o2w issue 37

Registered Charity No. 1111635

Affiliated to Group No: 7251

Chelmsford & District Advanced Motorcyclists

Affiliated to Group No: 7251 Registered Charity No. 1111635

37• May/June 2014

ON TWO WHEELS – CHELMSFORD & DISTRICT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS

ON TWO WHEELS – CHELMSFORD & DISTRICT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS

What’s Fueling Your Passion?

TRAVELING IN EUROPE: Chairman’s Alpine Chill Pt 2

The Italian Job, Going Underground and the World’s Most Expensive Pizza!

Training News with JS

www.cadam.org

Chairman Jonathan Harman [email protected]

Vice Chairman Craig Stone [email protected]

Treasurer Chris McEvoy [email protected]

Group Secretary Tony Metcalf [email protected]

Membership Secretary Dean Scrivener [email protected]

Chief Observer Dennis Kitteridge [email protected]

Recruitment Promotion Officer [email protected]

Training Co-Ordinator John Stevens [email protected]

O2W Editor Mark Anstey [email protected]

Webmaster Craig Stone [email protected]

Committee Member Phil Draper

Committee Member Mick Gowlett

The CADAM Committee

OUR AIMSChelmsford and District Advanced Motorcyclists (CADAM) is one of many groups across the country whose aim is to improve motorcycling road safety by helping people prepare for, and pass, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Advanced Motorcycling Test.Our group is affiliated to, but not subservient to, the IAM. However, because we share the same aims, we often seem to speak with one voice.CADAM is run by volunteers and serves the districts of Essex in and around Chelmsford. As well as helping people to pass the Advanced Test, we run the group as a club, so that once you have passed, you will still want to stay on and take part in our other activities. We provide:Structured instruction to prepare for the IAM Advanced Motorcycling Test. You can choose a course that runs on Saturdays or one that runs on Sundays. These courses are designed to take even relatively inexperienced riders and raise their riding to IAM test standards.

Machine control days to increase your machine handling skills. These sessions are held off the public road, so we can explore your capabilities and those of your machine in safety.Social runs over challenging routes (no motor-ways, thanks!) to interesting places. Weekends away to ride some new roads, normally out of Essex.Monthly group meetings, often with a talk from a speaker on an interesting topic to do with motorcycling.On 2 Wheels – This newsletter, keeping you up to date with what’s happening.Want to know more? Call our general enquiries number 07790 656 687 – or just turn up at a meeting and introduce yourself to a committee member!Future Events – listings and directions can be found on the back cover.

When on a club run, be it an evening or a weekend event, speed limits must be observed. We have no exemption and advanced riding does not need to involve higher speeds. When approaching hazards appropriate care must be taken. On clubs runs you are running as CADAM and under the IAM banner.

Do not bring this into disrepute. Also the Marker system will be used. Anyone not familiar with this system please speak to one of the run organisers who will run through this for you.

Thanks and safe riding.

Jonathan Harman, Chairman, CADAM

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Issue 37 • May/June 2014

Since the wheels of O2W last turned - we must welcome our latest Associates: Simon Ghent, Nick Kinna, Kevin Johnson and Sedat Riza. Gents – welcome to the world of Cadam. On a serious note, please make the most of your membership with us by attending as many of our (your) training days and engage with your Training Team and your Observers at every opportunity - and please give them a hardest of times by asking plenty of questions.

Congratulations to Nick Dolan for being our latest IAM test pass. A round of applause is also well deserved for our own Phil Richardson - for attaining ’gold’ at RoSPA level. Well done Phil!

April’s Group night was a cock up on my part (sorry!) and those who attended May’s Group night got an apology and a ‘free’ evening on me. First Aid training is still very much on the Cadam cards. However, although it is not an IAM requirement, it will be first offered to your Observers, Ride Leaders and then to any other interested parties.

On the subject of May’s Group night, it was a welcomed return for ex TT racer Mick Potter. Mick kindly brought with him his (immaculate) Triumph TT/Race bike (complete with parts from a Lancaster bomber) - on which he surprised more than a few famous names and some more exotic machinery - back in his days around the TT.

There are still a couple of spare places on Mick Gowlett’s weekends away to both Wales and Luxembourg. The Bikers Retreat in Wales in close at hand on June 6th-9th and

Chairman’s Lip…

Mick Potter in action at the TT in 1972 Photo: Keith Hack from www.iomtt.com

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the idyllic setting of Hotel Le Postillon, Luxembourg is a given between August 29th – Sept 1st.

Another pat on the back for Mick Gowlett, as the ride he led in May to Hever Castle was our best attended Sunday Group ride - with over 20 members following his rear wheel. Well done Mick!

The last Bank Holiday weekend of May saw myself, Dennis Kitteridge, Phil Draper and Jonathan Stansfield take to the skies of Europe for CADAM’s Dam Buster Trip. You will be able to read about the amazing flight you missed in: ’A Dam Or Two, Forgotten Hero’s & Rather A lot Of Ice Cream!’ - in a future issue of O2W.

Don’t forget our annual Skills Day at Dunton on July 13th. Sign up sheet on the forum. You need to be signed up and paid up by the week before. That will be July 7th then. You will not want to miss our Great Summer Sizzler BBQ either, so please keep focusing on your forum. On the subject of the forum, please be mindful before you ‘click’ - that it is not just read by you, it is a large window for others ‘outside’ to look through at Cadam. For we were recently approached by a prospective new member who stated he was put off by what he saw and read.

The best attended group ride out to date, was to Hever Castle

Don’t forget our annual Skills Day at Dunton on July 13th...

