Sunday ride to Debden Barns (November 19th)

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Many thanks to ride leader Mark Fox for his description, reproduced below, of next Sunday’s Group-organised ride to Debden Barns.

“Starting from  McDonalds Caxton Gibbet we head south on the A1198 before turning to Steeple Morden and on to Therfield, crossed the A505 on our way. After Therfield we cross the A10 heading to Barkway, where we drop south to Hare Street and then make our way across country, via Clavering & Newport, to Debden Barns for breakfast at the Elder Street Café (appropriately located alongside not one, but two, antiques shops)

“After breakfast we head towards Saffron Walden and Wendens Ambo to join the lovely B1039 to Barley. There we will turn for home (passing through too many villages, so bask in the glow of the first two thirds of the trip). The route is via Newton, Haslingfield & Comberton before a short burst back up the A1198 to Caxton Gibbet

“The roads are suitable for a late autumn ride whatever the weather. Mindful of the need to keep Catherine happy (she’ll be shadowing tailer Nick Harwood) I cut out the gnarly sections suggested by my SatNav (including an actual green lane and an unfordable ford!)

Request a place  |  Limited to 12 participants  |  Events Calendar for full details

MotorcycleLive 2023

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Update: Keith Tremmer’s ride to the Birmingham NEC
is now scheduled for Friday 24th November

The UK’s flagship motorcycle show, MotorcycleLive is supported by the very best of the industry and this year upward of 25 major bike, accessory & clothing manufacturers will be represented. The show prides itself on offering the first UK viewing of all newly launched models and there will be bikes of all genres & ages to be sat on, inspected, photographed & discussed with the exhibitors

MotorcycleLive 2023 runs from 18th to 26th November, and Keith Tremeer has once again proposed an outing for CAM Members to the show. Read on for Keith’s description …

The small group heading to MotorcycleLive have settled on a date: Friday 24th November. We will depart the Cambridge area at 8:00am, taking a scenic route to Birmingham (with a breakfast stop along the way) to arrive at the NEC by midday, when everyone will be free to browse the show at their leisure. A group return ride (on a more direct route, but not the M6!) will leave at around 4:00pm – but participants will be free to return independently if they prefer. The total distance is expected to be ~190 miles
Please click here to email me (Keith) ASAP if you would like join this rideout. Tickets cost £25 when purchased online, which includes a £2 booking fee (this rides to £31.00 when purchased on the day). Tickets are valid for any day, so we have the flexibility to choose (collectively or individually) the best day of the week in terms of weather. The NEC offers free motorcycle parking in a covered area

Group Ride training – Saturday 21st October

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Over Community Centre, Saturday 21st October
Open to full Members & Associates*. Email Catherine to request a place

Our Group ride training is expanding to include full Members alongside the Ride Leaders & Tailer Enders (RL&TE) team. Associates who have begun Observed rides and had confirmation from their Observer that they are riding at a suitable standard to join Group rideouts are also welcome. Training Manager Barry D explains the thinking behind this change, and what those attending can expect:

Much emerged from the RL&TE training session in June – not least the insight that all riders might benefit from a better understanding the RL&TE roles, the guidelines presented by the leader and their actions during a ride. By opening this training to Members we aim to reduce the number of problems which arise from time to time during rides, so Group rides are more enjoyable and safer for all. Over time we hope that all members will attend this training, and each session will be a rich mix of:

  • Those aiming to join the RL&TE team
  • Leaders & Tailers updating their training
  • Members & Associates aiming to better understand how to participate positively & safely in a group ride

All full Members are now invited to our our next training session on Saturday 21st October at Over Community Centre. This starts at 10am, and is expected to finish at by 4pm. As there is a practical session attendees should arrive by bike (ideally equipped with a SatNav). Tea, coffee & biscuits will be provided but please bring your own sandwiches. The bar will be open for soft drinks

There will be a little work for attendees to complete in advance of the course (more about that nearer the time). The morning will start with Module 1 presentation (~90 mins), followed after a short break by the Module 2 presentation (~30 mins). On-road training follows, for which participants will receive a SatNav route and information on how to prepare

Both current RL&TEs and those aiming to join the team will have the opportunity to brief and then ride in the RL role. They will also ride in the TE position, picking up markers as they go. The SatNav route will clearly identify the location where Leader & Tailer swap roles halfway along the 20-mile route. The training will be a close with a Q&A session

Please consider signing up for this training. Whether you’re already on the RL&TE team, thinking of joining or simply wish to gain a better understanding of group riding your attendance will help us make our rides safer & more enjoyable. Please email me (Barry) directly if you would like further details, or email Catherine to book your place

CAM on Radio Cambridgeshire

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You heard it here first: tune into the Chris Mann show on Radio Cambridgeshire Friday morning to hear Chairman Ian Dunckley and Events Coordinator Catherine Ryan promote our Group and our Taster Rides day this weekend! The program starts at 10:00am, with Ian & Catherine expected to be on air around 10:20am

8th October: our final all-day ride of 2023

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Had Keith Tremeer not postponed this outing to Sunday 8th October it would have taken place during one of the hottest spells on record, but instead it’s shaping up to be a glorious autumn ride! Keith has updated his plan to avoid arriving back after dark, and outlines the revised schedule below –

