Letters
Your thoughts, opinions & adventures
Why am I a member of MAG?
It all started as a good idea from our Regional Rep who thought it would be nice to support the chap at Alton so we arranged to meet up at our local and head out to the Café at Alton on Wednesday night. Though the clouds in the sky, injuries and other life commitments reduced the number of people still a few enthusiastic members showed up at the pub, one so keen that, despite having been knocked off her bike last week still came in the hope that someone could take her pillion, another with a twisted ankle but rode his bike because he had agreed to come, and even when the message came from the Regional Rep that due to the weather they would not be going, we still decided to ride out.
As we rode to Alton on a lovely English Summer Evening getting wetter and wetter as we were hit by one shower after another, it struck me that with all today's rules and regulations and health and safety going mad, this is what MAG fights for - our right to ride because we want to, and because we are enthusiatic about the riding even if occasionally it means the lunacy of riding in the cold and wet for no other reason than because we can. I for one want to ensure we continue to have that right so I'm proud to be a committed member of MAG.
We made the best of it and handed out some flyers for MAG runs for our group and others, and spread the word to some of the other bikers that had braved the weather just because they knew other bikers would be there (is there any other group of road users that does this?). Then after a hot drink headed back home - in more rain. I'd like to think this comittment could have come from any group of bikers, but I'm glad to say it was my local MAG group. So to those of you who could not make it I still fight for your right to choose To those who did go and made sure that those who wanted to come could, and ensured at no stage anyone was left behind, I thank you for reminding me why I do this and why I joined MAG.
Little Red
Soul of existence
Must one's soul of existence be biking in order that one is a biker? I like riding my bike enough to go for life-member status with MAG. Why? I believe MAG plays a vital role in making sure I can ride my bike in the future as well as now. I came to this conclusion after a few thousand mile ride this summer with my friends Gav and Karim. Riding bikes is a gid thing tae dae!
Morph
Safety cameras
Although very satisfied with the recent image changes I must express my concern with regard to wording in some of the articles in Issue 12.
Several times mention is made of something called a "safety camera". Now I do not believe that any such device exists with regard to road safety, so can only assume that this refers to speed cameras.
As you are by admission a great admirer of the late Auberon Waugh, I am sure that the power of language is something that is not lost on you. It is certainly not lost on me in this instance, therefore I feel it prudent to caution you at this early stage against using the preferred language of those who would cover our roads with these useless devices. Once those opposed to speed cameras start using this doublespeak themselves, then the way is clear for the pro-camera nutters.
After all, who could possibly be opposed to something which even they apparently accept as being a "safety" device. Motorcycle "safety" helmets anyone?
I look forward to not reading this unacceptable term in The Road again in future, unless as a direct quote from pro-camera nutters.
Has MAG has any official policy regarding speed cameras? I recommend that MAG contacts the excellent Safespeed campaign. I am convinced that both organisations would benefit from regular contact.
Maaarrghk!
Ed I hang my head.
On the right tack
Having been an active member for some time and read the latest edition of The Road I wanted to say how I feel about the recent changes to the magazine and send my approval. It's new look is much more professional and the articles are far more interesting, well done.
I have just returned from our annual bike ride with the lads from The Harrow Pub in Hugenden Valley High Wycombe Buckinghamshire where we travelled down the south coast and on to sunny Cornwall. It was really enjoyable and having ridden for the last six years across the UK & France, this was one of the nicest trips so far. It was made even better riding along the A39 on our return journey up onto Exmoor then onto the A303 and home. If ever you decide to write about a route in the UK which not only allows free flowing riding as well as beautiful scenery this has got be worth it, a really superb ride in anyone's book.
I also thought I would give you a laugh having been for my fitting at Cornovi Kilt Fitters whilst on my travels around Cornwall for a wedding in Ireland. You may want to suggest a strange clothing biker outfit competition with this as your first for the next edition?
Nicholas S Kidby CERT PFS CMS
Ed, OK someone else send me a pic.
