Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 10 March- a presentation by Steve Tucker on Kick Start 2025 - this is for both cars and bike members!
7.30 pm for a 7.45 pm start.
SkillShare & Social
1 March 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 16 March 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:
Andy Howells - Bike
Jim Noyes - Bike
Katie Taylor - Bike
Mary Glass - Bike
Tony Harris - 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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Regular readers will remember a short piece last month by our own Membership secretary who has decided to take on advanced driving to add to his motorcycling skills. There are many transferable skills but there are some differences, and we should not assume just because we are good at one thing makes us better at others. If you drive a car, you can benefit from advanced tuition please give Nick Carrington a shout who can arrange for a drive with a tutor so you can see how much better you can be with a bit of tutoring and perhaps even convince you to take the test.
We had a good meeting on 10 Feb to discuss scanning and the advantages of potting hazards and potential hazards early to make us proactive (the sign of an advance rider/driver) rather than reactive. We were also introduced to the e version of roadcraft which is another way to learn the theory of roadcraft then just reading the book. There is a cost to this (£30 for a licence which last for a year) but for those who struggle reading the book it may be another option for you. Sadly, it is not something the Group can subsidise (we have committed our expenditure for this year) but may be worth a try? You can find it here (or look at last month’s newsletter here).
The days are getting longer. And strangely, warmer! The sun has even been seen. This means there will be more people out and about in and on their veichles. Are you ready for 2025? Is your drive/ride ready too? When did you last check? See a couple of sections below, Tiredness at the wheel, and Kick Start 2025.
With the lighter and hopefully brighter days, we are planning promotional activities such as Calne Bike meet, and at the time of writing we've been invited to the Stone Circle meet in Swindon on May 5th. All are great recruitment opportunities.
Have you any plans for driving/riding somewhere exciting? Please let us know as we'd love to see your trip in our newsletter - we are about training of course, but we do have a good social side too.
Test results - a reminder to let your tutor know when you took a test, and what grade you passed at please.
Bob
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Tiredness at the wheel
Tiredness, fatigue at the wheel – read the report sent to us at the link below.
A recentBBC report quotes an expert from the University of Surrey saying that tiredness poses a greater risk to drivers than alcohol or drugs. It also cites the National Highways, stating a 59 per cent rise in fatigue-related fatalities during summer, emphasising the need for adequate rest and vehicle checks before long journeys.
To further explore this pressing issue, Hendy Car & Van Store has published a detailed guide on driver fatigue that you may find interesting:
This guide addresses the severe dangers associated with fatigued driving, presents practical strategies for recognising and managing fatigue, and suggests lifestyle changes to enhance alertness. It aims to promote safer driving habits, enabling people to protect themselves and others on the roads.
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Kick Start 2025!
Are you Ready for 2025?
The new riding ‘season’ is here! Many riders stop late Autumn and start again in the spring. Not everyone wants to get salt, mud and grime on their pride and joys! And why would you? I ride all through the year, and my 10-year-old bike is starting to show its age.
However, my riding skills have remained, mostly. Now I can see daylight again, I’m riding quicker than I was before the winter came. But how many of you that haven’t ridden have ‘lost’ that sparkle you had from a great season of riding? I know from personal experience that my sparkle diminished from being off the road for 7 weeks! My reactions weren’t as quick or sharp as they were. Luckily, I quickly got back into it.
Are you ready to Kick Start 2025? Come along to Wiltshire RoADAR’s monthly Skillshare down at the Dandy Highwayman Café, Cherhill for a chat, coffee, cake and a taster session with an Advanced Riding Tutor. Apart from the coffee/tea/cake etc, its free!
Dandy Highwayman Coffee Shop, Main Road, Cherhill, Wiltshire, SN11 8UU
Peter Genet / Steve Tucker
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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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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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The Dragon Rally
Introduction
The Dragon Rally is a great Welsh Rally held in the bitter depths of winter. It's where the enthusiasts go to talk shop, indulge in nostalgia, tell stories of their two-wheeled exploits and make new like-minded friends.
