so He’s the Guy to go to if you have any suggestions for new routes (especially new cafe stops) or improvements to the website.
He’s currently riding a BMW1200GS LC, and a Ducati Multistrada V4S.
Richard Hewitt – Chief Observer, Masters Mentor, National Observer.
Richard is a National Observer, a Masters Mentor, and the holder of a Masters with distinction.
In his garage Richard has a Honda Crosstourer and will soon add a Honda Hornet 1000 to his stable.
Eric Reynolds – National Observer.
Observer Qualifications:
2014 – Local Observer Assessor
2014 – National Observer
2002 – Qualified Observer
2002 – IAM test pass
Eric started riding a little late in life at 56 years and the first 12 months of riding was punctuated by moments of elation and then doubt about being able to manage the next bend! He joined an IAM group and his riding got a whole lot better and he passed the IAM test in 2002.
Eric became an observer and then in 2002 qualified as a Senior Observer. He re-qualified in 2008 and then obtained his National Observer Qualification in 2014.
Eric was a founder member of WHAM in 2007 and, as Treasurer, has 
been looking after the money ever since. He rides safely and accurately and enjoys passing on his skills to other riders. Eric believes the opportunities that WHAM offers to enjoy riding in groups and in different countries is an important part of keeping skills at a high level.
Eric first passed his DSA bike test in Sept 1998. He started riding on a BMW R100 RT and then a progression of Suzukis and BMWs, a Triumph Explorer 1200, a Yamaha Tracer, a DCT Honda Africa Twin and now a Triumph Tiger 900.
Tony Reusser – National Observer.
Observer Qualifications:
2017 National Observer Pass
2011 IAM Motorcycle Test Pass
2004 IAM Car Test Pass
2021 IAM Motorcycle Masters with Distinction
Tony’s interest in motorcycling started when his Dad brought him home a box full of motorcycle parts. When assembled his first project in 1970 turned out to be a 250cc BSA C15.
A number of interesting rebuild projects cover the next 45 years since his first flush of spannering; 750 Seeley Honda, GT500 Suzuki and latterly a BMW R60/6. Tony currently rides a KTM 1090 Adventure.
Tony has had an eclectic mix of bikes over the years, not least 3 years commuting in London on a trusty CB125 and even a little trial riding on a Cotton enduro! He has enjoyed motorcycling in Europe on touring holidays, traveled 8130 miles in the USA from Coast to coast to coast in 2015 and is due to tour New Zealand in early 2018.
Tony is a strong believer in continuous improvement, aided by coaching and courses to develop and improve skills to give riders the experience and knowledge that keeps them safe.
Consequently, WHAM (as an IAM club) with its enthusiast team of National Observer coaches and active membership, was a natural home for him to enjoy and maintain his riding objectives.
Gary Barnes – National Observer
Observer Qualifications:
2015 – IAM Masters
2016 – National Observer
Gary “Chugger” Barnes passed his bike test in 1982 on a Yamaha 125 two-stroke single. One year later he became an instructor for the Part 1 of what was then a two-part motorcycle test. Family commitments took Gary away from biking but in 2005 he purchased a Yamaha XJ600 and was back in the saddle, a year on he moved up to a V-Max and then a Fazer1000. Gary passed his advanced test in November 2008 and immediately moved on to become a Group Observer.
Gary passed his Masters in 2015 and is now one of WHAM’s National Observers.
Gary’s current bike is a Honda NX750 which he finds just perfect for enjoying the ride or for Observing. Passing on the skills he has learned gives Gary great satisfaction.
Alex Hoyle – National Observer
Alex only came to motorcycling in the spring of 2008 when he purchased a Piaggio Zip 50 scooter for commuting between Pencombe and Bromyard. Having passed the CBT and full motorcycle test he took a giant leap to a Triumph Sprint ST! 50cc to 1050cc in one leap – with the benefit of experience he doesn’t recommend this route! The Triumph impressed on Alex that without some proper training he could to easily add to the accident statistics; he enrolled in WHAM and in October 2010 passed the IAM Test. Now having a taste for his motorcycling Alex started Observer training in July 2011 and qualified as a WHAM Observer in December 2011. So after two years on a steep learning curve Alex enjoys his motorcycling so much more and now looks forward to helping others to enjoy their biking more whilst staying safe on the road.
