the sam observer - suffolk advanced motorcyclists · the sam observer april 2019 page 5...

The SAM Observer April 2019 www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com

The cover picture is of the new Triumph Scrambler from Lings Ipswich. The

picture was submitted by Derek Barker. It may be a place on the Chief's

Challenge.

The digital editing was done by Mike Roberts

Photos from the

SAM Dexterity Day

Taken by

Derek Barker


your Committee

No Calls After 21:00 Please

Officers Chairman Richard Ockelton 07872 925532

Vice Chairman Martin Drury 07595 277831

Secretary Les Steggles 01359 245898

Treasurer Bryan Duncan 07879 654122

Committee Members Chief Observer Derek Barker 01473 327555

Caring SAM Brian Ellis 07740 564097

Charity Co-ordinator Brian Ellis 07740 564097

Events Rob Baker 07710 537844

Publicity Co-ordinator Glyn Hill 07986 319163

Publicity Dean Harris 07956 339112

Publicity Trevor Read 07525 724002

Chief Ride Leader Dean Harris 07956 339112

Webmaster Mike Roberts 01473 718915

Communications Les Smith 07792 273334

Magazine Editor Felix Oliver 07712 649860

Committee Support Members Membership Secretary Linda Barker 01473 327555

Associate Co-ordinator Susan Smith 01206 251946

Admin Support Sara Hale 01359 241552

Buddy Co-ordinator Vicky Smith 01255 830352

National Observers Mike Roberts 01473 718915 David Rudland 01473 401362

Richard Toll 01473 401363 Ross Mckinlay 07986 838028

Geoff Scott 07983 939998 André Castle 07730 526674

Paul Newman 01473 620450 Ruth Acworth 07783 007100

Paul Ballard 07850 715063 Tony Chyc 01206 231782

Kevin Brendish 07854 494041

Observers Steve Gocher 01473 430643 Richard Ockelton 07872 925532

Dean Harris 07956 339112 Rob Baker 07710 537844

John Rudland 07740 874300 Matthew Barker 07931 700725

Phil Sayer 07990 565451 Glyn Hill 07986 319163

Terry Fellowes 07870 764187

I.A.M. Examiner

Ian Maxwell 0 7974 941545 Neale McConnell 07899 714136


Contents

SAM Dexterity day by Derek Barker 2

Committee 3

Chairmans Chat by Richard Ockelton 5

Latest Associates 7

IAM Test Passes 7

Motorcycle Dexterity Days 2019 by Derek Barker 8

Thank you by Steve Gocher 9

Peru by Nick Braley 9

Chateau De Madam Pompadour by Bryan Duncan 12

SAM Theory Evening by Derek Barker 14

Hints and Tips 15

SAM’s Breakfast Run 17

Ride Co-Ordinator and leaders by Sara Hale 19

Thursday Chip ride 20

Chiefs Challenge by Derek Barker 21

Roadgraft by Andrew Goodey 23

SAM Promotion dates By Glyn Hill 25

Editorial by Editor 27

Advertise Here by Committee 28

Members Information by Mike Roberts 29

SAM Dates for you Diary 30

SAM Dexterity day by Derek Barker 35

Our Venue 36

next Issue

Closing date for copy – Friday after club night. Send via e-mail or on a USB

memory stick (which will be returned) or even hand-written, not a problem. The

Editor reserves the right to edit, amend or omit as he feels fit.

WEBSITE ADDRESS http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com

SAM is a registered Charity ~ No. 1067800

All Official Correspondence to:

The Secretary, Les Steggles,

1 Apple Grove, Wetherden, Suffolk, IP14 3RB


Chairman's Chat

A very warm welcome to the April edition of the SAM Observer.

As most of you are now aware, we are beginning to settle into Gresham’s. Yes

there have been a few minor teething issues, these are now being resolved, and

things are improving on each club night we hold there. So thank you all for your

patience during this transitional period of time.

At last month’s guest speaker slot, comments were passed that various members

in the main area, where talking during the presentation of the talk by the guest

speaker. Please may I ask that we may refrain from this out of courtesy of the

guest speaker? I myself was guilty of whispering to a colleague during the guest

speaker slot and was in no certain terms asked to stop, by a member because they

themselves could not hear thank you.

