Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 12 May-
Mental Health Motorbike, we have Anthony Reynolds coming along to share with us the amazing work this charity does and how riding a motorcycle can help with our own mental health needs. https://mhmotorbike.com/
SkillShare & Social
3 May 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 Sunday 18 May 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:
Keith Johnston – Bike
Andrew Johnson – Bike
Les Alley - Bike
Paul Pitman – Bike
Robert Dowell - Bike
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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 had a near miss on my journey along the Fosse way recently. I was riding at the national speed limit and as I came round a corner a car had pulled out of a side road on the left-hand side and was not accelerating. I could have slowed down easily but the road ahead was clear and the solid white line on my side of the road had just changed to a broken line, so I overtook the car. As I approached the car it indicated to the right – I had not seen the small side road into which the car intended to turn. I had overtaken the car before the turn, but the potential consequences were catastrophic – I sense the car saw me coming and did not start its turn – a genuine near miss.
I pondered this near miss initially as I rode up the Fosse way but also when I stopped for a coffee. I needed to know why I had made such a grave mistake – I tend to ask why? until I get to the root cause (many of you have already got there, I am sure!). I was on a long journey (200 miles) to my sister’s house, and I had told her I would be there between 1700 and 1800. I had left a bit later than I had intended and I HATE being late. I had been held up by a car driving slowly with no opportunity to overtake and I wanted to get on with my journey – my attitude was one of wanting to make up time. This caused me to want to overtake as soon as I saw the slow-moving car. In my mind I had decided to overtake as my first option and seen what I wanted to see to allow me to do it. I had not looked at all the possible hazards, both obvious (the junction on the right) and the implied (way was the car moving so slowly). Bottom line, I was not scanning sufficiently and missed the obvious hazard. In the words of Steve Tucker, I need to have my “eyes up” more! Thankfully I am here to learn the lesson and just hang my head in shame!
Please remember our Monday meeting on 9 June is also our AGM. This is an essential part of our governance which maintains our accreditation with RoSPA – without which we cannot use the title Wiltshire RoADAR. There will be reports from the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer followed by a talk (being organised as I write this).
The calling notice will come out soon but please try and come along to support the Group. If you have anything you wish to raise, then please do let us know and if you cannot attend then please give your proxy vote to someone who will be there (myself and the Secretary are good bets if you are happy with this!).
We are developing a programme for our Monday Meetings thanks to the efforts of Steve Tucker and Peter Genet. So far we have the following in place:
May – Mental Health Motorbike
June - AGM
July. – tbc maybe joint with Cotswold Ferrari Group
Sep – tbc
Oct – pedestrian Crossing - a presentation by Tony Chalkly
In the meantime, stay safe and eyes up!
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April's Group Meeting - Vehicle tracking systems – BIKETRAC
Julie Emmitt from Biketrac talked to our Monday meeting about tracking systems. Whilst she focussed on bikes they are also available for cars and farm machinery. She gave an engaging and interactive talk which provided a good education on tracking systems and gave some security advice.
There are many trackers on the market, some of which are not Thatcham approved. These only report to the owner and then rely on the owner to take action to recover the bike. They have a 40% recovery rate. Remember an apple air tag can be picked up by all iPhones so thieves can check to see if there is one and remove it (as they know what they look like!).
Those which have Thatcham approval will report to a 24/7 alarm receiving centre (ARC) which will then check the status of the machine with the owner and if necessary, inform the police. These have a recovery rate of greater than 90% with an average recovery time of 2 hours. They are hard wired into the vehicle and fitted by approved, trained, mechanics in authorised centres without direction of where to put the tracker so thieves cannot learn where they go on specific vehicles. They have a backup battery – Biketrac uses its own battery as its primary power source and lasts about 3 weeks; it will then draw 4 – 8 mAmps and the system will inform the owner when the vehicle battery falls below a designated voltage.
They come in 2 types:
- With a fob which needs to be near the bike to deactivate the tracker (known as an S5)
- No fob required but the ignition needs to be on when the bike is moved (an S7). These can be configured for service mode for moving and cleaning the bike and a fence mode so the alarm will not trigger unless the vehicle crosses a perimeter. (System is operated via an app on a smartphone.). There is also a holiday mode which triggers the alarm us there is any movement of the vehicle)
The Biketrac systems also have a radio frequency system which allows location when there is no GPS signal (e.g. if the vehicle is loaded into a shipping container).
There is also a SOS mode which can assist in the event of an accident.
There are insurance discounts with trackers fitted but these form part of a cumulative reduction for security etc so it may not alter a premium as much as you would hope.
Typical costs for a Thatcham approved tracker:
- Datatool - £385 with a subscription of £30 per year
- Tracker - £390 ( not sure of the subscription but there will be one)
- Biketrac (and other associated vehicles) - £400 plus £10 per year subs - £6 if UK only
- Cycle trac – for e-bikes only is £249 and £8 per month
If you use physical security as well look for the sold secure rating (Thatcham no longer assess physical security) – the higher the better. Please also look at your insurance small print as you may get a reduced payout if you have not used the security about which you told them on your insurance details.
For bikers Bennett’s Social is a good way to investigate the efficacy of security products – there are lots of testing videos on their feed.
If you want more information, please see the following links (to the biker guardian magazine and the Bennett’s bike theft map for UK).
Bennett’s map (Although be aware this is the rate of thefts compared to the previous month so a single theft in a low crime area can sway the grading)
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First Aid with helmet removal
Twelve more members of our group attended another successful First Aid with Helmet Removal course on the 6th April, provided by the ever-excellent Wiltshire First Aid. It's not just for bikers, but for all members of the group, and so far, we’ve managed to do this for zero cost to the member.
