on two wheels issue 26

Issue 26 – June 2012

2 Chelmsford & District Advanced Motorcyclists Newsletter 3www.cadam.org

Once again I shake your hand and say ”Thank you John” for all your hard

work. I also extend the same hand of gratitude to the Committee past and

present and most importantly to you our membership, for making CADAM

what it is and what is says on the tin.

Focusing on the road ahead, I see new hazards and challenges all for the

taking. So lets make progress…

A new feature at Group Nights will be a Group Suggestion Box. Your ideas

are vital to the future of CADAM. I appreciate that you may not be able to

make that commitment by joining your Group Committee, but hopefully

you can meet me half way by regularly feeding the Suggestion Box with your

thoughts, suggestions and ideas as to the direction and road you would like

your Group to take. You do not need to leave you name. You do need to feed

the box. If you have a complaint or concern, then just feed the box. Said box

will be emptied at every Committee meeting and your ideas discussed.

As I write, we have witnessed panic stations at the first whiff of a possible

fuel strike. In the CADAM offices we have been equally illustrious, not

filling jerry cans but the CADAM diary for this Olympic year. Next month

you have the chance to get close and personal with the Triumph Explorer.

Forensic Collision Investigation follows as does another presentation from

Bridgestone. August plays host to Mick & Jen’s CADAM Summer Sizzler aka

BBQ and Austin Vince will be bouncing back for October. The Jane Wilson

Memorial Ride is on July 1st, there is a Group Ride on every Sunday following

Group Nights, several Associate Training Rides in the summer months and the

CADAM Skills Day at Dunton.

On Easter Sunday and in typical Bank Holiday fashion cloaked in damp and

drizzle, 16 bikes and 4 pillions took part in the CADAM Great Easter Egg

Run. Not only was this a great turn out, but I think the staff at Little Havens

Hospice were genuinely taken by surprise when we continued to fill their

car park with bikes. As well as handing over their chocolate eggs, thanks to

your generosity we also raised £110 for Little Havens. The charity theme

continued afterwards when everyone then piled into Travis’s for an endless

supply of bacon rolls accompanied by Birthday fruit cake!

As we accelerate forward and build up speed for the new season, I look in the mirrors and reflect on the work of my predecessor John Warren - for the road behind has seen some of our finest achievements and Group activities.

Chairman’s Lip…

ChairmanJonathan Harman [email protected]

Vice Chairman Craig Anson [email protected]

Treasurer Stephen Falls [email protected]

Group Secretary Travis Martinson [email protected]

Membership Secretary Dean Scrivener [email protected]

Chief Observers Ty Boughen & Dennis Kitterridge [email protected]

Recruitment Promotion Officer [email protected]

Training Co-Ordinator Doug Prasser [email protected]

O2W Editor Mark Anstey [email protected]

Non-Committee Members

WebmasterDave McLean [email protected]

Phil Draper

The CADAM Committee

When on a club run, be it an evening or a weekend event, speed limits must be observed. We have noexemption and advanced riding does not need to involve higher speeds. When approaching hazardsappropriate 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 thissystem please speak to one of the run organisers who will run through this for you. Thanks and Safe RidingJonathan Harman, Chairman, CADAM

Chelmsford 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 IAMAdvanced 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.

OUR AIMS

CONTACTMark Anstey – [email protected] to advertise your business in On 2 WheelsGuaranteed to reach the right audience.Format required: Hi res PDFs, Word or email, images as Tifs or Jpegs

5www.cadam.org4 Chelmsford & District Advanced Motorcyclists Newsletter

Motorcycling means different things to different people. To me it is

the great escape. It is about putting as much air between me and this

numb grey bubble we live in.

I would like to take the opportunity to kick start the old grey matter

and get you thinking about your personal 2 wheeled aspirations

and ambitions for 2012. So this is why April’s Group night featured

a presentation by Ride With Us Tours, courtesy of Peter & Slavica

Vidakovic. Not only do their tours travel most of Europe, but now

also the UK seems pretty much covered and their accommodation

appears top notch.

