The SAM Observer January 2015

The SAM Observer January 2015 www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com

This month's cover picture was sent in by Phil Acton and is of his wife's

Suzuki Van Van

Mike Roberts who did the picture editing and graphical work.

Picture sent in by Roy Clouter

The SAM Observer January 2015 www.suffolk

You

Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

Committee MembersVice Chairman

Membership Secretary

Chief Observer

Buddy Co-ordinator

Buddy Co-ordinator

Caring SAM

Events

Events

Publicity Co-ordinator

Publicity

Discount Scheme

Group Nights

Webmaster

Magazine Editor

National ObserverMike Roberts 01473 718915

Karl Hale 01359 241552

Stuart Young 07931 350799

Lee Gage 07732 753623

John Morgan 01473 711699

Paul Newman 01473 620450

Tony Chyc 01206 231782

Paul Spalding 07879 844618

Steve Studd 07903

Ruth Elmer 07783 007100

Tim Murgatroyd 07901

Associate Co

Kevin Sta

5 www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com

Your Committee No Calls After 9pm Please

Officers

Beverley Rudland

John Sillett

Bryan Duncan

Committee Members Martin Drury

Linda Barker

Derek Barker

Stephen Cook

Vicky Smith

Brian Ellis

Vincent Evans

David Arbon

Paul Spalding

Martin Drury

Graham Parker

Graham Parker

Mike Roberts

Felix Oliver

National Observers 01473 718915 David Rudland

01359 241552 Richard Toll

07931 350799 Leia Dowsing

07732 753623

Observers 01473 711699 Steve Gocher

01473 620450 Simon Phillips

01206 231782 John Sillett

07879 844618 André Castle

07903 867000 Mark Hardy

07783 007100 Ross Mckinlay

07901 332757 Chris Smith

iate Co-ordinator, Susan Smith, 01206 251946

I.A.M. Examiner Kevin Stark 01473 310504

motorcyclists.com

01473 401362

01473 219488

07879 654122

07595 277831

01473 327555

01473 327555

07711 650183

01255 830352

07740 564097

01473 890496

01473 684206

07879 844618

07595 277831

07905 468995

07905 468995

01473 718915

07712 649860

01473 401362

01473 401363

07841 699081

01473 430643

01473 830671

01473 219488

07730 526674

07557 671465

07986 838028

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Contents

My Trip by Roy Clouter 2

Committee 3

Chairman’s Chat by Beveley Rudland 5

Test passes 6

SAM Committee Nominations 6

A Gentle Reminder by Linda Barker 9

G’day all by Brian Ellis 9

Glorious Scotland in October by Vicky Smith 10

SAM Breakfast Run by Vini Evans 13

Saturday Jaunt by Vini Evans 14

Social Ride 15

SAM Theory Evening by Derek Barker 16

Editorial by Editor 18

Advertise Here by Committee 19

Members Information by Mike Roberts 20

SAM Dates for you Diary 21

Our Venue 24

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: John Sillett 37 Bishops Hill, Ipswich, IP3 8EW. 01473 219488. 07801685362.

[email protected]


January’s Chairman’s Chat

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year and welcome to the January edition

of our SAM magazine, I hope 2015 is going to be a

brilliant motorcycling year for you.

As I contemplate what 2015 has in store for the Rudland household I am

beginning to get a little sentimental about handing over the SAM Chairmanship

in February. Being SAM’s Chairman over the past four years has been an

enormous privilege, although I have no doubts at all about my decision and I

am confident that I shall be leaving SAM in extremely safe hands, I shall miss

the camaraderie of the Committee and my involvement in the monthly group

meetings.

If you have ever contemplated being a little more involved in the running of the

group, if you have particular views on how the group should evolve or you

simply want to help promote motorcycle safety in Suffolk, I strongly urge you

to join the committee. Alternatively, if you know someone who is regularly

expressing ideas about how the group should move forward please ask them to

consider joining the committee, there is a nomination form further on in the

magazine and also available on the Website. If you would like any further

information about joining the committee or how the group is run please feel

free to give me a call on 01473 401362 or send me an email at

[email protected]

As for what’s going on in the Rudland household at the moment, we are

determined to achieve an enviable number of motorcycling miles in 2015 and

David has a couple of motorcycle ‘projects’ sitting in the garage. Looking

further ahead, the Riders for Health trip to Zambia in 2016 is still a strong

possibility but we have yet to reach a unanimous decision.

