TEST PASSES

The SAM Committee has great pleasure in announcing that the following Associates have recently passed their Advanced Test.

Jim Keen - Observed by Wayne Hanson
Jon Wrench - Observed by Geoff Pollard
Jackie Layton - Observed by Budge and Clinton King
Jon Hickman - Observed by Pete Craddock
Stephen Toplass - Observed by Pete Craddock
Mark Lampitt - Observed by Paul Cote

Congratulations all! We look forward to presenting you with your Advanced Test certificates and CLUB POLO SHIRTS at the next club night (Tuesday 14th September 2010).

RIDER PERFORMANCE DAY AT CASTLE COMBE - SEP 15th 2010

Four members have booked already. It has been discounted via RoadSafety partnerships to £99.

For this event, riders will enjoy expert riding technique, braking tests, classroom based safety activities and much more.

You will have qualified instructors taking you out. Groups on track are small (I believe 12), not like race track days. If you want an environment that is safe to practice those bends without the hazards that we face on the roads, to understand the balancing throttle with positive/counter steering, this is the place to do it. One more incentive, I have another discount on the above price that will be split between those who are there on the day.

Book via this site: http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/trackdays/events/motorcyclesafety.asp

Please state you are a SAM member, this is so that I can have a list to split the extra discount between.

Email events@iamsam.org.uk to confirm that you are going so that I may have a list in advance, I'll then arrange a ride down.

Note: Bikes are limited to 105 db @3/4 revs.

SAM HAS AN EXCELLENT HEMPSTED WEEKEND

Last weekend (Sat 14th/Sun 15th Aug 2010), SAM once again attended the Hempsted Motorcycle Festival. Saturday saw a very low turn out of "foot passengers"due to the persistent rain that lashed down. Not deterred, SAM Observers managed to take 4 brave motorcyclists out for assessment rides.

Sunday was a completely different story. The sun shone and the motorcycling public came out to look at the various displays. The SAM gazebo on occasions was "swamped" by bikers wanting to know about the "Skills For Life" package and also what the club was about.

As a result, the Observers were kept busy taking a further 13 motorcyclists out on assessed rides. The weekend, despite the weather, from a SAM point of view, was a total success:

- 17 assessed rides
- 8 new members signed up
- 25 names of motorcyclists interested in the "Skills For Life" package who gave their details for follow up enquiries.

Thank you to all those dedicated SAMMERs who helped in whatever way to make this weekend the success it was.

Once again, SAM continues to help in spreading the word of Road Safety throughout the motorcycling fraternity.

Andy Maclean Obituary

It is with great sadness that I have to report the loss of Andy Maclean, one of our Associate Members.

He was out on his bike when he was tragically killed in an accident which happened on Saturday 31st July. He had only recently joined SAM but wasn’t keen on riding in groups. He would much rather be out with a mate or by himself, covering many miles. He would visit his customers on his bike rather than use the car and in the last 3 years or so covered about 35 thousand miles on his treasured ZZR 1400. I used to enjoy going for a ride with him and would try to explain the ‘system’ we adopt when riding. After much badgering from me, he eventually agreed to become a member of SAM to become a better rider. He will be sorely missed by family and his many friends and colleagues alike. I am glad I had the chance to attend his funeral, as a friend and also representing SAM.

Lawrence Morgan

SAM's FIRST AID COURSE A WINNER!

 

Below is just one of several e-mails and comments made by SAM members who attended the First Aid Course on Saturday 31st July 2010, at Fairford, run by Mark Harris from RUBICON.

"I felt compelled to drop you a note with my thanks for arranging such a fantastic training session and also my thoughts from the course this weekend.

It is not overstating the fact for me that this was without doubt life changing, I for one will not be venturing out on my bike without an emergency first aid kit in future and will be extending the one I've got. This course was not only incredibly informative, but after the hands-on training the fear of what to do, or not as the case may be, was completely gone and replaced by a sense of positive understanding of what we may have to deal with. I have to say that Mark's approach for me was first rate, maybe we should mention it at the next club night or by mail to everyone, especially as the club kindly subsidised the cost to such a level. Really, this training is a no-brainer and if we have any further days like this please count me in, even a regular refresher would be welcome. Thanks again for all your continued support."

YHA Discount

Severn Advanced Motorcyclists are now members of the International Youth Hostelling Association. This membership entitles you to money off any rooms that you wish to stay in and can be used all around the World. If you want to use the card, contact Pete Craddock.

Prescott Bike Festival

Not until April 2011, but suggest booking early to avoid disappointment. See the diary for details.