Letters
Your thoughts, opinions & adventures
Yorkshire Pud winner
With reference to your write up of the excellent Yorkshire Pudding rally in issue 13. As good friends of the 'Best Streetfighter' winner we were disappointed that neither his name nor his photograph appeared, especially considering his generosity in immediately ploughing his £50 prize straight back into the MAG fund.
We would like to set the record straight by supplying this generous chap's name, Martin Baines.
Admonishments aside it was a cracking rally as usual, can't wait for next year.
Paul Carlton & Stephen Reaney
Go rallying
Since my first rally which was the Farmyard 21st party, liz and myself have travelled to many others. I'm counting the days till the next Farmyard. To all the readers out there if you ain't been rallying, start now or you'll regret the years you've missed. Any rally is good but most importantly go to the Farmyard and join MAG, they are fighting the corner for all us bikers, great job boys and girls.
Mark Morris
Edinburgh
Spelling
Sir, Looking at page three of The Road I see you have referred to the next 'deadlne.' One presumes you mean deadline.
Nit Picker
Too much of a good thing
Sir, I am in receipt of The Road, Issue 13. I was pleased to see on the index page that letters could be found on pages 24-27. Imagine my delight when turning over from page 27 I found yet another page of letters not mentioned in the index. This magazine is certainly full of surprises.
Nit Picker
Bike packing and yobery
Back in July while myself and a mate were heading south for the Portsmouth ferry to take in some foreign sun, we were passed by a couple of guys on a Duke we had overtaken on the twisty bits some miles previous. Out on the straight the Ducati rider opened up and went for it. About half a mile in the distance where he was just visible on the crest of a rise I saw a cloud of dust and knew straight off that he had come unstuck. When we got up to them they were both on their feet but obviously very shaken. It turned out that they had had a bag bungeed to the plastic tailpiece behind the pillion and this had slipped into the rear wheel and locked it solid, chucking them both down the black stuff. It could have been much worse for them and they obviously knew it. Maybe the basis for an article some time in the future on packing your bike?
On a different note, the following was posted on a non bike site and I trust it's not an urban myth.
'My mate Carl was driving a bus in London, that was boarded by a well dressed elderly man and woman, who went and sat down. A couple of stops later a drunken yobo got on, and became abusive, swearing and generally being an ass. The yob came skidding down the bus on his back, as a voice said, 'Driver could you just pull over and open the doors.' He did and the yob went out on his arse. The elderly bloke was standing there and my mate noted he was wearing a Para tie. The guy dusted his hands, turned to Carl and said 'I didn't drop into Arnhem to put up with cheek from the likes of that.'
The new Road format is spot on.
Duncan Simpson
Trikers in helmets
Have you noticed that in the new Highway Code they have put 'Riders and passengers of motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quadbikes, should also wear a protective helmet?' http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069854 ) Is this a way of introducing a law through the back door?
I know a lot of people, including police, who view the highway code as law.
Vic Hawkes
Feeling guilty
Reading the letter from Little Red has made me feel guilty. I am the 'Chap in Alton' and on the night in question I looked out at the weather and thought there's no way that they will come over from Basingstoke in this. However I reckoned without the Basingstoke MAG members' commitment. So I would like to apologise to them for not going down to the Station Cafe to meet them. I should also like to thank them for their support even if I was not there to receive it. It's members like them that make me proud to be a member of MAG.
Ian Attwood, Alton MAG
Victims pay
Four years ago our car was stolen and used to carry away burgled goods. Thirty six hours later, within two miles of home, on my way to pick the wife up from work in the other motor, I saw my car at the lights. Fighting the urge to cut across the traffic and batter the bastard driving it, I phoned the police and told them its direction. They thanked me and said if I saw it again to tell them!!! As a result of my information the car was found and taken to a garage three hundred yards from our house - £110 thank you very much! By the way, it was picked up speeding by a camera and I was sent the ticket!!
Auldgadgey
Cars at rallies
A word in reply to the girl in issue 13 ranting about people who don't go to rallies on bikes. I wonder how many kids she has?
