Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 10 February- a presentation by Steve Tucker on Scanning and a short brief on the electronic version of Roadcraft by Sean Caine
7.30 pm for a 7.45 pm start.
SkillShare & Social
1 February 2025 meeting at the Dandy Highwayman Cafe Cherhill. 9.30 am for 10 am start. See main section for more details.
Bike Ride-Outs on the 3rd Saturday of every even numbered month and the 3rd Sunday of every odd numbered Month. Email will be sent out to Bikers and added to the Forum.
Next ride out Saturday 15 February Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members.
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Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact speaker at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
Please welcome the following to the Group:
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Don’t forget that we have a range of clothing available to purchase. We also offer a range of books, such as Roadcraft, Motorcycle Roadcraft and the Highway Code, and these are available at discounted prices.
For more information visit the Merchandise page of our web site |
We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!
Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
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I have done a lot of driving this month for various reasons and have had plenty of time to reflect on how my advanced training has helped me along the way. I am yet to do the car test but the “system” works and scanning really helped me avoid some interesting events – come along to the Group meeting on 10 Feb to hear more about scanning. One incident of note was on the A303 just West of Ilchester where it is a single carriageway but there is an intermittent overtaking lane. It was snowing and there was slush on the road, particularly on the overtaking lane. I was nervous about the distance from my car those who were following were driving and pleased when the overtaking lane appeared.
True to form I was overtaken and one of those doing so, in my opinion , was travelling far too quickly for the conditions. As if to validate my thoughts it began to spin and ended up, safely thankfully, on the inside verge. I stopped and inquired how the driver was and he said with some incredulity in his voice” it just aquaplaned! “ . He and his car were fine and he carried on but I did offer an opinion on his speed being too fast for the conditions. His response was “I don’t think so - it just aquaplaned”. I resisted the temptation to refer him to my previous statement. I think my observation, driving to the conditions and leaving a greater distance to the traffic in front helped me to avoid an accident of my own and from becoming involved in someone else’s – I did get a good view of the spin though!
We have done a review of membership since renewal time and it is interesting Bike members outnumber car members by 3 to 1. This poses a question in my mind how do we attract more car drivers to the benefits of advanced driving – the age old question what is in it for me? My story above is not a great sales pitch for many but many of you have passed the car test and will have done so for a variety of reasons. What do you get from the Group and what more could it offer – bear in mind it will need a volunteer to organise anything. Please see Paul Prictor’s notes later in the newsletter which explained why he has started his car training. Please also remember we have Perry Paine’s (chair of the Swindon and Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership) challenge to attract more younger drivers! Ideas to the committee please but remember our best marketing is word of mouth.
Bob
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Deaprtment of Transport - Integrated National Transport Strategy; a call for ideas
This has not been advertised very well; we were made aware of this via another motorcycling group - Nothing as coem to us from RoADAR. D of T are, according to the webpage, developing a strategy which will set the high-level direction
for how transport should be designed, built and operated in England over
the next 10 years.
It will set out a single national vision
which will put people who use transport and their needs at its heart and
empower local leaders to deliver integrated transport solutions that
meet the needs of their local communities.
Responses to this call for ideas will be considered in the drafting of the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS).
Deadling for your responses is 20 Feb 2025 and they will only accpet responses by email or via the electronic form. The set of questions in here (scroll down for questions for the General public) and the form is here. Please do have your say. |
Saturday Social
Bring a friend and join us on the first Saturday of the month at the Wiltshire RoADAR Saturday Social. From 09:30 at The Dandy Highwayman; Main Rd, Cherhill, Calne SN11 8UU.
Come and meet your fellow members; exchange notes with other associates; meet some of our tutors and pick their brains.
We usually stay chatting eating cake and drinking tea until 11 ish.
The first Saturday of the month - 09:30 - The Dandy highwayman - Café - on the A4 - Main Rd, Cherhill, Calne SN11 8UU.
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ROADCRAFT ELEARNING FOR CARS & BIKES
Roadcraft eLearning is an online platform that provides access to the principles andtechniques outlined in both Roadcraft: The Police Driver Handbook and Motorcycle Roadcraft. Allowing users to learn advanced driving/riding skills through interactive modules, videos, and assessments, developed in collaboration with police, emergency services, and driving instructors, primarily aimed at improving driving/riding competency for emergency responders and anyone seeking to become a better driver/rider; it features a digital version of the Roadcraft books, with additional video content to illustrate key manoeuvres and concepts like limit points and overtaking.
