Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 28Sep.
From 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start .
September 28th Awareness and Anticipation – Steve and Peter
Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact speaker at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk
SkillShare & Social
5 September 2026 meeting at the REME Museum Cafe, Lyneham. 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 20 September Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Christopher Drew – bike
Leighton Day – bike
Nathan Horn – bike
Nick Moon – bike
Noel Bennett - bike
Paul MacBeath – bike
Paul Remfrey - bike
Richard Metcalfe – bike
Stephen Manning – bike
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We are reviewing the process for purchase of branded clothing - please bear with us |
Newsletter Content
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 spent a long time at the side of race tracks this year marshalling at motorcycle racing. The one constant is how the riders react to changing conditions: track temperature, wind and of course rain. They all have to adapt their racing to the conditions and it can make a big impact on their lap times. On reflection we need to do the same (although if you are driving and riding on the limit on the road you need to give yourself a good talking to). Our long hot summer is about to change so as we move into autumn, I want to take a moment to highlight how seasonal changes will affect our roads and our riding and driving. This time of year brings some of the most varied and challenging conditions we face, and it’s exactly where advanced skills make the biggest difference.
Road surfaces will begin to change quickly. After the dry summer, the first periods of rain lift months of dust, diesel film, and debris from the tarmac, creating slippery patches that can catch even experienced riders and drivers out. Please take extra care during and immediately after rainfall, especially on rural routes.
Fallen leaves are now becoming a real hazard. They hide potholes, mask road markings, and become extremely slick when wet. You’ll see them building up most heavily on bends, under tree cover, and along the quieter B‑roads many of us enjoy. Adjust your speed and position early when approaching leaf‑covered sections.
Light levels are also changing. Lower sun angles in the morning and late afternoon create glare that can reduce visibility dramatically. Conversely, shaded areas can appear darker than expected, making it harder to judge surface conditions. Clean visors and windscreens, and be prepared for sudden changes in contrast.
Temperatures are dropping. Cold mornings can bring damp patches, condensation, and the first hints of frost on bridges and exposed sections. Tyres take longer to warm up, so build pace gradually and give yourself time to settle into the ride or drive.
Despite these challenges, autumn is a fantastic season for training. The variety of conditions helps sharpen observation, planning, and hazard anticipation — the core of what we teach and practise at Wiltshire RoADAR. If you haven’t booked a refresher session recently, now is an excellent time.
Thank you for your continued commitment to safer riding and driving. Stay alert, stay adaptable, and enjoy the season.
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NEW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS
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The Department for Transport (DfT) has officially confirmed that 18 advanced vehicle safety
technologies will become mandatory for all mass-produced vehicles in Britain following a
comprehensive public consultation earlier this year. The Safety lobby has been campaigning for sometime to have formal introduction of these safety systems although many manufacturers do in fact fit them already to satisfy the European market.
The 18 technologies include: intelligent speed assistance (ISA); autonomous emergency braking; driver drowsiness and advanced distraction warnings; event data recorders; vision & detection aids, and crash test Upgrades. The mandatory package targets the leading human factors behind road collisions, such as speeding, driver fatigue and distraction. While most systems received overwhelming support from respondents, features such as intelligent speed assistance and emergency lane keeping (ELKS) were met with slightly less enthusiasm due to real-world deployment concerns but will still go ahead.
In 2019, the EU adopted amendments to its General Safety Regulation (GSR2), mandating safety features across member states. Because these rules came into force after the UK left the EU, they were not automatically mandated in Great Britain, though they do apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. The Government states these updates are necessary to close the resulting regulatory gap, enhance vehicle safety and decrease trade burdens. The most notable omission from the final rules was alcohol interlock installation facilitation (AIIF) – the standard wiring interface needed to easily retrofit in-car breathalysers for drink- driving offenders. The Government decided not to progress with mandatory alcolock interfaces currently, citing a preference from consultation respondents to hold back. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said it was a missed opportunity to easily install devices for repeat offenders. Despite this, he noted that many UK vehicles will likely feature the technology anyway, as manufacturers align with mandatory EU standards to reduce
production costs.
The initial scope of the mandate will remain focused on mass-produced vehicles under GB type approval. This reflects support for a proportionate starting point that captures the largest part of the market, where many vehicles already comply, while avoiding disproportionate impacts on lower- volume manufacturers, converters and businesses using other approval routes.
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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE – why our pre drive/ride checks are so important
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Analysis of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data by the RAC found that 10,054 drivers received penalty points in 2025 after being caught using vehicles with dangerous defects. Issues include dangerously worn tyres, faulty brakes and defective steering. While this was 3,055 fewer than in 2024, the motoring organisation said it is impossible to know whether the fall reflects better vehicle maintenance or simply fewer traffic officers detecting offenders.