I ride my 1100 whenever I can and in all weathers. But you try to get four kids and necessary gear onto two bikes. Unfortunately, I have to miss out on Stormin', Farmyard etc in favour of
rallies that permit one of us to drive the car and one to ride the bike in. That way we get to ride the bike but also to share the fun of a rally with our family. After all they are the bikers/party animals of tomorrow, why should they miss out? They all love rallies, the music and the atmosphere. I think social services would be on my doorstep if I left the kids to fend for themselves whilst I was at a rally!
Deb W Mids
Ed: The Stormin' crew allow cars
Noise
Reading the campaign trail the other day, I was ticking off Mr Short's hard work on our behalf, and all in a year, happy birthday David, and thank you.
Then I got to MAG's role in the Government's Motorcycling Strategy (GMS) and public perception about bikes going too fast etc, and the fact that a lot of this criticism and perception is down to some of us making too much noise.
All back on the reins, hang on Dobbin.
Yes some do, but I would like to see any evidence and over what time period it was taken etc to support this. I am a grey beard now and have attended many events where the general public line the road to clap and wave and the local press record the loud rumble of motorcycle engines as we pass.
Ok, I can see that breaking bone china as we go by does not help, but most stage one systems do not reach that level and we can hear what we are riding, they also give an increase in power without increasing jet size, so less fuel more ground. A compromise to discuss. So before we smoke the pipe of peace with our friends in government how about a show of hands?
John Threadgold
Ed: We're not talking about a policy change here John just an observation that many people assume that a motorcycle is travelling fast if it's approaching noisily, particularly if revving hard. I must admit I tend to.
Motorcycles ignored
I heard on the radio recently that next year the government will be sending an army of what they call 'Travel Guides to homes across the country, making up to 10 repeat visits if necessary.
Their job will be to advise us on more environmentally friendly ways of travelling, with a special emphasis on commuting since that's the bulk of the travelling most of us do, encouraging us to use public transport, cycle or even walk to work rather than get the car out.
Trials in selected areas were reported as having resulted in significant shifts in commuting habits, a 13% increase in the use of buses for example, so this could make a real difference in encouraging more people to take up motorcycling.
Well on the face of it, I'm all in favour - it's insane that millions of people will each sit in their own ton-of-tin in traffic jams. I chug past hundreds of these idiots every morning on my way to work.
Unfortunately there was no mention of motorcycles in the report. Has MAG been involved in discussion of this initiative? Surely this is a huge opportunity, and we need to be pushing hard for PTWs (aaargghhh!! I hate that expression) to be included as a means of reducing the environmental effects of commuting.
Work to Ride, Ride to Work
Monty Warrington
Sunbeam
What a lovely picture of the Sunbeam (ROAD 13). This is one of the bikes the War Office ordered during the 1914 war. They were intended to carry a machine gunner on a sidecar platform - not an enviable position. Some were used as ambulances carrying tow stretchers, one above the other. I expect the officers were loaded on the top. The machine in the picture still has the front sidecar connection in place on the down tube. Many of these bikes were sold off after the war ended. Despite the ungainly appearance these Sunbeams handled quite well and were completely reliable. The twin was marketed in civilian form post war at 169 Guineas and I had one in the 1960s which I used for exploring unsurfaced tracks in Wales - happy days!
Archie Beggs
Filthy electricity
Issue 13 had an article about a courier firm using electric scooters that are lauded as 'green transport technology with claims of "zero emissions".'
Sadly, this is bollocks.
Over 70% of the UK's electricity is still generated by burning fossil fuels. Power stations are less heavily regulated for emissions than road vehicle engines. Then consider transmission losses through hundreds of miles of cable and several transformers. What you end up with is electrically powered vehicles which, assuming they are charged from the mains, create at least as much, or more, pollution per Kilowatts of power generated as an equivalent conventional vehicle. Remember, for the modest performance these scooters deliver, the equivalent internal combustion engine would only need something like a 50-70cc engine and a 4-pint fuel tank! So the equivalent mpg would be impressively high and the emissions commendably low.
Electric vehicles will not be 'green' until we have an environmentally benign energy source capable of generating the bulk of the UK's electricity. In the meantime, cleaner/greener fuels (e.g. bio-diesel) for the well-developed IC technology we already use would deliver far greater environmental benefits.
