2010 diary

 

2010 Archive

 

2009 diary

2009 Weekend breaks

2008 diary

2007 diary

2006 diary

2005 diary

2000 to 2004 diary


Committee Diary (for access by the Committee only)


Ride-out procedures

Drop-off system

 

Ride-outs are great for catching up with members, honing riding skills, or just enjoying the ride, scenery and destination. Whatever your bag, the variety of rides means there ’s something in a ride-out for you.

 

All Members and Associates (and pillions!) are welcome. If you’re an Associate and wondering whether a ride is suitable for you, feel free to contact the ride Leader to chat about it.

 

BEWSC is the Birdseye Walls Social Club: the place where most (but not all) ride-outs start. Go to the end of Hammond Way in Gloucester and you’ll find riders gathering in the Social Club car park. Or check out this map.

 

For each ride, we produce reports which are published in the Journal. Extracts are also provided in the diary section here in PDF. We also file pictures from a run in the diary section. Where possible, we record the route in Garmin GPS v2 format, and produce a map of this too.

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Who/when Details Reports Maps
12th Jan

19:30-22:00

CANCELLED due to weather Clubnight Gary Shellard gives a talk of his trip with Vanessa to the Artic Circle    
17th 24th Jan

10.00

Pete Craddock

Re arranged due to better weather! Rideout GLOUCESTER OLD SPOT- ride out.a medium ride lead by "Red Leader" himself -Yes you,ve guessed it a ride around sunny South Gloucestershire and then back to Stroud for "Bacon Butties" and Coffee, (provided we are not frozen on the bikes) prepared by our very own "Witchway Jen". Start at BEWSC.   PDF
9th Feb

19:30-22:00

Clubnight Auction in aid of the Acorns Children's Hospice Trust, sell your old and maybe not so old gear and donate £1 of the proceeds to your clubs chosen charity. Please arrive early to register your sale items. There will be the usual hot buffet where we request a £2.50 per head donation.    
21st Feb

10:00-15:00

Lloyd Sandall

Rideout We will leave BEWSC 10:00 sharp. Please ensure you have a full tank of fuel (Total distance approximately 150 earth miles). There will be a toilet stop after approximately 1.5 hrs. (Bring a bag or bottle just incase !). Cafe Food (Sit down) will be available at mid point. . Start at BEWSC.    
9th Mar

1930-2200

Clubnight A talk by the Royal British Legion, Riders Branch on the work they do to support our men and women who are still serving or are ex members of the forces.    
14th Mar

1000-1500

Gary Shellard

Rideout Seeing as our Gary mixes with all the gentry, this ride will take us to Henley on Thames via Lambourn and returning via the B roads of Oxfordshire – NO green lanes (progressive). Start at BEWSC.   PDF
4th Apr

08:45

Budge

Rideout Our annual Easter Egg run to the Acorns hospices in Selly Oak and Worcester. Please note that we are leaving at 0845 from BEW and 0930 from the Acorns shop on lower high street Cheltenham. (Medium).Start at BEWSC. Report  
5th Apr

Event: This is a call to arms, we fully understand that this is Easter Monday, but is there anyone out there who would be willing to help out at the gazebo? (And get it there) The following link will task you to the webpage where you will find all the information about the day. Click here to go to the website    
11th Apr

Time tbc

Event: Felix Burke Trial. Classic Bikes at loose across the Cotswolds.    
13th Apr

1930-2200

AGM Come along, have your say, hear all about what your committee has done in the past year and what they would like to do for you in the coming one and of course there's the Cheese & Biscuits to look forward to.    
18th Apr

1000-1630

Mike Walsh

Rideout Ride into Wales will be of a medium pace and take in the delights of the Usk Valley, Brecon Beacons and Talybont Reservoir. One of the roads that we shall be taking gets used on a regular basis by the Top Gear Team so I suppose we could claim that the route is "as seen on TV".... Start at BEWSC.    
19th Apr

