Oxford Advanced Motorcyclists

IAM Skills Day - Mallory Park

Big birthdays deserve big presents! That's what I told myself when I booked the very last place of the season on an IAM Skills day at Mallory Park race track. No idea where MP was, and never been on a race track in my life, but hey that's the fun of learning, and I was delighted to find biker friends also attending (Kasia & Lucas, Chris, Worz & friend, and Rick). And of course our beloved Harry was there and great to see him.

Rick agreed to meet me the day before so we could stay locally and be up bright and breezy on the track in the morning, so off we went in the worst wet weather of the year! Our garage rendezvous saw Rick unable to see through his fogged up visor, despite pin-lock, and a quick clean turned in to a mammoth adventure as the pin-lock broke and his whole ride was spent with visor up. Those who came along on my first Run Leader ride know that navigation is not my best point (I had been told I had the navigational ability of a dead mole), but that Run Leader training had prepared me well. Old style I had a sheet of A4 paper with the route masking taped to my tank in a plastic wallet as I don't have a Sat Nav. What I do have is determination, and nearly 3 hours later due to the driving rain and hail beating Ricks face to a pulp (hour and a half ride usually) I dropped Rick at his hotel, soaked through but safe having followed my tail light. I rode on to my hotel in Hinkley where Chris was also staying, and he kindly helped me park my bike as by then I could hardly move in the cold, wet and dark.

The morning dawned clear and bright as predicted and we all met up for a great breakfast on the track. Certainly I was feeling so excited and not having been on a track before hedged my bets and went for the 'B' group. OK not my best choice - I was so impatient to learn, and it just wasn't fast enough so I was feeling frustrated. A quick chat to the Instructors before lunch, and I was able to join the A group, with apprehension in my stomach but wanting to get the most out of the skills day. IAM extended insurance through Cornmarket for just £16.50 for the day, and knowing my friends were on site, was a huge comfort factor.

A skills day is IPSGA in a whole new light! It stretches you to really think about what you are doing, how you are doing it, and to go into corners at speeds which you'd previously just not attempt. Obviously with a fabulous road surface, and knowing nothing was coming the other way, you can build up confidence in layers, at your own pace, and following the instructors who give you excellent feedback on how to improve, you just find yourself doing it - happily. My first circuit in A was me making every mistake possible, including running off the track into the grass as it was slippery after a shower. But I didn't fall off, just steered back on track, and was beaming ear to ear as I knew I was learning so much, and this was what I was here for. We were told not to go over 90 mph, but I don't even recall looking at the speedo, it was about gears, and positioning, and leaning in, and I was loving it! Tanking in to Gerrard's Corner, dropping my shoulder (no knees involved), drifting the bike until you come out of the bend exactly at the cone, and shouting into my helmet as I felt I'd nailed it. Trying corners at different speeds, in different gears, taking turns in leading our little group, slipping in behind the brilliant instructor to ensure my line was the best it could be - it was wonderful and yes this Kiwi felt she was flying!

The organisation was fabulous, right down to having fuel on site so we could make it home. And following Stephen back, who has a Sat Nav, was such a treat. My only sadness was not to have a photo of riding on track as being an extra IAM date meant the official photographer was busy. So that seems a great excuse for a next time. Yes I can't wait to go again - maybe another track to play on? Mike Annesley and friends went to Thruxton around the same time, so I'm looking forward to hearing how that went. I hear good things about Cadwell Park ... roll on 2022, there's so much more to learn.

Reported by Kiwi

Biker Down Training

A dozen of the Club Members signed up for what turned out to be an exclusive training evening for the Oxford Advanced Motorcyclists held at Kidlington Fire Station.

There were 3 parts to the evening:

• Being safe at the scene of an accident and providing information to the emergency services

• Helping any injured bikers (including when and how to take a helmet off)

• Staying safe as motorcyclists

If you are interested in attending one of these courses, we have been offered the opportunity of another Club special in the New Year. Drop our Training Officer, Mike, an email using this link if you are interested.

Oxford Half Marathon

The Club supplied stewards to the annual Half Marathon - rain or shine!

Reported by our Vice Chairman, Paul Flint

Sunday the 17th of October was a very early start, getting up at 5.50am, pitch black and cold.

Pushing my bike to the end of the drive so as not to wake my neighbours I road along the

minor roads to pick up the main road running through the village.

At the T junction another motorcycle was passing and my immediate thoughts were that it

was another member helping out with the marathon.

Meeting up at Peartree services for 6.30am we gathered and waited until 6.50am when we

rode into Oxford and along South Parks road to park up just insider the University parks

entrance.

A walk over to the control tent we all picked up radios and a breakfast roll and for me for the

first time, water in a can.

Just after 8.00am we all rode the 13.1mile course including the path through the University

parks which was a little challenging with a couple of tight turns on the gravel path.

Once completed we took up our start positions. I was behind the pace car and lead

wheelchair. With radio checks and a short delay we eventually got started and it wasn’t far

into the run that the lead runners were catching us up so we were waved passed the car.

The streets were packed with spectators and in places live music playing.

Along the Marston Ferry road I discovered my recently aquired GS would happily tick over

in second gear at 10 mph. Half way along the road several guys were dressed in kilts and

playing bagpipes. Another group of people on a corner in Marston were playing some very

large drums which would give a great lift to the runners as they passed.

Travelling back along the cycle path to Summertown I had a guy on an electric scooter

keeping pace with me.

Turning left into Belbroughton road and around passed Wolfson college it reminded me of

where my late wife used to work as a secretary for the bursar.

We eventually came back along Norham gardens and after a short delay entered the

University parks. Working most of my life for the University and spending many lunch

breaks walking around the park it was very strange to be motorcycling along the same

footpaths. At the bottom of the park we took a sharp right turn following the river Cherwell

and eventually came out onto the St. Cross road and at the junction of Holywell street and

Mansfield road we parked up as our bikes were not allowed to travel the last part of the

course around the Radcliffe Camera because of causing damage to the cobbled road.

A sense of satisfaction followed as we had completed the course and everything went

smoothly and we had earnt the group some funds for our efforts.

Well done to Rob Archer and the group for supporting this local event.