This is the fourth time we’ve run this course, and we will continue to do so if we can, as it’s something we should all be prepared for. However, unless there any significant requests ie we need 12 people, there are no plans for any more courses until our new-ish certificates expire in three years’ time.
Thanks for the photos Steve Hyde.
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SkillShare and Saturday Social
Skillshare returns on 3 May so we will be offering taster sessions to potential members. This does not remove the Saturday Sociual but merely adds to it. 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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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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Monthly Ride Out
The April 2025 ride-out landed on Saturday the 19th, and with the forecast predicting a washout—not to mention it being Easter weekend—I wasn’t banking on a big turnout. But hey, seven of us proved otherwise, rolling out from Sustain Farm Shop near Royal Wootton Bassett, eager to chase the open road toward Hayles Fruit Farm near Winchcombe.
And guess what? The weather played the ultimate prank—it was glorious!
Sun-soaked roads stretched ahead, quiet and clear, letting us stick together in a tight-knit, smooth-moving squad. We barely needed our drop-off markers, only calling on them three or four times in each direction. This, of course, made life easy for my ever-reliable tail-end Charlie, Cyril Lockett, who got a well-earned breezy ride.
Upon arrival, our table was waiting for us—
reserved, ready, and perfect… but we had other plans. We cancelled it in favour of soaking up the sunshine outside, where bacon rolls and coffee awaited like the rewards of a champion’s journey.
All in all, an unforgettable day with fantastic company. To those who joined, thank you—your presence made it all the better!
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Wiltshire RoADAR goes Green
Jackie, Mark, Sean and Winston ready to go. Jackie in the field
So we all duly turned up for 09:00.
We started with getting our Driving Licences photographed and disclaimers signed.
Then a briefing by Justin, AKA Salisbury Plain Stig, about what we will be doing today and getting into the proper gear.
How to mount and dismount a trail bike. Gears, steering brakes all explained. Then off to the training field where we went gently round the track, follow my leader sitting down at first and then moving onto to standing on the pegs. Very sadly it was just now Jackie had a spill. It was a most unfortunate and very rare accident that could have happened to anyone but sadly happened to Jackie. We did not know how bad it was straight away but soon it became apparent, Jackie was in a lot of pain and could not move.
It was real privilege to see the exceptional professionals of the NHS in action. Wiltshire Air Ambulance, first responders and the ambulance all working together.
Jackie not in the field!
Then after Jackie was away, we decided to carry on with the course. A little subdued. We went on to do Figure Eights just on tick over up on the pegs and arms out. It was amazing how those 250 CC single cylinders just keep chugging along going up an incline. It gave you confidence that the steeds were to be trusted.
More work in the field getting up and as forward as possible to turn and arms out wide. You only sit on the back of the seat to go fast in a straight-line Dakar style. (Not tested.) Then off to the trails. First onto the road. Justin reminded us to ride on the road following the Highway Code, always ride your own ride. He will never take us anywhere on road or off where we cannot follow him. As most of the off-road time will be on the pegs. Make sure you find the sweet spot to stand on.
You need to conserve your energy to last the day. With all this going around in my head with some trepidation we went up a track. It felt like fun.
So much enjoyment under 20mph!
Everyone gets a chance to follow the Stig. Then all stop. Flat tyre. Not a problem SP Stig whips off his utility belt, tyre levers, inner tube spanners. In no time we are all back on the track being shown how to paddle in a rut then get onto the pegs again. Thrills some spills then a big late breakfast for lunch. Steak and kidney pie and veggie options also available.
More fun in the afternoon Explosion signs read and poses by old tanks.
Not too troubled by the warning One rusty tank!
Back to base at last.
Talk of going again of course.
Hope this does not put you off. Do get in touch with Winston on WhatsApp on 07917866740 to put your name down for another group run. We just need to find four people who can get together on a free day at Phoenix.
Check out their calendar for a day you are available and get in touch. At the time of writing there are plenty of spaces in May and April.
Then follow the link to Book online. But DO NOT BOOK get the dates together and we can arrange a 10% reduction for a group booking.
Winston
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Ice cream on the Gospel Pass!
Pete, Bob, Elizabeth and Wanda went on a tutoring ride up the Gospel Pass via Abergavenny to Hay-on-Wye. A long day and a long session, but it helped finely polish our riding in preparation for upcoming tests.
Departing Cricklade around mid-day Elizabeth led, and in true Wiltshire Roadar fashion and following her sat-nav, took us on a very ‘unusual’ route through Cheltenham, along the A40 to Ross, eventually to the Bus Station greasy spoon in Abergavenny for a well-earned coffee break.
Bob led us up the first part of the Gospel Pass to LLanthony Priory only to find a long queue in the café and very near to closing time. So, onto Hay it was.
This was a great day out, tackling all sorts of roads from the A419 to single track up the Gospel Pass, through towns and villages. Some of the Pass itself were challenging with single lane, grit, sheep and what has become all too often these days, potted road surfaces.
A long day, around 8 hours or so, but very enjoyable and great preparation for upcoming tests!
Pete
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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!
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. 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. April seems 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 - at Dandy Highwayman, Cherhill, Calne on 3 May - in addition to the Saturday Social.
The Calne Bike Meet in Calne (across the whole town; an enormous event) was one of our best
recruiting event of 2024. This is on 26 July – if you can help please
get in touch with Phill Colbourne.
Wiltshire Police BikeSafe
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2025 are as follows:
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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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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