Group-Ride training – Saturday 7th September

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Everyone on a group ride benefits from understanding the lead & tail roles and the guidelines which ensure outings are both safe & enjoyable. With that in mind, all Members & Associates are invited to the final Ride Leader & Tail-Ender training session of the year, which Barry Dickinson leads on September 7th. No experience of group-riding is required, and you don’t have to be interested in leading/rides to attend. You can even join us just for the afternoon’s on-road outing – if you haven’t yet been on one of our rideouts this will make a great introduction!

Saturday 7th September  ::  Over Community Centre  ::  RL&TE training

Who can attend?
All Members & Associates are welcome *
   * Associates require Observer confirmation that their riding is at a suitable standard

Does this commit me to joining RL&TE team?
No – you can come along just for the fun and to improve your group riding!

Can I turn up just for the Group ride at the end of the training session?
Yes – we encourage both Associates & Members to join us for the practical ride-out session from 3 to 4pm. Please indicate when you request your place if you only wish to join the rideout part of the training Read more

All-day ride to the Cotswolds & Chilterns!

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Join Chris Curryer on an all-day ride taking in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds & the Chilterns – Chris describes his plan for the day just below. Please note that this ride is open to full Members only.

Our route takes us through Woburn Park, on to the A5 and through to the Super Sausage Café for a coffee stop. It’s then on through Buckingham, Ayhno, Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden & Broadway and up Fish Hill (a great road – see here!). 
We move on to Bourton-on-the-Water – often referred to as the Venice of the Cotswolds – where we stop for lunch, with time to stroll around this enchanting English village or to visit a small motor museum (or an even tinier model village!). Some lanes riding follows as we head through Bibury & Burford, before heading back through Bicester & Thame, stopping for afternoon tea if you still have an appetite. 
We pass close to RAF Halton before switching to A41 / M25 / A1(M) / A505 for a more direct route to the ride’s end at McDonalds Royston after a grand total of ~265 miles. 
Limited to full Members who are confident riders – there are some challenging roads along the way! Pillions welcome. 

Briefing – 8:50am        Ride starts – 9:00am          Ride ends – around 7:30pm
Departs – BP Arrington, SG8 0AD       Finishes – McDonalds Royston, SG8 9NT

Email Chris directly to request a place

Associate Theory Evening – Thursday 15th August

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Our autumn Associate Theory Evening is almost here! The evening is, of course, aimed primarily at Associates working towards their Advanced Rider test – but Members are most welcome to come along & share their experience. Senior National Observer Chris Curryer leads the session, and will dive into the theory of Advanced Riding in a friendly & informative way. Members of the Observer team will also be there sharing their expertise & offering invaluable input in relation to the testAssociate members are strongly encouraged to attend this event

The evening should finish by 9pm, with the option to head to the nearby White Horse Inn (who serve a nice cup of coffee) afterwards.
Please click here to let us know if you will be attending

Barton Sports & Social Pavilion
Thursday 15th August, 7:30 to 9:00pm

AGM & BBQ – let us know if you’re coming!

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All CAM Members & Associates are warmly invited to our Annual General Meeting… and the BBQ which follows immediately afterwards! 

When              AGM begins midday, Saturday 27th July
Where             Over Community Centre

Our big event this month is the Annual General Meeting, and all Members & Associates are warmly invited to attend if they are free. There will two ride-ins (more details soon), both arriving in good time for the start of the AGM.

Many thanks to Nas Latif for the use of his barbecue and Over for allowing us to use their recreational area outside the bar, which those in attendance can head to directly after the AGM. We’ll be providing free burgers & hot-dogs for all CAM members attending the AGM (let us know if you require a vegetarian alternative); drinks can be purchased at the bar. To help us get the catering right, please click this link if you intend to stay for the BBQ.

The CAM Committee hope to see you at the AGM, and that the weather will be on our side on the 27th for the BBQ which follows it

Fish’n’Chips run to Hunstanton – Weds 26th June

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Sign up now for Keith Tremeer’s fish’n’chip run to Hunstanton on Wednesday 26th June! Keith describes the itinerary just below…

Photo by Davey Gravy on Unsplash

Leaving Tesco Milton promptly at 3:30pm, we pass through Fordham, Prickwillow & Littleport and take the A10 to Downham Market. After an hour on the road we’ll make a short stop at Downmarket Costa for those wishing to stretch their legs, then head north towards Narborough, Hillington & Dersingham along scenic country roads, picking up the A149 a few miles from Hunstanton. The outward journey is 73 miles, and we’ll arrive at ~6pm.
There are several takeaway options within a 5-minute walk, and discerning diners will research Henry’s & Fishers (both offering eat-in options) & their competitors. But whatever they opt for, those in the know will head to the large grass area by the bandstand for some social, outdoor dining.
Leaving Hunstanton no later than 19:30, our 63-mile route back takes us north around King’s Lynn, then follows the A47 to Wisbech, where we’ll once again take to the country roads, passing through Elm, Friday Bridge & Coldham, before joining the A141 near March. We’ll then follow the A141 all the way to Huntingdon and the ride’s end at the Riverside Carpark. With the return journey estimated to take ~ 1½ hours, riders can expect to arrive in Huntingdon before sunset (which takes place at 9:26pm).

Open to Full Members as well as Associates who’ve had at least one observed ride
Limited to 16 bikes. Pillion riders welcome
Briefing: 3:20pm   |   Total distance 136 miles   |   Refuelling stop leaving Hunstanton

Email Keith directly to reserve your place
Note: this ride is weather-dependent, and at the leader’s discretion may be postponed/cancelled with 24-hours notice

Booking now: CAM Taster Rides, 29th June!