...Or the Great Summer Sizzler BBQ

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On the home front, was fortunate enough to grab a ride on the new R1200RT LC and

GS Adventure, whilst awaiting for my GT to be serviced. The RT surprised, the GSA disappointed, although not as much as the poor (dealer) 6,000 service (brake fluid and coolant changed, but neither nowhere near topped up. So much so that I thought I had a leak in the braking system - and had to take it back!!) The RT is now more akin to a mini GT, but with better suspension

thanks to adaptivity. On a tight and twisty section of hot tarmac and with a knowledgeable pilot

seated comfortably (and they will be) - some far sportier rides may be in for a shock... The part water cooled ‘boxer’ has quite a bit more bite too. Just a shame then, it looks a little bland (not helped by the drab colours at launch) and sounds BLAND! Then there is the price of the all singing and dancing LE model – which means you could be astride the smoother and better sounding six..!

The GSA just did not feel as sweet to ride as either of my previous GSA’s. The extra performance was welcomed, the sensation of riding a ‘dirt’ bike was not. To be fair this may well have been attributed to the fact that the suspension was set to its hardest setting and the fly by wire set at its most sensitive. I gave up toggling through the (many) suspension and riding menus – as I needed look where I was going.

Safe Riding, JH

“Please be mindful before you ‘click’...”

www.cadam.orgprint the way it should be...

t: 01268 573486

www.i-print-4u.com

WHEN ONLYTHE VERY BEST WILL DO...

CALL THE PRINT & DESIGN COMPANY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS!

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Issue 37 • May/June 2014print the way it should be...

t: 01268 573486

www.i-print-4u.com

WHEN ONLYTHE VERY BEST WILL DO...

CALL THE PRINT & DESIGN COMPANY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS!

Having seen all of the fantastic claims about premium fuels I decided to do a bit of an experiment to see what if any difference is made to fuel economy. To be as scientific as I could, I only measured things with my commute as this provides reasonably consistent riding patterns and conditions.

Tech spec : K8 (2008) GSXR750 (Tank 17 Ltrs)Distance travelled was 170 miles before refuelling. This includes dual carriageway (A13) and town and city riding (Southend to Old Street in London and back, twice).

Fuel was measured based on what I could get in the tank when refuelling.

Benchmark was based on my historical usage of standard Tesco unleaded which required 16 – 16.3 litres to fill up. This equates to 10.43 – 10.63 mpl or 47 – 48 mpg, if you are old school.

I switched to Tesco Momentum which claims a 6% increase in fuel economy for cars. On this basis I would be using 1 litre less when I fill up.

The real result was a reduction in fuel to fill up, but

not a litre less. I now use 15.6 – 15.8 litres giving me 10.76 – 10.9 mpl or 49 - 49.5mpg.

Price-wise I am paying the same to fill up as I was before – Momentum is slightly more expensive, so there is no cost incentive. What it does give me though, is a slightly longer tank range which comes in handy when road closures extend the route. 7 miles doesn’t sound a lot but when the fuel light is on and you are close to running on fumes it gives a bit of peace of mind.

I also tried Shell V Power, but all this achieved was more money out of my wallet as this is more expensive than the Momentum. Fuel volume used was exactly the same.

Personally I am going to continue with Momentum now as it also supposedly has more in the way of injector cleaners etc in it. Despite falling short of the 6% claim by Tesco there is no additional cost to using it, but it carries some benefit (however small) and therefore this is appealing to me. It also allows me to pay at pump so no messing around with removing my helmet.

Charlie

What’s Fueling your Passion?

www.cadam.org

In the last issue, I tried to convey some of the joy of biking in Europe (especially for those who have not tried it before). Throughout the year, several Cadam individuals are organising rides further afield. Live the adventure and join in (and don’t forget your camera!)

23 & 24th JuneWow! What a ride! The scenery was mind blowing and the roads, some of the most enjoyable ever experienced; sweeping curve after sweeping curve, steep climbs and hairpins, oh, and did I

mention the views!? We were delayed by a few hours prior to our climb over the mountains into the Dolomites due to a cycle road race that brought the entire village to a halt. We attempted several different routes of our own to detour the bike race, but eventually, after realising there was really only one road over the pass, resigned ourselves that we would just have to be patient and wait. The road was due to re open at about 3pm. However, the weather was lovely, so we decided find a suitable café, to drink coffee, eat lunch and watch the proceedings around us, and very pleasant it was too! Once we finally made a

Chairman’s Alpine Chill

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move, to the roads were no less enjoyable and the usual playing-up of the satnav meant that we went off course a couple of times, but that was no hardship and the climb up to the top, again with hairpin after hairpin made even more exciting by the theme from Top Gun playing through my helmet! Eventually however, we reach our destination and our planned base for the next two nights, the Hotel Olympia in Arabba. There was plenty of room there (and plenty of bikes parked outside!). A ski chalet in the winter, (but this was Summer – wasn’t it?) we were given the key to a very comfortable, two bedroom lodge with stunning views over the town. The price of the room was less than all of those stayed in so far and included breakfast and an evening meal! It

really was first class. That evening we watched the sun go down and wondered where we would ride to the next day...

The next morning we awoke, shocked to find a good covering of snow! I think we counted some 50 or so motorcycles parked out front, plus others like ours that were safely garaged in the dry (no charge for that either!), and needless to say that no one left on a bike that morning! We ventured across town to the cable car and took a trip to the top of the mountain to see the view, although it was so foggy we could literally only see a few metres!! Fortunately, by late afternoon the weather warmed and the snow melted almost as rapidly as it arrived, not that we bothered to get the bikes

Chairman’s Alpine Chill

The Furka Pass

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out at all that day! Weather permitting, off to Lake Garda tomorrow, but before then, another superb meal!

25 June 2013What a different a day makes. Off to Lake Garda.

26 June 2013Day 10: it was a beautiful morning when we left Riva del Garda and the temperature was already up to 24 degrees by 9:30. We rode around the

lake in a clockwise direction and the scenery was truly stunning. We pulled into Malcesine only a few miles around the coast before 10:15. By now it was really hot! Malcesine is an old medieval town, or at least off the

newer high street it is, with a walled town of very narrow, cobbled streets and a picturesque castle. We wandered around the streets, taking

Snow in Arabba theatens to stop the fun, but JH improvises and gets his knee down with his own snow-bike!