Conwy Motorcycle Club Ltd started the Dragon Rally in 1962, and it takes place in winter in beautiful North Wales and serves as a meeting place for motorcyclists from all over the Continent. Several hard-core participants combine it with the Elefantentreffen (in German Bavaria https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Rally) and the Krystall Rally (Norway https://www.lpmcc.net/rallies/rally_krystall.htm).
Participants are limited to 1200, and they're not told the location of the rally site until they have reported to the rally checkpoint. Once at the site, they can pitch their tent, obtain their goody bag and badge, then enjoy a hot soup with a roll and get to know other rallyists. There is also hot food available to purchase on the site. The evening fun starts with music and there is always alcohol to purchase.
Each year we have a different Dragon Rally badge, this is classy and collectable and awarded along with the goody bag (historically included a unique slate coaster, miniature alcoholic drink, unique rally sticker and chocolate bar)
Prep
Camping gear
I have a tepee tent which is a single skin, and I use it as a super tarp and sleep in a bivvi bag. However, in low temperatures condensation is a problem. So, I bought a normal tent for this trip with an inner and an outer.
Two thin air beds with a piece of reflective foam (the stuff they put behind radiators) in-between insulate me from the ground. Marino wool base layer plus sundry other layers ensure I stay warm under a quilt. I find sleeping bags constrictive and thus the resulting pressure limits the thermal efficiency.
Prepared a chilli on Friday to heat up Saturday night on my Trangia spirit burner.
Saturday travelling North
Wound my way up to Gloucester and hit the M5 for a spell followed by the M54. Then along the A5 to North Wales. Weather was grey with spots of rain, nothing too challenging.
Arrived at the checkpoint in Conway and received directions to the camping ground. The same one as last year. Oh dear - last year we were ankle deep in mud. However, less rain this year meant that pitches were easier to find. I was even able to get my bike along a track and park it up next to my pitch.
Set up the tent and 5pm time for a hot chocolate.
Set off to explore the bikes and tents and check out the food and beer offerings. Unfortunately, the WiFi is non-existent, so all the outlets are cash only. Never mind - I sat and watched the second half of England V France on a big screen in the beer barn. Well done England - France had a day of "Dropsy" whenever they got close to the line. Nice of the Welsh to add to the atmosphere with chants of "Allez les Blues".
Back to the tent for chilli. Eat before you retire in cold conditions; it keeps you warm through the night. I love to lay in my tent listening to camping noises; low voices; owls; birds; revving motorcycles; fireworks.
Slept soundly once the bar had emptied and woke up to the sound of early risers leaving the site. I consumed my overnight oats and a hot chocolate and packed away. Portaloo’s were amazingly clean! On the road by 9am. Off for a decent breakfast with my wife who was staying with a cousin in Chester.
Trip home was enjoyable with occasional coffee stops.
I'll take cash next year.
Mark Sealey
Monthly Ride Out
This month’s RoADAR Rideout started at the Three Trees Farm shop and Cafe, it was a good turnout of 14 or 15 riders which was a credit to them all as the weather tried its hardest to dampen their spirits but it failed. Setting off at 10.00 after a briefing we headed off through Fox hill, Wantage, Milton, and Sutton Courtenay on our way to the H Cafe at Berinsfield for the customary coffee and bacon rolls.
After an hour or so we saddled up and set sail for CTL. It was on this part of the journey we felt the need to pop in the odd one or two of the infamous Wiltshire “U” turns as Fairford town centre was closed on the day. It was open the day before when we did a reccy.
CTL is fast becoming the go to Cafe in the Cirencester area. The valentine's cake went down well with a mug of tea. By approx. 14.00 we all said our goodbyes and made our own way home in various directions. A very enjoyable day was had by all, and we covered approx. 110 miles over 5 or 6 hours. Many thanks to Cyril Lockett for keeping it all together at the rear and getting us around Fairford.
Paul Prictor
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:
9 March
6 April
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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