1930

RoSPA

Event: ROSPA have invited SAM along to a talk that they have organised by Steve Haley. The title of the talk is “Mind Driving”. It is to be held at the Civic Service Club on Tewkesbury Rod in Cheltenham. Please be there for 1930 for a 1945 start. If you are thinking of going then please let Budge know as ROSPA have requested some idea of numbers for seating, tea, coffee etc.    
29th Apr-6th May

Pete Craddock

Rideout to France! Here again already, the annual SAM run to France. Tours in the Loire Valley is this years destination, hopefully if you have decided to go you will have already have had a word with Red Leader and put you name down. It’ll be good.   PDF
11th May

1930-2200

Clubnight Gary Shellard gives a talk of his trip with Vanessa to the Artic Circle (Originally planned for January, but the artic weather intervened!)    
9th May

 

 

Slow riding course The event will be held between 0900 – 1200 at Berkeley Power Station, Berkeley , GL13 9PB in the Lower Car Park. (To access the lower car park after leaving the village of Berkeley continue along the road until you approach the Berkeley site. At the first roundabout you come to take the first exit and follow this approach road (watching out for the pot holes) until you approach the Berkeley Centre gatehouse. Take the left turn through the upper car park and continue until you see the cones in the lower car park.) The morning will consist of slow riding and braking exercises and will provide riders with a safe environment to explore the slow speed handling and braking performance of their bikes. Tutors will on hand to offer instruction and encouragement throughout each of the exercises!    
16th May

0800-1800

Gary Shellard

Rideout East of England Show, Peterborough. 250 miles round trip. Cracking show ground full of traders stalls, clothing, bikes, parts, food. Bigger than the NEC. £16.00 on day. see www.bmf.co.uk for further details (Progressive) Start at BEWSC.    
23rd May

0900 prompt

Pete Wood

Rideout 5 Lakes and 2 Mountains. Intriguing! Must be Wales, must be Pete Wood. Approx 165 miles. Start at BEWSC.    
6th June

0900-1600

Les Stewart

Rideout Fish and Chips anyone? Les plans to take us down to Weston by a picturesque route. Chill on the sea front (you never know, we could be lucky and the tide will be in). (Medium) Start at BEWSC.   PDF
8th June

1930-2200

Clubnight Mark Harris will be travelling all the way from Scotland to give us yet another talk on what to do if you are “first on scene”.    
12-13th June

 

 

National Bikesafe This years National Bikesafe will be held at the Sheffield Arena between 10am and 5pm each day. Hopefully you will have seen a leaflet by now detailing everything that is organised for the weekend.    
20th June

1000-1700

 

20th Anniversary Celebrations SAM Open Day. Painswick Rugby Club. The day will consist of a Celebration of 20yrs of the club, with a members BBQ and other attractions. Open to the public offering: 20 mins assessed ride - 20 min debrief - 20 pence cup of tea. Sponsors and other stalls being attracted as we speak. Come and support our recruitment drive and if we all bring a biking mate it will be a success. A day not to be missed! Please note that the A46 is closed in Painswick and people attending this event from the North (Gloucester/ Cheltenham etc) should do so via Edge, Pitchcombe turning left onto the A46 (sign posted Cheltenham) towards Painswick.  

PDF1

PDF2

27th June

0900-1700

Clinton King

Rideout BTC Rideout (Bends, Twists and Curves). Long day, long ride. This ride takes us through the shires to the North, Bromyard, Bewdley, then on to Church Stretton. Those not faint hearted can go to the 480m view point. Then on to Newtown, Crossgates, Leominster, Tewkesbury, Glos. Actual ride about 5-6 hrs. 7-8 hrs with breaks. Start at BEWSC. Meet at 08.30hrs, depart BEWSC at 09.00hrs.  

