Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 11 November -
A seasonal talk discussing Winter Driving & Riding and Driving & Riding at night. Similar to the October’s talk, Peter Genet will focus on the bike aspects and Steve Tucker will do similar for cars. We try and generate a discussion as its always great to have group participation.
7.30 pm for a 7.45 pm start.
Other topics being developed are Hi-Viz - is it worth it especially in dappled sunlight?
SkillShare & Social
2 November 2024 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 Sunday 17 November 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:
Jan Taylor - Bike - Gold
Rich Clark - Bike - Silver
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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So, the clocks go back and it's not just my dog who is confused; her routine (and therefore feeding time) has changed by an hour and for no reason the poor animal can fathom. She will adjust after a few (disappointing) days, but we need to do so much more quickly.
I was travelling to Derbyshire on Sunday afternoon and had aimed to arrive at my friend’s house at about 5 pm, by which time it was dark making finding his house (new so not yet on a satnav) all the more interesting! It was also noticeable how much the temperature dropped as it got dark – a small sample of what is to come later in the year I suppose. For most of my journey I had the sun behind me, but I was conscious my ride back the next day could be into the sun, a low one as well, with all the problems this provides. Thankfully it was what the Scottish called a dreich day, so no sun and a bit of drizzle and light rain – so a different set of hazards with which I had to deal.
All of this shows no two journeys are the same and we encounter a myriad of hazards every time we drive or ride. I know you will use your advanced techniques on every journey (and not just when the examiner is looking) but why not try and encourage a friend or member of your family to take the plunge and improve their road safety?
Thanks to those who came to the Monthly meeting this month. I apologise I was not there but I gather it was a lively affair. We have more of the same on 11 November so please do come along; bring a friend as well to show we are not all hi viz jackets and Highway Code nerds but normal people with a passion for driving and riding.
In the meantime, keep your observation and hazard perception up to speed!
Stay safe
Bob |
Saturday Social
Bring a friend and join us Saturday 2nd Nov 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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Message from RoSPA – survey
Some of you may well have received this especially if you are a member of RoSPA; for those of you who are not, a survey was sent around questioning what you would like to see from RoSPA.
At RoADAR, we pride ourselves on instilling a mindset that enhances members' driving and riding behaviour. To further understand and quantify the benefits of advanced driver and rider training, we are conducting a research study that aims to compare the impact of those who have successfully taken and passed the RoADAR advanced car/bike test with other drivers and riders across the UK.
We are in communication with a large insurance broker, with the overall aim of offering lower insurance premiums to RoADAR members who have taken and passed the advanced test. The survey results will help us with evidence that advanced driving/riding reduces the risk of the driver/rider being involved in a collision. We hope that because of this research study, we will be able to actively assist the insurance broker and achieve a positive influence to hopefully get them 'on-side' and offer a reduced premium for holders of an advanced car/bike RoADAR grade.
To assist with this research, a quick, anonymous survey has been put together which I would be grateful if every member would complete. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes.
Please click the link below to go to the survey.
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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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September Group Ride
Revisited the North Wiltshire ride with a group of riders. Stayed dry for us and the sun even came out.
Roads were a little 'iffy' in places as is the norm these days, chuck in a couple of floods which all in all made for an interesting ride.
Castle Combe always looks pretty but at the weekend it was busy. We stopped for lunch at the Whitehall Garden centre, Lacock which is set up for Christmas!
Starting at Sally Pussey's and ending back there for a coffee, we covered just shy of 100 miles in the end.
A real mix of roads from the narrow single lanes to the fast flowing A4!
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The Dolomites - September
Five happy bikers, and one pillion, from the group took a ride to the Dolomites, Italy, for a few days.
 The rough route
2,200miles covered riding down to the Italian Dolomites, passing through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and finally Italy. And, not one autoroute toll paid!
Five bikes, and Sally Genet, as a pillion, we rode over good bendy and twisty roads, through some snowy valleys, mist in the Black Forest, and rain! We ventured over the Timmelsjoch pass and rode many of the marvellous roads in the Dolomites too.
We spent four days in Campitello di Fassa where we popped to Bolzano to see the 5,000-year-old Ice Man, Otzi. And we did a walk into the ski areas too; we were advised to buy crampons and luckily we took that advice!
The ride back home went via Augsburg, Colmar and St Hubert (in Belgium).
Terry's idea of drying gloves!
Thanks to the team for the banter and laughter, David Wicks, Terry Brown, Mark Sealey, Derek Hill
A great and memorable time had by all!!!
Maybe we’ll organise another trip like this next year?
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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.
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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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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