This online method could help associates understand the full Roadcraft system and to become a better, safer driver/rider quicker.
The eLearning is interactive modules with text, images, videos, and quizzes to test understanding.
Available on any device, you can access the eLearning courses in a way that works for you, whether on desktop, mobile device or tablet. Just login, watch, read or listen.
Benefits:
· Learn at your own pace.
· Consumed in small, manageable modules fitting into drivers’ schedules
· Access to exclusive video content demonstrating driving techniques.
· Current cost £30 (Price reduction if bought through Wiltshire RoADAR)
The online Roadcraft will be demonstrated at the next RoADAR Wiltshire meeting 10 February 19:30 – 21:30 Liddington, Swindon SN4,
Sean Caine
The Committee will be taking a view on the cost benefit of this platfrom to see if it is worth the Group investing, or subsidising its use.
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Bike Member to Car test - Paul's story
I ventured onto tarmac back in August 1979 with a Yamaha FS1-E, after 12 months I passed my bike test on a Yamaha RD200. This was followed by a list of bikes ending with a Yamaha XS850 at the age of 20 in 1983, the same year I passed my car test at the second attempt. In 1987 I got married, sold the bike and continued in life with a car. I was young and felt I didn't need any form on training (arrogance? maybe so). That is how I continued onwards with just one small slow speed collision until I reached 40. At that point I treated myself to a Suzuki 1200 Bandit for a 40th present to myself and I was happy.
I bought and sold several bikes over the years and then in 2015 I had the urge to be a Blood Biker and with the guidance of Lee Prince and Bryan Welsch I passed my IAM in 2016. At this point advanced car driving never entered my head. It wasn't until October 2022 when I took on the role of membership secretary that advanced car driving crossed my mind. Throughout my life I have liked to do one thing at a time and put all my energy into the one basket and in June 2023 I passed my RoSPA Motorcycle test with a gold; helped by Phil Colbourne. Being a farmer, my free time is very seasonal so my time for biking and driving is limited during harvest times. Then the advanced car driving started to become an itch that needed to be scratched.
I approached Nick Carrington about a car assessment, and on 17th January we went for a drive of approx 1hour 45 mins and I must say very enjoyable and educational to boot, so best foot forward and the advanced driving tuition has begun. So, if you drive 20 miles a week or 2,000 I would say book yourself some training as you will learn something I guarantee it.
I feel no matter if you are on a bike or in a car, an advanced qualification must be a plus when out on the road. My training to date has shown this when I ride with friends who have not had any training Unfortunately there are some I know who label themselves as "I’ve done ok until now".
So watch this space, and hopefully not too far down the road your membership secretary will have passed both motorcycle and car
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Our very own tame racing driver, Gary Franks of Driven Ohm, is offering a skid pan training session. The pan will be running all day, but selling in 30 minutes slots from 09:00-12:00 and again from 13:00-16:00, with 4 drivers max per slot @£50 per driver. Tea and coffee provided.
If you are interested, please mail Gary at Driven.Ohm@Gmail com
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Have you been up to anything to do with Riding or Driving lately? If so, then please let us know as we would love to include it here; photos would be great too!
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All Roads lead to Valencia!
Sally and Peter Genet planned to drive down to Valencia in late November to watch their son, Jonathan, take part in the Valencia marathon. Leading up to the race there had been serious flooding across Spain, affecting parts of Valencia itself, causing death and destruction in its wake.
Do we go or don’t we? Decision made for us, the race was on, so we went.Overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, arriving in France around 7.30am and within the first hour -to snow, hale, sleet, rain and sunshine we headed up to Honfleur. A pretty town, like Padstow but better! We wandered around before deciding to drive over towards Bayeux where we had planned our first nights stop.
En-route we stopped off at Aramanche which was designated “Gold” beach during the D-Day landing and had the ‘famous’ Mulberry’ floating harbour built there.
Moving on, heading for Bayeux with the aim of looking at the famous tapestry there.Which, I must admit, I found rather amazing. Its almost 1,000 years old and its in very good repair after all these years. Looking closely, you can see the stitching that someone did all that time ago. Incredible!
