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Milton Keynes
Advanced
Motorcyclists
January 2015
The content of this newsletter represent the views of the individual contributors, and is not necessarily the view of MKAM or the IAM
Happy New Riding Year to all our readers
WHAT’S IN –
THIS MONTH
What’s Happening
Page 2
Rod’s Write
Page 3
Dave’s Observations
Page 4
Award Winners !!
Page 5
General news
Page 6-7
Something to think about
Page 7
2014 Events summary
Pages 8-10
IAM News
Pages 11-13
Irish Road Racing / Coffee club / Offroad Spain
Page 13
Caption Competition
Page 14
Advanced Test Tips
Page 15
Once you’ve passed
Page 16
Recommendations
Page 16-17
Video clips, Interesting Links, Smartphone Apps
Page 18
MKAM on the Web
Page 19
Who’s Who
Page 20
WHY ?
MKAM is here to provide guidance to fellow bikers / motorcyclists to help us have
fun safely and prepare for the IAM Advanced Motorcycle Test.
Then to maintain those standards and develop even further afterwards
All the Observers who provide the guidance and those who help run the group are
volunteers who do it because we love riding bikes and want to pass on some of the
things that have helped us stay safer for longer.
Page 2 of 18
WHAT’S HAPPENING
JAN 2015
WHAT’S HAPPENING
th
st
Sun 4
1 Sunday Guidance ride
10:00 for 10:30 at MK Pavilion
Barbara/Rod
Sun 11th
Sat 17
Obs Training ride
Rod
th
Full Members ride
9:30 at MK Pavilion
Charlie
st
3 Sunday Social ride – Wellesbourne
+ possible shorter ride (if you’re interested let Chris know)
10:00 start from MK Pavilion
Annual Bike Group meal
Limited places
Book your seat now !
Chris / Tony
Sun 18
Sat 24th
rd
FEB 2015
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Sun 1st
1 Sunday Guidance ride
10:00 for 10:30 at MK Pavilion
Biker Down
Great Holm Fire Station
Full Members ride
9:30 at MK Pavilion
rd
3 Sunday Social ride – TBA
10:00 start from MK Pavilion
Sat 7th
th
Sat 14
st
Sun 15
CONTACT
Rod
CONTACT
st
Barbara
[email protected]
or 01296 744431
Charlie
Chris / Tony
1st Sunday Training ride
It takes a lot of organising to get everyone out with the right people so ....
PLEASE whether you’re an Observer or an Associate -
If you’re coming, –
PLEASE LET Barbara KNOW !!!
Page 3 of 18
ROD’S WRITE
A Happy New Year to you all and I wish you all the very best for 2015. I trust Santa bought you all lots of
motorcycling related presents, if he didn’t, you know you should have written that letter, he is not a
mind reader.
As 2014 draws to a close I look back and reflect on the last year, it has been a good year for
motorcycling as I was reminded as I wrote a summary of my year with each month featuring a trip on
the bike, I wonder if I will get away with it again in 2015? Decembers trip was one of the shorter trips
but an enjoyable day out to the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Walden with a history lesson thrown in
on the way with visits to a number of WWII airfields. This, as has been most of the trips was led by
Charlie. I would like to thank him for his everlasting enthusiasm and all the time he spends preparing
these excursions. For this day Charlie had obviously sent his request in early to the weather Gods as
although cold with the rain definitely looking like snow as we queued to pay it was the only frost free
day of this period.
Over Christmas whilst flicking through the channels out of the 100 or so available the best I could find
was a programme where in America in an attempt to get people to stick to the speed limit they have laid
a series of grooves in the tarmac where in each block the lines are set at a measured distance apart so
that when doing the speed limit it creates a note. The blocks are laid in a series with different notes
which then plays a tune. They said that prior to ‘laying the tune’ only 12% complied to the speed limit
whereas now 75% stick to the speed limit, which could go to prove 25% of the motorist are tone deaf!