The Stelvio Pass; a view from the old section.

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lots of pictures for about an hour, by which time we were melting and needed to get moving for the cool breeze. All along the coast line were Mediterranean trees and plants, the air thick with sweet smells of honeysuckle and olive groves. We passed many of the similarly picturesque towns and villages before coming to the town of Garda and stopping by the small harbour and jetty for the lake’s hydrofoil, for a well deserved coffee and piece of amazing chocolate cake. I stopped to take a picture as I came out of the foyer of the restaurant, an interesting shot of the colourful plants in the front windows and the sun shades and tables outside (where we had been sitting) and an elderly man asked me suspiciously if I was ‘journalist?’ ‘No’ I said, ‘tourist!’ Not sure who or what he thought I was photographing! It probably took us two or three hours since we had started, to complete the length of the lake and from then we negotiated ourselves onto the Italian Autobahn, not

Lovely evening in Riva del Garda seeing the sights, enjoying the warmth and good vibe

of the place, oh and ice cream!

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a particularly pleasurable or relaxing experience as most of the Italians drive like complete idiots. Not nice to be travelling at the legal speed of 130 kph with an Audi estate no more than 3 feet off the back wheel, especially whilst others change lane in front without signalling or notice. We both wondered what their accident stats are like, but they can’t be good. All in all, quite expensive to travel on the autobahn, it must have cost about £20 for the couple of hundred or so miles we covered. Finally off the motorway we found ourselves carving our way through the mountains with tunnel after tunnel, each time popping out into blinding sunlight. The final tunnel to negotiate being the Mont Blanc Tunnel. We were both rather shocked to be charged €27.50 to pass through it! We were given strict instructions by the person in the toll booth not to exceed the speed limit of 70

kph or to drive closer than 500m, indicated in the tunnel by blue led lights, to the vehicle in front. As we eventually emerged from the tunnel, after what seemed an age of driving in a straight line underground, we spiralled down as the road descended the mountain and I glanced up to see a spectacular arrangement of giant, jagged shards of ice, forming part of the glacier that defied gravity by not flowing down the mountain side. We carried on for a while in the direction of Geneva, before deciding to look for somewhere to stop for the night.

The classical scenery of Riva del Garda, musicians and

stunning views

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We actually struggled to find a hotel tonight, finally returning to one that we had initially dismissed as expensive at €81 per night. Especially as last nights at the fabulous lake was only €51 and included breakfast. Everywhere else we tried was full!

It’s fair to say that, although this area is surrounded by impressive mountains, that it isn’t a patch on the sights that we have seen over the last 4 or 5 days. Oh well, push

on further up France tomorrow and actually really looking forward to being back home on Friday!

28 June And rest!330 miles completed today and 2385 over all! Back home, lovely! Had a great time, what an adventure. Really love the big GS, its been superb, nimble and agile in the twisties, comfy for big distances. Only used half a litre of oil. The only niggle, the fuel tank too small for touring, would benefit the tank of the Adventure (may be that’s my next bike?), had to stop twice as much as Jon with a range of about 180 miles. Huge thanks to Jon (although he’s not on FB) for organising and leading such a great trip. Shame there weren’t more from Cadam, but at least 2 of us allowed us to be really flexible on where we went and when. Also a massive thank you to Siâny for letting me go. Getting so much attention and loads of cuddles and purrs from Smokey (the cat), who won’t leave me alone and even jumped on my lap (unheard of!).

The Kettle is on and I’m looking forward to a proper cup of tea, the first in 13 days!

(Extracts from my Facebook posts during the trip!)

Mark Anstey

Secure parking, the historic sights of Malcesine and JH weighs up which piece of chocolate cake to eat first!

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We awake to a white out. Looking at the weather forecast from the bedroom window, we are surrounded in a cocoon of fog. Sky news paints a worsening picture with a 100 vehicle plus collision, on a bridge on the Isle of Sheppey. Thankfully everyone is alive, but there are 200 casualties. The aerial footage is akin to the road from Basra during the opening days of Operation Desert Storm.

With each twitch of the hands of the clock towards midday, the fog starts to retreat and life becomes comfortable again, as we make our way towards the Euro Tunnel and another Italian adventure. Since my June trip last year Italy has been ringing in my ears. Some say Paris is one of the most romantic destinations. My take is that it is, but it is more about the name and that iron girder tower. The Italian Lakes are like their women - they drip in designer flair and their Lakes drip with romance.

All is ship shape until we leave the M25 and join the M20. The slip road is like a desert. Its now hot and deserted. Rude not to then, as I continue squeezing the fly by wire throttle and the torque of the 6 cylinder U boat engine starts lobbing the horizon and in particular the up coming left hander at us at an alarming rate. We lean and then lean a bit more and then a bit more to get around and then in an instant, our hot sunny desert is transformed into a car park with a sea of

brake lights shimmering in the late summer heat. I throw out the anchor and we come to a gentle stop behind the start of a 3 lane wall of stationary traffic as far as the eye can see - and it is...

I am not a particular fan of filtering - bike or no bike. The K1600GT with panniers is no size zero or cat walk model. She can be equally tottery at walking pace when carry two weeks of supplies. She is getting hot as are we. The display shows 26 degrees. Things start to become sweaty as it is hard work trying to thread a path between lanes 2 & 3. We are thwarted by a school girl at the wheel of a posh new Chelsea tractor who has stopped with little thought, in her lane. She has obviously heard of the mobile phone for she is feverishly tapping away at the screen; yet is oblivious to what mirrors are used for another than applying makeup. A gentle massage of the audio warning instrument has no effect and in these temperatures people quickly lose their cool. So we decide to keep ours - and wait.

We join the slow queue from the Euro Tunnel terminal as we weave and wobbly with everyone else towards our waiting pass to Europe and the Italian Lakes. A queue jumper pops out from behind on an Explorer and commences to squeeze past. He stops beside us and with much pointing at our big K and conversing with his rear seat passenger, nods, gives us the thumbs up and pulls in behind.