After Bayeux, we headed to Nantes, but via Mt Saint Michel, and to my surprise, we found a small town called Genets! We had to spend a bit of time exploring this place.
Anyway, in Nantes we stopped at an official site, a short tram ride into the centrewhere we visited the Island of Machines – animatronics on steroids and an amazingly huge elephant.
Nantes to Chef-Boutonne to visit a friend, then down to Perpignan before heading to Barcelona the next day. The weather was dreadful through France, and we were both thinking the same – we don’t really want to drive back up to Caen to get the ferry home, we’ll see about re-booking to come back via Santander – more on that later!
Entering Spain, the weather got milder, sunnier and pleasant all round. Arriving in Barcelona, we called our son and arranged to meet him for dinner; yes, I paid! Next day, we visited the SagradaF amilia cathedral. And wow! I first came here in 1973! I think its changed, but it’s a must visit and do so around midday when the sun is at its highest as the stained-glass windows put on the most magnificent show.
Onto Valenica and for a four night stay, we did see some wrecked cars, stacked up on each other like a scrap heap; very sad to see lives ruined in such a way, but good to see the city is recovering now.
After watching our son run the marathon in a time of 2hrs46mins we said our goodbyes and we drove down the coast to Ghandia where we once had an apartment.
From here, we planned our route to Santander, but visiting Toledo and Burgos on the way. On the penultimate day, we drove to Bilbao to take a look at the Guggenheim Museum, when Sally received a message saying the ferry sailings from Santander had been cancelled due to the storm that had just hit!
Change of plan, we drove across to Bordeaux and up to Calais to catch the Chunnel back home. Overall, a very good 2-weeks away at a dank time of year, end of November and first week of December. It did mean Christmas was a bit of a rush. When we stop off at places such as Valencia, we spend time exploring and looking at things. Same as in Barcelona, Toledo and Burgos. Often, we will take a side turn as we did to Alarcon, and we always have a pleasant surprise. Neither of us speak
much Spanish, and our French has gotten poor, but so long as we can say, hello, please and thank you, we generally get by!
Great times and a great trip on some great roads too
Monthly Ride Out
We congregated at the Dandy Highwayman cafe at 9:30 for a brew and a briefing. This turned into an impromptu connection trial and error session as we attempted to set up helmet comms. Note to self - watch the “How to” video again.
So off thru Calne, Chippenham and along the A420 all the way to the centre of Bristol.
Harry’s Cafe is located on the top floor of Fowlers and has a classic greasy spoon feel about it. Sustenance was taken to combat the cold, but no salad was consumed. Propper mugs as well.
A wander about the bikes and the clothing for 20 minutes then back onto the bikes for the return journey. The Southern Wiltshireites headed South while the Swindonites headed west via the A4 through Bath.
Got home for 2pm and embarked on the refresh of the riding gear. A couple of washes followed by a waterproof treatment. This in preparation for the Dragon Rally in 2 weeks where the clothing will likely need to perform on a ride to North Wales and Back over the weekend of the 8th Feb.
Mark Sealey
Trying Off Road Biking
As a motorcyclist, any advice or activity that can improve safety and enjoyment when riding is greatly appreciated. Becoming a member of RoADAR and being tutored in advanced riding skills and observations certainly took my riding experience to a higher level of confidence, safety and enjoyment. Winter or wet weather riding is not for everyone and certainly less so if your choice of motorcycle is more aligned to sports style riding.
My brother in law Paul purchased a Royal Enfield 411cc Himalayan on a cold and wet December day and on a rideout suggested, that I should have a test ride. Instantly I acknowledged the benefits of riding a small capacity adventure style motorcycle, along typical autumnal slippery mud and leafy roads.
The purchase of my own Royal Enfield 411cc Himalayan soon followed and with it
came countless days of wet and leafy lane riding with Paul, to deliver new
membership packs to places near and far. This newfound riding experience soon progressed to Green Lane activities, taking my concerns and apprehension to another level, as well the frequency of bike
cleaning and maintenance.
To explore further afield and to expand these activities, Paul and I joined a group of fellow off-road riders on a guided tour of green lanes in the Cotswolds, run by MotoFox. Based in Warmley near Bristol, they offered various tours to match rider skills and trail difficulty, either using your own motorcycle or taking the option hire ofone of theirs.