The figures reveal significant regional differences, with Scotland recording the highest number of motorists caught driving unroadworthy vehicles, at 1,244. London followed with 1,182 offences, ahead of Yorkshire and the Humber 995 and the West Midlands 969.
Most motorists caught driving an unroadworthy vehicle receive three penalty points on their licence, with the endorsement remaining on their driving record for four years. Depending on the severity of the defect, drivers may also face substantial fines and prosecution if their vehicle is considered Dangerous.
The RAC believes the official figures represent only a fraction of the number of unsafe vehicles being driven on Britain’s roads every day and is urging motorists not to rely solely on the annual MOT test and instead carry out regular maintenance checks throughout the year. Simple inspections of tyre tread and pressure, brake performance, lights, windscreen wipers and fluid levels can help identify problems before they become serious safety hazards.
Tyres remain one of the most common reasons vehicles are deemed unroadworthy. The law requires tyres to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, while cuts, bulges or exposed cords can also make a vehicle illegal to drive. Faulty brakes and steering defects are also among the most serious mechanical faults detected during roadside inspections and MOT tests.
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VEHICLE SIZE – A MEGA ISSUE
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The ongoing growth in the size, height and weight of new cars is threatening urban infrastructure and spike grid vulnerability across Europe, according to a new study. Campaigners want meaningful dimensional limits that end the mimicking of US-style mega-SUVs.
The research by the Transport & Environment (T&E)and the Clean Cities Campaign warns that the unmanaged growth of passenger vehicles – dubbed ‘carspreading’ – will trigger severe operational bottlenecking for municipal planners, logistics companies and energy providers by 2040.
The data reveals that newly sold cars in Europe are expanding by 1.2cm in length and 0.5cm in height every single year. On current trends, the fleet-average bonnet height in Europe would reach 86.2 cm by 2040, compared with 80.6 cm under a ‘right-sizing’ scenario in which average new-car dimensions taper back to 2010-2015 levels. Modelling the years 2026 to 2040, the report shows that maintaining current trends will cause roughly 2,600 more vulnerable road user deaths – including 79 children – than a ‘right-sizing’ approach. By 2040, the annual gap between these scenarios will hit 400 deaths, making child pedestrian fatalities 40% higher if current trends continue. T&E warned that if policymakers don’t take action to curb the ever-bigger trend, the impacts will continue to increase.
You can find the report here
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New Group Meeting Location
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As a Wiltshire group, it was decided to move the location of the monthly Group Meeting to Nursteed Community Centre, 19:30 to 21:30 with the objective of being a more central location that it would attract members from around the county.
However, with this comes a change of day too; still a Monday, but now the fourth Monday of the month.
There is plenty of parking space and probably easier to approach than Liddington!
The address is Nursteed Community Centre, Nursteed Rd, Devizes SN10 3AF
What3words ///boarding.imprinted.rebounds
Hope to see you there!
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Notices
Merchandise - UPDATE
We now have a process to provide branded clothing for those who want it. It seems a bit long winded but we need to maintain the branding and we must do this ourselves and not leave it to the supplier! If you want something have a look at Wiltshire Workwear, Chippenham;
- please rememebr you need to have Navy Blue clothing.
Once you have decided send you order to Clothing@wiltshireroadar.co.uk. Harlequin Dave will reply with a quote and once you have paid for the goods to the Wiltshrie RoADAR Treasurer the order will be placed. full details can be found here
Committee Members
A number of people have asked who is who in the zoo. The list of Officers for the Group is on the website here. Feel free to join us (I know the list of Committee members is a little out of date as Nick Carrington is a member, we have lost Steve Allsworth – thanks for your time and effort Steve, and have gained Scott Bonnell – thanks for your commitment Scott)
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Saturday Social
The venue for our monthly Saturday Social is at the REME Museum Café in Lyneham.
Bring a friend and join us on the first Saturday of the month at the Wiltshire RoADAR Saturday Social.
You never know what/who may turn up!
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 - REME Museum, Calne Rd, Lyneham, Chippenham SN15 4XX
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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
Prospect Hospice Memory Ride, 148 Riders, One Great Cause.
Motorcyclists came together on August 8th for the first Prospect Hospice Memory Ride, with an impressive 148 riders taking part, helping to raise an incredible £4,650 for the Prospect Hospice.
Organised by a group of local motorcyclists, the ride commenced from Swindon Rugby Club and took a circular route out into the Wiltshire countryside, taking in popular sites such as the stone circle at Avebury, the Hackpen White Horse, Silbury Hill and Marlborough High Street (which kept riders on their toe's whilst navigating the busy Saturday morning shoppers!)