We reach passport control and are waved through.

The Italian Job, Going Underground the World’s&

Most Expensive Pizza!

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We are then stopped with much arm waving and chastised for not displaying our departure ticket with our lane number. Everyone else filters passed, pondering the name of our misdemeanour.

On the train we find ourselves locked in the carriage with the same Triumph pilots. Turns out they were contemplating the big K, but thought it a little too much. They now look a little red faced,

despite the air conditioned carriage.

The A26 is virtually empty as Garmin leads us to Reims, with cruise control engaged and doing just that. It is Reims and it’s dark. Despite Corinne’s best attempts, we cannot find a roof over our heads. We eventually come to a seedy looking hotel. I tell Corinne I am not keen, but she returns with positive news. We have a room straight from the set of ‘Allo, Allo.’ It may not appeal to all, but it is clean and comes with character. Across the street is a busy looking establishment for cuisine, so another box is ticked. All that remains is to tick the box for secure parking. I am told to meet the owner’s son by a set of gates next to a row of dustbins back down the street. I get lost in the maze of one way streets and eventually tip toe back towards the hotel and find a man standing by some dustbins and a metal gate. He greets me with a nod and to my surprise these gates open electrically. I am then led down a steep dark and narrow spiral concrete track. I start wondering whether this is such a good idea, when to my utter amazement we come out into a

“...Hundreds of individual

numbered garages, all with up and over doors

– Just amazing!”

Going Underground the World’s

Most Expensive Pizza!

www.cadam.org

garaged area the size of a floodlit football pitch. I am surrounded by what seems like hundreds of individual numbered garages, all with up and over doors - and all deep under ground. Just amazing!

Day 2 and more toll roads are digested as Garmin guides us towards a familiar hotel in Colmar. Thankfully this I booked in advance for it is rammed. The rooms and restaurant are as good as we remembered. Sadly no signs of a belter of a European thunder storm though.

Day 3 starts with a hearty breakfast and Garmin steers us to the Swiss boarder at Basel. We find ourselves on an empty and dead straight dual carriageway with just music pulsating from the K’s speakers and a orange and white Easy Jet for company, as it skims the adjacent field, wheels down. “Look its from Southend!” shouts Corinne.

I had instructed Garmin to avoid toll roads in Switzerland, to avoid paying for a vignette – particularly as we had no intention of using their motorway system. However at Basel and the Swiss boarder, a female boarder guard enquired as to the whereabouts of our vignette. My explanation that we had no intention of using their motorway

system was met with a short but polite: “You pay or you stay!” Her Glock looked more impressive than my Garmin, so £28 our adventure continued. A close call game of dodgems with the trams followed through the city, a city with more traffic lights than traffic lights; until we broke free into the stunning Swiss countryside. Here we were swallowed up by some truly amazing vistas and scenes of this beautiful place. The Swiss speed limit in these very scenic parts is 80kph, so spirited progress is not popular with either the locals (unless of course you drive a Porsche) or those carrying Glocks...

Climbing up a long climb amongst the rich green pastures with the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne within sight, Garmin has a fit and suddenly beckons us to turn around and go back the way we have come. Sometimes it is best to ignore Garmin and go with your instincts - and this was one of those times.

We skirt the edge of Lake Lucerne and marvel at the properties that stand proud against the waters edge. This is a very expensive part of town. It had been obvious that the Swiss like their cars. Porsches, Mustangs and Dodge Vipers seem

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favourite. These properties at the Lakes edge have quadruple garages We pass one with its mouth open. Two Ferrari’s sit there asleep in the shade... should have guessed really as the big yellow and black prancing horse emblem affixed to the cables imparted a bit of a clue.

We almost come to a stop outside our hotel at Sisikon, when I note a mixed group of half cut individuals standing around in the road in front of us next to a mini bus. They are all dressed in ‘neon’ clothing and obviously about to party somewhere. I drop Corinne off to check us in, at which point the ‘neon’ group suddenly spot my ‘H’ belt. I am then swamped as they try to drag me and the big K into their waiting getaway minibus, whilst Corinne rolls around on the floor laughing...

Switzerland is a lovely country - but seems we have to pay for the privilege to enjoy it. In our hotel restaurant over looking the Lake, Corinne ordered a basic Spaghetti dish and a coffee. Me - a pizza, piece of chocolate cake and a diet coke (holiday man food) The waitress smiled sweetly as she handed us a bill for 73Euros!! Then just to make us feel more welcomed, she tried to fleece Corinne out of several Euros change... As pretty, clean and idyllic as their country is, am not convinced we will be rushing back.

Day 4 starts with a mixture of meats and cheeses for breakfast and initially kind sun smiling weather. Garmin leads us towards Italy and Lake Maggiore, the hotel Camin Colmegna to be precise. Here we are booked in for 7 lavish nights. However due to a slow prompt by Garmin, we find ourselves winding our way up a narrow pass. The weather has turned against us as the pass is streaming in water and our progress upwards towards Andermatt not helped by iron manhole covers here, there and everywhere. It is a steep climb with a hard rock face inches away from the O/S pannier and despite the weather a breathtaking view of a river running through the base of the

gorge was there for the looking. Only spoilt by the E35 motorway next to us on stilts and the main railway line.

To be fair, we were obviously enjoying what was the original road up and around this mountain pass. The Swiss engineers have done a great job in making the most mundane of flyovers, bridges and tunnels look interesting. We paused at a viewing point to admire in more detail their achievements. Below us was a swirling river, below and to the left a network of tunnels to allow passage of the motorway through the mountains and then to the far left above the motorway was the narrow ledge jutting out from the mountain we had just ridden along. To our right was another tunnel at the base of a steep valley topped in different pastel shades of green the top of which was being suffocated by singed grey rain clouds. From the tunnel emerged a freight train going about its clockwork and flawless business.