“The ride will depart at 8:30am from Tesco Milton, heading northwest towards Mildenhall, then north to Downham Market for our breakfast stop after ~90 minutes on the road at Arbuckles
We subsequently follow scenic country lanes eastwards to Swaffham, then head southeast through Watton, Harleston & Fressingfield to arrive at our lunch stop, the Dennington Queen, at around 1pm (having covered ~110 miles since leaving Milton)

“After feasting on the roast lunch or other tempting items from the Sunday menu we’ll make a quick re-fuelling stop, then return westwards through Otley Bottom & Needham Market, until we reach our refreshment stop in Lavenham – afternoon tea or ice cream anyone?
Our final leg will take us through Long Melford, Keddington & Balsham to reach Fourwentways services, with an ETA of 6pm. The ride ends here, 70 miles after lunch and a total journey of ~180 miles

Departs: Tesco Milton 8:30am  |  Ends: Fourwentways ~6:00pm
Full Members only  |  Limited to 8 participants (including pillions)

Email Keith directly to request a place or for further details

Motorcycle Maintenance Q&A with Paul Nobbs

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Paul Nobbs Motorcycles of Sutton (near Ely) are once again hosting a free Q&A session uniquely for CAM Members & Associates on Saturday 7 October from 1pm to 3pm, with Paul on hand to answer any & all of your questions regarding bike maintenance

Paul established his business in 2002, has 30 years’ experience servicing motorcycles and is known for his expertise and honest advice. Previous Q&As with Paul have been greatly appreciated by attendees, so whatever your current level of mechanical know-how,why not sign up and gain insights from a professional?

As the workshop has limited space, attendance is limited to 10 participants. So if you would like to brush up on your mechanical knowledge, learn how to prepare your bike for winter or simply tension your chain correctly then please use this link to request a place. Paul is not charging us for this session, but there will be a collection tin in aid of EAAA
Have your questions ready!

October 1st ride to Hollow Trees Farm

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Finding Semer takes a little work, but draw a straight line from Cambridge to Felixstowe on a map and two thirds of the way along you’ll find this Suffolk village and our breakfast destination at Hollow Trees Farm. Our Group-organised Sunday ride there on October 1st will be led by Catherine Ryan, with Patrick Ryan in tail position

The route out follows B-roads and country lanes eastwards into Suffolk, passing Highpoint Prison & Melford Hall along the way. Heading west again after breakfast (and an optional tour of the farm shop) riders will pass within a stone’s throw of Claudia Schiffer’s Tudor mansion, directly in front of the Suffolk Regiment Museum & alongside Newmarket Racecourse

Use this link to request a place. This ride is limited to 16 participants

30th September – Taster rides !

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On Saturday 30th September the CAM Observer Team are holding an Advanced Riding Taster Day at the Ducati dealership in Harston, Cambridge. Observers will be there from 10am to 4pm, offering FREE taster rides to any biker with a full licence wishing to gain an insight into advanced riding

What’s involved? A one-to-one ride with a highly experienced Observer, followed by a debrief with pointers to how the IAM Advanced Rider course can help riders take things to the next level

Do participants ride their own bike? Yes

What now? If you are interested in a Taster Ride please contact us via this link and we’ll reserve you a slot (remember to let us know if you have a time preference!)

Anything else? Our Members & Associates will also be there to discuss the benefits & challenges of CAM membership. And when we’ve answered your questions, you can spend time admiring some of the finest motorcycles Italy has to offer as the Ducati dealership will be open throughout our stay!

Sunday ride – departs BP Arrington

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Our next Group-organised ride (on Sunday 17th) is led by Chris Curryer & tailed by Phil Duffy. This outing departs from BP Arrington

Chris describes his route –
“We travel through Guilden Morden & Edworth before passing RAF Henlow, which in 1918 became the RAF’s first operating base (you will see a Hawker Hunter on static display as you pass). Great views are on offer during the ride, but focus on the challenging roads as we continue on to Pegsdon & Hexton! Aircraft may be spotted taking off from Luton airport – at our closest we are 2 miles east of the runway.
“Following breakfast at The Coopers Inn in Stevenage we head through Cottered, then take a short ride on the A507 to Buntingford. Thereafter we follow Barkway, Barley, Barrington & Orwell, bringing us to the A603 and back to the start point”

Limited to 16 bikes   |   Email Catherine to request a place
Briefing 9:20am    |   Ride departs 9:30am   |   Events Calendar for full details

BikerDown rescheduled to 24th September

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Following a change of date Cambridge Fire & Rescue have confirmed that the final BikerDown of 2023 exclusive to CAM will now take place on Sunday 24th September (10am to 1pm) at St Ives Fire Station. Volunteer fire officers will take attendees through:

Initial Scene Management  |  First aid for motorcyclists
The science of being seen

This is a FREE course and all are welcome, including those who have attended previously and wish to brush up their skills. Members of the Observers and Ride Leaders/Tailers teams are encouraged to seize this opportunity to keep their first-aid up-to-date. Email Catherine to request a place