We are holding the Hints and Tips day on 27th

April 2019, if you have not booked

a place, please email Sara Hale at [email protected]. To book a place.

For further details, see the forum and calendar.

This year’s chief challenge has been announced. To enter is free; all you need to

do is email [email protected].

Our editor Felix is always looking for new photographs and adventures that you

may have been on recently for the magazine, thank you.

This month's guest speakers are Phil and Dee. There talk is going to be “Further

Tales of their exploits whilst touring”.

Cheers

Richard


Going on a trip? Don’t forget to send in your travels so other members can be

inspired to also send in their stories


New Associate Members

A warm welcome is extended to our most recent Associate members:

Steven Jacobs Matthew Ireland Mark Dean

If anyone else has joined us and not had a mention yet, let the Editor know and

he will put your name in the next Issue

IAM Test Passes

Congratulations to the members who have passed their

Advanced test this month.

Nigel Smith his Observer was Mike Roberts

Carl Brooks his Observer was André Castle

Steve Winlow his Observer was Mike Roberts

When you pass your advanced test please let

Derek Baker or Susan Smith know.


Motorcycle Dexterity & Control 2019

Motorcycle Dexterity & Control Days (a.k.a. Slow Riding Days)

The Observer team in 2019 will again be running Motorcycle Dexterity &

Control Days just for associates (plus a training event for Observers).

For every motorcycle spill that makes the local papers, there are many more

which never get much publicity. How many of you in your time riding have

never struggled to keep your bike upright while manoeuvring in a parking area,

or had to take a big dab with either foot while negotiating queues of commuter

traffic? Not many (if any).

Very often in these situations the rider grabs a handful of front brake, shortly

followed by the resulting sound of expensive plastic and metal making contact

with the ground. Motorcycle Dexterity & Control Days give you the opportunity

to practice the art of riding a motorcycle slowly, and to learn the techniques that

will help you do it.

This year the dates are:

Sunday 28th

April Associates Only

Saturday 18th

May Associates Only

Sunday 23rd

June Associates Only

Saturday 20th

July Associates Only

Sunday 18th

August Associates and Full Members

Saturday 14th

September Associates Only

Sunday 27th

October Associates Only

All events start at 09:00 SHARP and the venue will be the playground of

Sidegate Primary School, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich. IP4 4JD

It is strongly recommended before you attend one of SAM's Dexterity days, you

inform your Insurance Company that you intend to practise slow speed machine

control in a school playground off road on tarmac, ask them to confirm that you

will have full cover for this activity.

Numbers are limited to these events to 10 per session so please book early by

Email to [email protected] to guarantee a space.

NB. Please bring a drink/snack with you as there are no refreshment facilities on

site.


Former Chairman Thanks

I’d like to thank the group for the very generous £120 whip-round, presented to

me after February’s AGM, by way of thanks for my time as Chairman. I’ve put

the funds towards a flight in a Dragon Rapide which includes the privilege of

being joined by and flying in formation with a Spitfire. I’ve booked the midday

flight on Saturday 8th June taking off from the Imperial War Museum airfield at

Duxford.

I extend an invite to join me in a cross country ride on the day to ‘see me off’ and

enjoy the aircraft museum attractions. I shall put further details and a route on

the forum closer to the time.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford

Cheers

Steve Gocher

Peru

So you find yourself trapped on a hippy bus, being driven along some amazing

twisty roads in Peru with only one thought: These roads are wasted on a bus

when I really should be on 2 wheels.' But what can you do? You can hardly sign

off the bus for a few weeks, find a local bike hire company and go play, can you?

Well you can, if you stumble across a local bike hire company in Cusco with an

owner happy to do a deal for a 3 1/2 week hire. So it was that the deal was done

and I ended up with a 300cc off road Honda that looks like a baby GS / Africa

twin. Negotiating with the owner was far from easy with no common language,

but Google translate did the basics and a deal was struck. Now it's fair to say the

guy wasn't exactly of the Hertz standard regarding the hire. I had no contract,

insurance cover was 'vague' and the helmet, gloves and mx style protectors were

far from top notch, but beggars can't be choosers and I got the keys so what was

to worry about? The bike was as new with just 350km on the clock which ticked

off that box, and I rode away confident she wouldn’t let me down mechanically.