Just catching up on the World’s Greatest Rides (I don’t spend all time watching telly, just resting from
hanging interior doors, the penalty of going to B&Q to buy some light bulbs and not having purchased a
Christmas present for Wendy!) and I see there is a museum for vintage bikes in Bakewell, M & C
Motorcycle Museum, with an admittance fee of £2.00. I feel this will be visited the next time I am
passing. In my research I found
http://www.automuseums.info/search/location
which lists all ‘auto’ related museums, may be
useful if you are planning a ride but looking for
a destination.
So with jobs to do I will leave you with a
thought from Albert Einstein – Learn from
yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
I wish you all the best for 2015
Regards
Rod
Page 4 of 18
DAVE’S OBSERVATIONS
Facebook – If you’re a Bike Group member, whether you’ve passed your test or not you’re very
welcome to join our Facebook Group. Just ask and as long as your name appears on the Bike Members
list you’re in.
You may not be riding at the moment – but don’t waste the time. This is a great opportunity to get on
the net and start planning that next big trip. My first ever bike trip outside the UK was to France on my
own. Not the adventurous stuff that some people are made of but it taught me that nothing is as bad as
it might seem when you’re thinking about all the things that can go wrong. It also taught me that it’s
good to have a mate/wife/girlfriend along on the trip, ideally on another bike just in case you run out of
petrol, but it’s also more fun to share the experience / translation / food order. But if there’s no-one
you fancy travelling with don’t let that stop you. It’s amazing just how friendly and helpful both other
bikers and people in general can be. I’ve been riding the bike anywhere and everywhere I can think of.
Sometimes on my own, sometimes with a mate, sometimes with an organised trip but I’ve yet to have
a bad experience. So, make it this year you do that big adventure you’ve always promised yourself. Or
at least a little one ! Want some company ? post your plan on our Facebook group. There are lots of
people in the group who have biked in various parts of the world so please ask.
If enough people are interested we might even be able to organise a session on planning for your first
big trip. And no it doesn’t require a tourer. I know a guy who’s been all over the place on a Blade with a
rucksack. And another who’s toured all over Europe on a Honda 50 step through. It’s down to you what
you want to take, anything is possible.
Want some company – Don’t forget that Charlie runs a variety of European and UK trips each year so
you don’t have to be on your own for that first big trip.
Monthly Social Rides - Have you ever been on one ? Why not make it this month ? The rides tend to be
shorter at this time of year, and have somewhere for a warm and some food at some point.
General News – Driving License paper counterparts still going, Personal breathalysers (not), Pinlock visor
problem ? Garmin News.
Something to think about- This month – Winter
IAM News – Winter Riding and flip front helmets
Caption Competition – You provide the pictures, I publish them and we all have a go at thinking up a
humorous title
Advanced Test tips – Practice in the warm – read the book
Video – Time for a spring clean
Smartphone Apps – Realrider
Safe (but fun) Riding
Dave -
Page 5 of 18
Award Winners !!!
The picture below shows just some of the happy winners of the runner up prize in the Best Motorcycle
Group Achievement category from the 2014 IAM National Motorcycle Conference. In the middle-ish
holding the trophy is Rod Hardy. On the left next to Rod is Barbara who makes sure that we’re all
allocated, organised and out on time on 1st Sunday.
And just so that
there’s no doubt,
here’s a picture of
the trophy for you to
cut out and stick on
your wall somewhere

CONGRATULATIONS DEPARTMENT
Congratulations go to Brenton Bray and his Observer Charlie Constant for our latest Advanced Bike Test
pass
Page 6 of 18
GENERAL NEWS
DRIVING LICENSE PAPER COUNTERPARTS.
Don’t rip it up yet ! The DVLA have announced that you still need this until at least June.
DON’T TRUST PERSONAL BREATHALYSERS !
Dorset Trading Standards and Dorset Police tested 14 personal breathalysers recently and found that 9
of the 14 still showed safe to drive when the driver was over the limit. The only really safe way is not to
drink if you’re driving.
PINLOCK INSERTS, ONLY FOR DAYTIME USE???
