Motorcycle Training

Hein Gericke Money Saving Offers

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Hein Gericke are currently running two ‘Money Off’ offers.  If you register on line at the Hein Gericke UK website you will be sent a link which enables you to apply for a £10 gift card.  This Gift Card can be used for purchases of over £30, and is valid until September 2010.

Also Hein Gericke are running another money saving offer.  You can collect a special offer £40 ‘cheque’ which is redeemable in store against purchases of over £160.

These special offer ‘cheques’ are available free of charge from us at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff and are only valid until the end of May.  So don’t hang about.

So now may be the time to buy that new kit that you’ve been promising yourself.  What better excuse to visit Hein Gericke – Cardiff.  They are giving money away!

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Motorcycle Assessments by the Fire Service

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South Wales Fire & Rescue Service are due to launch a new Motorcycle Safety Scheme.  With a new model Ducati Motorcycle based at Whitchurch Fire Station in Cardiff they are inviting members of the public, who already hold a full bike licence, to have their riding assessed.

A team of three dedicated Fire Service Officers are operating the scheme with the intention of reducing road casualties.

They say that almost two thirds of the Fire & Rescue Service calls relate to Road collisions and less and less are call outs to fires.

So in a clever step to protect their budgets they are turning their attentions to Road Safety and Casualty Reduction.  Throughout the region they already play host to the Pass Plus Cymru Scheme aimed at newly qualified car drivers.

This is another step in ‘getting the message across’.  They say that the intention is to promote the Bikesafe Scheme and to promote ‘Post Test Training’.

The Fire Officers have all undertaken a Basic Standard Police Riding Course and their efforts must be applauded.

But what you must remember is that these officers are NOT qualified Instructors.  They are not professional instructors.  They can assess and advise.

The only place to get professional instruction is from a Professional Instructor.

Professional Instructors, such as those at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are highly trained and are able to recognise faults in your riding, but not only that, they can analyse the fault and work out remedial corrective action to rectify the fault.

We support the Fire & Rescue Service in this campaign and look forward to working with them to further achieve their goal of reducing motorcycle casualties.

We will keep this post up-dated as the further details are released.

Advanced Training, Advice, Changes, Motorcycle Training, News

The Hundred (mph) House Inn Closed

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The Hundred (mph) House Inn, used many times by 1st Class Rider Training on ride outs and Advanced Training has closed!

This quirky Country Pub in the village of Bleddfa, Mid Wales was owned by Racing and Bikes enthusiasts and served some of the best Steaks around.

Always with a warm welcome for bikers and offering free overnight camping this was a must see place.

A country pub on the outside but inside jammed full of Motorcycle, Ferrari and racing memorabilia.  The chimney breast in the dining room even had half a car emerging through the wall!.

A visit there today, whilst Advanced Training, sadly we found it closed, boarded up and For Sale.

We’ll ‘watch this space’ to see if it re-opens, especially to see if the ‘Bikers Welcome’ still exists.

A sad loss in the eating directory of 1st Class Rider Training!

Motorcycles, News

‘Motorcycle Monthly’ May Edition

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The May addition of Motorcycle Monthly is out and it is packed full of features, road tests, news and latest model market releases.

Collect your copy from 1st Class Rider Training -Cardiff.

It features a report of the new Harley Forty-Eight, a competition to win a custom made Halo TTC leather suit worth over £900, plus reports and pictures on the Wooton Basset ‘Afghan Heroes’  Ride and the French Biker ‘no filtering’ protests.

Motorcycle Monthly, it’s exactly as the name suggests!

Get your copy from 1st Class Rider Training.

Advice, Changes, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1

New PM Drops Motorcycle Escort Riders

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It has been reported today that the New Prime Minister, David Cameron, has dispensed with his Police Motorcycle Escort Out- Riders.  Claiming that they are an “unnecessary extravagance”

However this has sparked security fears.

The PM was warned that he was putting himself at increased risk of attack if he gets stuck in traffic.

This move was not officially announced but sources say that it was an ‘ostentation’ to be sped through the traffic by Police Escort.

Ex- PM Gordon Brown had been escorted by up to six motorcycle escort out-riders, whose job it was to stop traffic and clear a path for the following convoy of cars. The golden rule was to keep moving.