I look forward to catching up with you at the January group natter night or at a

group night in the very near future.

With my very best wishes for 2015.

BeverleyBeverleyBeverleyBeverley


IAM Test Passes

Congratulations to the members who have passed their

Advanced test this month.

Graham Carey his Observer was Leia Dowsing

Burt Royal his Observer was Derek Barker

Paul Ballard his Observer was Andre Castle

When you pass your advanced test please let

Derek Barker or Susan Smith know.



The club is desperate for your help, Would you like to help out ? Can you spare

a few hours a month ? And make a huge difference on what happens within the

club. Like all well oiled machines it needs cogs. Become a cog and join the

committee. Now is your chance. Fill in the form and send it to John Sillett via

post or email. Nominations have to be given in one month before the AGM on

17th February 2015.

For more information and to download a nomination form visit

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


I nominate .................................................................................. For the post

of ....................................................

Proposed by:

Name ............................................... Signed ............................... Date …………

Seconded by:

Name .............................................. Signed ............................... Date …………

Nominee’s signature ............................................. Date …………


A gentle reminder

Dear SAM Member

Yes, it’s getting towards that time of year when collection of subscriptions will

soon be upon us again.

This is a reminder to make sure that those of you, who have standing orders

with your bank, have changed them to incorporate the increased £2 from last

year.

The price for renewal of subs is £22 per member, or £25 for joint membership

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Linda Barker Membership Secretary

G'day all!

Firstly a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all.

Prompted by the IAM Inform article about a Toy Run I thought it was

worthwhile mentioning a massive Toy Run I saw on 14 December (picture

attached) from Adelaide to a distant location. Many thousands of bikers, on all

types/sizes/ages of bikes gifted & carried Toys for disadvantaged children. It is

said to be the largest bike run in the southern hemisphere... they took 15

minutes to pass me (many abreast) in one big batch at the start. If only I'd had a

bike to ride!

I know we don't

have the same

December weather

in Suffolk, but it

seemed such a

worthwhile cause &

good PR for bikers.

Best wishes,

Brian Ellis


Glorious Scotland in October

For my second year to Scotland, a long weekend was booked with a few

friends for early October at Graton-on-Spay, in the highlands of Scotland. But

as we are retired we decided to make it a week. so we planned to leave a few

days earlier, take more time getting there and still have a couple of days on Sky

before joining the others at Graton.

Monday morning came and so did the rain but as we were not in a rush and we

could leave a bit later. Typically, it was still raining after mid-day so off we

went. The first stop was a travel lodge at Markfield, not much I can say about a

Travel Lodge other then they serve a purpose, we got a takeaway and rested.

Tuesday, onto Dumfries were we had booked a really nice hotel (Friars Carse)

at a fantastic rate, bed, breakfast and evening meal for £86.50, normal rate a lot

higher. Very nice hotel right on the river Nith with Salmon beats and lovely

walks along the river and countryside, food was excellent, a massive grate with

a roaring fire in the lounge. I would be very happy to go back there for a couple

of days some time and have a better look round.

Wednesday dawned very wet, pouring with rain, stair rods but we went down

and had breakfast and by the time we were ready to leave the sun was saying

hello, the rain had stopped and thankfully, we didn’t see it again until we were

on our journey home.


The scenery on the way to Sky, was magnificent, I don’t think I have seen a

part of Scotland that has disappointed me and the roads, well, what can I say

but BLISS.

We arrived on Sky via the bridge and headed for Dunvegan on the north-west

coast. finally finding our accommodation late afternoon, a very nice B&B but

we were just outside town so had to ride in to eat at the well recommended ‘old

school house’, which meant we ate early then freshened up, I prefer to freshen

up then eat but I can’t have everything just as I like, well not all the time.