I arranged for the first 10 days to shadow the hippy bus, thus not worrying about

luggage other than a day pack. Thereafter I'd be independent for 2 weeks but that

gave me plenty of time to sort out the luggage issues. Luckily I'd packed a roll

bag so all I needed was a way to attaching it to the bike and I'd be set. Of course

riding in wet season also brings challenges, and Cusco is 3500m high and next to

a rain forest. But apart from that, there was no reason to think I might get wet. In

fact I got pretty lucky and aside from a couple of wet half hours, never really

copped it. I did have to battle cold, wind, sand storms, but hey, we bikers are

made of stern stuff. Having an open helmet (Mx style) made for some challenges

when it did rain but also made for a lovely breeze on the hot days

Anyhow, to the riding. Fair to say Peru has some awesome roads. Best of all is

the lack of traffic once you get out of the towns. Lorries are super slow so there

are loads of chances to use your 3 stage over takes. Look, get in position, bang

it...or something like that. The lack of power (am used to 1000cc) meant I had to

work hard for them, though the slowness of the Lorries did help. The vision on

the passes was way more than I was used to on most Alpine passes and this

definitely helped too.

Outside of the passes and I spent a few Km on the Pan American highway. This

varied from 1 to 3 lanes as you got closer to Lima. They also had a few tolls with

no signage for bikes. Had a few issues there with a couple of jobs worth’s

insisting I turn round and take the correct (unsignposted) lane for bikes. Others

were a bit more forgiving once I made plain I has no idea what they were on

about. Probably the most lethal hazard was the overtaking Lorries who didn’t

seem to give a toss for motorbikes coming the other way. I think one issue in the

developing world is the perception of bikes as all 125cc ridden by the poor. If

you are making progress, the guy coming the other way sometimes assumes you

are on a 125, from the single headlight. Oa number of occasions I was forced off

the road to avoid a head-on with an overtaking lorry. Not nice and too frequent

for my liking

Lima itself was a whole new level of craziness. I've lived, and ridden in Lagos,

Nigeria, so have had some preparation but that was a few years back. The

cabbies really are utter loons and the locals got a free show when I had words

with 1 particular arsehole who seemed determined to assert his position over

mine. Being generous, I think he was confused at my not filtering like every

other biker, but that's hardly an excuse for his driving.

One other non IAM compliant riding to add to the list was my misinterpreting the

'Solo autos' sign leading onto the highway. I figured it translated as 'no lorries'

but it was literally 'only cars'. The copper who pulled me over gave up after his


6th attempt was met with "Ingles?" Playing the dumb foreigner is quite easy

when you are dumb, and foreign.

It was in Lima that I went in search of a bike shop for an oil change, chain spray

and to sort out some bungees. Eventually I found a small garage but no luck with

the bungees until a young biker I asked suggested a Peruvian alternative, using

an inner tube. I looked at him in bewilderment which he saw as a challenge,

asking the garage owner for an old inner tube. He then cut it into a long strip and

showed he how it could be used to tie down your luggage. Got to say it worked a

treat and I'll be adopting this when I get home.

So 3000 Km, done before the biggest challenge, crossing the Andes to drop the

bike back to Cusco, from the coast. Turns out the Andes are quite wide and have

a big flat bit in the middle. I peeked around 4500m, which I'd done before, but

the 50 mile plateau made for a different ride altogether. This was open, windy,

freezing and genuinely one of the most unpleasant 2 hours I've ever spent on 2

wheels. It was so cold I swear I was hallucinating with visions of towns (and the

welcoming hot drink I needed) in the distance that never materialised. When I

eventually hit a restaurant it was the most welcome cuppa I've ever had.

Anyhow, make it I did and the hotel /meal was devoured before a well-deserved

rest. We have heard from many adventure bikers at SAM so it was good to have

a go myself at a mini adventure. The Honda did all it was asked to. Would have

been nice to have maybe 600cc but then the extra weight would make the slower

stuff harder imho. I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near some of these places on

1000+ adventure bike (but that’s me and my small legs) I'll save the adventure

biking for adventures and look forward to a summer on tarmac :-)

Nick Braley

Chateau de Madam Pompadour

Gary Moss and me parked in front of the Chateau de Madam Pompadour

(mistress of Louis XV) near Limoges.