The rain was by now becoming a lot more angry and quite a problem. My visor was ajar to the first indent and the rain had found its way in and onto the inside of my visor. I now had blurred vision and this mountain pass was no fun any more. Quite the opposite. Corinne was shouting over the intercom: “I can’t look down! I can’t look down!” All I wanted to say was: At least you can see. I can’t see a bloody thing!! - but thought better of it.

Some short, steep and mega tight hairpins suddenly reared up in front of us for the final accent into Andermatt. With visor open to the max and the rain stinging my eyes as it slashed at my face; we reached Andermatt and the days half way point. Andermatt is almost deserted of bikes. Not helped by the up and down rain. We seek shelter in a café and do our best to dry off in the short interlude.

The Gottard Pass is awash. The surface has disappeared beneath streaming water.

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We catch a glimpse of the original, narrow cobbled pass below us as we are suddenly swallowed and trapped by cloud. Visibility is about 10m. In front at crawling pace is an ancient Fiat Panda and in front of that a Fiesta. Its that bad that 20mph is pushing it, so we ease of a bit more. At this speed and with nothing visible to the rear, I am seriously concerned that we are liable to be ‘shunted’ from behind and spread over the back of the Fiat in front.

Thankfully without incident and after an age in the bubble of whispery grey gloom we emerge out the other side. By now we just want to get to Lake Maggiore, so I prompt Garmin for the quickest route and we jump onto a Swiss motorway until we start our final approach to the Italian lake. We vacate the motorway and meander our way around the Swiss side of the lake. It is now raining very, very hard indeed. There is now a damp feeling in my crotch, but am adamant it is not a age related issue. Have my Rukka trousers finally given up and called it a day? The dampness gets no worse, so guess Rukka is still hard at work doing what it has been paid to do.

We cross the boarder and ride the remaining couple of miles to our hotel. We park on their

(not ideal) orange gravel car park and are greeted by a solid bolt of white/blue lightning, arcing its back from one side of the lake to the other. A real storm at last!

The plan was to chill for a couple of days in the sumptuous surrounds of our new digs. So we did – and soon lost track of the days. However there is only so much one can eat and drink and besides we still have a couple of Italian lakes to tick off our list.

So having consumed an enormous breakfast we ride out of the gravely drive and set about eating into the 109 mile ride around our host – Lake Maggiore. The clouds hug the hillsides around the edge of the lake, their bellies full of water. No

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sooner had my left boot engaged 2nd gear when the screen is suddenly riddled with rain drops and down it comes. It was just a short angry burst for as we breach Luino it has tapered off. As we had discovered on foot the previous day, Luino is nothing special, although they say it has the largest outdoor market in Europe? However, the section of tarmac between Luino and the next town - Lavino was something to savour as it had it all. To avoid indigestion, it was not a road to swallow, but to chew slowly – for the scenery was truly riveting and just spectacular when ridden in the opposite direction in the face of the pinks and oranges of sunset.

Lavino looked the part so we refuelled with diet coke and coffee, whilst watching the local passenger/car ferry doing the daily shuttle run to Verbena on the opposite side of the lake. Corinne suggested we take the ferry. I fired off a short prompt that we had not come to Italy to cheat - and I heard no more!

It was the right decision sticking with concrete and tarmac for as Garmin plotted a route around

the southern edge of the lake we rode past what initially appeared to be a house with a very large front garden rammed with different forms of transport. On our first pass I noted a collection of tractors, a large collection of motorcycles going back pre WW2 along with a steam train. I then glimpsed an anti aircraft gun, artillery pieces, remains of a helicopter. There was another steam engine, a couple of carriages... Corinne then suggested a 2nd pass and a closer look. Second time round we realised that it is a private museum. In another corner sitting proudly is a F104 Starfighter - one of the fastest jets of its day in the Cold War and possibly the only one I have seen in the metal. (One was even recently restored and sold as a garden ornament for £25,000).

Strase was another highlight of Lake Maggiore. This was the posh part of town. Amazing (wallet numbing) hotels clothed in bright vibrant colours on one side and equally extravagant houses leading down to the waters edge on the other, with amazingly manicured front gardens and clipped trees, complete with water fountains, steep driveways and the obligatory Ferrari

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(or two) prominently on display. Their architecture individual and simply stunning. Most, naturally had a private mooring at the rear with some impressive water craft bobbing about in time with the tide. So, looking through the Key Hole - who lives in a place like this??

Next day the iPad says we are in for a hot one. We grab our gear and head off for Menaggio. We cross back into Switzerland and ride into Lugano. Lugano makes Southend look err - very south end. Here money does the talking. It grows on trees and is everywhere you look. No blue oval badges here, just those from Stuttgart. Corinne starts jiggling about in her seat and points to a shop on our left. Written in the stonework above the shop are the words: Louis Vuitton?? From her excitement that deafens the intercom and those walking past, I think we have won the lotto; but no apparently Louis Vuitton makes lady bags...Finding it hard to contain my excitement - I think I need an ice cream. So we stop at a café looking across Lake Lugano. From our table the lake looks like a glittering 270 degree turquoise table cloth. Looking down you can see straight to the bottom. Its that clean. A flotilla of small black and white fish swim past, whilst the odd big fish can be seen cruising the lake floor.

At Menaggio we take the 15 minute ferry across the very blue waters of Lake Como to the

colourful water front that is Bellagio - known as the Pearl Of The Lake. It seems busy for a weekday as most have the same idea as us, no doubt helped by the equally blue canopy above and searing heat. Chairs around tables are all taken. So we inhale and marvel at the brightly painted architecture and network of steep stepped alleys leading up into the heart of Bellagio.