Daytime Headlights
Okay Kevin (letters passim in favour of daytime lights) not to get into a slanging match you keep 'yer lights on, I'll use my brain to decide. Perhaps we can all agree that it's about time drivers were taught to drive and not just pass a test.
As a matter of fact the safest I ever felt on the road was in my twelve ton, eight foot wide,seven foot nine inch high,seventeen foot four inch long Saladin armoured car. Nobody ever missed seeing that or pulled out on me, guess what colour it was?
On another tack, when with B.A.O.R . Germany in the early sixties we used to get a yearly lecture by a supposedly expert transport official who said the difference between Continental and Brit drivers was that the Continentals drove offensively and we Brits defensively. In other words if the rule book said something would be so, then the Continentals assumed it would be, whereas we thought not and kept a look out. In those days of course we didn't have as many motorways and the vehicles didn't have the modern hyper performance of today. Risk compensation anyone?
New logo - not sure, reminds me of a horror film where thousands of little things eat an entire airport.
Naz
The Few
Although the content of the last letters page was up to its usual high standard, there was a glaring omission - possibly several.
In the previous issue, our Editor had done a feature on a bike called 'The Few' and I was going to write in to tell him what a lucky bastard he is for having met five of this nation's greatest heroes.
The bike was painted in the theme of the Battle of Britain, dedicated to those who fought for our freedom and actually signed by those five aforementioned Heroes.
I was also going to tell our Editor what an excellent job he did of the feature, as he was so obviously thrilled, honoured and humbled by the experience, as well as being fully appreciative of what those guys did so that the rest of us can enjoy the freedoms that we still have.
But I didn't write that letter because I thought that, given the high standard of the letters that get printed in The Road, mine would be just one mediocre offering in a sackload of far more articulate contributions. I guess that I was not alone in thinking this, so am probably not alone in noticing and lamenting the lack of response to the excellent report. So, somewhat belatedly, I am writing that letter because it's the very least I can do in appreciation of those who we should all aspire to and to whom we owe everything.
When we think of MAG, all of us think of freedom and most of us think of Fred Hill. I never had the good fortune to meet Fred Hill, but am sure that these Battle of Britain veterans and their fallen comrades would have been among those who he looked up to and who gave him the inspiration and fortitude to fight to his own death on our behalf.
Without them, rest assured, there would be no biker lifestyle for us to protect and no means for us to stand up for ourselves against bad legislation of any kind that would not be punishable by a bullet in the head. Sure, we would have been allowed to ride motorbikes, but all under the kind of strict state supervision that would govern every other aspect of all our lives.
Long may we cherish those men, and let us never forget that, even after all these years, we are all still among the 'many' that Churchill so eloquently referred to and that they are The Few that we owe everything to. Ian Mutch, you are one Lucky Bastard Sir!
Maaarrghk!
Ed, I am and I'm relieved that someone has made these observations. Incredible though it sounds I was at a bike rally at Bisley shooting range recently (not a MAG one), where I was taken to task for articulating these very same sentiments. I was utterly baffled at the time and could get no sense out of the fellow who may well have been drunk for all I know but if anyone knows him then please encourage him to contact me and explain his behaviour. I know he is an ex scaffolder called Eddie or Ernie I think.
Incidentally Fred Hill was in the forces himself during WW2 when he was a dispatch rider so we owe him on two counts.
Apostrophe
Sir, perusing the index of the latest issue of The Road I noticed the phrase Letters - yards of 'em. Glossing over the fact that you used a hyphen rather than the typographically correct long dash I could not help but observe that the apostrophe was upside down - in other words an open quote. When an apostrophe falls at the beginning of a word it is necessary to hit the key twice and then go back to delete the first character. This is very simple - children manage it.
Yours, Nit Picker
Motorcycle power capping
Many of you will have read in MCN that a collection of road safety and environmental pressure groups, including the one advised by Stephen Plowden, are now lobbying MPs to put pressure on the government to think about severely limiting the capacity, power or speed of motorcycles sold in this country.