MotoFox leader Matt Fox, gave instructions to focus as far ahead as possible. Where to initially position the hands and body, he called it the “4 H’s”. Head, Hands, Hips and Heels. Head up, hands vertical while holding the bars loosely, hips back and heels lowest part of your feet when standing on the foot pegs. Also why to move bodyweight when cornering and facing inclines and declines. Matt also raised factors which can contribute to a loss of control or unplanned changes in direction, which he labelled ABC due to inappropriate acceleration, braking and cornering. Matt’s goal being to provide the rider with as much information to tackle all trails in a safe and enjoyable manner.
For me joining RoADAR and the activity of off road riding, has considerably changed my approach and enjoyment when riding at all times and in all environments.
Cyril.
RoADAR Member.
Aged 71.
Want to Try Off Road Biking? - Perhaps with Winston?
Phoenix Motor Cycle Training is ‘The UK’s highest rated and largest motorcycle training school, so wherever you’re going, we can help you get there.’ Run green trails on Salisbury Plain. They limit the groups to four per group to give individual attention. They provide Honda CRF250 and Fantic XEJ250 motorcycles and everything from a Helmet, Body Armour, boots, waterproofs, gloves and lunch! Peter Genet went on a Level 1 course there with ‘SP Stig’ of Phoenix and had a brilliant time.
The cost of a level 1 (beginner) course is £270.00. The deal is for us to go as Level 1s
Wiltshire RoADAR can get a 10% discount if we book directly with Phoenix.
Presently there are places available for groups of four from Mid-March. Check their availability on their website here and click on the “Book online” button.
Please let me know if anyone is interested in joining a group to venture onto the plain and we can plan a day out. March or April seem a good time to go.
Let me have your dates by email, text or WhatsApp or give me a ring to discuss. I will be at the February meeting if you would like to chat about it then.
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - all completed until April 2025 - however, see the Saturday Social!
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2025 are as follows:
3 March
11 May
15 June
27 July
24 August
28 September
5 October
If you have any ideas for events, then please get in touch with the committee using the committee email address :
Look forward to hearing and discussing your ideas.
Presentation material
A generic set of slides has been created for use if you are asked about Wiltshire RoADAR and have the opportunity to present. This could be at a local club, workplace etc. Please send a mail to committee@wiltshireroadar.co.uk and the slides will be sent over to you.
We also have flyers and business cards so ask for these via the same means.
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Not RoADAR related but a date for your diary - FARMFEST 14 June
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Booking a Retest
Please be aware you need to book your 3 yearly retest directly with RoSPA via their website. Sadly we cannot book it for you as it is all done electronically. You may also need to check when your re-test is due if you have not been paying your subscriptions to RoADAR as they will not remind you.
Tutors will be happy to conduct a refresh should you wish one prior to a re test.
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Membership and GDPR
Due to GDPR we are required to remove an individual's details from our Group database when they are no longer required by us. We remove a lapsed member's details if they have not paid a subscription by the 31 Dec following the AGM (3 months after the subscriptions are due). If a member has forgotten to pay their subs and pays after 31 Dec we will require a joining form to be completed so we can replace them on the database.
It all seems a bit strange, but we do not want to get on the wrong side of the Government's Information Commissioner. We understand if members forget or are late with their subscriptions, but please help us to keep our database accurate and compliant.
This is, of course, separate to those of you who maintain a membership with RoADAR HQ.
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Media coordinator - Help us to broaden our reach
To help promote the group we have a variety of online media platforms, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. To help make the most out of the opportunities that these outlets provide, we could use some help from someone who has experience of using such tools. Drop me a line at secretary@wiltshireroadar.co.uk if you would be interested in helping promote our group.
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Committee minutes
These are available from the Group Secretary if any member wishes to see them. If you are interested in reading the minutes, then please send a mail to the Group Secretary whom will promptly forward them onto you.
Test results
Reminder to let the Membership Secretary and your tutor know when you have taken your Advanced Driving/Riding Test and result. This is so our database is kept up to date; there is no need or pressure at all to have the result published on the website or in this newsletter if you wish to keep your result confidential.
If you have read this far, thanks! If you have any feedback or suggestions about content for your newsletter, then drop us a line at newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk If you can't leave constructive feedback though, then we don't want to hear from you!
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