Time to make a move for the return boat to Menaggio. But here, why would you want to go back the way you came? Particularly when the sinus and twisty road on the map kisses the lake all the way from here to Como town. The costal road hugging the lake embraces all that is magical about this place. Its tight, so the gearbox is only working on the first 3 floors. There is so much to take in that at anything more that 50kmh your wasting your time, for you may as well be riding along the A127 on a Monday morning. On our N/S is the rocky mountain, plants and trees crawling through the cracks in search of the sunlight. Italian properties are just glued to the mountain like large orange, red and yellow shoe boxes, for here 90 degree right angles are king. To the right a crash barrier twists, turns and wriggles away like a serpent, then it is a sheer drop down the face of rock into the shimmering diamonds layered on the lake below.

We take a breather on the water front at Como itself. A small single engine plane on skies comes

into land slicing this part of the lake into two. A few minutes later it returns to the cloudless blue blanket above with a fresh cargo of tourists and big lens cameras.

Dawn has broken and looking out through the square window from the

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comfort of our white leathered Italian bed, the sun’s rays are already basking over Luino and dancing on the lake laid out in front of us. Corinne suggests we go back to Como proper. Soon we are wafting along and feeding off the torque of the big six at under the posted 50kmh limit, once again marvelling at the green waters of Lake Lugano. We are in the air conditioned corridor with flip tops up thanks to the chilled mountain on our right and just an arm signal length away. The road twists and turns with the best of them , but apparently like a red wine, to rush it - is to waste it. So we just burble along. No matter how hard you look or stare, you cannot completely comprehend or absorb everything you see. The mountain on the Swiss side of the lake has yet to greet the morning sun. It is expressionless and has the appearance of not having had a shave in hundreds of years, for it wears a beard of green shrubs, trees and bracken. On the run into Como we spot a hanger leading to the water and from within can be seen several seaplanes. A yellow seaplane then ploughs a furrow along the lake and seems to take an age to find its wings and claw upwards at the sky. We park in the centre of Como and walk the many colourful alleyways of the original and old part of the town. We find shade under the canopy of a café in the main square and observe Lake Como life as it passes us by. Every so often the near silence of Como life is broken by a Ferrari or Lamborghini set on being first away from a nearby set of lights.

We return to our hotel via Veresa. As we approach a roundabout the Police are dealing with an unorthodox meeting of a old rusty coloured Astra estate and a scooter. The Astra has had a hard life, its paint heavily bleached by many summers and no Turtle Wax. The scooter motionless, laying in the middle of the roundabout like a beached whale.

Our penultimate Italian breakfast is taken whilst looking out across Lake Maggiore. The sun waking up and warming its blue waters. For some reason a

Dutch couple have ditched their Ford Puma close and personal with the GT. They appear as I wake the GT and we hesitate thinking they

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will move their car into another space, but no - off they toddle. I struggle to climb aboard so my right boot does not collect a souvenir in the from of a Puma door mirror. I struggle with footing on gravel and switch to ‘Rain’ mode as traction and not twist will be asked for from the bellows of the big six, as I try to inch forward without ending up in the hotel’s prize flower bed (and probably out of the game pinned down by 350kgs). Surprising how resistant a few yards of orange hotel kitty litter can be, but after much cursing and paddling its mission accomplished and we are back at Lavino.

We grab the ferry to Verbena, being the shortest route to another Italian jewel - Lake Orta. We park on the pavement (everybody else has) at Orta San Guilo. We tackle the many beautiful, narrow alleyways, all with an ancient tale or two of their own to tell; as we reach the pulsating heart of this old town. The square breathes with life. The architecture is awe inspiring rivalled only by its captivating décor painted in classic Italian colour. Don’t take our word for it, just ask the conveyor belt of newly weds jumping boat onto dry land having said: “I do” on San Guilo Island.

Soon it is time to grab the ferry back to Verbena. On route was pass a local Kawasaki pilot who has fallen into the web of the Carabinieri. Am not surprised as from scooters upwards they all ride the road of chance. To prove the point we roll onto the ferry with a group of locals astride Z1000’s. One has a designer slick, tread pattern deserted it long ago. The black rubber ring on the front is just as bad.

We bid farewell to Italy in the same wet attire as we arrived. The clouds are again dragging along the bottom of the mountains and its hammering down.

To break the back of Switzerland we join the motorway and we are soon riding up into the bellies of the clouds, visibility dropping off in

equal measure. We enter a never ending tunnel to the accompaniment and vibrations of a squadron of German registered Moto Guzzi’s; as they plunder along in front of us. In the tunnel the ambient temperature rises from 13 to 34 degrees and we star t to dry out. Eventually we emerge into a dry new green world and with a gentle stretch of the wrist its good bye to the Guzzi’s and everything else...

We lay up for our final night back at Colmar in the beautiful Alsace region of our French cousin and the day that follows finds us back in the mundane world of home.

Living it up:We have never been a couple for really pushing the boat out and ‘living the high life’ whilst touring on a motorcycle. Yet as we were visiting the Italian Lakes, we thought that just for once we would. We did and we experienced some amazing Italian opulence - our room, hotel food and hospitality was on a different level. We kind of enjoyed it, but don’t think we would rush to do it again. Especially when you take into account that for the 7 nights we had at our white leathered pad by the lake, we could have had 21 nights in Reims and still come home with a fist full of Euros...

The view from the back seat:The excitement and adrenaline began for me the minute I sat on the back of the bike - as I am stuck in a car every day travelling the wonders of Essex for work purposes! I am a person who is always rubber necking the bikes passing by my window, envious of the bikers who filter through the traffic just knowing that they will reach their destination far quicker than I. Now it was my turn, albeit as a pillion!

The drive to the tunnel was the first test! Queues of cars in sight, just rows and endless rows, which we later learned was a serious accident on the Sheppey Bridge. Now our turn to filter thorough,

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but not easy when you are loaded up with two large panniers and moi moaning! We eventually managed to squeeze through…just for what seemed miles until we were free and moving again.

A tad expensive at the Euro tunnel - £20 for two baguettes and two coffees!! Aghast and hungry we paid up, said food in the top box and boarded the train, but still feeling the excitement of earlier.

Once in France, I knew that we had to find our accommodation for the evening and not always easy when you pull up to a little or big hotel and they say ‘ sorry no vacancies’. Am certain they have room for motorcyclists and being terribly judgemental…or is that just me?