PDF1

PDF2

4th July

0830-1600

Budge

Rideout As its American Independence Day, how about starting with a rideout to the American Diner at Leominster, then doing something from there. I’ll sort something. (Progressive) Start at BEWSC. Meet at 08.00hrs, depart BEWSC at 08.30hrs.   PDF
13th July

1930-2200

Clubnight I have no doubt that you have all seen reports of the excellent work that RAPID RESPONSE UK does all over the world when any disaster strikes. Well now’s your chance to hear about some of their work first hand.    
25th July

0900-1600

Geoff Brookes

Rideout Roads to Ride for - Mid Wales, Lunch at Builth Wells, tea at other places, probably not more than 190 miles (Gentle/Medium/Progressive – or a combination of all depending on the roads) Start at BEWSC. Meet at 08.30hrs, depart BEWSC at 09.00hrs.   PDF

Sat 31st July

First on scene course Contact Budge (07824 531987) or email   PDF
8th August

0900-1700

Gary Shellard

Rideout A trip to Zig Zag Hill in the lovely county of Dorset where you can enjoy good views, and no doubt some refreshments. 200miles approx. (Progressive) Start at BEWSC. Meet at 08.30hrs, depart BEWSC at 09.00hrs.   PDF

14th and
15th Aug

1000-1700

Hempsted Bike Show, Hempsted Meadows (where they do the car boot and market), Gloucester. SAM will be running a stand - help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Clinton King.    

26th Aug

Budge

RAF Digby run   PDF
2-6th Sept

 

 

Camping Beddgelert - known locally as "Dead Dog City" (North Wales). All booked up, but contact Gary Shellard in case of cancellations treasurer@iamsam.org.uk    
11th Sept

 

 

Observer Day Annual refresher for all current / active observers. Kings Head, Norton from 0900 onwards, hope to be finished by 1700hrs.    
14th Sept

1930-2200

Clubnight Just a social gathering tonight so that you can all exchange tales and show each other photos of your hols.
Robert Rendell, Ear Plug specialist, will be attending, should anyone wish to discuss ear plug fittings.
   
18th Sept

 

 

New Observer Day Cancelled. Those who put their names forward will be contacted by Geoff Pollard. If you wanted to do observing but missed the deadline, please contact Geoff Pollard via email   associate@iamsam.org.uk    
19th Sept

 

 

Rideout Pete's Favourite Welsh Bits. "Medium level” and this means riding up to the speed limit when appropriate, other times the views and the landscape may take priority. Overtaking again when appropriate, not the priority. Distance for the ride around 150 miles with two major stops for refreshment plus one fuel stop. All riders turn up at the start of the ride with a full tank of fuel, a drink and maybe a bite to eat if they don’t fancy buying café/burger van food. Start at BEWSC. Meet at 0900hrs, depart at 0915hrs prompt.    
24-26th Sept

Budge

 

Di’s memorial run My annual trip back to Cumbria. I will be going and if anyone would like to come with me then great. Please let me know if you intend to go that way I can arrange everything with Andrea and Kevin at the Lymehurst.    
Sat 2nd Oct

Ride To The Wall. Information from this site. If you intend to go and would like to go in group, contact Lawrence Morgan.

   
12th Oct

1930-2200

Clubnight Our speaker tonight will be David Harrison from the County Air Ambulance.    
17th Oct

 

 

Rideout Simon's Autumn BBQ to include Clint's Playground ride to it. Includes seeing the bikes at the Chepstow "Hog The Bridge" event. Approx. 150 mile round trip back to Glos. Medium to progressive. Start at BEWSC. Meet at 0830hrs, depart at 0900hrs prompt.    
28th Oct - 1st Nov

 

 

Long weekend away in a caravan? 5 caravans have been booked on a campsite in Hamble, HAMPSHIRE for 4 nights. The caravans are really modern and have central heating etc. We have booked 5 caravans with the idea of putting 4 persons in each (loads of space) - total of 20 places available. Now this is the brilliant bit.....the cost. It is £50 per person (£12.50 per night per person). NOW FULLY BOOKED.    
9th Nov

1930-2200

Clubnight Who has ever gotten lost whilst out on a ride? Well our very own Simon Charters has volunteered to give a a talk on the pro’s and con’s of using Sat Nav, me – I prefer to stay lost its more fun finding my way out.    
21st Nov

 

 

Rideout Short Day: Great opportunity to do the Three Counties ride,
a nice Medium/Progressive ride with tea stops to learn for your own rides. We won't drink at all of them, but stop, log them, and move on. Start at BEWSC. Meet 0830hrs, depart at 0900hrs prompt.