Well what a surprise, I've just fitted the insert to my new lid and read this warning. I've been using these
for a number of years day and night in all conditions and they are brilliant. I've never seen this before,
why are they now not safe for use at night? Is it because some helpful person in Brussels has decided to
create a new requirement? Charlie
As far as I know the 80% light transmission has been around for ages, but generally thought to apply
only to tinted windows and visors. I’m incredulous that a visor + pinlock reduces light by 20%. Maybe
it’s only for Shoei helmets or maybe it’s just to avoid getting sued. Dave Shippin reports that
BMW/Schuberth say only 4% light loss per layer so still well within limits. How can it be so different ?
Personally, whatever the light loss is I still prefer to ride (especially at this time of year) with a visor
insert of some sort rather than having my visor mist up. Reduced light has to be better than no vision.
Option 2 is probably get a pair of goggles but you’ll definitely have a cold face then !
Page 7 of 18
GARMIN NEWS – for you Satnav users - Basecamp (the PC route planning software) was
updated to version 4.4.6 on 16th December. Your Basecamp software should prompt you to download
the update but you can get the latest version from the Garmin website if yours doesn’t .
SOMETHING(S) TO THINK ABOUT
It may have escaped your attention while you’ve been tucked up with a good film, a bottle of your
favourite tipple and the remnants of Christmas but it’s got a bit wintry out there.
Part of being an Advanced rider is being able to observe and make sensible decisions about actions. This
applies just as much to getting the bike out of the shed / garage as riding it. If your drive and or road are
white and slippery then leave your pride and joy tucked up in the warm and either go back to bed (at
the weekend anyway) or get the bus / taxi / car / walk if you really have to go somewhere. It’s better
to fall off your feet at 2mph than off your bike at 30/40/50 etc
If you do go out, check the temperature and think hard about your route. In MK the grid roads are
usually fairly well gritted but even this can’t get rid of a heavy fall of snow. The residential roads in
Milton Keynes and the roads out in the surrounding countryside quite often don’t get gritted at all, or if
they do it‘s infrequently. And even the grid roads can get bits which aren’t terribly well thawed out, eg
over bridges / underpasses etc
So stick to main roads wherever possible and if you have to venture off them think carefully about your
speed and control inputs. Everything needs to be very smooth where grip is significantly compromised.
In turn that means looking as far ahead for clues as possible so that you don’t have to make any sudden
changes to course or speed.
Even where you seem to have grip don’t forget that this can change very very quickly. Just a gap in a
hedge where a cold wind blows across can be enough to freeze a section of road where the bit before
was ok. Sometimes you can tell when it gets slippery because the steering goes really light. If you get a
chance it’s worth just tickling the throttle or back brake a little to see if it spins/locks any easier than it
would do normally.
Last tip – if you MUST ride in snow/ice, there’s often more grip in the gutter (because of all the gravel
and other muck and rubbish that collects there ) so although it may encourage cars to squeeze past it
may be better than lying on the floor when you hit a patch of ice or get stuck in an icy rut that the cars
have created.
Any questions ? Either ask your observer or send in a question to
Page 8 of 18
2014 EVENTS SUMMARY
Hi everyone,
I've put together a summary of the trips I did in 2014. It's been a bit of a limited year for me, one which
started off with much more planned but had to be scaled back. I would like to thank those that joined
me and made the trips what they were, lots of laughs and lots of serious riding.
Don’t forget to check the newsletter for our 2015 plans.
Charlie
JANUARY
New years day, a walk in the Brecon's. Funny how it's only ever myself that does this one. Perhaps it's
the snow and freezing fog?
London Motorcycle Museum and the Ace Cafe. This was a well received trip. A lovely little museum
that's well stocked and manned by very knowledgeable people. Well worth a visit. Eight of us went
along to this one, following an interesting route, even though it's into London. A late lunch at the
famous Ace Cafe before returning home. A super day out.
FEBRUARY
Kelvedon Hatch secret nuclear bunker. Not very secret because twelve of us found out about it today.
An interesting place, so much went on underground we are just so lucky it was never needed. We had
quite good weather for this ride albeit a bit cold. Located quite well for a good choice of route options.