As ever France is simply amazing, the ambiance, the people and the general culture. We finally managed to find accommodation for the evening in Reims and even more enjoying the giggle of stumbling upon the hotel run by what seemed the cast of ‘Allo Allo’ - complete with 1940’s furnishings and fittings. Jonathan was in awe of the underground garage across the road, the sheer size of the space available and safe parking all night!

After a very welcome shower and a change of clothes, we wandered across the road, found two seats at the Bistro and sat outside of our chosen restaurant, to discuss the underground garage again! Please... It’s a garage... it’s underground... Me? I was more ‘wow look at the shops… those shoes... those bags!!!’ which all falls on deaf ears more than I care to mention.

After a great nights sleep we are back on the road again and the only issue for me being on the back seat is not feeling in control, like I am in my car, so riding on the motorway is one of my all-time pet hates. And I am certain Jonathan turned off the intercom at one point to drown out ‘ slow down... going too fast!’

Our next major stop was Switzerland which is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited and extremely upmarket to say the least. As we rode through Lugano I spotted the Louis Vuitton shop and practically had us and the bike topple over in excitement. Jonathan asked me if I wanted to stop and have a look? I then remembered I was wearing my very ‘becoming’ Hein Gericke attire with matching boots and dirt, so I sadly declined the offer.

We rode on after a brief much needed and very welcome coffee to seek pre booked accommodation and the trusty Sat Nav provided swift navigation. Unbeknown to us a German Coach party of young people were rather intoxicated and straddling the road linking the hotel to the restaurant. The theme of the party was the ‘1980’s’ and ‘Neon clothes’, needless to say I dismounted the bike a few hundred yards away to find the hotel reception and book us in. Jonathan unfortunately rode straight into the ‘crowd’ to be swamped by the said people who took a shine

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to his fluorescent ‘H’ jacket and accessories. Once I had managed to stop laughing ( Oh and how I laughed), we were booked in, showered and changed ready again for something to eat. The restaurant across the road was now quiet as the revellers had moved on and we managed to take in the view of the lake and surrounding beauty. Wherever you placed your eyes was natural beauty and the most stunning scenery. As night fell the little twinkling lights of the homes across the lake began to twinkle and glisten in the mirrored reflection of the water.

Our last major destination was Italy and the lakes, which were truly magical and we even managed quite a few days off the bike, sunbathing, consuming good (alcohol free) beers and a few pizzas. Our accommodation was so out of this world, I wondered if this was how it would feel to live if you won the lotto. Words cannot really describe the beauty and splendour of the hotel, gardens and environment. It was truly likened to a film set, complete with ‘Bond’ type boats moored up close by.

I can honestly say that Italy was stunning, friendly and extremely welcoming .There were some terrifying moments riding, the never ending twists

and turns of the roads, constant tunnels, never ending torrential rain and impatient Italian drivers, but thus said when we do win the lotto, you will know where to find us!

Words cannot convey the heavy sinking feeling in your heart having to reverse the ride home, knowing it’s all coming to an end for another year, but the last major overnight stay for us in Colmar, France makes up for everything. Don’t know what it is about that town, but if you ever get the chance do go and visit ‘Little Venice’ -you will know what I mean.

With Calais in sight the reality of homeward bound looms near. Back to dreadful weather, dreadful UK drivers and the dreadful A12.

However,as always I am thankful that Jonathan is such a competent rider and we have made it safe and sound home.... yet again. I am also thankful that we had the most amazing and comfortable motorbike to manage such a mammoth journey through extreme weather conditions, which as always Jonathan makes it seem effortless, but in reality I know it’s really not.

Just can’t wait till we go away again... Ciao

JH & Corinne

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The IAM is trying hard to introduce consistency and professionalism combined with credibility when it comes to training. To help achieve this aim, they have enlisted the help of The Institute of Motor Industries (IMI) to standardise the qualification of their Observers. Accordingly, most of Cadam’s training team attended a workshop in Kent on March 1st which clarified the IAM’s requirements.

It also outlined the requirements that candidates will have to fulfil when their Observer or Senior Observer qualification exam needs passing or renewing. The new names for these positions will be Local and National Observer, and the tests will no longer be conducted in house; they will be carried out by the Regional Training Team (Local Observer) or by the Staff Examiner (National Observer). Apparently there was concern that as promotion to Observer was conducted by the candidates own Group up until now, and even Senior Observers were tested by an IAM Staff Examiner with no outside regulation, these qualifications might not carry the weight and recognition which they deserve. Now that the new qualifications will be obtained under the watchful eye of the Institute of Motor Industries (IMI), the awards will be properly recognised, similar in status to successfully completing complex brain surgery in absolute darkness using only a knife and fork. Watch for further news as our own Cadam members achieve these new qualifications when required.

There have been three test passes since the last O2W; Tony Baker, Charlie MacLoughlin, and Nick Dolan. Tony was already a very good rider when

he first came to us, but a little Cadam training has polished him still further. Charlie is a veteran of many track days, and controlling the bike was not his problem when he began Cadam training, but controlling his speed was! Along with Tony he now has a very good appreciation of the appropriate time and place to make progress. Nick, however, was different. Often he rode wonderfully, and sometimes, well, sometimes he didn’t! When I asked why he did not use a bus lane when the information sign showed that he could, he replied that he just didn’t like them, so he wouldn’t use them! Nick felt that a session in my car as a passenger, with me carrying out a non-stop commentary was of help. Rather than risk the boredom of that again Nick decided the best course of action was to pass his test pronto! A better understanding of the theory of advanced riding together with some exam technique also helped do the trick. I look forward to seeing him frequently on his huge Honda Six as he has now decided to train as an Observer as well.