My concern, is that since most MPs, like the majority of the public are generally anti-motorcycle, this group's ideas will get serious consideration. I mean, if you show any non-biking person the performance figures for a 125, they could well think, "Yeah, it does 75mph, you can't do more than that legally, that's all anyone could need."
They won't understand that to be safe, we need the instant power of larger machines to accelerate out of trouble. They won't have experienced how tiring it is to cover big distances on a machine whose engine is screaming its head off below you.
They won't have considered that we take our bikes continental touring, with the weight of luggage and a pillion, covering several hundred miles in a day, often legally and safely at higher speeds than in the UK.
I would urge MAG, to present our case to those with the power to make policy in a way that avoids emotion, but presents the facts in a way non-motorcyclists can understand.
For example, if you ask someone to imagine driving their family car from London to Scotland in 3rd gear, and then tell them that is what doing the same journey on a 125 would be like, they may get the idea. Likewise do the journey in 4th, that's like a 500 etc.
Phillip Bassett
Ed, This is why we sit on the same committees and make presentations to the same bodies that our opponents lobby.
Reliant Trike
I have been dribbling at the mouth over the The Reliant trike featured in th e unwanted MCC Bike Show feature. Was it built by a pro or was it by a gifted DIY person?
A Keep, Kent
Ed, Bugger I've forgotten, I think I told you didn't I?
It's him again
Sir, As a paella loving pagan I was most intrigued to see from the index of The Road that this was to be the subject of your diary. Imagine my disappointment when I found no mention of these subjects but rather the usual load of old bollox. Pausing only to wonder why you thought pagans and paella needed capital letters I flung the offending magazine in the bin.
Yours, El Pagan
Ed You're Nit picker, confess!
First Aid
Having just completed a first aid course for work I was looking through the information sheets and found that they do a course for bikers. The course is about 4 hours and costs £40 per person or £340 per group. Not much to spend if it saves someone's life. In this case the course is with the St. John Ambulance (Red Cross and St. Andrew's may do them too) and the contact number is 08700 10 49 50.
In addition, the info I have states that Bikesure insurers give a 5% discount on production of the certificate for the course. In any case I would encourage anyone to go on a first aid course; even though it's a serious business the courses have always been fun even though they put you under pressure at times, and you never know when it may come in handy.
Harv, Sheffield
Flashers
Having just read the road today after getting home from a 10 day trip in my truck around Europe I was amazed to see the Mighty Rock's letter about the truck and lights. I drive a top line Scania just as big but it is amazing how many car drivers in Britain seem to think that it is now for the vehicle on the major road to give way to them. Not so much so in Europe I am glad to say. Surely this police officer and woman driver should read the highway code which explains to you about give way lines/signs. Another thing that I find dangerous is the flashing of headlights which makes people think they are being let out of junctions. There was a case recently of a truck driver flashing his lights to a friend coming in the opposite direction and the woman in the car waiting at the junction near him thought he had flashed her out. Unfortunately the lady pulled out into the path of the truck. The only real meaning of sounding a horn or flashing headlights is to say I AM HERE.
Mervin Horswill
Ed, Mervin is right, though like most people I often interpret a friendly flash as it's intended. I guess it takes experience to interpret unofficial signs in context. It's a bit like many words which have totally different meanings in different contexts if you no what eye mean? That said the ROAD does not endorse unofficial signs and we don't want a bucket load of letters telling us we're irresponsible so remember this. Pull out when flashed and you will most definitely Dye.
Spock out of his tiny mind
I heard John Redwood on the radio saying that a future Tory administration would cut congestion by allowing people turning left at junctions to go through lights on red WHAT! Is Spock out of his tiny yet logical Vulcan mind? Are our roads not dangerous enough now they've sacked all the traffic police and given up repairing the surfaces? It seems like the Conservatives now want to allow 'sorry mate I didn't see you' to be more widespread. As if we don't already have enough morons jumping red lights when we are crossing junctions, without a future government making the act of light - jumping legal - halfwits !