APRIL
Full Members ride Broadway Tower. This was a special ride. Excellent roads leading to an excellent
destination. If you haven't been on a full members ride I'd recommend you pass your test and get on
this one. Twelve of us turned out for this. Great weather, distance not too far and easy to do. You get
feedback on your ride and have the opportunity to question the actions of others. superb!!
Assen WSBK. A great trip for first timers. If you've not ridden abroad before then this is the one for you.
A relatively short journey to the hotel and then easy routes into the circuit. I love this one, it's a chance
to get out on bicycles to go into town. I can guarantee you'll not stop laughing. Friendly locals with
good English and they usually have a festival on. If you only do one trip next year, do this one.
JUNE
Camping trip Brecon Just the second time I've done this one. One person just joined us for the ride
up there then made their own way back. I say camping trip but there were a few softies that made use
of the B+B facilities. 'The Dragons Back' a remote inn in the Beacons, wonderful food and such a great
location. Fantastic roads in all directions. Plenty of places to see and make up a long days riding each
day. We took the opportunity to give feedback to those that wanted it, just to help them get the most
from their weekend.
Switzerland A solo trip out this one to meet an associate returning from Croatia. Roger Harris had
ridden there by himself for a 'Hog Rally' The plan was to meet near Innsbruck and then take 2 days to
return. I set out after work one day and took the train across to France, made my way down to Cambrai
to stop for the night. The next day was a blast down to Pettnau where we would meet that evening.
Showered, changed, meal and bed and the next morning was time to return, just 12hrs in Switzerland.
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Me on the wing and Roger on his Harley, this was going to be a hell of a 1-2-1. Both of these huge bikes
proved to be very capable machines and provided a great deal of comfort. Some wonderful sights, some
fantastic roads and a few chats about riding, perfect! We stopped the night at a hotel in a small town
called Kues on the banks of the Mosel. This area provided an excellent winding route to climb out of the
Mosel Valley and then some fantastic rolling and curving roads heading across Germany. Head for the
Tunnel and hop across to the UK again. A super trip if somewhat brief for me. Roger had been away 2
weeks, not bad for an associate riding solo. If you have an idea for a trip on the bike just do it.
JULY
Worthing Birdman. A bit of an odd one this. It's in an awkward place to do a decent ride to but we
managed to make it interesting. I have to own up here and say I got it wrong, we arrived too late, the
event had finished!! but we had some stops at cracking places and then an ice cream on the beach. It's
not all about the destination it's about the 'Journey'. Thanks guys for your patience.
Zip Line Wales. Thanks to Rod for recommending this one. A weekend in North Wales to get fired at
100mph down a wire over a quarry!! Fourteen of us for this one. We stopped in a youth hostel near the
event amidst some fantastic riding routes. A cracking days ride up there on some superb roads, we did
the zip wire which is a real buzz, we did a ride out into the Welsh mountainside for tea and back to the
hostel. As you can imagine the banter is endless, when will this stop??
NOVEMBER
Moto GP Valencia This year had been more restricted for me and trips away but I couldn't miss the
grand finale. Twelve of us riding to Valencia, what a challenge, I must say I was expecting the group to
get split up on a regular basis. We had one associate with us and a guest that hadn't done advanced
riding. After taking an overnight ferry to Caen we had our first long days ride down to our stop at
Montauban. Lunch was planned to be at an attractive walled town called Richelieu. Three of us arrived
and basked in the sunshine awaiting the other nine. Rod and I had already discussed a backup plan
should we get split up so he herded up the lost sheep and lead them in. Twelve of us doing the 'buddy'
system was a bit of an ask but save this one hiccup it worked amazingly well, especially after a little
team talk to remind everyone what was required of them. Riding on from Montauban we did another
long day to get to Mora de Rubelios in Spain. We took a wonderful route through the Pyrenees with the
weather being kind to us. Our first day in Spain was to be a ride through the mountains to have lunch at
a beach cafe. A route I've not ridden before and every bit as good as the others, excellent roads in all
directions and no traffic! Today we had a problem in the shape of a very flat battery in Rod's bike. We
did the ride through the mountains but our destination turned out to be a retail park rather than the
beach! New battery fitted we of course had to make the journey back through the mountains. It didn't
look very far on the map but boy oh boy it seemed to be an endless ribbon of twisting tarmac that saw
us riding into darkness to get back. The next day and we were to get to the circuit by yet another
endless twisting piece of tarmac. This time I was running a camera on the bike so I moved around the
group to get some action shots. The MotoGp provided some exciting racing again at a circuit that's
simply the best for spectators. The ride back to the Hotel was wet, we were on what was probably the
most demanding route of the lot, very tight turns through the mountainside that took 100%
concentration. These were the types of road that you thought you had lined up and then all of a sudden
there's a hairpin that takes you around a rock to twist in and out and back to where you thought it went.
