Category Archives: Events

Events and invitations for the motorcycle enthusiast

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
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.

Events, Motorcycles, News

Filtering

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French Biker Protests.

When it comes to protests there are great differences between The Brits and our biker cousins across the Channel.

If something bugs us (like the New Bike Test Fiasco for example) we write an angry letter, and ‘We Huff and We Puff’ but we never manage to blow the house down!

Now for the French….  A transport minister recently tried to impose a ban on bikers filtering in France.  He stated that they should stay in their position in the queue, like everyone else.  He went on to say, ‘If the bikers don’t like it they can use the Metro (Paris Underground Train System).

So the French Biker group, Francaise des Motards en Colere (Angry French Biker Association) responded with a very well organised protest.

Thousands of bikes across the country, (10,000 in Paris alone) took to the streets and were briefed to ride in the centre of their lane and the correct following distance from the vehicle ahead – effectively taking up the space of a car.  No filtering, no overtaking but following in the queue as the Transport Minister wanted.

The result was the Paris Ring Road, the peripherique was left devoid of cars!  They couldn’t join the flow as the road was completely taken up by bikes.  Paris was encircled and completely cut off!

And whilst this was going on above ground, thousands of bikers, in full bike gear, took to the Metro, like the Minister recommended and completely swamped it.

The bikers action was supported by the Police and Parisian car drivers hooted their support,  as they quickly got the message that if the bikers were not allowed to filter then the transport system would grind to a halt.

One of the main reasons why bikes reduce congestion and therefore pollution is by their ability to ease the flow of traffic and keep the road systems moving. Taking up less road space, quicker journeys and less parking space.

Stop this and you stop everything.

However, when it comes to filtering, there is filtering and then there is French Filtering!  Whilst French motorists do seem to be far more biker aware and biker friendly than our home grown drivers, the bikers can create some bad impressions by the antics that many carry out in the way that they filter and the speeds that they do it.

Filtering does have a place in any modern transport plan but let’s not spoil it for ourselves. Keep it safe and sensible and most car drivers won’t even know that you’ve gone past them!

To see videos of the French protest take a visit to You Tube and search French Biker Protest.

Events, Motorcycles, News

Grav’s Great Bike Run 2nd May

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At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff,  I’ve been asked to publicise this fundraising event and I am happy to do so.  For full details contact the originator, below.

Grav’s Great Bike Run

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
Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1

Real Radio Bring a £ to Work Auction

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Charity Auction – Motorcycle Training with 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

Real Radio– Wales Based in Cardiff are raising Money to build a playground at the Children’s Hospice, Ty Hafan. Ty Hafan, which is based in Sully, South Wales cares for children with life shortening illnesses, and their families, and gives invaluable support at times of great stress within these families.

As part of this fund raising, the Radio Station is running a Charity Auction.

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff has donated a Motorcycle Training Day as a prize.  You can bid for either a Full Day Basic Training for a CBT (value £125) or for a Full Day Advanced Training with a Police Class 1 Motorcyclist (Value £180).

For the CBT we provide the use of a Yamaha 125cc bike, all the fuel, insurance, helmet, jacket, gloves and waterproofs whilst you are training. So this is a great way to get started.

For the Advanced Day, it is better for you to use your own bike but we can provide a fuel injected Honda CBF 600cc.

Our training base for the CBT is at the Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, Maindy Stadium, Cardiff, and for the Advanced Day, you will find yourself riding the challenging mountain roads of Wales.

So, come on support this worthy cause and place a bid.  Visit the Real Radio Wales website and click on ‘Auction’  for full details.  The auction ends in 5 days.

Thank You.

Advice, Cardiff, Events, News

Motorcycle Ear Plugs

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1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff organised an impression taking day at Hein Gericke Cardiff, for Lee from Minerva Hearing Protection to take impressions and supply Ear Plugs to 1st Class Rider ‘Blog’ members.

They arrived today.  Well packaged and in a stylish and useful pouch as opposed to the plastic pot that normally is supplied by other companies.  Also returned were the original impression moulds so that if one of the plugs is lost an authentic replacement can be obtained.

On first fitting, they were easily inserted into the ear.  With these plugs they have a concave outer side (other plugs I’ve used have a bulbous outer side).  The hollowed outer side allows a helmet to be worn without any pressure being placed on the ear or the plugs when in use.

Also, just in case you can’t work it out, the Right Plug comes with a Red dot.  The Left plugs has a Blue dot.  Right for Red and BLue for Left. Quite a useful feature but if any of you can get the right one into the left ear…..or vice versa….. I’ll take you to the Doctor myself!

So on first impression, I’m impressed !

Now to go and put them to use riding the bike.  If you haven’t had yours yet, they won’t be long.

If you missed the event and would like a set made you can contact Lee at Minerva Laboratories, Wentloog Business Park, Cardiff.

Cardiff, Events, Motorcycles, News

Christmas Hospital Teddy Run 2009. 12th December

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Children’s Casualty Unit,  Heath Hospital (University Hospital of Wales) Cardiff.

At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we have supported for the Children’s Casualty Unit at The Heath Hospital Cardiff.