Also, one of me parked in front of the Chateau d’Estaing. This second chateau

was voted as the best fortified chateau in France by the then French president

Giscard d’Estaing (now there’s a coincidence - perhaps the clue’s in the name?


Bryan Duncan


SAM Theory Evenings

As most of you know, on the Thursday evening, directly after Group Nights,

SAM holds its monthly Theory Evening. Based on an ever revolving subject list

of important rider skills these nights are an informal evening of facts and lively

banter all aimed at improving your ride based on the

information in the Advanced Rider Course Logbook.

Each session covers one of the four main topic areas;

Overtaking Planning & Positioning

Cornering Gears & Acceleration

Mainly aimed at Associates going through the course, these

evenings are also a good way for full members to brush up on their theory and

add their experiences and questions to the session.

The great benefit of attending these sessions in the classroom means it saves time

on the road, covering theory and has the added advantage of an opportunity to

discuss any issues you may have generally on your Advanced Rider Course.

Derek Barker SAM Chief Observer


Hints & Tips

Saturday 27th

April 2019

Start & Finish:

The George Public House

The George

George Street

Hintlesham

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP8 3NH.

Arrival time 08:45 for 09:00

briefing (you must be at the

briefing).

All the usual things you expect from

a 'Hints & Tips Run', getting up early, riding lovely roads, chat with like-minded

people and of course a chance for food at the end.

You will also have your riding looked at and be given general feedback in the

group. This is informal and a relaxed way of keeping up or gaining knowledge of

advanced riding.

General information

Ride will last approximately 2 hours and cover 50 miles.

Refreshments can be purchased before and after ride at the pub.

Plenty of parking.

Open to all associates, full members, pillions, non members.

There are limited spaces so you will need to book on a first come first served

basis closing date Wednesday 17th

April 2019. Contact Sara Hale email

[email protected]


BREAKFAST RUN

5th May 2019

The Hippodrome (Wetherspoons), Dartford Road, March

PE15 8AQ

Meet at Stowmarket Tescos IP14 5BE in good time for a 9:00 Briefing and

subsequent departure.

All riders must attend Briefing.

Ride Co-ordinator: Vini Evans

Leave the car park and turn left at each of the three roundabouts to join the A14

westbound.

Peel off at the slip road near Elmswell (J47) to join the A1088 past Ixworth to

Thetford.

Turn right at the second roundabout onto the A1075 to Watton.

Turn left at the traffic lights taking the B1108 to meet the A1065 at Bodney.

Cross over onto the narrow lane going over another crossroad and bear left at the

‘T’.

Cross over the A134 into the forest and turn right at the second crossroads then

a quick left/right into Feltwell.

Turn right at the island and follow to Southery, turning right at the ‘T’ junction

which brings you to the A10.

Turn right and three quarters of a mile up the road turn left into Modney Bridge

Road.

Pass the Welney Wildlife Centre turn right at the bridge and into Welney city

centre.

Turn left into New Road round the twiddles and over the bumps to the ‘T’ at

Sixteen Foot Bank.

Left for almost two miles down the road then turn right over a bridge onto the

B1099 into March.

Turn right at the traffic lights and on to the dualled market area.

At the traffic lights and pergola turn left then first right into Darthill Road and

park in the car park on the right.


Ride Co-ordinators and Ride Leaders

Ride Co-ordinator and Ride Leader

Chief Ride Leader Dean Harris

David Wood Brian Ellis Glyn Hill

Vini Evans Robert Baker Nick Braley

Richard Ockelton Karl Grimwade

Ride Leaders

Ken Beckinsale Tim Wash Martin Drury

Mike Roberts Trevor Read Fred Sparrow

Eric Aldridge Alex Jones Nigel Pye

Adrian Tadman

Please check the SAM Calendar and SAM Forum on-line for last minute

changes/cancellations. On the Forum you will also find the routes as text, route

cards, and on Google Maps / Streetview, along with a photo of the destination, so

you can familiarise yourself with the route before the day.


chip ride 30th May 2019

To a choice of chippies in Aldeburgh High Street IP15 5DB

http://www.aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk

Meet at Beacon Hill services IP6 8LP in good time for 18:15 Briefing and

subsequent departure.