Not a fast road but not for the feint hearted. Now we were to experience bike fault No2, Dennis's
Aprilia went into 'limp home mode', it turned out to be a fuelling problem, it didn't like the low octane
petrol in this area. Our return the next day was to be through a stretch of quite desolated open plain
heading towards the Pyrenees, Dennis wisely decided to stick to the safety of the auto route and meet
us at the hotel that night at Marmande. All of the journey out and back demanded long days in the
saddle on a mixture of minor roads, main roads and auto routes. I had shared the routes with several
others using Garmin sat navs with varying degrees of success. Matt had been able to follow them all
Page 10 of 18
without problem so I took the opportunity to let him lead the next day so I could relax at the back (and
watch some others riding). The last leg of our journey to the ferry was to be on auto route as we needed
to cover a lot of distance and it would be dark. We had a flawless system at the toll booths whereby Rod
would pay for six riders and I would pay for the other six to speed up the process, flawless that was until
I took my group through the wrong booth and set us off in the wrong direction!! Not being able to get
back on the intended route we reverted to the back up plan and went our separate ways, later meeting
at the ferry terminal. This time we learnt that Dennis had been in trouble again, a puncture on the Caen
ring road. With no hope of recovering him we reluctantly left him to stop the night and get a ferry the
next day. This trip is quite arduous always throws up some minor drama but for me is the best of the
lot. Everyone comes away with tales of what happened and are reliving the banter for weeks after. If
your up for doing long days and fancy the thrill of riding in Spain then get yourself on this one next year.
DECEMBER
Airfield tour and Shuttleworth Engineering day A cold day but no frost and no ice this year. Six of us
went on this trip. A route of approx 2 hrs to visit some of the wartime airfields of Bedfordshire and get
to the destination of the Shuttleworth collection for their Engineering open day. Cranfield, Poddington,
Thurleigh and Cardington were the chosen airfields where I gave a brief summary of their history before
arriving at Shuttleworth for lunch. The open day is a great opportunity to chat with the engineers about
the restorations and maintenance work they are doing. Lots of questions were asked about 'rotary' and
'radial' aero engines and we were shown all their inner workings. The work on their Supermarine Spitfire
seems to be taking forever but it's being done by volunteers that only do two days a week. There's a real
passion here about everything they do. The collection is amazing and well worth a visit, it's open most of
the year, give it a try.
Page 11 of 18
IAM News
It’s that time of year again when some are hoping for a white Christmas – however, it’s also the time of
year when some of us are asking ‘can I ride my motorcycle in the snow?’. We spoke to the Institute of
Advanced Motorists Chief Examiner, Peter Rodger, who gave us his top tips for riding in the snow…
Make sure you are warmly dressed, all over. If you don’t have a mist-clear arrangement on your
visor, make sure it’s really clean before you start out – mist forms quicker on dirty surfaces.
Think about your route, and stay on roads that are more likely to have been cleared of snow or
less likely to have ice forming on them; and as you ride think ahead about where conditions are
likely to change so you are ready – as you leave a main road onto a slip road or a side road, for
example.