In our current economic climate this of course may not be for

everyone. With this in mind some of you may of read my European

adventure of summer last in O2W. This I achieved with minimal

planning, a satnav and fist full of Euros. An understanding and

sympathetic partner helps!

In an attempt to dangle that motorcycling carrot in front of you,

you can now enjoy the same two week adventure as we did - only

condensed into 45 minutes in the form of CADAM’s first DVD -

and all this from the comfort of your own seat! Again, this was not

made using modern Go Pro equipment, but an old hand held Sony

camcorder fed on a diet of DV tapes.

So, if the UK is no longer your bag, you want to ride new roads,

experience new cultures and cuisine or just fancy something

different this year - just make it happen. Whether your astride a

C90, S1000RR or GTL, a short train ride is all that stands between

trepidation, the excitement that is your dream biking holiday - and

reality. Europe is there for your taking. So take it now. And take it

now before legislation strangles your enjoyment further. So what are

you waiting for?

Safe riding.

Jonathan Harman(Special thanks to Craig for producing the DVD and Travis for the

bacon rolls and Birthday cake on Easter Sunday).

When we arrived at Boreham it was a lovely sunny day but the roads were wet from the previous nights rain.

Five of us turned up including Dennis. Dennis was

leading the group and Craig agreed to tail end.

Both are highly suited to this job. Dennis has a

bright orange helmet that you can see long before

the yellow vest and Craig has his fog lights on and

LED’s on his hand guards. In either case its very

easy to see where you need to be and when.

At 9:30 we were ready to leave and Dennis had

said we would head towards Bury St Edmunds.

I put my sunglasses on and as soon as we set of

the sun went behind a cloud and we weren’t to

see it for some time. Not a bad thing because the

roads were still wet and we didn’t have to suffer

that annoying glare from a low sun on a wet road.

We went through Gosfield, Great Yeldham, Clare,

Stansfield. Some very straight roads through

Thetford Forest and finally to the Chic King Café

in Brandon. The food is very good and we whiled

away some time chatting. Dennis made a new

friend from the Cambridge IAM.

Horses watered we all set off again down to

Mildenhall around the airfield, around Newmarket,

and all ended up at Finchingfield where we all had

a cup of tea.

In summary an excellent ride out with a good

variety of roads. There was something for everyone,

sweeping bends, twisties, dual carriageway super

straight A roads, and some technical bits. Some

mud on the roads out in the country but nothing

to worry about. The roads dried out nicely as the

day progressed and the sun came out at the end

of the ride

At Finchingfield the ride officially came to end

and we all parted company to apologise to our

mothers for not having seen them all day.

Tony Metcalf

Mothers’ Day Ride Out

5www.cadam.org

6 Chelmsford & District Advanced Motorcyclists Newsletter

While thinking about a subject for On Two Wheels I thought I would put down a few words about the things we try to teach while observing and things that come up time after time.

At the heart of all riding is the ‘system’ this is IPSGA and must be fully understood by reading the training manual and by putting it into practice when out with your observer. The two go hand in hand to achieve your goal.

Observation is the key and it is the one element that is used throughout the system, if carried out correctly it allows the rider to be in the right place at the right time as circumstances change.

Remember, BRAKES are for slowing and GEARS are for going.

This means that if you need to slow down, for whatever reason where a rolling off of the throttle would not be enough, BRAKES should be used, applying the front followed by the rear and changing GEAR at the appropriate time not to cause the gear change to slow the bike (or lock up the rear wheel in extreme cases) This is called ‘matching’ the road speed to the engine speed.

Changing GEAR can be individually or by block changing (when you change down two or three gears at a time) Motorcycles react differently due to their design therefore some machines will invite this and some will not be so easy to achieve it.