 

   
Fri 10th Dec

 

It's Christmas! We'll be having a do at the Gloucester Old Spot, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9SY. 1930hrs arrive, 2000hrs start. Cost will be £18.50 for a 2 course and £23.50 for a 3 course dinner. All orders and PAYMENT IN FULL must be submitted to Budge by 19th November, therefore he'll need your money with your order. Menu

 

   
Sun 12th Dec

Rideout Pete and Gary's Christmas rideout. Cancelled due to bad weather.

   
Tue 11th Jan

Clubnight "Confessions of a Flasher"
An audience-engaging session to explain the techniques of speed enforcement, debunk the many urban myths, entertain with a few anecdotes and share some of the many and very varied explanations that some drivers/riders contrive to try to avoid a few points.

 

   
Sun 16th Jan

Rideout The Annual Gloucester Old Spot rideout.
We will leave BEWS at 1000hrs prompt. Please meet a 0945hrs with a full tank of petrol. The idea is to ride around scenic South Gloucestershire and find a nice coffee spot somewhere down south. Back to "Witchway Jen's Abode" for sausage and bacon butties (and a couple of veggie items as well). Medium to progressive ride. Aiming to be eating sausages by 1500hrs. If not riding, just come along at 1500hrs for the food!)

 

   
Tue 8th
Feb

Clubnight Auction in aid of the Acorns Children's Hospice Trust.
Sell your old and maybe not so old gear and donate the proceeds to your club's chosen charity. Please arrive early to register your sale items. There will be the usual hot buffet where we request a £2.50 per head donation.


   
11th-13th
Feb
Sean's B&B weekend in Dolgellau. See main page for details. Email Sean Gwynne.    
20th Feb

Pete Wood

Rideout The Seven Hills of Gloucestershire.
A nice easy ride around the high points of Gloucestershire, with a view to the wonderful vistas to be found in our county. Easy Ride on the IAM SAM scale of things, suitable for all - including brand new Associates. 0945 meet at BEWSC, 1000 start.

   
Tue 8th
Mar

Rebecca

Clubnight Talk on Osteopathy.
Know your Body, The Aches, Pains, what causes them how to alleviate and control. How not to get them or minimise in first place. Bike Q/A session as well.
   
25th-28th Mar The OTHER SAMmers
Our friends from SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS are hopefully visiting us for a weekend from Friday 25th until Monday 28th. The Club will be running ride outs on the Saturday and Sunday, if you are free it would be nice for as many Severn Advanced Motorcyclists as possible to join in. 1000 - 1500. More details to come.
   
13th-15th May BMF Show
The Annual BMF show is from Fri 13th to Sun 15th May 2011. Last year's price was £30 per person which included 2 nights camping, 2 days entry to the show and 2 nights entertainment (for non members booked in advance). This year's prices should be similar. A good show with plenty of bargains and shopping for the ladies! Good opportunity to get browny points for Beddgelert. For those who dont wish to camp I'm there are B&Bs close by. This is a very good show which, if you want to buy biking kit, has some good bargains. If not, it's a good weekend anyway. Contact Gary Shellard or Pete Craddock.
   
Sun 3rd
Apr

WOOTTON BASSETT (not a SAM rideout, and prior registration is required)

Ride of Respect. This ride pays tribute to the people of Wootton Bassett, RAF Lyneham and the men and women of our armed forces. All money raised will go to Afghan Heroes who help our service personnel directly on the front line; the families of those who have fallen and our returning service personnel who have witnessed these horrific losses of their fellow comrades. Last year's event was fantastic - let's see if we can make this year's even better!

http://www.afghanheroes.org.uk/homepage.asp

   
Sun 10th Apr Prescott Bike Festival See here
First of what will be major event for bikers in future. The Prescott Bike Festival was born out of the need to raise funds for Severn Freewheelers and NABB. All proceeds go towards running that vital service. The Festival will celebrate all things motorcycle and our key attraction is the opportunity to 'Run the Hill'. The Prescott Hill Climb track, owned by the Bugatti Owners Club, is one of the UK's most prestigious Hill Climbs and rarely does the public get the chance to 'Run the Hill'. Limited tickets are available so please book now!
We will be there with the Gazebo.
   