The 148 riders were led out in groups of 10 at a time, each group with a designated outrider. Joining me on such duties, were tutors Mark, Si, Phill, and Winston alongside members, Les and Steve. Their advanced riding skills and experience meant that they were able to manage their groups with ease and keep the ride moving along safely.
Members of our team were also joined by members of the Pinkertons Motorcycle Club (PMCC) Rik, Terry, Tim, Andy, Dave and Mandy who not only took on outrider roles, but were also responsible for marshalling the event on site.
Following the fantastic success of the 2026 Memory Ride, organisers are now looking to repeat the event on a yearly basis, so keep an eye out for 2027 ride dates.
Organisers, Wayne, Dickie and Miles would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Mark, Si, Winston, Phill, Steve and Les.
I’d also like to thank them for volunteering and representing our group in such a professional manner.
We hope to see even more of you next year!
148 Riders, £4,650 raised.
One very worthwhile ride.
Em Hookam
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August Group Ride-out - The Magnificent Seven Ride again!
Ride leader Sean, TEC Mark
A superb day on two wheels, made even better by the determination of seven riders who refused to let the weather spoil the fun. From rain‑soaked Salisbury Plain to the tight switchbacks of Zig Zag Hill, the Magnificent Seven turned a challenging forecast into a memorable ride‑out filled with history, teamwork, and plenty of cake.
The Magnificent Seven assembled at Greggs in Devizes for the morning meet. Despite a menacing sky and the promise of rain, spirits were high. A quick coffee, a bit of banter, and we were ready to roll.
Crossing Salisbury Plain, the weather delivered a relentless downpour. Sheets of rain made visibility tough, but every rider pressed on with good humour and solid roadcraft.
On arrival at Imber village, we parked up for a short but engaging historical briefing. Our own military historian gave an excellent account of how Imber was evacuated in 1943 and subsequently transformed into a permanent military training facility.
Warminster provided a welcome break from the weather. Lunch gave everyone a chance to dry out, warm up, and reset before tackling the afternoon’s more technical riding.
After lunch, the Magnificent Seven headed for Shaftesbury to take on the world‑renowned Zig Zag Hill. The climb lived up to its reputation: tight, technical, and thoroughly enjoyable. Every rider made it up cleanly, taking the bends with confidence and enjoying the views from the top.
Dropping back down onto the A30, we made smooth progress towards Wilton. A well‑earned coffee and cake stop gave everyone time to relax, chat, and relive the highlights of the day.
With energy restored, we mounted up for the final stretch back to Devizes. The weather finally eased, giving us a dry and steady run home. A strong finish to a thoroughly enjoyable ride‑out.
Sean Cain
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Rough route up
Six of us popped up to Lincolnshire to visit past Wiltshire RoADAR members Jo and Julian, to enjoy both their hospitality and to take a look at the Lincolnshire Wolds!
It was a long ride and drive up, but the roads in Lincolnshire were amazing. This was my first time riding there, and fortunately our two local guides showed us some fantastic routes through rolling countryside that was far less flat than I had expected. To top it off, Lincolnshire is one of England’s least populated counties, so traffic was virtually non-existent — certainly minimal compared with Wiltshire.
Evenings were spent drinking and eating outside by the swimming pond – yes a freshwater pond – and planning the next day’s ride.
Our host, Jo, drying off my saddle just before departure!
Peter.
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RoSPA Rookie at the tender age of 59!
It was in August 2025, that I was sat at my Computer, and I had a kind of epiphany. Despite riding pillion with my Father many years ago, I had never bothered to do my bike licence, in fact I had never even ridden a bike. I was more of a car fanatic. They say you do mad things in your 60’s, and I decided there and then to get my full licence before I was 60 in April 2026.
So I booked my CBT with Riding In Action (RIA) in Wroughton in September 2025. That went really well and I was hooked. On to theory and hazard perception. Bear in mind I had passed my driving test in 1983 first time, and although I had had some IAM lessons years ago, the highway code had changed quite a lot. So, I threw everything at it. I was doing 10 or so mock theory tests a night for weeks, constantly going over it all. It paid off, I got 98%.
In October I bought my first bike. A friend was selling his 18 month old Honda CB125r, so I bought it. He passed 1st time so I thought it was a great omen. Every few days I went out and practised over & over all the MOD 1 manoeuvres, I must have spent hours trying to perfect them. Next for the lessons with RIA on the big bike. A Yamaha MT 07. They started in January 2026, but we did suffer some delays due to bad weather. Dave Hawkins at RIA was excellent. MOD 1 booked for early March 2026. I approached it with some trepidation and nervousness but passed with two minors. (one was no shoulder check when leaving the test site!) I was so relieved. No more blimen U turns I thought!