All riders must attend Briefing.

Ride Co-ordinator is Dean Harris.

Join the A140 and down the bottom of the dip take the right turn on the B1078

to Coddenham.

Just past the church go straight on where the road turns sharp right into School

Lane.

Carry on respectfully through the classy area of Crowfield to Pettaugh.

Turn right onto the A1120 going through Earl Soham and then Turn right at

Saxtead Greeb onto the B1119 into Framlingham.

Go straight over at the mini roundabout past the market place, rejoining the

B1119 past the castle.

Stay on the B1119, crossing the A12 into Saxmundham and on to Leiston.

At the traffic lights do a staggered straight across into Main Street, rounding into

High Street and keeping on the B1122 to Aldringham.

Turn left at the triangle green opposite pub onto the B1353 through Thorpeness

to Aldeburgh High Street.

There's a choice of venues on the left and right of the High Street. You can walk

through to the seafront and sit on the sea wall to eat your chips.

Just don’t feed the seagulls….


Chief's Challenge 2019 Sponsored by

Once again the 2019 Chief’s Challenge gives you the opportunity to discover

some of the great biking roads that Suffolk and Norfolk have to offer and if you

successfully complete this challenge you will receive a free specially

commissioned ‘Chief’s Challenge' buff for your efforts and entered into a prize

draw for a First Prize of £200, a second prize of £100 worth of gift vouchers for

Lings Motorcycles in Ipswich, and separate consolation prizes.

Rules and Conditions

This challenge is to be completed by 1st September 2019. Presentation and prize

draw will be held on September's club night at Greshams, Tuddenham Road. If

you cannot make club night on 17th September ask someone to collect your prize

who is going.

The challenge is called ‘The chief’s cultural challenge’. The idea is for you to

solve the simple Anagram of the word which is the village location, visit the

village and take a picture at the specified locations within Suffolk and Norfolk.

To complete the challenge you need to visit Lings on Foxhall Road in Ipswich

and take a selfie with a member of the Lings team. (This is clue 26)

You can do this on your own, in groups or mix and match, the choice is yours.

You have all summer to do so.

You have the names of the village locations you need to visit as an Anagram;

your challenge is to locate these locations and have your picture taken there. You

need to prove you’ve been there. We will accept village signs, pub signs,

churches, schools etc. As proof of your visit you need to get a photograph of you,

or you and your bike together.

There are some locations where it is either not possible (you’ll have to get off

and walk a bit), impractical, illegal or un-safe to get your bike in the picture so

please use common sense.


Once you have photos of all locations show them to any member of SAM

committee who will verify your claim. (Do not get me the Chief Observer to

verify your claim.) I will be verifying any committee member who wishes to take

up the challenge which will be enough work in itself.

To have your evidence verified can be as simple as showing a committee

member all your pictures on your phone or camera. Print them out either

individually, grouped on fewer pages or send a link via a cloud such as Drop

Box. You may even want to get creative like some members have done in the

past and be featured in the Observer Magazine. DO NOT SEND ALL

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS TO AN EMAIL ACCOUNT AS THIS WILL BE TOO

LARGE FOR IT TO HANDLE AND BLOCK THE ACCOUNT! Please make

sure you number the picture and evidence to correspond with the clue number to

make checking easier.

There are no special prizes for doing it in a day or how quickly you can do it or

even do it at night - I want you to take your time and enjoy the experience over a

number of days (take as many as you want) as there are 26 locations spread all

over Suffolk and Norfolk, we are after all a road safety organisation and putting

pressure on people when riding on the roads is not what we are about.

Everyone that successfully completes this challenge gets a FREE

commemorative buff especially commissioned for this event (you could own a

piece of SAM history)

To enter it is FREE

All you need to do is email [email protected] to register and you with

be sent the clues, rules and conditions

So get out there and ride your bike and most of all have fun!