Mr Cameron’s decision was questioned by security experts after his blue, bullet-proof Jaguar was photographed stuck in traffic on Whitehall.

Dai Davies, a former head of Royalty Protection at Scotland Yard said, ‘The first rule is to keep moving. When you stop you get hit. I am worried and I would urge Mr Cameron to re-consider’, he said.

Having been involved in the planning and running of many VIP Escorts over the years myself, I agree that the PM may be subjecting himself to increased risk.

The purpose od the Motorcycle Escort team was to move the VIP, safely and to ensure the minimum disruption to other traffic along the route.  This resulted in the VIP being kept moving and the free flow of traffic being restored with only minor hold ups to the general public.  VIP Safety was paramount and it is essential that they do not become a ‘sitting target’

Mr Cameron, this is one decision which you may need to re-think. You run the Country and let the experts run you.

Motorcycle Training

Afghan Heroes ‘Thunder Rally June 2010

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IT’S OFFICIAL

THE AFGHAN HEROES “THUNDER RALLY” 2010

Fri 25th June – Sun 27th June
Chepstow Racecourse

I have received the following email which I have published here for anyone who may wish to attend to support the Afghan Heroes Charity.

Following the success of the Wootton Bassett Bike Ride and the wonderful tribute made by the Bikers to the people of Wootton Bassett and the charity Afghan Heroes we would like to thank the Bikers the public and are Armed Forces for their support by introducing the inaugural THUNDER RALLY. Proposed as an annual event the Thunder Rally will provide a weekend of fun and entertainment, with all proceeds going in support of our forces.

The Race Course at Chepstow is the first venue, and we have pleasure in confirming the following itinerary for the weekend, which will be updated through our website as additional bands and acts are secured.

General

Afghan Heroes has secured a Funfair to operate from Friday afternoon through until Sunday, including attractions like the waltzers, dodgems Bouncy Castles, Reverse Bungee and some of the biggest rides in the country.

Chepstow opens its doors on Friday June 25th at 2PM

The Main Stage livens up at 6PM on the Friday, we will be providing live entertainment all weekend including:

  • Just Supposing
  • Stephanie Benson
  • Matt Shaw (Meatloaf)
  • The Cheap Suits
  • The Jugg Band

plus lots more……..We have created a food and drinks village as well as a merchandising village.

Saturday

  • Lets Ride, routes are currently being identified to ensure a memorable ride-out!
  • Afghan Heroes has secured a Battle of Britain fly past, comprising a Lancaster Bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane scheduled for 1PM.
  • A parachuting display team will be dropping in!!
  • The White Helmets Army Motorcycle Display Team, will be followed by the Tigers (Junior Display Team).
  • The Custom Bike Show will be sure to attract a considerable amount of interest with fantastic machines on show, within its own dedicated Marquee.
  • See live – The Grinder Girls
  • A Rally Car sponsored by the Army.
  • We aim to provide a live-link to Afghanistan, we need the help of the BBC, ITN to achieve this however.

After darkness the Mud Wrestling begins!!!

Registration will close on the 31st May 2010, all Thunder Rally merchandise is ONLY available pre-ordered through the website when you register. Each person needs to register individually, under 10 years are FREE.  You can register at the Afghan Heroes Web site.

Afghan Heroes Ltd

Unit 1, Wayside, Evercreech, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. BA4 6QW.

E-Mail: info@afghanheroes.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1132340

Events, Motorcycles, News

Gravs Great Bike Run 2nd May

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Grav’s Great Bike Run 2nd May 2010.

Below are the details of the Charity Bike Run in memory of Welsh Rugby Legend, Ray Gravell, which I published on a previous blog page.

I have recently been contacted by a Ride Out Colleague who has sent the following message regarding changes to the registration fee for the event.

“Andy,

Would any of your colleagues be interested in doing this ride?

The organiser has been in touch with me today to say that he is aware that many bikers are baulking at the registration cost hence the low numbers from the UK (120 bikers arriving from Eire, about 15 from Wales). To overcome this little problem he has suggested that bikers turn up on the day and make whatever donation they think appropriate.

Hope this makes a difference and that we have a strong turnout on the day at Parc y Stradey.”