On to MOD 2. Again a couple of lessons with Dave, and MOD 2 booked for 14th April, 2 days before my 60th.
An overcast day, the examiner was the same chap who did my MOD 1. A tall, fairly stern looking guy, who didn’t give anything away by way of facial expression. In the weekends before I had spent many hours riding around the test centre area very early on Sunday mornings, trying to cover every possible approach to every roundabout, riding all the “known” “popular” test routes, so I wouldn’t be caught out. On the day. it wasn’t my best ride; the traffic was terrible at 8.20 in the morning, and on the way back to the test centre, I was convinced I had failed. When he said I had passed, albeit with 5 minors, you could have knocked me over. That was it, I had done it with 2 days spare. Hooray…
I sold my Honda CB125r, and bought a new Honda CB500 in flame red. I love it.
In June 2026, I decided to keep going, and look at doing some Advanced training. I did consider IAM but they meet in Chippenham. I saw that there was a local RoSPA group that meet at REME, so went along late July. No idea what to expect, in fact I very nearly didn’t go, but I thought what’s the worse that can happen, I’ll just come away if no good. What can I say. I couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome, chatting to several members, and it was just great. Even the latte wasn’t bad, so I signed up later that day.
My assigned tutor, Winston Castle rang me a few days later for a chat, and we met for my first assessed ride a week later in early August. Again, very nervous as I’m still a rookie, but what a fantastic coach, a lovely guy, and superb and gives good, honest constructive feedback. We are now onto lesson four next week, and it’s going really well from my assessments. I feel like we’ve known each other for ages now.
Winston knows that I’m retiring later this year and wanting to devote time to something charitable. I had considered Mountain Rescue or RNLI but there isn’t a big call for either in Wiltshire !!. The other one close to my heart is Blood Bikes, so, with Winston’s great feedback so far, it’s my focus, albeit at some distance at this stage . A big commitment I know, but let’s see…
No idea if I’ll be good enough but Winston is giving some great feedback, so I hope I get to the competence level needed.
In life, there’s only one way to find out, and that’s to do it. Better to try than not to try at all and enjoy it while you do. The journey continues.
Nick Moon
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - If you know someone who wants to learn about the Group bring them to the Saturday Social on the first Saturday of the Month at Crown's Cafe at the REME Museum in Lyneham.
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2026 are below:
All are on a Sunday at Devizes Police Station unless otherwise stated:
September
13th
October
4th
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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Tip Top motorcycle touring adventure!
After planning, organising and enjoying several motorcycle trips to places such as the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees and Ireland, amongst others, Peter Genet has, along with a couple of advanced riding, albeit IAM, friends set-up www.tiptoptours.co.uk
These tours are encouraging riders to explore and enjoy more their riding amongst like-minded riders. After all, “I ride not to go anywhere, but to ride. I ride for riding’s sake. The great adventure is to ride!”
Bookings now being taken for 2027 including an early spring ride around northern Spain!
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Peter Genet |
Member's BMW GSA for sale
A very reluctant sale of my fantastic fully loaded BMW 1250 GSA, which I've owned since 2022. Only 14k miles in that time, mostly touring Northern Europe, its been a joy to ride. Fully kitted out for touring, with lots of additional extras, too many to list. An IAM & Rospa member who takes great care of his bikes, but having to stop riding sadly due to health reasons. Bargain at £12k, viewings welcomed, Marlborough.
Photos pending.
Please contact Nick Moon on nickmoon45@gmail.com
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Taking both Car and Bike tests?
We have a handful of people who have passed both their car and bike tests. If you wish to do the same it can be confusing as we include the training in your membership of Wiltshire RoADAR but your membership of RoSPA only covers free retests for one vehicle type. My thanks to Ryan Jones who clarified the situation with RoSPA.
If you are already a bike member, you can just pay for an interim car test @ £55. Your main membership would be bike (first one to pass) so "free" retests would be for bike. Each car retest would be same interim @ £55. Bike interim tests are £60.
The interim test is accessed from the RoSPA member area here:
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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 (3 months after the subscriptions are due - 1 Oct). 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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I met recently, along with Hutch from Wiltshire Police BikeSafe, a group of bikers who have set up a new not-for-profit one stop site providing advice about rider safety, tips, organisations and personal stories.
Their advice is not just for bike riders, but also provides good advice for all road users.
Their site continues to grow and contains more and more interesting safety tips and advice for all road users, not just bikers.
Peter Genet
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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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