Alex is often seen on Sunday Morning rides, the highlight for him is the breakfast. He’s been known to effortlessly consume 2 full English jobs in a single morning and is the oracle when it comes to breakfast recommendations.
Currently Alex rides a 2017 BMW R1200GS Rallye.
Alex passed his IAM Masters in October 2017.
Jim Rolt – Newsletter editor, National Observer
Observer Qualifications:
2019 IAM F1rst
2023 Masters
2023 National Observer
Jim started riding in the 60s on a Triumph Tiger Cub which he bought as a ‘kit’ in a cardboard box.. He commuted every day on various ancient Brit bikes to his apprenticeship job at BSA motorcycles in Brum. He first got interested in training in the 90s, passing the IAM bike test and observing for some years; also working as a DSA CBT and learner rider instructor at that time. Life then got busy until 2019 when time again became available.
in the 90s he was also involved in Hillclimb racing with the NHCA, and had several top 5 placings in the National Championships during those years, on bikes ranging from a Harley Davidsion (yes, really) to KTM, Armstrong/Rotax, and Honda machines.
He still rides the old Harley, but is often seen on a more modern Triumph Thruxton R too.
John Cross – National Observer
Observer Qualifications:
2006 – IAM test pass
2007 – IAM Observer
2011 – IAM Senior Observer
2017 – IAM National Observer and Local Observer Assessor
2023 – IAM Masters
In my twenties I mucked about with bikes off road (ex MOD Can Am Bombardier 250 and a Yamaha RD250).
I passed my bike test in 1992 and bought an ex MOD Armstrong MT500 .
In 1999 I bought a BMW 1150GS (which I still have).
My IAM journey started in 2006 when I joined Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists and took my IAM test.
My motorcycling enjoyment immediately went up a gear and I regretted not doing the training earlier.
I observed with BAM for 15 years before moving house and joining WHAM.
I enjoy bike touring in the UK and Europe and would always rather use a bike than my car if the journey allows (which is why the panniers are always fitted!).
I get satisfaction in seeing how the training allows people to ride more safely and gives them confidence which in turn increase their riding enjoyment.
Rob Edwards – National Observer
Observer Qualifications:
2019 – IAM LocalObserver
2023 – IAM National Observer
2023 – IAM Masters
I first got on a moped at the age of about 5 or 6 years old when I used to rag my mum’s around the farm.
Bought my first bike at the age of about 10 or 11 for 10 quid. I was on a Yamaha 400 by the age of about 13/14 riding around on about 500 acres of land.
When I turned 21, I could do a direct access course and ride whatever I wanted. (From the age of 16 to 21 is the only time in my life when I didn’t have a bike.) So, within a week of passing my bike test at 21 I was on a gpz 1100. I’ve ridden in about 15 different countries with most recently a solo trip to Nordkapp in 2022 on a GS1250. I’ve had a wide variety of bikes from an older than me Z650 to an 1800 Goldwing. I came across WHAM in 2018/19 by chance.
I passed my advanced test with WHAM, and about 12 months later, I was asked to be an observer. Something I thoroughly enjoy. I became a National Observer in 2023 and passed the Masters also in 2023.
Andrew Culley – National Observer
Andrew had a biking father and grandfather so it was almost inevitable that he was on (motorised) two wheels at the age of 17. The next year he passed his RAC/ACU test and got his full licence for bike and car a few weeks later. However, the girlfriend (and later first wife) didn’t like bikes and, whilst it took some time to buy a car, he couldn’t afford both so a long layoff ensued. His second wife Anne was far more understanding and an experienced pillion. A leather jacket followed him home from work one day, then a helmet … and Anne got the message. Our born again biker then acquired his first proper bike – a Yamaha XJ600 (no, not the Diversion) in 2003. After sporadic advanced training with a group that eventually folded, he came to WHAM at its start in 2007 and passed his advanced test the same year. His other bikes have been two Triumph Sprints (ST 955), two BMW R1200GSs and he now rides a BMW R1250R. There’s also a Triumph TR6C Trophy (1969) lurking in the workshop.
Stuart Poole – National Observer.
Stuart started motorcycling at the age of ten on a Honda C50, up an down the garden path. Following taking his test at 18 another Honda followed in the form of a 450DX which provided faithful service during university years. Even with little or no maintenance, care or attention it never refused to start even when covered with snow.