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/In_Your_Area/Wales/Fundraising/Social-events/

Sunday 2 May 2010

Grav’s Great Bike Run is being held in memory of Welsh rugby legend Ray Gravell to raise funds for Diabetes UK Cymru and The National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Starting at Llanelli Scarlets RFC, the 252-mile motorbike ride will finish at Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Entry costs £60 per biker and £40 per pillion.

Contact
Joseph Cuff
Email
wales@diabetes.org.uk
Phone
029 2066 8276
Advice, Cardiff, Changes, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

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The Motorcycle Action Group, or MAG as it is known is a volunteer lead riders’ rights organisation with a local and regional branch structure, that has been building in strength and diversity since it began in 1973.

MAG is the representative voice of riders in local and national government and passionately defends all that is good about motorcycling.

MAG campaigns to protect and promote motorcycling and the interests and rights of all riders, from learner to advanced.

MAG celebrates biking and the freedoms and independence it provides, through it’s support of parties, rallies, sport and competition, touring and travel, and through the camaraderie all riders share.

MAG works directly with politicians and civil servants but still employs other forms of direct action if necessary to ensure the rider’s voice is heard.

Current Campaigns

Current Campaigns include;

AGAINST;  Latest EU proposals to prevent owners modifying their bikes.

AGAINST; Over complicated and expensive Learner laws.

FOR; Non slip manhole covers and proper road maintenance.

FOR; Access to bus lanes and free, secure parking.

Past Successes

Won; An exemption from congestion charging and most bridge tolls.

Defeated; EU proposals for a 100bhp limit on bikes.

Changed; Proposals for continuous taxation and insurance of bikes not in use.

Moving Forward

With MAGS position on working groups within the DSA DfT, and DVLA MAG continues to ensure that the voice of the rider is heard at the centre of democratic government.

They support the RAV campaign (Riders Are Voters) in the pre-election run up.

Benefits of membership include;

A representative voice in local and national government.

The Road. An 84 page colour bi-monthly magazine mailed directly to members.

Bikesure,  low cost motorcycle insurance from Adrian Flux,

Legal Helpline, free 24/7 advice on any legal problem provided by access legal.

These are just some of the member benefits.  visit the MAG web site for full details.

So why not join today?  Annual individual membership is just £25.  Application forms are avaialble for me at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.  Give us a call.

I am a member and 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are about to become Corporate Members and we will be able to offer discounts to other MAG members on our training and tours.

Watch this space for details and we will keep you posted.

Cardiff, Changes, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Meeting with Phillip Hammond MP

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As a member of The Federation of Small Businesses I was invited to a small group meeting with Phillip Hammond MP,  The Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury,(Monday the 19th April),  to discuss pre-election issues relating to boosting the economy, and issues relating to business.

The meeting was hosted by Jonathan Evans, the Conservative Party Candidate for Cardiff North, and included representatives from a broad spectrum of businesses.

Some of the sectors represented were, Post Office, Accountancy, Estate Agents, Electrical Retail, Flood Damage Restoration,  and I was there representing my business, 1st Class Rider Training.

A number of matters were discussed but I was given the opportunity to put to Phillip Hammond the issue of the current state of the motorcycle industry, being hit by the introduction of the new test, the closure of local bike testing stations, the disparity between how the test is delivered in the rest of Europe compared to how the DSA implemented it in the UK.  Also the fall in test numbers since it’s introduction were raised and the knock on effect that this would have on the motorcycle training, sales and accessories market.

To be honest, he didn’t really have an answer! Which I guess is understandable.  He was vaguely aware of the problem, as his own constituents had raised the issue of the closure of their local test centre, but when I related to him the experience of the Aberystwyth Motorcycle Training School faced with a 200 mile round trip for a ten minute Module 1 test he was shocked to hear of such a situation.

Whilst I don’t think the meeting would achieve any immediate change, it certainly served to get the issue raised at higher levels.

When issues like this are raised in conjunction with the MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) campaign of RAV – Riders Are Voters, it must have a positive effect.

Couple all this with the changes to the Driving Licence Groups for bikes coming in with the 3rd EU Directive, the Motorcycle Industry is under threat, and this would have far wider reaching implications to the economy, congestion, and pollution than many Politicians have yet considered.

It’s time they listened.

Learn to Ride with Police Class 1 Riders