Derek Barker Chief Observer


Roadgraft

Like most riders I'd passed my test, gained a full licence and thought that was the

end of it, apart of course from the dubious advice received from my peers, which

normally involved what you could get away with without ending up in hospital or

points on your licence.

I first became aware that advanced techniques for riding existed a little while

after passing my test in 1990 when I came across a curious book with the picture

of an old fashioned Police motorcycle helmet on it published by the Home Office

and with the subtitle 'The Police Riders' Manual'. The text and diagrams

confirmed the dated looking cover and brought to mind an era when the Police

rode around on Triumphs, stopping Austin 1100 owners who seemed pleased to

be told they were exceeding the speed limit or had a malfunctioning brake light.

But more than a decade after it's original publication date, roads had amazingly

retained lines, junctions, bends and roundabouts so it seemed to still have some

relevance. If it helped me from putting myself in danger or anyone else then I

could forgive it's dated presentation.

On reading it I expected some kind of mystical process to take place that'd

magically convert me into a safe, systematic and smooth rider. My little C90

even had a white screen and topbox reminiscent of a patrol bike so I was half

way there wasn't I ? The ironic stickers on the legshields from 'Superbike'

magazine dispelled this impression slightly though.

It made me aware there was more to this motorcycle riding business than met the

eye and I had a great deal to learn. Like most stuff I took an intial interest then it

gradually got read less and pushed out of sight.

I tried to retain some of what I'd read (fresh mud on the road may mean there's a

tractor ahead etc..) but I never got round to joining the I.A.M. I didn't feel the

right age or have enough motivation and I definitely couldn't afford or handle a

BMW R80RT or Pan European which also seemed to be a requirement at the

time.

At 26 I passed my I.A.M. test, but in a car, my Capri being an incongruous site

amongst the more contemporary middle management Rovers and B.M.W's.

Another 20 years and 2 editions of Roadcraft would be published before

undertaking my present motorcycle instruction.


That anonymous, sober book in combination with a visit to the National Bikesafe

event at Rockingham in 2017, where I stopped by the Northamptonshire section

stand and joined after taking a quiz in which I correctly recognised 2 out of 6

road signs made me realise that I had to do something more proactive and now

it's going to take some real roadgraft to get there.

Andrew Goodey

Social Rides Please note that it is you, the rider, who is deemed to be in control of the vehicle

at all times during an Observed Run and during all other Group activities and that

the Committee of Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists cannot and do not accept any

liability whatsoever for any injury to person or damage to vehicle occurring in

the course of any rally or other event organised by the Group. Any member

attending such an event does so entirely at his or her own risk and must maintain

their own insurance to cover any said injury to person or damage to vehicle and

must be riding a road legal vehicle, having valid road tax, insurance and MOT

certificate (if applicable).

Participants on S.A.M social rides are advised of the Events Committee’s

guidelines as follows:

You will be expected to provide a suitable means of carrying a map of

the route

If possible, have breakdown cover for your machine.

Be responsible for your own safety

Rides will commence promptly at the published departure time.

Have a FULL tank of fuel

No more than 5 in a group.

Please watch our light hearted video with a serious message explaining all of

the above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRMd-dQHzWg


SUFFOLK ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS PROMO DATES 2019

These are the dates your promotions team are attending this year, if you would

like to help at any of these events contact Glyn Hill 07986319163. Come and

join us for a day to see how we get people to sign up to SAM, it’s a good day out

and great fun. I look forward to hearing from you.

April 13th

Orwells Demo Day

April 20th

Kesgrave Bell Bike Show

May 11th

Safe Rider / Lings T Fest Demo Day

May 12th

Stonham Barns Bike Show

May 18th

Hadleigh Show

June 1st Safe Rider Police Headquarters

July 6th

Safe Rider Police Headquarters

August 3rd

Wheels Event Trinity Park

August 3rd

Safe Rider

August 4th

Wheels Event Trinity Par

September 7th

Safe Rider

September 14th

Orwells Demo Day

October 5th

Safe Rider Police Headquarters

October 6th

Copdock Bike Show

Possible dates Orwells 24th

25th

April or May 15th

16th

evening with Bradley Ray

& Jamie Whitham.