Going over a bridge is one of the places you are most likely to encounter ice – the road freezes
quicker (and thaws later) because it has cold air under as well as above it. Look ahead for them
– the parapets at the side can be a good guide. Shady areas can be the same if it is a sunny day.
Make sure you can see the road surface well ahead – so keep a long following distance and think
about what you can see in the dark – you need to know what a surface will be like before you
ride onto it, so position to see it and use all the light sources there are to let you get the best
look, and accept that you may have to go slower if there might be ice about.
If riding in traffic, think really carefully about where you are filtering, so that you don’t get
caught out on a piece of road that hasn’t been salted or warmed up by the traffic – or simply
where there the slush has been thrown by the traffic and collected so it throws you off balance.
Don’t be tempted to overtake across a line or bridge of snow/slush in the middle of the road –
or even a patch of frost there. The short passage across them can be deadly.
If you are riding in collected snow, you may have to slow down so that you ride at sub walking
pace with both feet down ready to steady the bike. Remember to look ahead so that you don’t
knock into a lump of snow – that could be enough to throw your balance on such a poor surface.
Ride smoothly – accelerate gently, slow down really early and smoothly, and steer without
sudden changes. On downhill sections do not let your speed rise – keep it low all the time, as
getting it back down again can be very challenging.
Don’t forget about microclimates – a microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the
climate differs from the surrounding area. They can occur in certain weather situations such as
where a tree has shielded the road from frost or rain. Therefore road conditions can be quite
different in a small space.
If you are caught out and it snows unexpectedly, remember fresh snow has more grip than
packed ice. So sometimes it’s better to use that part of the road, but the journey will be slower.
If it’s deep, keep out of it – you can’t see what’s underneath it.
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IAM policy update – flip front helmets
The IAM has recently issued a safety policy on the use of Flip Front Helmets, i.e. those on which the chin
bar can be lifted as well as the visor. Below is a copy of the policy and some associated notes. This info
is also available via your members area login on the IAM website.
Page 13 of 18
SUMMARY This policy excludes P/J rated helmets SO Unless you’re certain that your helmet is P/J rated then it
must be worn at all times with the chin bar locked down. Even when sat on the bike at traffic lights.
Only when you get off the bike so you’re no longer riding it or “in control” is it legit to flip the chin bar
up. Note that this is a legal requirement as well as an IAM policy item.
IRISH ROAD RACING 2015
I’ve just read Guy Martin’s autobiography and who couldn’t want to go to Ireland after that !
The visits to Ireland for the Irish Road Racing season were a great success again in 2014 although as
with all good things it’s come to an end. Bob is planning another year of fun in 2015. So if you enjoyed
it last year or if you haven’t tried it then see what you’ve been missing – get in touch .......
Email Bob Gould at
MIDWEEK COFFEE CLUB
Once a month(ish) Bob Gould (as above) has got a group of us retired or otherwise socially
unencumbered bike group members meeting informally for midweek coffee. Next year it’s planned that
we’ll move to getting a bike ride before and/or after the coffee rather than just swapping tall tales about
all the things we’ve done since we last met up.
Interested ? drop Bob an email at and supply your mobile number and Bob will email/text you the
details when we’re next meeting up.
ANYONE FOR OFFROAD SPAIN IN 2015 ?
Dave is planning a fly in / fly out trip to Southern Spain for a couple of days off-roading during 2015.
This is probably going to be April-ish and will cost in the region of £430 including bike, clothing, fuel,
insurance, hotel (shared twin room), breakfast & lunch plus either hire car or airport collection. NOT
INCLUDING FLIGHTS. The company are happy to take riders from novice to experienced and
have a variety of KTMs available to ride.
Interested ? email or post on our Facebook group. No commitment required yet but let me
know if you are interested so that we can get an idea of numbers.
Page 14 of 18
CAPTION COMPETITION
No prizes but share your thoughts with us
Suggestions to
THIS MONTH
LAST MONTH
1. Onlookers were impressed by Alex’s excellent road sense, but had not realised she was simply queuing
up for a lick of the giant lollypops
2. “Why won’t these lights just do as they’re told ?”