Thursday we had a look round Sky, our first stop was Dunvegan castle which

is well worth a visit, then we rode round taking in the scenery. We found a

small reconstructed thatched village, proved interesting, The Sky Museum of

Island Life, again worth a visit if you go to Sky at any time.

Friday we left for Graton-on-Spay, this time going back over the bridge we

stopped to take in Eilean Donan castle, you have probably seen it on a

calendar. I’ve been told it’s the most photographed castle, and it’s still used

which helps to make it more interesting, when you listen to the stories told you

can imagine the parties that go on, the lives of the people that still live in the

castle.

We stopped for some lunch at Ballachulish slate quarry, we had some nice

warming soup, we weren’t cold but it’s nice to have a hot lunch now and again,

sandwiches get so boring.

We arrived at our next B&B mid-afternoon and got settled in before the others

arrived from the Golden Lion Hotel in Leyburn, where they had stayed

Thursday night.


As we had been to Kinross House last year, we know we would be welcome

and well fed at breakfast (the best breakfast I have ever had in a B&B). The Pie

pub had been booked for our evening meal, it’s called the Pie pub because

that’s all they do is ‘Pies’, other than beers of course, just like a normal pub but

the only food is Pies, pies and more pies.

We had some enjoyable riding on Saturday, visited a Distillery, not one that

was still working but very informative none the less, Pie pub for the second

time, they are nice.

Sunday we rode to Applecross, again the scenery was great and the roads better

then great, we had a small amount of rain but not enough to stop us enjoying

the day.

Monday we set off home, staying in Leyburn as they had on the way up and

continued home Tuesday morning, unfortunately it was torrential rain on the

A1(M), very unpleasant but we had had good weather up until then and it did

clear up a bit in the afternoon once we stopped for lunch.

The bikes needed a good clean and some TLC the next day, the whole trip was

very enjoyable with some good company, some good laughs, good food, so we

will probably do similar next year, let’s hope we get the good weather we have

had the last two years.

Vicky Smith


BREAKFAST RUN 2015 1st February 2015

Ruddy Duck Café

Swanns Garden Centre

Bromeswell

IP12 2PX

Tel: 01394 460127

Meet at Stowmarket Tesco’s IP14 5BE in good time for 09:45 departure.

Ride Co-ordinator: TBA

Follow Gun Cotton Way and Navigation Approach to join the B1113 through

Old Newton.

Turn right at White Horse Finningham.

Cross straight over the A140 at Stoke White Horse with great care.

Join the B1077 to the right carrying on through Debenham and Winston until

reaching the A1120.

Join it to the left but turn off to the right after only 100 metres to

Helmingham.

Turn left at the triangle green, through Otley to Clopton where a left is taken

onto the B1078 to Wickham Market.

Turn right at the roundabout, over the A12 to Tunstall.

Turn right at the Green Man on the B1069 through Eyke to Swanns Garden

Centre on the left.

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.


Saturday Jaunt 14th Febuaruy, 2015

Mr Allards

Stowupland

IP14 4BD

Tel: 01449 615006

Meet at Beacon Hill lorry park IP6 8LP in good time for 13:30 departure.

Ride Co-ordinator: Vini Evans

Join the A140 and get in lane quickly for the right turn to Coddenham.

Just past the church the 'main' road turns sharp right but instead go straight

ahead.

Through Crowfield to Pettaugh. Turn right on the A1120.

Follow this to Dennington where a left is taken just past the church onto

Laxfield Road.

After three quarters of a mile turn left onto the B1118 to Stradbroke

Turn left on the B1117 to Eye.

At the High Street turn right and follow until meeting the A140 at Brome.

Turn right and then immediately left through Stuston to meet the A143.

Turn left and follow to Rickinghall where a left turn is taken onto the B1113.

At Old Newton crossroads (Leg of Mutton) turn left.

After three quarters of a mile turn right at the old primary school.