Editorial

Yes, I dragged the bike out of

the shed and been on a little

ride up to Norfolk.

Nice to get out and about, I

had to collect my eBay

winnings so silly to take the

van or car… Bit of a long way

home as well, first time that I

have manage to test the brake

calipers, all worked well so

hopefully the binding will not

be an issue this year.

Although last year I didn’t get a chance to even go to the nearest clue I have

signed up to the Chief’s Challenge. A Lot of hard work goes into arranging and

testing the routes, with the help of copious amounts of cake…. So seems a great

way of getting out on the bike and using the skills that we have learnt with the

IAM course.

Now the clocks have sprung forward the calendar is filling up with lots of events,

so if you can spare a day or even a few hours please contact our publicity team.

Safe Riding Felix... Editor

Bowman’s Barn, Back Street, Gislingham, Suffolk. IP23 8JH.

Tel: 07712649860

[email protected]

Thank you

To all the members who have contributed to this month’s magazine.

But….. what about the rest of you….


Closing date for copy FridayFridayFridayFriday after club night

If you’d like to help save the Group on the printing and postage costs of your

monthly ‘hard copy’ of the ‘SAM Observer’ by opting to receive an email

notification instead, then please give me your email details on Group Night or

send me an email.

I hope that you have been enjoying the reports that members who go on ride outs

have written, and as you can see, it doesn’t have to be a wordy passage, so feel

free to scribble a few words down, a few pictures and next month you will have

another great magazine to read

Don’t forget to take your cameras and a notebook to record your trip then you

can write a nice article about it for your favourite magazine. I have a word

template if anyone would like it, email me and I’ll send you a copy which has all

the formatting re-set on it. Please remember that we use Times New Roman as

the main font for the magazine at a size 16 so that when the printer converts the

A4 pages down to A5 the font looks like a 12. I like pictures to be separate to

your articles because I can make them bigger or small to fill the page

Advertise in our magazine

Annual Advertising Rates:

Advertise on the SAM website for an additional £25.

Contact Felix for more details 07712649860

[email protected]

£50 for ½ page £75 for full page

Norfolk Advanced Motorcyclists

3rd

Monday of the month, 19:30, at Dunston Hall, A140,

Norwich, NR14 8PQ

Chairman, Rob Chandler, 01493 730409

Secretary, Alex Mason, 01603 716735


MEMBER INFORMATION

A lot of useful information about SAM and its activities is available on our

website. Below are some key links members will find useful.

CONTACTS Contact details of SAM’s Committee & Observers, complete with photographs

so you can recognise everyone.

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/com

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/obs

CALENDAR Our online calendar with relevant links which can also be linked to your

smartphone. Contact: Mike Roberts

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/cal

OBSERVER ASSOCIATE CHARTER What is expected of the Observer and Associate while preparing for the IAM

motorcycle test. Contact: Derek Baker

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/chart

CARING SAM Our customer service & complaints procedures. Contact: Brian Ellis

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/care

DISCOUNT SCHEME Proof of identity will be required to be shown. (e.g. Current IAM/SAM

membership cards). Save your membership fee, and more, by using these

retailers who give a discount to SAM members. Contact: Dean Harris

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/disc

ADVERTS Got something to sell? Want to see what other members are selling? See our

online adverts section. Contact: Mike Roberts

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/ads

SHOPS T-shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces, hats, and more are available from SAM’s two

online shops. Contact: Mike Roberts

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/shop

FORUM All the latest news and discussion on all things SAM and motorcycle related.

Have a read, and then register to join in. Contact: Mike Roberts

http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/forum


SAM Events for your Diary

2019

April 2019

Saturday 13th

Orwells Demo Day The SAM publicity team will be at this

event. If you would like to help please contact: Dean Harris or Glyn Hill.

Tuesday 16th

SAM Group Night. Announcements at 19:30 followed by,

Guest Speaker , Phil Acton, with another presentation on his motorcycle travel.

Greshams, 312 Tuddenham Road, Ipswich IP4 3QJ Bar serving all types of

drinks including teas and coffees.