I have now been able to arrange a date for the Christmas Teddy Run 2009, to the Children’s Casualty Unit at The Heath Hospital, Cardiff.

Saturday the 12th of December.

Meeting at Hein Gericke, Cardiff store on Wellington Street, Cardiff for ‘tea and toast’ before a 10.30am departure to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the Hospital.

This is not the Children’s Hospital but the Children’s Casualty Unit who deal with any children unfortunate enough to find themselves needing emergency treatment over the Christmas period.

Please bring a Teddy (or 2..or 3.. or more.. No Scrooges on this run please!).  There is no need to wrap them and nothing too big please.

I can’t guarantee that there will be a child there when we arrive !!  In fact I hope not…., but the Staff know we are coming and will gladly accept the  Teddies from us.

It is believed that if a child gets attached to a toy whilst in hospital, it aids the recovery process if they can then take the toy home with them.

So we want Teddies of a size that is easy to handle, not too big and cumbersome that it will get in the way of any treatment the child is undergoing.  It is hoped that the Teddy will be a welcome distraction for the child from any treatment which they may find unpleasant such as stitches or injections.

So please support this event and if you can’t make the actual date of the run on the 12th you can deposit your Teddies at the Hein Gericke store in advance,  and we will ensure the safe arrival at the Hospital.

So come on….You know you want to…..  It’s Christmas…come on you know you’ve GOT to…

Thanks.

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

3rd EU Directive on Driving Licences

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Once again the Spectre of the 3rd EU Directive on Driving Licences has arisen.  As a member of the Federation of Small Businesses I attended, on behalf of 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff,  a recent ‘Curry & Questions’ event.  A ‘Question Time’ type of event, on the panel to answer member questions were, Clive Davenport (Federation of Small Businesses & Chair of the event), David Melding (Conservative Assembly Member for South Wales Central), Huw Lewis (Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney), and Neil McEvoy (Deputy Leader of Cardiff County Council).

I was able to put to them a question relating to the impact that the 3rd EU Directive on Driving Licences will have on the Motorcycle Industry. I highlighted that changes to the Training & Testing System had already put pressure on the industry and this would have a major knock on effect on Sales, Servicing, Accessories etc etc. I highlighted the concern over the lack of suitable motorcycle test centres in Wales.

I asked what could be done to minimise the impact.  The reply I got was both a little disappointing but also encouraging.

Disappointing in that none of the panel members were aware of the 3rd Eu Directive, or of it’s provisions and implications.

However I was given an invitation to attend the Welsh Assembly to discuss the matter further, and arrangements are being put in place to do this.  I have been contacted by the Office of David Melding to confirm a date for the meeting.

If anyone in the industry wishes to forward to me a question on the matter I will do my best to put it forward for discussion and hopefully get an answer.

If anyone is in any doubt about the effect that the recent changes to the training and testing systems is already having, figures just released show a fall of 25% in the number of registrations of new motorcycles in the last quarter.

The beginning of The End?  Lets hope not.

My thanks go to the Federation of Small Businesses for organising the event and to the panel members for giving up their time to answer FSB Member questions.

Advice, Cardiff, Events, Motorcycles, News

Moulded Ear Plugs

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At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we are well aware of the risks to our hearing that are ever present when riding a motorcycle.

Noise damage to the ears is irrepairable and can occur at quite low speeds.  So we have arranged for a representative from Minerva Hearing Solutions, based in Cardiff, to attend the Cardiff Hein Gericke Store this Saturday 21st of November, to take impressions from any rider who wishes to get a pair of personally  moulded ear plugs.

The session will start from 10am and each set of impressions take approximately 15-20 minutes to take. You ear plugs will then be posted to your home in approximately 10 days.  All you have to do is to put them in your ears every time you ride!

The normal cost of these high quality ear plugs is £99 but for this event the price will be just £85.

For those wishing to have in Ear Monitor plugs for use with an Ipod or other MP3 players, these will also be available to order on the day.

So come and join us, 10am Saturday the 21st November, Hein Gericke, Wellington House, Wellington Street, Canton, Cardiff.

We also have discount vouchers for your purchases from Hein Gericke so a double opportunity to save some money.

See you there……pardon?

Events, Motorcycles, News

Hoggin The Bridge 2009

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Hoggin the Bridge.

It’s that time of year again when the Cables of the Old Severn Bridge creak under the strain four thousand ‘Hoggers’ as they cross from England into Wales to descend on the border town of Chepstow to raise money for good causes.

The 10th annual ‘Hoggin the Bridge‘ is due to take place this weekend, on Sunday the 18th of October. Organised by the Bridgewater HOG. (Harley Owners Group) this event has grown from strength to strength and now attracts between 3 and 4 thousand bikers (on bikes of all makes).

For a minimum entry fee of £10 which will go to chosen charities you get to join the throng as it crosses the Severn Bridge, before taking a scenic route and stopping off at Chepstow.  Chepstow is well prepared for the invasion and welcomes the group with open arms.  With many events laid on and the car parks reserved for bikers only you will be made very welcome.

If you wish to take part, meet at 11am at the Aust Services, at the first exit at the English end of the Old Severn Bridge.

Oh yes…..bring a bike!