John Regan
Bike on bike
Mike Baker asks for more information about the casualties that cars and motorcycles cause to pedestrians and cyclists. Table 26 of the 2005 edition of the official report Road Casualties Great Britain shows that in 2005 cars killed or seriously injured 1.4 pedestrians per 100m vehicle kilometres, whereas motorcycles killed or seriously injured 5.2 - three times the rate. Road Casualties Great Britain does not contain similar rates for cyclists, but they can be calculated by combining the information on casualties in this report with the information on vehicle kilometres in the companion report Transport Statistics Great Britain. Taking the two years 2004 and 2005 together, per distance travelled motorcycles killed or seriously injured 1.97 times as many cyclists as cars did.
Stephen Plowden
Ed, As a pedestrian and keen city cyclist I say, hmm but what was the division of blame in these accidents?
Helmet Technology
I just don't get it! What are Andy Bright and Iain Poole doing? Last year I rode all through France and Spain, often riding into the sun and going in and out of dark tunnels. Yet the sun did not bother me one bit. Why? I wear a Caberg helmet with an integrated internal sun visor. One flick and the dark sun visor is up or down, this is excellent when travelling on the fast roads in and out of tunnels, or for sunny bright mornings/evenings. OK, so a Caberg helmet might not suit everyone but it beats messing about with clip-on external visors or putting sunglasses on.
Dave G Walker - Slaithwaite.
New logo
I have just read Andrew Carrott's letter and agree with him that the membership should have been consulted, why weren't we - is it because of 'who would have kept control of this huge debate'?
This is where it's confusing as one minute you are saying this and then in the next sentence you go on about the democratic process within MAG - so why couldn't have this been dealt with by using that existing process?
Why is it that the membership couldn't be made aware of the proposed changes and then be told to let their Regional Reps know what they thought and then this could be brought to the National Committee?
In addition, if we have been contemplating changing our image for 4 years why did we go to an outside organisation couldn't we have initially thrown it out to our members - it may have saved us some money and we may have even got a better logo.
Steve Rowe
Ed, Experience from the past led us to believe that a debate involving the entire membership would have gone on for years quite literally. Ditto throwing out an invitation to come up with ideas, we've tried that in the past too. As it was it took several months. If I can use the House of Commons analogy, it often takes years to get legislation through under the existing system. What if all debates involved the entire population? While a debate like this consumes the organisation it draws energy from MAG's main political purpose. Some negative reaction was anticipated, particularly from those who care most, but we thought the upside would far outweigh the downside, meaning that new riders would join if they felt the image embraced them and stalwarts would not desert over an issue of presentation. The democratically elected reps were prepared to take that responsibility and that risk. I'm not sure what I can add to that without waffling or repeating myself.
The BMW C1
All this carry on with the C1 must be giving BMW nightmares. It looks like a cross between a scooter and a car. Do you sit in it or on it? Would you fall off it or out of it? Why not buy a decent motorcycle instead.
Barry Maltas Tyne & Wear
Ed, Ah but it makes a very interesting legal point and Peter Parker has drawn attention to the potential negative effects of helmets in crashes which helps put the legitimacy of helmet compulsion into a more realistic perspective.
Deliberate mistake
Just spotted this month's deliberate mistake. Page 44 pic caption: 'Nick around the world in 19 days WHO?'
Where's my prize?
While at the keyboard, World Ducati Week, Next year - why not take a member
with you. I ride a 916. I was going to say 'a normal member' but after due consideration I would have difficulty claiming to be normal!
Keep up the great work, if The Road keeps improving like it has, it will have to go monthly and start finding its way into newsagents.
BFN
Ed Ah yes Sanders not Sampson, Sampson is Ed of 100% Biker. You win a copy of 'Lowrider' the fantastic tale of my trip to Israel on a hard tail Triumph chop (Five star rating in Bike magazine!) email The ROAD to remind me that man.