3. On her way to meet Harry, Hermione wished she could remember the colour changing spell.
Have you got an amusing picture we can use ? Email to
Page 15 of 18
ADVANCED TEST TIPS
This month – It’s not just about the riding !
It’s winter so most sensible people are only out riding on the good days. That means we’ve got a lot of
extra time to catch up on the theory of Advanced Riding. And this is important, whether you realise it
or not you will get a theory question or two asked on your Advanced Bike Test. And no, we don’t get
any warning about what the questions are likely to be. So, make the most of those long winter nights
and read a little bit from the books instead of watching some of the dreadful TV that’s being shown at
the moment. Even half an hour an evening will make a big difference.
Sometimes the questions will simply be to test your knowledge, sometimes they may be to confirm
something that happened on your ride. Whichever it is you still need to know the answers.
So which answers do you need ?
Everything you need is in two places –
1. The Highway Code
2. HTBABR (How to be a Better Rider)
HTBABR should be something that your Observer gives you some reading homework from every time
you go out on 121, and quite possibly on 1st Sunday too. So you should read it a bit at a time, which for
most of us is a much better way than trying to read the whole thing all at once. Ideally you will be
reading about something that you’ve just been working on, or perhaps reading a section in preparation
for your next 121. This is great because it puts what’s in the book into practical use and gives you a
much better understanding than simply reading the text.
HTBABR is the theory behind the riding we do every time we go out. So if you’re not sure about
something this is the first place you should look. If you’re just starting out you could try and read the
whole thing before you get going but to be honest it will be a lot easier if you read it a bit at a time, or
just read the relevant parts as you develop your Advanced skills.
The Highway Code has a lot of information in it and not all of it is relevant to bikes so that cuts it down a
bit. However there is quite a bit of general information for all road users that is essential reading, not
just so that you know it for your test, but so that you are clear what is expected of you when riding.
The Highway Code is not the Law, although in several cases it refers to the relevant laws if you want the
detail. But if you were involved in an accident and you could be shown (particularly in court) to be going
against something in the Highway Code then you could find yourself either more at fault, or being paid
reduced damages.
In particular with the Highway Code you should be looking for things like
What all the road signs mean
Where you MUST/SHOULD/MUST NOT take a particular action
What the speed limits are
What the stopping distances are at typical speeds
In both cases trying to revise the whole book the day before your test is a bad idea. So either start from
the beginning of your time doing your MKAM training, or at worst read a bit each day for the last few
weeks before your test. Most importantly get someone, perhaps your Observer, to test you on what
you’ve been reading.
Any questions ? Either ask your observer or send in a question to
Page 16 of 18
ONCE YOU’VE PASSED (your Advanced test)
What can you do once you’ve passed your test – Come along to the First Sunday Full Members Group
or the 3rd Saturday Full Members ride to maintain and develop your skills. Remember the expression
“use it or lose it”. If you don’t ensure that you’re still riding to Advanced Standard then the bad habits
will creep back in. If you’re interested this is the first step towards becoming an Observer with MKAM.
Or become a SERV volunteer and help by transporting urgent samples, MRI Scans, emergency blood
supplies etc between hospitals at night. Some general SERV information which will tell you about the
local group: https://wiki.servobn.org.uk/index.php/information-for-prospective-members
SERV Joining requirements, procedure of joining and what you do once you have joined
https://wiki.servobn.org.uk/index.php/what-we-do
Your Advanced qualification stands you in good stead should you want to become a cycle race marshal.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/raceeducation/article/roadst-National-Escort-Group for more info.
RECOMMENDATIONS
MoTs – See Paul at Gardner and White at Stoke Goldington.
He won’t rip you off and find a load of
things that need fixing just to generate more work for him, but he’ll tell you if there’s genuinely
something wrong. He runs a good old fashioned bike workshop as well so if your winter bike needs a
service before the salt starts being spread and you never get time then give him a call.
MORE CLOTHING BARGAINS
The IAM nationally has negotiated a 15% discount with Bike Stop in Stevenage although not off Sale and
special promotion prices. It’s not that far for us and they offer free Lavazza coffee to visitors, but the
same discounts apply to mail order too.