On the approach to the corner, it may be necessary to change down BUT not loose speed at this time, this can allow you to make use of the engine braking as you get nearer to the corner by rolling off the throttle without causing changes to the suspension etc or being able to use the throttle to accelerate out of the corner once onto the exit part.

When changing down on the approach to the corner, and not wanting to loose speed at this time, as the clutch is pulled in, rev the engine ready to match the engine speed with the lower gear being selected will help to maintain your speed.

A large number of riders try and make use of the power and torque of their machine to go round the corner but this does not give the control describe above. Quite often, if the corner tightens up and the throttle needs to be backed off the machine will seem to pick up speed in the middle of the corner and cause issues.

So, if you haven’t already, try a lower gear then you normally do on the approach to the corner if necessary.

If you are slowing for say, Traffic lights on RED, Braking as suggested allows you to slow, be in the correct GEAR, but as you approach the lights ready to stop at walking pace, the front brake can be released, (no fork diving) still using the rear, the throttle is then ready to accelerate should the lights or situation change while slowing, machine control is still available.

Remember:If held stationary at the lights, consider selecting neutral.

Road Position:In the 30-40 Mph limits, you should be travelling at a speed at which you can stop if any problems arise. So, position on the road should normally be 2/3 away from the nearside kerb and the white line, BUT always moving position for vision if you cannot see or as hazards dictate.

Machine control:When stationary, one brake should always be covered, in case you get hit from behind, this would normally be the rear brake covered with the right foot. This serves to leaves your right hand free to use the throttle, having selected a gear ready to go, and keep your right leg out of the way of traffic which may try and pass on your off side.

You should not need to use the front brake AND the throttle at the same time, why would you want to stop and go at the same time.

Speed limits. It is a must that you enter the speed limits at the correct speed and that you are not speeding.

A combination of throttle, braking and gear changing control is needed here, not slowing a few miles away by throttle only and not hard braking which causes the machine to dive on its suspension.

Likewise when entering a

national, being able to accelerate progressively when leaving, not forgetting a mirror check before accelerating up to the national speed limit, if safe to do so, and maintaining it when possible.

Roundabouts:Early looks, planning to stop at the entry give way lines, but always looking to proceed if you can.

Being able to ‘straight line’ roundabouts when possible,

using correct observations when entering and when leaving.

Remember:A motorcycle is most stable when upright and in a straight line.

At the end of the day, these are just a few hints and tips, it’s all in ‘How To Be a Better Rider’, so get out with your observer and enjoy your riding. That’s all for now!

Dennis Kitterridge

Thoughts CADAM of a

SeniorObserver:

www.cadam.org 7


It’s after Christmas and looking

through the emails there

is an email from BUSTERS

motorcycle accessories for

heated grips, about £25 quid

plus the delivery, so yes, you

know what comes next?

I order them.

They specify 7/8 inch fitting so

I measure the bars and there

22mm, is this 7/8? It appears

to work out the same so they

should fit.

After chucking them in the

garage for a few days I get

around to opening them, picking

up one of the grips, I roll up the

original near side grip so I can

test that they will fit, hmmm,

that’s funny they seem to be

very loose, oh well, only £30 I

think, can I pack it out? No time

now, come back later.

A couple of days later try again,

unpacking them and trying again

still loose, Ok I will measure

the internal diameter, funny, its

1 inch, not 7/8, they must have

sent the wrong ones although

the packaging show 7/8.

So, I took them into work for a

second opinion, unpack, pick up

the grip, yep, its 1 inch diameter,

so I will have to send them back.

Investigate Honda OE, £300

quid including the wiring

harness! No chance.

AHA! The pennies just dropped

as we look at the other grip it

measures 7/8 inch.

What a ‘PRAT’ (Person Requires

Additional Training) it would

appear that even though I

have fitted a number of these

after market grips every time I

picked up the grip to test the

size, I picked up the throttle

side, which has to be wider to

fit over the throttle control.