Thursday 18th

Theory Evening. Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre,

Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF. Come along and learn more

about Roadcraft. 19:30. This month’s topic: Planning & Positioning

Saturday 20th

Kesgrave Bell Bike Show. The SAM publicity team will be at

this event. Times to be confirmed. If you would like to help please contact:

Dean Harris or Glyn Hill.

Wednesday 24th

Observer COT, Classroom session for Continuous

Observer Training. Contact: Ruth Acworth

Thursday 25th

Chip ride Chip Inn NR15 2XG Meet at Tesco Car Park,

Stowmarket IP14 5BE at 18:15 for Briefing and subsequent departure.

All riders must attend Briefing

Saturday 27th

Hints & Tips Run, Our annual training run open to all. For

more details see the write up on page 16.

All riders must attend Briefing

Sunday 28th

M/C Dexterity & Control. Sidegate Primary School, 292

Sidegate Lane, Ipswich IP4 4JD. For more details see page 8

May 2019

Wednesday 1st SAM Committee meeting 19:30. Kesgrave War Memorial

Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF


Sunday, 5th

Breakfast Run, The Hippodrome. PE15 8AQ Meet at

Stowmarket Tescos IP14 5BE in good time for a 09:00. Briefing and subsequent

departure. All riders must attend Briefing.

Friday 10th

~ Saturday 11th

Safe Rider is a joint initiative between Suffolk

and Norfolk Constabularies. If you can help the Publicity Team on the Saturday

of this event, please contact Glyn Hill on 07986-319163

Saturday 11th

Lings Triumph Demo Day The SAM publicity team will be at

this event. If you would like to help please contact: Dean Harris or Glyn Hill.

Saturday 11th

Observer Team Ride 10:00 ~ 13:00. Team building ride to

Deepest Darkest Essex. Contact: Paul Ballard and Geoff Scott.

Sunday 12th

Stonham Barns Bike Show. The SAM publicity team will be at

this event. If you would like to help please contact: Dean Harris or Glyn Hill.

Saturday 18th

Hadleigh Show. The SAM publicity team will be at this event.

If you would like to help please contact: Dean Harris or Glyn Hill.

Saturday 18th

M/C Dexterity & Control Sidegate Primary School, 292


Tuesday 21st SAM Group Night. Announcements at 19:30 followed by,

Guest Speaker, Derek Brooker from Suzuki UK giving a technical talk, and

demo, on the GSX-R1000.Greshams, 312 Tuddenham Road, Ipswich IP4 3QJ

Bar serving all types of drinks including teas and coffees.

Thursday 23rd



about Roadcraft. 19:30. This month’s topic: Cornering

Thursday 30th

Chip ride To a choice of chippies in Aldeburgh High Street

IP15 5DB. Meet at Beacon Hill services IP6 8LP in good time for 18:15

Briefing and subsequent departure All riders must attend Briefing

Friday 31st ~ Saturday 1

st Safe Rider is a joint initiative between Suffolk

and Norfolk Constabularies. If you can help the Publicity Team on the Saturday

of this event, please contact Glyn Hill on 07986-319163


June 2019

Wednesday 5th

SAM Committee meeting 19:30. Kesgrave War Memorial

Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF

Sunday, 9th

Breakfast Run, TBA All riders must attend Briefing.

Tuesday 18th

SAM Group Night. Announcements at 19:30 followed by,

Guest Speaker, Dave Halsall from Reiten BMW. Greshams, 312 Tuddenham

Road, Ipswich IP4 3QJ Bar serving all types of drinks including teas and

coffees.

Thursday 20th



about Roadcraft. 19:30. This month’s topic: Gears & Acceleration

Sunday 23rd

M/C Dexterity & Control. Sidegate Primary School, 292


Thursday 27th

Chip ride TBA All riders must attend Briefing

Saturday 29th

M/C Dexterity & Control Sidegate Primary School, 292


Note from Editor

Please check the SAM Calendar, Forum & Facebook page for further details and

for any changes after going to press. Especially in winter months when the

weather can be unpredictable

Disclaimer

The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the

Institute of Advanced Motorists or the Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclist Group.

They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with a view

that free expression promotes discussion and interests.

Any comments please email the editor.

the sam observer - suffolk advanced motorcyclists · the sam observer april 2019 page 5...

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