New logo
It's been seven years since I last wrote to you but I'll try to make up for it.I read the last issue of The Road starting with your editorial, which brought back memories of the '78 South Devon demo. That was the day I originally joined MAG. I remember the Newton Abbot six, who each clocked up more than twenty counts of 'Failure to wear protective headgear.' I was living in Torquay at that time and we shared the same court appearances in Torquay, together with others of us who stood up and were counted, and fined, for what we believed in. The right to choose whether or not to wear a helmet. "Let those who ride, decide", we said and "Helmet laws suck." Well, so do helmet logos! I will have to join Stuart Duckworth in reading the wrong message in the new logo. We were given NO CHOICE whether to 'wear' helmets on our new logo and that is the point. I have NINETEEN convictions for not wearing a helmet and believe that should give me some right to choose whether or not to be a member of an organisation that now seems to promote helmets.
In your reply to Stuart's letter, you refer to 'helmets, two types to reflect the different types of rider.' You do not show a rider with no helmet, so you do not represent those of us who would choose neither. I can appreciate the argument for re-branding, and your wish to expand the membership. Any new logo would have appealed to some members more than others, but only a logo illustrating helmets would lose you members. One without would have offended no-one.
In your reply to Andrew Carrott you state that a comprehensive consultation would not have been practical. I agree entirely, but giving the members a choice of two final designs would have been simple, and, if one of those had helmets and one not, then we can only guess which would have been chosen by the traditional core members.
I am proud that Fred Hill called me friend, and when I meet him again on the Highway in the Sky, I will not be wearing the new style MAG patch on my leather. I would rather wear a helmet! If you want to retain members, you will have to keep this argument running. The proof will be at the end of the year when membership comes up for renewal. I will decide then whether or not to stay. Printing this in The Road would be organisational suicide or very brave. You talked of taking a risk with the new logo. Even if you don't print this, you will read my letter and hopefully, reply. Ride safe, ride free and keep the shiny side up.
Kevin J Fox
Ed, I certainly do take your comments very seriously, even if it doesn't seem so we value the core membership above all else, and will never deny you space in The ROAD. I really hope you stay with MAG Kev and my guess is that you will place principles above icons and renew. We need every member we can get.
What do you do when the rally is over ?
This is the question I ask myself every time I have left the gates of a rally on a Sunday. As with most people my job is completely unrelated to my lifestyle, it's worse than being a T.A. 'weekend warrior.' I've become a 'weekend camper.' I never set out to become a paper pusher, when I was a kid my ambition was to be Evel Knievel, but now I don't seem to be a rebel without a cause as such, more like without a clue.
Everyone who subscribes to MAG has the incentive/need to do something more than read about what is going on, they want to be where it's happening. People want to get out there and shake their stuff. With rallies all over Europe, organised runs such as Faro and charity events constantly being organised you are spoiled for choice as what to do. Even towns such as Pool have cottoned on to the tourist factor (Dollar) of shiny bikes by the Quay side during the summer. Rally attendance is huge and it's growing. It's not just a weekend away in a field listening to music. It's about making a change, raising money/awareness and we should remember that. Even teenagers who don't have a license yet are getting into rallies on the pillion of their mates' bikes just to see what it's all about.
The best way to experience this fully is to be a member of your local club. Someplace that supports your goals/ideals, gives you a sense of belonging and identity, values your input and moves in a positive direction through its members. All club members should also be members of MAG as part of that positive direction, giving power to those who can make a change. If would be good if we all became a little more organised and had less rivalry between clubs, because at the end of the day we all ride the same roads and pay the same tax.
I believe it's time to look at ourselves and ask what we as a community stand for. Things constantly change, the people we were ten years ago are not the same as we are now. Who now seriously rallies for the right to ride a motorcycle without a helmet ?
Chris Tudor
Irish hospitality
Four of us were on a two week tour of Ireland and had left Sligo in the morning and were heading into Trim looking to stay overnight before going on to Dublin to catch the ferry when an easy left hander hid a road liberally covered in mud.
Paul, the first rider managed to pull up but Dobin didn't and ended up rolling down the road. People stopped and we are indebted to the help received from the Garda, the ambulance service and others.