It’s Sunday morning, grounded

due to the snow, so it’s off into

the garage to fit the heated grips.

Loose! No chance as they had

to be ‘knocked’ on with a two

pound hammer while two of us

held the bars.

Hee Hee! There on, but not yet

wired! I was going to get the

12v supply from the relay which

supplies the SAT NAV which is

located inside the off side side’

panel and only live when the

ignition is on. Another 3 hours

go past as I remove the seat,

side panel, mirror cover, off side

bottom fairing, off side fairing,

inner panels and glove box.

Wiring done, test before re

assembly, and put it all back

together with a polish and a smile.

My thanks at this point to the

wife, for the constant supply of

tea and toast and my son who

was the other pair of hands

helping to get the grips onto

the handlebars.

Dennis Kitterridge

A Gripping Story IAM Around the British Isles Bike Ride Now I am a ‘techy’ but you always know when you had one of those weeks.

1000 miles, 7 days, a world record attempt and a fantastic cause.

Starting on June 18th and taking a route that traverses the British Isles, IAM motorcyclists are looking to raise £10,000 for the Association of Air Ambulances while also spreading the word about the benefits of advanced riding skills.

There are plenty of opportunities to get

involved. The star t coincides with Ride to

Work Day and sees our team head off from

London. Over the course of seven days, they’ll

ride a thousand miles with night stops at

Christchurch, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow,

Belfast and Shrewsbury. They’ll be shaking the

collection bucket with thousands of bikers

at Bassetts Pole and Bikefest. Belfast will see

a world record attempt for the most makes

and models of bikes in a parade at the Titanic

Motorcycle Challenge.

Passes:Many congratulations to our newly qualified and re qualified

CADAM Observers:

Well done also, to the following for passing their preliminary training to become Observers:

Mick GowlettDoug PrasserGary ReevePhil Richardson TBCStephen Rowden TBCMark Selwyn

Kevin ClampinDean Scrivener

We’d love to see you along the way, but if you

can’t make it, please help us to raise money for

the Air Ambulance services throughout the UK.

Their hard work and dedication save countless

lives and they urgently need our support to

ensure they continue to make a difference.

You can sponsor the ride through the link below:

http://www.iam.org.uk/iam-around-british-isles-bike-ride

CADAM


Outstretched grey cloud lingered above laced with fine drizzle, providing the not so perfect Easter getaway for this years CADAM Charity Easter Egg Run. The morning brightened considerably with the sight and sound of 5 German, 3 British, 6 Japanese and an Italian motorcycle as 16 full members and 4 pillions jostled for position in front of the lense and 100 chocolate Easter eggs stacked in colourful boxes kindly donated by Sainsbury’s of Springfield.

The shutter of Travis’ s daughters camera fell silent and laden with chocolate we threaded our way from the Pavilion out onto Chelmer Road, the A130 and A127 and soon found ourselves turning left onto the gravel drive of this years chosen charity - Little Havens Hospice, Thundersley.

Little Havens Hospice Essex, was opened in 1998. Since then said hospice has provided peaceful sanctuary to well over 1,000 children suffering from life threatening and life limiting illness. The hospice has also provided much needed respite to the many families of those affected by such illness, by offering a place where they can concentrate on being a family and enjoying that precious gift of family life; away from the strains of constant 24 hour care. This they provide by a specially designed, 8 bed roomed building on 2 floors, with a smouldering of Bavarian castle about it, located in 120 acres of beautiful bordered and flowing meadowland. How nice it must be on a warm sun baked day...

There were 3 children in residence and another 2 children were expected to arrive later in the day. Panniers were emptied and the chocolate loaded onto a wooden trolley and thanks to your generosity, I was able to present Little Havens with £110. Little Havens kindly invited us in, offering tea, coffee, bacon and sausage rolls.