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Please spread the word! Anyone interested in Advanced Riding can now request a slot on our Taster Rides Day on June 29th, running again this year from Ducati Harston. Holders of a full motorcycle license simply turn up on their bikes to enjoy a free 30-minute outing with one of our Observers, followed by a ride debrief

CAM Members & Associates who can spare a time that Saturday are invited along to chat with visitors and share their experience of the Advanced Rider course. Drop by if you can!

To help promote CAM & safer riding, download, print & share our Taster Rides flyer amongst your biking friends (the QR code leads to Events Calendar entry with full details of the day and a link to book a slot)

Thank you for help making our 2024 Taster Ride Day a success!

Members evening, with a presentation by Keith Tremeer

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Over Community Centre  |  Tuesday 18th June  |  7:30-9:30pm
Please use this link if you plan to attend

All are welcome at Over Community Centre on June 18th from 7:30pm for our next Member’s Evening. Following a trusted formula, we’ll celebrate recent successes with Observers presenting a CAM wuffler to each new Member, and then the main event: Working & Living in Brazil, presented by Keith Tremeer. Keith offers the following teasing description of his talk –

When Brazil is mentioned talk of football, Carnival, beautiful beaches & the Amazon rainforest often follows. As some of you know, I lived and worked for a substantial period of time in the country, working in the international banking sector. Arriving in 1980 fresh from university, my first 12 months were spent in the heat and humidity of the Amazon jungle, and in subsequent years I worked in a number of places around the country. During that time I got married, became fluent in Portuguese, survived Brazil’s extreme bureaucracy, monthly inflation reaching 60%, monetary confiscation, and no fewer than 7 “economic reforms” and 6 different currencies. I also witnessed the country’s progression from a military dictatorship to a fully-fledged democracy, with the economy opening up to the outside world, and foreign investment eager to participate in the new-found growth opportunities.

During my presentation, I’ll take you through some of the more interesting (and unusual) experiences, both positive and negative, that I had during my 36 years. I’m also trying to see if I can arrange a culinary surprise for participants to indulge in during the coffee break!! I look forward to seeing you there. 
Até logo!!

Full details in the Events Calendar

A talk by Keith Tyler: 40 years in the Marine Industry

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Members, Associates & guests are all warmly invited to our 2nd Members & Associates Evening of 2024. Following the format set earlier in the year, CAM Member Keith Tyler has prepared a unique presentation on his 40 years in the Marine Industry at 2nd Members & Associates Evening of 2024. This event takes place on Tuesday 21st May, from 7:30pm at Over Community Centre. Keith provides this outline of his presentation:

“ During my 40 years in the marine industry I have worked on a variety of vessels all over the world – from 7-metre leisure craft to tankers & container ships exceeding 300 metres. Starting out as an Electrical & Mechanical Service Engineer, the marine industry has been my entire livelihood and in my presentation I will outline the progression which is possible in the sector, and the kind of work and lifestyle entailed. I hope to see you there! “

The evening –
 space7:30 – 8:15pm      Member presentation by Keith Tyler
 space8:15 – 8:45pm      Refreshments
space 8:45 – 9:15pm      Presentations to our newest full Members
space 9:15 – 9:30pm      Update from the CAM Committee

All Members, Associates & their guests are welcome!  To help with the planning, please use this link to let us know you’ll be coming

Full details in the Events Calendar

Group-Ride training – Saturday 11th May

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We learned a lot from last year’s Ride Leader & Tail-Ender training sessions – chiefly that all participants on a group ride benefit from understanding the various guidelines (such as limiting the number of riders to 16, and having a structured pre-ride briefing) which we have in place. This training session is open to all Members & Associates: we hope that eventually everyone will have attended, reducing the number of problems on rides and making our outings safer, more accessible & a better experience for all.

What’s involved?
The day starts at 10am and is expected to end by 4pm. Activities begin in the seminar room with Module 1, which is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation and lasts around 90 minutes. A break follows with tea, coffee & biscuits. Module 2 presentation follows, lasting roughly 30 minutes

After a break for lunch (please bring your own sandwiches), we move onto the practical, on-road session – so it’s essential that attendees arrive by bike. Although not essential, preferably attendees will be equipped with a SatNav. Current members of the RL&TE team as well as potential new recruits will have the opportunity to brief riders before heading a 20-mile ride where they will be able to ride in both the Lead & Tail positions. There will be a Q&A back in the seminar room to close the session

In summary
Whether you’re an experienced member of the RL&TE team, looking to join, or would simply like to help make our Group rides safer & more enjoyable, please support our RL&TE training by requesting your place at Over Community Centre on Saturday 11 May – click here now

A road safety presentation by Graham Feest

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Over Community Centre, 7:30pm on Thursday, 2nd May
All are welcome at our road safety evening presented by Graham Feest. A highly experienced UK Road Safety Consultant and speaker at professional & voluntary gatherings throughout the UK, Graham will address various concerns in relation to transport, traffic, safety & roads. He is featured in the Public Speakers Corner list of the country’s top presenters, and has previously presented to several  IAM motorcycle and driver Groups

In Graham’s own words: My career began with Worthing Council in 1974, before a move to West Sussex as Senior Road Safety Officer and subsequently County Road Safety Officer for Northamptonshire in 1989. I was Head of Road Safety at the Institute of Advanced Motorists from 2001 until the end of 2003, and am currently Chairman of the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving and the Road Safety Advisor to the ADI National Joint Council. I am also a member of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and serve on their Road User Behaviour Working Group

I am an approved training provider for the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation. Until May 2023 I was Chairman of the UK National Road Safety Committee, a position I held for some twelve years. I look forward to seeing you on 2nd May! 

Your guests are also welcome! To help us keep track of numbers, please let us know by email if you would like to attend