top of page

A Look Back at November

Writer's picture: Ian SpeightIan Speight

Well it was bound to happen, with summer coming to a close, the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping, there wasn't a lot of training this month. However, this didn't mean I was any less busy and the lack of training allowed me to get involved with other things.

Gift Vouchers.

November saw my new Gift Vouchers arrive and with prices starting from as little as £80, why not consider one as a present for the biker in your life.

Customer Test Pass.

The month got off to a great start with customer Richard S from Leeds passing his RoSPA bike test at the first attempt and obtaining a Silver grade. A great achievement and a worthy result.

Richard isn't resting on his laurels though and for 2019 intends to take his IAM test and maybe move on to taking his IAM Masters.

A Test Pass of my own.

On the 6th of November I had a test pass of my own, when I took and successfully passed the Diamond Elite Motorcycle test.

I decided to take the test as it was new to me and not something I was aware of until recently. The test lasted for 90 minutes and incorporated all types or roads and also a requirement to give a commentary during the ride, something which sets the Diamond test apart from RoSPA and the IAM motorcycle tests.

After the road sections I had to complete some slow speed figure of 8 and tight circle manoeuvres to finish off.

The test was conducted by Diamond Chief Examiner Mark Jaffe and as a result of the pass, I am now officially on the register for Diamond Trainers.

The test fee is £150, which isn't cheap, but I think it's good to be assessed/tested by a different organisation, it keeps me fresh and at the highest level I can be. It also allows me to be able to give first hand advice to any enquiries I get as I've experienced it myself.

(See my blog dated 6/11/18 for full details of the day)

The certificate arrived a few days after the test. I'm not sure how much of the £150 test fee went towards producing it, but not much by the look of things !

RoSPA Group Training

On 10th and 24th I was out with my local RoSPA group in my capacity as their Training Officer. I usually try to 'double up' with Tutor to oversee the session and ensure consistency and a high standard are being delivered to the associates. A really good turn out on both dates by associates and tutors.

Did someone mention Gift Vouchers ?!

If you'd like to purchase a gift voucher for the biker in your life, please get in touch, they start from as little as £80.....there could be another mention of Gift Vouchers before the end...

Motorcycle Live - Motorrad Tours

From 17th to the 21st I was at the NEC in Birmingham for the UKs biggest biking show, Motorcycle Live. I was wearing my Tour Leader hat as I represented Motorrad Tours working on the BMW stand. This was my second year working at the show and it was great to meet so many people and talk about all things bikes, touring and BMW. The stand was very busy every day with lots of interest in the new 1250 engined variants that were on display.

I'd also like to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who took the trouble to stop by and say hello.

Pictured with Motorrad Tours owner, Richard (far left) and fellow Tour Leaders Chris and Bob (either side of Amy, who worked tirelessly all show helping us out on the stand)

www.motorrad-tours.com

RoSPA Bike Test

Having returned from the NEC it was back to riding again and on the 23rd I conducted a bike test on behalf of RoSPA. The candidate was Mike on his Triumph Street Triple and its fair to say the weather was pretty dreadful. Very foggy in places, very greasy road conditions and temperatures struggling to get above 5c, but Mike displayed an excellent level of riding and hopefully his Gold pass made up for the amount of bike cleaning he was going to be doing when he got home !

On the 27th I received another certificate to add to my growing collection. This time it related to passing my RoSPA advanced car test, which I took at the end of 2017. The certificate acknowledges the learning process required to get to test standard and successfully passing the test. I'm hoping in the future that RoSPA will roll this out to include motorcycle test passes.

On the 30th I finished off the month with some training with Janine on her Kawasaki. Janine is already a member of her local IAM group but wanted an independent review of her riding. We covered about 80 miles, mainly concentrating on twisting rural roads to sharpen up her positioning on the approach and through corners. All in all an enjoyable session and Janine has already booked again for December.

And finally, don't forget the Gift Vouchers !

Thanks for reading and for every ones continued support.

Ian S


56 views0 comments
bottom of page