The Cadam theory evenings have been very well received by both Associates and Full Members, but the attendance numbers show there are still many that need convincing of their value. Knowing the theory of advanced riding is critically important, and our lack of knowledge becomes apparent whenever theory of advanced riding or the Highway Code is discussed on Group nights! Each monthly session is only a couple of hours, so why not give it a try, you might be surprised. If nothing else, it’s another opportunity to catch up with your mates! Don’t forget that these evenings are also open to full Members.Here’s a funny thing; a completely unexpected

Training Newswith JS

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benefit of the new training system has appeared. Training sessions have been so popular that there has been an unforeseen desire from some that have recently passed their tests to continue with their training to become qualified as Observers. Tony Baker and Charlie MacLoughlin both said that they would miss the training sessions and so they are starting their Observer training. Nick Dolan too has now been added to the trainees list. This training has now been modified in line with the new IAM and IMI requirements, and will initially involve shadowing the existing training team on training sessions, both classroom and practical. They will be required to give their opinion of the associates ride to the qualified Observer, before that Observer gives his debrief. These days, Cadam Associates have to reach a consistently very high standard indeed before being considered “Test Ready” and the same applies to Cadam Observers. No longer is it sufficient for trainee Observers to achieve a pass mark in the Highway Code and Roadcraft (or HTBABR) exam, and show a very advanced standard of riding on the road. Now our Trainee Observers have to demonstrate not only their briefing and debriefing skills (to a very rigid pattern) they also have to demonstrate that they are regularly available to attend training sessions, both on road and in classroom. They are also expected to keep track of all things Cadam on our forum, and to be willing and able to present theory sessions to our Associates. In line with the new IAM and IMI requirements, Cadam is determined to provide a top quality service to our new Associates.

And now for a brilliant tale. For those of you who do not know Colin Snow, let me see if I can

summon up all of my observation and descriptive skills to conjure up a picture of him for you. Very tall, and very tattooed - there, that should do it! Colin has been involved with advanced riding and driving since time began. You name the committee, and Colin has sat on it. He has been an Observer and he has a huge knowledge of all related stuff.

Now Colin has come up with a generous and interesting proposal. Since the introduction of our new training system last October, an Associate’s test pass can no longer be credited to one single Observer, so Colin has made the following suggestion:- Associates should send their comments on each of the training team (in complete secrecy) directly to him. He may then speak to individual members of the training team and mention areas that his information indicate are in need of attention, and also where an individual has received compliments. Colin is then proposing to present a trophy at the end of the training year (October) to the Observer that has collected the most significant praise. This trophy would be held for a year. Colin is also going to present a gift, probably vouchers, to the successful Observer. Both the trophy and the gift would be at Colin’s personal expense. What a generous and brilliant idea this is. Well done Colin, I know the training team is very grateful to you.

How about a few more comments, stories, recommendations, criticisms, and even praise on our Forum from Associates? We are all interested in your opinions, and what you write may help us improve our riding and teaching. It might even help shape the future of Cadam. At the very least, I am sure that there will be many who will find

“Could I urge all Cadams, to please regularly consult

our forum”


Pass for Nick Dolan. Well done!

We are now booking for the Dunton Training Day on 13th June. Hurry though as there are limited places – Another reason to vist the forum!

it of interest. However, please would you address complaints of a personal nature to our Chief Observer, Dennis Kitteridge, as I don’t want to be publicly slated on our Forum too often!

And finally... could I urge all Cadams, both full and associate members to regularly consult our forum. It is a wonderful means of communication, but sadly it is clear that not enough Cadam’s regularly use it. Please stay up to speed with what is going on, check out the forum. It takes a couple of minutes each day, but the benefits are huge.

May I also remind all Associates and Observers that the most important thing is that you turn up

at training sessions, but secondly, please completethe training day sign up sheet whenever possible. This will help yours truly to plan effectively.

Cheers for now, JS

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How to Find Us

June

Sun 8th Training Day

Mc D’s. 09:30

Tues 10th Group Night

EPSA. 19:30

Sun 15th Social Ride

Mc D’s. 09:00

Tues 17th Theory Night

EPSA. 19:30

Sat 21st Training Day

Mc D’s. 09:30

Sun 22nd Cadam ‘Poker’ Ride

TBC

Mon 23rd Committee Meeting

EPSA. 19:30

Sun 29th Full Member

Training Day

Mc D’s. 09:30

July

Sun 6th Social Ride

Mc D’s. 09:00

Tues 8th Group Night

EPSA. 19:30

Sun 13th Dunton Skills Day

Dunton Test Track.

09:30

Sun 20th Social Ride

Mc D’s. 09:00

Tues 22nd Theory Night

EPSA. 19:30

Sat 26th Training Day

Mc D’s. 09:30

Sun 27th Run What You Brung!

North Weald . TBC

August

Sun 3rd Social Ride

Mc D’s. 09:00

Mon 4th Committee Meeting

EPSA. 19:30

Sun 10th Training Day

Mc D’s. 09:30

Club Nights

The Sports Pavilion, Chelmsford Police HQ, St. Margaret’s Road. 19:30 for 20:00 start unless otherwise stated. Please refer to CADAM events listing for dates.

Apologies, but we will need to collect £1.00 from each member present on club nights to cover the cost of hiring the room.

Guest speakers and the occasional raffle are being planned for some of the meetings. For more details or suggestions for future events, please contact a member of the committee.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Your Club Needs You!If you have any suggestions that you feel may benefit the club and its members, then we would love to hear from you. That might include suggestions (or niggles) about training, club nights, rideouts or this magazine.

We are a team of volunteers and it is important to us that the club operates to benefit all members.

If you have any suggestions please don’t hesitate to contact one of the committee at a club night, on a ride out or via the emails listed inside. Better still, why not come along to a Committee Meeting and get involved. With your help we can make riding safer and fun.

CADAM What’s On? 2014Visit the Forum and Events Calendar at www.cadam.org for more details

of all events listed. Check regularly as events are regularly added or amended. We look forward to seeing you soon.

o2w issue 37

Documents

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advanced riding

club run

iam test standards

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motorcycling road safety

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