Dobin was taken to the hospital where he was found to be grazed with a badly bruised knee. During this time a bloke called Eddie offered the kind of help you only read about. He called his mates who arrived with a van and ramp and loaded the damaged bike and luggage in the back. He then took us to his home where his wife provided tea for three very muddy strangers. He then produced tools spares and a power wash to help us get back on the road. Eddie rewired an indicator in place of the damaged one and even resprayed the silver gaffer tape to match the bike. It didn't look bad from 10feet away.
Eddie then organised a hotel for us to stay in, ran us to Newin hospital to pick up Dobin, showed us to the hotel after first offering our mate some replacement jeans and a dry leather jacket. Naturally we shared a few beers that night as he wouldn't accept a cent from us.
In he morning he came to see Dobin was okay and make sure we got on our way in good order.
So to Eddie and his mates of the Blazing Saddles MC of Trim, our many thanks. Without their kindness and help, what was a very crap situation was sorted in no time at all.
Our mate is fine now and because of his experience of such friendly people he didn't lose a minute of a great holiday. We all wish to say thanks lads and should you get to Chorley Lancashire call into the Kentucky for a few beers and we'll look after you. All the best
Stuart
Children of the Sun Chorley UK
The insurance chestnut
Earlier this year I received an insurance renewal quote for my vintage Sunbeam. I sent off a cheque for the amount and also filled in a declaration form, no convictions etc. On the form you are required to give details of any insurance losses and I listed the theft of my ex GPO van saying that I did not anticipate that it would affect the policy as it was not insured with them.
They cashed my cheque and requested an additional £30! When I phoned them pointing out that the loss was with a different broker and not due to carelessness, the reply was that the excess still stands. I rejected the quote, asked for my money back and duly received the refund less a £25 administration charge. After a lot of argument on the phone I got this refunded on the grounds that we had no valid contract as both parties must have all relevant details disclosed.
I then rang the insurer and got a lower quote than the original. The moral of the story is read the small print and don't be unlucky.
Archie Beggs
Ed: Please note that The ROAD does not generally identify companies whose services have not met the expectations of our members. Sometimes The ROAD receives novel length letters describing horror stories of poor service but it would be wrong to publish these without giving the other side an opportunity to respond. To engage in such an exercise is beyond the remit of MAG or The ROAD. We appreciate that some members feel that MAG should champion such issues but we simply do not have the staff to ensure that such exercises can be conducted equitably. MAG is essentially a lobbying organisation which addresses political issues that affect the fun and freedom of motorcycling for everyone as distinct from individual cases of trade malpractise. What we will do is refer members to the solicitors who advertise their services in The ROAD.
Ban these lethal vehicles!
Whilst wandering about the country over the summer, I came across an article in a local newspaper. The piece told us that a male biker 64 had died when his powerful 900cc Honda machine was in collision with an Audi car. A picture of a smiling handsome chap was above the headline. The only other detail was that the female driver of the car 32 was uninjured, her 18 year old female front seat passenger received minor injuries and shock. The three children in the back seat aged 6yrs, 4yrs and 18 months were also uninjured. How the accident occurred was not explained, but I reckon I could make some educated guesses about the relative attention and concentration levels of the two pilots involved. Ban these lethal vehicles I say, you'll know which ones I mean.
Auldgadgey
Ed: You may be right Anthony but since we haven't the slightest idea really it's hard to make a point without sounding very prejudiced.
State control
Every year that passes the less freedom we have. The people we trust to look after our freedom are slowly destroying it right under our very noses by using the word safety. We are heading into a dark miserable place where there is no light. We have a social structure where only the innocent can die but if you are a thieving, mugging, raping child molesting bastard then your life in the social structure is precious. The time has come for the people of the United Kingdom to stand up and be counted the time has come for a new order that brings real justice and common sense to our social structure where criminals are treated as criminals and not as understood people where the victim is more important than the criminal.
Gaz
Ed: Sorry Gaz run out of space, do you want to expand the rest of your letter into a soapbox of 700 words?
I've stretched the letters page to a full five pages this issue, the biggest letters section in motorcycle journalism I think. I do try and squeeze in as many of you as possible.
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