Tue 12th
Apr

AGM

Clubnight AGM
Come along, have your say, hear all about what your committee has done in the past year and what they would like to do for you in the coming one - and, of course, there's the Cheese & Biscuits to look forward to.
   

Sun 24th Apr

Budge

Rideout Our annual Easter Egg run to the Acorns hospices in Selly Oak and Worcester. Please note that we are leaving at 0845 from BEWSC and 0930 from the Acorns Charity Shop on Lower High Street Cheltenham. (Medium)    

27th Apr - 5th May inclusive

The France Trip

BOOKINGS NOW CLOSED

Our Annual Pilgrimage to France (La Rochelle) is booked. We will be travelling to Portsmouth on Wednesday 27th Apr and leaving on the 11pm ferry. Please note that this is a day earlier than normal due to popular demand. We arrive at Le Havre at 0800 on Thu 28th Apr and then travel half way and stay overnight in Tours. We will arrive at La Rochelle on Fri 29th. There will be various arranged rideouts during our stay. We will leave on Wed 4th May and travel half way home, hopefully staying in Blois. We catch the ferry from Le Havre at 1700 on Thu 5th May, arriving back in Portsmouth at about 0930am on Fri 6th. Due to last year's success, the uptake for this trip has been incredible -30 rooms have been booked and 20 have already been taken. For more information, contact Pete Craddock ASAP on 07989 388580.

   
Tue 10th
May

Rodney Gooch
Clubnight Rodney Gooch talk
Rodney is a director at Castle Coombe Circuit. whose motorcycling began visiting Brands Hatch 45 years ago - which then launched him into racing on 2 wheels, including competing at the TT. He originated and ran the Castle Coombe Superbike Grand National in 2004. His talk covers a wealth of information as a rider and his professional career at Brands Hatch, Castle Coombe. "Undertaking" this talk will give a great "outside take" thus "overlapping" our knowledge of what actually goes on organizing and running a Race/track based safety day on track. Those who have ever wondered if they would like to have ago can be assured all questions will be answered.
   
Sun 15th May

Event Slow Riding Course, run by our Rospa friends who
have sent us an invite. Please let the Events & Diary Co-ordinator
Clinton King know if you intend to go as our Rospa friends would like numbers to help the organisation of it.


"The skills learnt will enhance your machine manoeuvrability giving great confidence riding your bike in the future".

   
Thu 19th May

Cheltenham Harley-Davidson Start time 1800. This is a LADIES ONLY NIGHT and is for female Riders and pillions alike. There will be a BBQ and refreshments will be available all night, as well as "Rossy" giving a talk. Airbrushing display from local artists Re-born to be wild, tech talk on basic pre ride checks, demonstration of how to pick up a fallen bike by HDUK's very own Allan Brownridge plus much much more.


Directions

   
Sun 29th May

Rideout Builth Wells or Bust
A SAM ride organised by Pete Wood, this ride is pitched at medium level which means it will be suitable for all SAM members, including new Associates, for what should be a pleasant ride around South and mid-Wales. In fact, if numbers dictate, we may even need a second team of Leader and Sweeper, again volunteers please, contact Pete Woods on 07966 552897 or
click his name to email him. We shall leave BEWSC at 1000hrs sharp, so please be there at 0940hrs, fully-fuelled and ready to roll. We shall have a 2nd pick up point at 1030hrs for Forest riders at the Five Acres Petrol station on the A4136, the Monmouth road.

   

Tue 14th Jun

 

Steve Haley

Clubnight "Mind Driving" Talk
Mind Driving is a new approach to driving/riding skill to help reduce crash risk. It also reduces stress and increases the enjoyment of driving/riding. Untaught skills that really make driving safe. They are the "thinking skills" that allow drivers/riders to control danger. Expert drivers use these skills.
   