104 High Street, Stevenage, SG1 3DW 01438 414120 www.bikestop.co.uk
CLOTHING BARGAINS
Always in search of a bargain, I managed to track down a clearance warehouse for motorcycle stuff.
Some may have heard of J&S Accessories as an online shop for bike gear - with a very large shop down
in Watford (as well as other places) - but about a year ago, they opened a Factory Outlet just up the
road in Finedon, between Wellingborough and Kettering, in what used to be the Frank Thomas place.
Finedon specialises in end-of-line - not seconds - so expect to find top quality without the top price.
They also have on-site seamstresses, so if you need the legs shortening; or a zip adding to your jacket
to connect to the trousers you just bought, they can do it.
There's a good selection of leather, textile and fashion bike jackets; trousers and leggings; helmets and
boots; onesies for sportsbikers; and various other goodies for you and your beloved... but if you or your
bike don't need anything at the moment, you could always buy something for the wife instead - like I
did!
Visit http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/stores/northampton, or better still, visit the store, as what I
wanted - and bought, didn't appear on the website. The postcode is NN9 5NT, and the store is just
outside the village, about half-a-mile north on Station Road.
And before you ask.. no, I'm not on commission!
CLOTHING REPAIRS
Colin Potter
Page 17 of 18
Motorcycle clothing repair recommendation. I've recently had my Halvarssons jacket repaired under
warranty.
If anyone has ragged cuffs like mine in the picture and the jacket is still in warranty they will repair them
free of charge. Mine also had a broken zip which was also replaced. I complained because the cuffs had
worn like this in a matter of months.
It was collected by http://www.hill4leather.com/ repaired and returned within 4 days. Fantastic service
and a repair that looks just like new. In fact they recommended a harder wearing material to replace the
original. I've not used these people before and I don't know what their prices are like and unless your
going down Aldershot way they are a bit far away, but based on the quality of repair and excellent
service I'd highly recommend them.
See the before and after pics below.
Charlie
BEFORE
AFTER
Apologies for the difference in photo quality (two different cameras) but I think you can see the
difference.
Page 18 of 18
QUICK VIDEO CLIPS
This month - Does your bike need a spring clean ?
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=833722733336829
Have you got an interesting bike related clip we can use ?
MKAM isn’t responsible for, nor does it endorse any video content. We will never knowingly suggest anything which may be
offensive but since we don’t control Youtube or any other medium it is your responsibility to ensure that the content is suitable
for you and any other viewer who may be with you. Similarly we can make no warranty about any potential computer security
issues.
INTERESTING/USEFUL/AMUSING LINKS
Any suggestions ? We’re always on the lookout for interesting links.
Have a read of the latest edition of The Lancelot / Helibikes news via http://www.helibikes.co.uk/thelancelot.html This month lots of useful thoughts about preparing for
winter.
European Commission Travel Advice – this is a good one. Info on local speed limits and many other
things for all the EU countries - http://bit.ly/1okB0iJ
POTHOLES - Believe it or not there is a website dedicated to potholes. It’s a useful way in to reporting
potholes anywhere in the UK, but it may also help you and/or someone else make a claim for pothole
related damage to your bike or car. http://www.potholes.co.uk/
Or try www.fixmystreet.com if you want to post pictures there’s an Android App for this one.
And now in Milton Keynes only - http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/streets-transport-and-
parking/roads-highways-and-pavements/report-highway-problems/damage-to-a-roadpavement-or-redway-such-as-potholes-or-loose-paving-slabs
It appears that the Government has allocated new money to fixing some of the dire problems that have
been allowed to occur in the recent trying financial times. So if there’s a really bad pothole somewhere
near you this might be a very good time to report it !
USEFUL SMARTPHONE APPS
Realrider – not tried but is free to download/signup and has options such as favourite routes &
places of interest, plus a paid feature which auto dials the NHS if you crash and passes on your
location.
Have you got it ? what do you think of it ?
What’s your best bike related app – email