Straight over the small crossroads and along to the farm shop entrance on the

right at Stowupland.


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.


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 “How to be a better rider”.

Each session covers one of the four main topic areas;

Overtaking Planning & Positioning

Cornering Gears & Acceleration

Mainly aimed at Associates going through the Skill for Life 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 Skill for Life

Course.

Derek Barker, SAM Chief Observer


Editorial

Welcome to next year, I’m still in last

year as I write this bit. December hasn’t

been great and as I’m waiting for

groundworks and planning permissions

which seem to take ages, on a good

point I managed to get my groundworks

done at home so now I can start doing

the brick walls on my new garage,

which will mean my poor bike will have

a home again.

Last Sunday 14th December, I had to do my Ho Ho Ho bit, weather seemed ok

so I took the bike, first time in almost two months, after a few coughs fired into

life, checked to tyre pressure and set off.

First stop Diss, then Walberswick via Stradbroke, then to Saxmundham,

heading south with the wet roads and low winters sun. Fortunately, the sun had

set by the time I left Saxmundham, headed to Ipswich where I filled up with

petrol, then headed to Otley. Back on the A12 I got behind an Ambulance with

its blue light flashing and they are very bright, almost blinding, after turning

off on the B1079 it took me a few seconds to get my night sight back again.

After leaving Otley it started to spot with rain. Home again and the bike put

away, dirty, supper was on the table.

This made me think, what is better, wash the bike when you come back ? I

don’t like the idea of splashing cold water on hot engine parts. Or wash it

before going out so it dry’s quickly. Or wait until the engine cold to wash, but

then it takes ages for it to dry, not good if it’s wet and cold.

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.


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 here

£25 for 1/8 page

Annual Advertising Rates:

Advertise on the SAM website for an additional £25.

Contact:

Felix 07712649860

[email protected]

£35 for ¼ page £50 for ½ page

£75 for full page


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 Barker

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: Graham Parker

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

January 2015

Saturday 17th Saturday Jaunt, Mistley, CO11 1ER Meet at car park

behind Copdock, Currys IP8 3TT in good time for 13:30 Briefing and

departure.

Tuesday 20th SAM Group Night. Natter Evening. Fynn Valley Golf

Club. 19:30 ~ 22:00. Bar and restaurant serving all types of food/drinks

including teas and coffees.

Thursday 22nd Theory Evening. Fynn Valley Golf Club. Come along

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

February 2015

Sunday 1st Breakfast Run, Ruddy Duck Café. IP12 2PX Meet at

Stowmarket Tesco’s IP14 5BE in good time for 09:45 Briefing and departure.

Wednesday 4th SAM Committee meeting. Fynn Valley Golf

Club.19:30

Saturday 14th Saturday Jaunt, Mr Allards. IP14 4BD Meet at Beacon

Hill lorry park IP6 8LP in good time for 13:30 Briefing and departure.

Tuesday 17th SAM Group Night and AGM. followed by Guest

Speaker. Fynn Valley Golf Club. 19:30 ~ 22:00. Bar and restaurant serving all

types of food/drinks including teas and coffees.


and learn more about Roadcraft. 19:30. This month’s topic: Gears &

Acceleration


March 2015

Sunday 1st Breakfast Run, TBA

Wednesday 4th SAM Committee meeting. Fynn Valley Golf

Club.19:30

Tuesday 17th SAM Group Night. followed by Quiz Night with Mike

Roberts and Derek Barker. Fynn Valley Golf Club. 19:30 ~ 22:00. Bar and

restaurant serving all types of food/drinks including teas and coffees.


and learn more about Roadcraft. 19:30. This month’s topic: Overtaking

Note from Editor Please check the SAM Calendar & Forum 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.

Norfolk Advanced Motorcyclists

3rd Thursday of the month, 19:30, at Dunston Hall, A140,

Norwich, NR14 8PQ

Chairman, Rob Chandler, 01493 730409

Secretary, Alex Mason, 01603 716735

The SAM Observer January 2015

Documents

Transcript of The SAM Observer January 2015