Worcester and Hereford Advanced Motorcyclists

Newsletter - August 2008

With our thanks to Tony Davis your prize winning Newsletter Editor

5th September 2008

WHAM appoints new Chief Observer

The Committee are delighted to announce that Ken Shaw has been appointed as the Group's Chief Observer.

Ken is both an IAM Senior Observer and a RoSPA Diploma holder. In addition he is one of the elite few who work with the Police in Bikesafe training events and a DSA registered Advanced Motorcycle trainer. He has a dubious past as a traffic cop too but we'll gloss over that!

Ken has been working with the Committee for some time and now that he is formally appointed would like to emphasise some of the critical elements of WHAM's rideout briefing, see below:

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

Below are a few reminders about IAM Group Ride Outs (this applies to all WHAM!’s rides including Sunday Ride outs)

We should all act in a responsible way to our fellow road users.
Ride at a safe speed.
Overtaking should be safe, legal and not aggressive. Be wary of following through on overtakes
Don’t play catch up, be safe, and have a copy of the chosen route with you.
Don’t travel in groups larger than 4 bikes, space out your start times, and leave 5 minutes between groups
Have an agreed separation / getting lost procedure, including an emergency telephone number."

The full version of WHAM's rideout briefing is always found at the top of the programme page (or click here to view).

17th August 2008

WHAM subscription fees

The Treasurer has asked for members to complete this form so that we're able to reclaim some of your hard-earned from the Inland Revenue. Please complete and pass to one of the Committee members - have the satisfaction of knowing a little of your tax is supporting a worthy cause!

When you complete one of these forms we can get a 28% increase in income from you without costing you an additional penny! You know it makes sense.

12th August 2008

An Increase in IAM Membership fees (not WHAM subscription)

The IAM are about to increase annual membership fees with effect from 1st January 2009. We have had some advance warning from IAM House of what will be published in the next issue of the Advanced Driving magazine.

Like many businesses and charitable organisations the IAM have undertaken an extensive review of current operations and are making changes to reduce expenses. Nevertheless there is a pressing need for this increase. The current subscription will increase from £17.50 to £28 (for payment by direct debit).

A letter from David Kenworthy, IAM Chairman, is embedded here so that you can see the detailed rationale and background for yourselves.

11th August 2008

The Club BBQ in the Herefordshire countryside

Wednesday 30th July

The forecast was mercifully wrong and we had a very pleasant evening just above the banks of the Wye in the rolling Herefordshire countryside. The evening was put on through the kind generosity of our members Dean & Heidi Cardey in the village of Holme Lacey.

The good weather brought out a good collection of bikes.... with just a few wimps in cars!

Dean volunteered to put this on as a benefit for MARS and Air Ambulance so we were treated to an excellent BBQ and (for all us blokes) the pleasure of watching someone else sweat over the barbie.

New bikes on the scene too"! No, not Cliff, him changing a bike is not news any more! Michael Mable's graduated to a Transalp - " much more oomph, easy overtakes" and Alan Philpott claims to have bought a ZZRustbucket (but we suspect its on sale-or-return whilst he assesses the fuel consumption and tyre wear).

Dean and Heidi entertained us very well, thanks! Thanks also for the generosity of the members through whom it raised £200+ for MARS/Air Ambulance

Aberdovey Trip - 6th July 2008

An unpromising start to the day in Worcester - it had rained all night and was still miserable. A call from the Hereford contingent brightened our day with reports of dry weather and blue skies to the West. After meeting up for breakfast at Elan Valley we had to question their weather eye as we left in a downpour! Gradually the day improved and their stock recovered.

The roads were wet/dry/wet/dry etc. all the way out and we had a particularly exciting time on the road through Dyelife with all of us sliding around with modest application of throttle - so bad was it John Hodges was convinced he had a puncture! Our timing was not good for the last section into Aberdovey where the local Authority have been resurfacing: lots of loose grit continued the slip-sliding theme!

Eric demonstrated some advanced parking nestling Tony's exhaust into the Bandit's side fairing (I hope the exhaust didn't get scratched Tony). Lunch at the Britannia was accompanied by lots of mobile calls to check when pass-outs expired and lots of "craic" about the ride.

The return ride took us back through Tregaron and Abergwesyn and some of remote hills of Wales. Very picturesque and narrow single track roads finally descending to ford a small river and return to Builth Wells for tea.

Newsletter - June 2008

With our thanks to the illustrious Tony Davis your prize winning Newsletter Editor

Click here to access.

1st July 2008

National Recognition for your Newsletter Editor!

Tony Davis, WHAM's Newsletter editor, has beaten off all comers in the IAM's national Motorcycle awards for local Groups.

There are nearly 100 Motorcycle Groups nationally and Tony has won the award for "Best Group Newsletter", as well as his trophy Tony efforts have earned £250 for Group funds. So he'll be needing a bigger crash helmet now!

28th June 2008

Worcester Rider Skills Day Saturday 24th May

In conjunction with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Worcester County Council and the Worcester Safety Partnership amongst others WHAM today provided the observers for the Rider Skills Day. Despite the windy weather; it being a Saturday and a Bank Holiday weekend we had WHAM's Observers busy all day with pre-booked rides. We were ably supported by Observers from Redditch and Birmingham groups too - when you need our support we'll return the favour!

As well as the rides we took the opportunity to present a selection of damaged motorcycle clothing to St John Ambulance. St John recently commented that it was difficult for them to get modern motorcycle clothing and to make their training courses more realistic they like to set the challenge of cutting the "casualty" out of the clothing. Through WHAM's contacts we were able to put St John in touch with Plantec a motorcycle accident assistance specialist who provided a selection of damaged clothing, boots and helmets to assist St John.