We waved and said our goodbyes, setting course for Mr & Mrs

Chocolate, Charity & a Place Called Sanctuary

Special thanks to Toni Madison of Sainsbury’s, Springfield for their kind donation of 100 Easter eggs.

Martinson’s residence. Abandoning bikes, we converted Travis’s drive into a bike park and piled into his kitchen in similar fashion akin to returning from a successful military mission. An endless supply of bacon rolls were eagerly scoffed, finished off with birthday cake. Thanks mate.


Chocolate, Charity & a Place Called Sanctuary in pictures


The RDMCC Motorcycle Show is held in the grounds of the Meldreth

Manor School Riding School. Entrance for Motorcycles is through the show ground, cars / pedestrians are to park in the FREE car park (field) and follow the signs along the footpath through the school to the pedestrian entrance.

From Cambridge - Quick route

A10 along to Melbourn / Meldreth by-pass. Follow the signs off the by-pass and to Meldreth village. Follow the signs to allow for smooth flow of traffic, Cars one direction bikes another.

There are many good rides from Cambridge to Meldreth. Please respect the speed limits in the local villages!

From Stevenage - A1

Leave the A1 at the Baldock / Letchworth junction. Join the A505, following this to Royston, please be aware of the Ashwell village junction, a known accident black spot! At Royston turn down the A1198 PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THIS ROAD IS NOW 50 mph!!!! Once into Kneesworth village follow the signs over the rather nice twisty “Metal Hill” to the bike show.

Visit www.roystonmotorcycleclub.co.uk for more information.


John Warren normally ‘marshals’ the CADAM crew on this event for the last 2 years I believe. Unfortunately/fortunately he was on holiday and was unable to attend. So it was left to Russell and me to try and look super-efficient and follow in JW’s well organised footsteps.

The brief was to ride both the 40 and 20 mile routes before the cyclist set out and verify that all the signs were in place and the marshals at the various points were up and running with bottles of water and copious amounts of sun screen! Wendy from the Air Ambulance who is the organiser works tirelessly with a dedicated band of her regular helpers. Sadly Russell and I are inexperienced in these matters and need to be micro managed.

Russell was on his trusty, gleaming, shiny Pan (just back from slaughtering German flies on his trip to the former Czech Republic) with more equipment in his panniers than you could shake a stick at. He had power drinks x 4, Squash x 4, first aid kit, additional bibs, all manner of bike fixing things and a significant array of red and orange rear stickers to ensure

none of the faster professional cyclist rammed him from behind. He was set for anything. I was on my R1 with significant storage space for a hamster and maybe his overnight bag. I was armed with a mobile phone (Fully charged battery) and the funds to purchase a bacon roll before despatch.

The briefing was at 08:00 and we arrived at 08:15 so we missed this. Not an issue as we don’t need to go through all the paraphernalia that the marshals and police need. The nice helper said to Russell that he would need to bear with her to which he replied only if she took her clothes off first! We are from the older generation (sorry Russell I am

assuming this on your part)! We can wing it and get away with lewd remarks. We ran around and obtained all the mobile numbers from the team and wrote them on the map and way point sheet. – Carefully tucking this into my storage facility. As the first wave for the 40 mile run were not due to leave until 09:30 we still had time to harassed the burger van lady and her young companion. We stepped up to the bar and she politely asked what she could do for us. Russell replied put on a French maids outfit! I think she took this in the right way and carried on cooking.

Suitably stuffed with rolls that were packed to brimming with

Essex Air Ambulancebicycle ride 27th May 2012

The Morphs – Sadly they never made it back having to be recovered due to heat exhaustion

bacon Russell tossed a coin to see who would run the first check through the route. He won and off he went leaving me to follow on behind the last cycles to leave at about 10:30.

I sat in the sun watching all the entrants lining up to pay and register. I couldn’t help wondering “Do they really know what they are letting themselves in for?” The weather was set to be fine all day and temps hitting upper 20’s by mid-afternoon when some of the 40 mile crew would be struggling back. Three teenagers rocked up dressed in one piece lycra suites; they were bright orange, pink and blue if I remember correctly. Two were on BMX bikes and the other on a child’s bike he might have borrowed from his brother or sister. They signed up for the 40 mile run.