A period working abroad didn’t interrupt the passion motorcycles with brief ownerships of a Yamaha Tenere and a Russian Minsk (this refused to go uphill as fuel would drain out of the carbeuretter. A run up was required along with a quick downhill U-turn to start the wretched machine when it stalled!)
More recently bikes have included a Suzuki Bandit, a Honda VFR and currently a BMW R1200GS Adventure.
Chris Lawton-Smith – National Observer
Observer Qualifications:
2016 National Observer Pass
2015 Local Observer Pass
2014 IAM Test Pass
Chris is enthusiastic about all sorts of bikes; large or small, old or new. He started riding in London where he got hacked off with the speed of public transport and then really got the bug.
His first big bike was a brilliant SV650 with then more than a dozen old and new motorcycles since. He keeps coming back to V-twins and currently rides a black KTM 1290 Super Adventure S.
He’s also an enthusiastic, active member of the local section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) and owns and rides a couple of early 1950s bikes.
Will Morgan – National Observer
Will first took to the road in 1971 on a Honda 90 step thru’, followed by a CB125 to pass his test, then a Triumph Bonneville. In the 40+ years since then He’d never had any proper rider training except a one hour session about 20 years ago – and that had just been an excuse to “test ride” the new CCMs that the local instructor used. Until then he had relied on trial & error and The Immortality of Youth – a trait replaced by a keen sense of self-preservation as youth became more of a memory than life style.
Then in 2015 WHAM’s Chief Observer Del Britton gave a presentation about advanced riding to his local classic bike club and he signed up for the IAM Skills For Life course. The course refined Will’s riding but he hadn’t anticipated the result, a F1RST class advanced test pass. Not only did Will’s riding benefit, he also really enjoyed the whole process. Will knew there was still more to learn – there always is in every walk of life – so he continued to ride regularly with WHAM. This led to being asked to train as a National Observer, and qualification in August 2017.
Will currently rides a BMW 1250RT along with a KTM 1290 GT.
Ant Clerici – National Observer.
One of Ant’s childhood memories is of riding pillion on his Dad’s Francis Barnet. They broke down on the way to Brighton so arrived late; then travelled home way past Ant’s bedtime so he was made to sing to prevent him falling asleep!
Ant’s own biking career started with commuting to school in South London on a 175cc BSA Bantam. More adventurous trips to Holland and the South of France followed (yes on the Bantam); then there was the huge gap whilst dealing with life’s challenges (career, kids etc) before returning to biking on a Yamaha Diversion. Ant is an IAM National Observer and holds an IAM Masters Certificate. He now rides a new Triumph Tiger 1200.
Andy Chambers – Local Observer
Observer Qualifications:
2016 – Local Observer
2015 – IAM test pass
As a young lad I was always involved with motorcycles, yet never owned one until I was 17. I took delivery of a brand new Kawasaki KE 125 in 1983, which was stolen less than a year later.
After that I never had another bike until 2011 when a friend of mine turned up to work on a very nice Yamaha TDM 900, that was it, smitten again! I quickly arranged my CBT, and passed my test a few weeks later.
Like most motorcyclists I was soon made aware of how basic the DSA test was and found myself falling short of the required standard to just stay alive. I started my advanced training with IAM and passed in 2015, since then my riding has improved enormously. Early in 2016 I was asked if I would consider becoming an Observer, which I saw a huge endorsement of how my riding had improved, of course I agreed, and I was assessed and passed as Local Observer in June 16.
My bike list is very short, when I passed my test I had Kawasaki 636 Ninja, I then graduated to a Suzuki Bandit 1250 FA which was a great all round bike. Current bike is a KTM 1290 Superadventure.
Donna Saxton – Committee Member
Hi!
Apart from a couple of my teenage years on my Yamaha Passola, my two wheeled fun was as pillion for over 25 years. On reaching a certain age I decided that I had reached a ‘now or never’ moment with regards to riding my own. I booked my CBT and I was hooked. I gained 18 months road experience on a Honda Grom before passing my A licence when I moved on to a Kawasaki Z650. I currently have a Ducati Scrambler 800 and a Honda Rebel 500.
Having been a member of the IAM & WHAM for 4 years now, my goal is to become an Observer and to give others the safety, confidence & joy that the system has given me.
As a member of your committee, my aim is to aid Duane to continue bringing interesting, informative and fun events to you.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any specific requests or suggestions on topics you’d like us to consider for our natter nights or in general.