Sun 19th Jun

Rideout Fish & Chip run to Weston-Super-Mare. Les Stewart will be leading this ride. Be at BEWSC for 0845 brief, depart 0900

   
25th-26th
Jun
Frasers 40th Anniversary    

Clint King

POSTPONED Rideout B.C.T. (Bends, Curves, Twists)
Long day, long ride. This ride takes us through the shires to the North, Bromyard, Bewdley, then on to Church Stretton. Those not fainthearted can go to the 480m view point. Then on to Newtown, Crossgates, Leominster, Tewkesbury, Glos. Actual ride about 5-6 hrs. 7-8 hrs with breaks. Start at BEWSC. Meet at 0830, depart at 0900. Easy Ride (on the IAM SAM scale of things). Suitable for all, including brand new Associates.
   
Sun 10th
Jul
Rideout Ironbridge Gorge. Twisty and technical route. Progressive.
Meet at BEWSC at 0845, prompt departure at 0900. Should be back in Gloucester around 1700.
   
Tue 12th
Jul
Clubnight Modern Day Fire Service Talk by Dave Hornibrook.
Informative presentation incorporating video, stills and some hands on equipment(!) of present modern day Fire Service.
   
Sun 24th
Jul

Rideout Pete Wood will be running a ride to "Devil's Bridge", near Aberystwyth. Due to the run, on this occasion we will meet at Ross-on-Wye Fire Station at 0800. SAM Forum updates

NB. Start point from Ross Fire station is changed to Ross Cattle Market truck stop on the A40, north of Ross town centre, close to the Oveross Industrial Estate. The benefits are toilets, hot food & drink and easier parking. For those wanting hot breakfast - arrive at 7.30am! Briefing at 0800hrs, get away 0810hrs sharp.

   

Budge

Sat 13th -
Sun 14th
Aug

RAF Digby trip - MUST TELL BUDGE or CLINT if you want to go
as space is limited. See main page and Contact page.
   

Jim Mc

Sun 14th Aug

Rideout - The Best Road In Wales?For those not going to RAF Digby with Budge, Jim Mc will be leading a progressive ride to his favourite set of bends (A483 Newtown to Crossgates) and will be giving them a good inspection - repeatedly!

When we get to Crossgates, anybody that wants/needs a rest can relax at the Crossgates cafe while the rest of us go back and forth along the fun bit. There'll be plenty of opportunities to re-join the group.

This ride is for the love of cornering, so the route is subject to change if it's raining. Those expecting anything more than challenging roads may be disappointed. Meet at BEWSC 0845, depart 0900 prompt.

NB. First stop won't be for a good 2 hours (Church Stoke), so have some breakfast if you need to!

   
28th Aug BMW Club 60th Birthday Bash
Observers will be attending to give assessed rides if required, camping may be avaliable saturday night . Details still being formulated. Enquiries to Clinton King.
   
Thu 1st- Mon 5th Sep Beddgelert Camping Trip
Once again, by popular demand, we intend visiting Beddgelert for the usual boring, early to bed, non eventful weekend+. If you fall into this category, then this weekend+ is for you. Put these dates in your diary as this is a must. Come along and hear Gary snore, see Steve chasing rabbits at 2am with his torch, or just try and get some bread with your meal at the local pub - all are a challenge! Will see if emotions are still running high over the slaying of the innocent dog. Pipes, dressing gowns and slippers are optional. Contact Gary Shellard or Pete Craddock.
   
Sun 11th Sep

Big Pit
Pete Wood is planning a rideout that includes a three hour visit to Big Pit: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/

Entry is FREE, Parking is FREE, sit down hot meals in their Canteen you have to pay for....

It will also include 125 miles or so of 'Good Welsh Riding'.

Any queries, please email Pete or call him on 07966 552897.

Please be at BEWSC for 0930 or LIDL at Monmouth for 1030 latest.

See the Home page for all the details.

   
Tue 13th Sep

Clubnight Tall Bloke On A Bike

A Coast to Coast U.S.A. ride report by Geoff Brookes.

   
Sat 17th Sep Viv & Dave's Wedding - see main page for details    
Sun 18th Sep Signpost Rally See the download here