Russell phoned me to mention that there was a great deal of gravel on the small roads and for me to pay particular attention on the tight bends. I heeded his advice and set off slowing about 15 mins after the last cycle left.

What a great day for a motorcycle ride around the picturesque Colne valley and all to help a great charity. I could see that the riders were enjoying every moment and pausing at every opportunity to sit at the side of the road and admire the views across

the valley, drinking their water and gently fanning themselves. One lady even removed her top and rode with just her bra! Some were even walking up the hills to prolong their enjoyment. I stopped at several points to watch them catch up and they were all asking if I could tow them up the hills. I had to explain this was not in the Highway Code and as an advanced rider could not oblige but, I did offer comforting words like “Whose idea was this then?” and “Only 20 miles to go”. There were some cheerful waves from them as the slowly passed me sitting in the shade. A few people remarked that it was comforting to know Russell and I were running around keeping track of them all.

Sadly there were a few incidents that occurred and I had on one occasion to ride the route in reverse to find

Alistair who had a puncture and his friends gave me a repair kit to take to him. He was carrying his own but the patches were old and being self-adhesive would not stick! Another man had hit a hare and was thrown off needing medical attention. A few people were affected by the heat and were brought back for medical treatment. I was overheating and exhausted by noon. The lure of the many and varied public houses on route was strong but I stayed under control and just used the facilities.

I returned to base about 15:00 while Russell was on his second trip mopping up the slow people advising each marshal point how many to expect or to close down. I had a burger and a coke. I am sure the burger van lady recognised me and gave me additional onions! A very well organised day and a real credit to Wendy and her team.

Phil Draper

Keen 40 milers at the start line

18 Chelmsford & District Advanced Motorcyclists Newsletter

CADAM events 2012Visit the Forum and Events Calendar at www.cadam.org for more details of all events listed. Check regularly as events are regularly added or ammended. We look forward to seeing you soon

June

Tues 12th Group night 19:30 Essex Police sports groundFri 15th Friday to Sunday (15th - 17th) Chairman’s week-end away to Shropshire ! Email the [email protected] for details and availability. Weds 27th Associate training ride 6.30pm must be prebooked by previous group night £10. Boreham Mc Donald’s July

Mon 16th Committee meeting. 19:30Sun1st 9am Jane Wilson Memorial ride £5 each - John Warren Boreham Mc Donald’sTues 10th 19.30pm Group night - Bridgestone Steve Watts EPSASun 5th 9am Social ride Douglas Prasser Boreham Mc Donald’sSat 21st Dunton skills Day (Ford’s TestTrack) The cost will be £20 for members and £25 for non-members payable by the June club night. If the non-

members could email :- groupsec@ cadam.org. 10:00 start. 3:30 finish Dunton.Weds 25th Associate training ride 6.30pm must be prebooked by previous group night £10. Boreham Mc Donald’sSun 29th 9am Social ride - Gary Reeve Boreham Mc Donald’s August

Sat 4th Foreign Skills day in Folembray. Ferry crossing, B&B, Track fees etc. £259.Tues 7th 19.30pm Group night EPSASun 12th BBQ 9am Social ride - Paul Reeve Terminating at Mick & Jen Gowlett’s house for the Cadam BBQ. Weds 22nd Associate training ride 6.30pm must be prebooked by previous group night £10. Boreham Mc Donald’sSun 26th 9am Social ride - Mark Selwyn Boreham Mc Donald’s Tues 28th 19.30pm Committee MeetingThurs 30th Nominations in for Jane Wilson Memorial Trophy.

on two wheels issue 26

Documents

group committee

group suggestion box

cadam diary

future of cadam

cadam offices

group nights

group ride

group activities