Monty, Warrington
Filtering
I thought I was the only one then, I read Kevin Williams' column on filtering follies. At last I have found a friend. If Kevin and I sang from the same hymn sheet we would sound like a barbers quartet in harmony on this. I know that self-righteousness sticks in the throat but please look at this dispassionately. Kevin is a BTEC qualified instructor. I am a retired Class-One advanced police rider. Without collusion, we both say the same thing about filtering. Is it possible we are both wrong? Casualty figures would suggest not. Statements in police reports would concur. So why is filtering an incurable malaise?
If riders feel they have something to prove then let them ride in the nip-and-tuck style of the race track. If they must display their ability to filter with fag paper clearances, be my guest. But when it affects others to the detriment of motorcycling as a whole then count me out.
A case in point - A rider in heavy traffic was filtering cautiously. The following rider wished to filter at a different speed, in a different style, but was held up by the leading rider so he tailgated her. When they both stopped he closed up to her and revved his engine. She kept looking behind nervously. Eventually she buckled to the pressure and attempted to go through a gap that was inadvisable. She hit the wing of the car in front and fell off. The following rider accelerated away. The young girl was helped to her feet in tears, explaining how her dad had bought her the bike and would now be annoyed that she had had an accident. Bullying is unacceptable no matter how it is packaged.
I would not like to see filtering banned as I believe it is in Germany. But riders must accept that the risk factor goes off the scale when filtering too aggressively. If the rider in front doesn't do it in the cut-and-thrust way you would like, be patient. Remember, he may be doing it the way he was taught - by a BTEC qualified instructor!
Roy Buchanan BA(Hons) Eng FIDiagE MIRSO
Principal Road Safety Officer (motorcycling specialist) London Borough of Sutton
Brunstrom
He has a reputation as a disciplinarian in enforcing road traffic law and from recent news reports does not differentiate between police or others (ref the Chief Constable booked for speeding).
Contrast this with some other authorities where, as a result of a general lack of funding, control of traffic has been abrogated to speed cameras and to a system whereby individuals are supposed to report the more blatant offenders.
By our nature humans like to push the boundaries, whether it be in climbing mountains or motorcycling. We rationalise that high speed is acceptable, providing it is not inappropriate to the conditions and we all do it from time to time, but who really defines the level?
Drive along any commuter route and you will see motorists and motorcyclists taking risks.
Put a police car on such roads and immediately average speed drops and fewer risks are taken. It is generally not the habitual speeder or dangerous driver who gets caught but the the hapless individual who just happens to exceed the limit when police have a mobile camera on location.
Is it any wonder then that there exists an attitude of disgust at the way in which the present law is 'enforced?' There is no uniformity of approach to traffic control and police absence on the roads is effectively lowering the accepted minimum standard of driving.
So is Brunstrom correct? At least when you travel in Wales, you know what to expect! For the rest of the country though it is down to what you can get away with and that is no standard at all!
George Riggeling
Peterhead
Outrageous discrimination!
I really must protest about the blatant discrimination shown in the latest issue. Every time you mention Dave French you add the words 'who is Irish'. But when you publish an article by Ken German do you mention that he is English, or Welsh or whatever? Oh no you do not. Is this because he is a Doctor and might come up with a very succinct reply? Great article incidentally.
Also, I notice that you refrained from making any comment on the slightly hysterical letter from John Regan about turning left on a red light. I've ridden several thousand miles in America and I never found it a problem. In fact I thought it was a very good idea. You are of course supposed to come to a stop before proceeding, but most people don't.
When I queried this with a friend in Los Angeles, she informed us that you were allowed to do a 'rolling stop' and the police only took action if there was an accident. I found the standard of driving in California to be pretty awful, or perhaps it was me?
Any chance of an article about how to keep warm on a motorbike in winter, without the use of electricity, animal fur, or open fires?
Great mag as usual, keep cheerful
Jim Peace
Ed, See this issue for warmth advice. Californian drivers are courteous and disciplined, there's something wrong with you Jim. Try being a London courier.
The ROAD is disgusting
Sir, I have received my copy of The Road, issue 13. I was interested to see on the
index page that there was a feature on Harleys running from page six to page 10. Imagine my disappointment when I turned to page 10 only to find the feature had ended on page nine. I threw the magazine aside in disgust.
Nit Picker
Use a solicitor
I have been a proud MAG member for many years now and wish to highlight a problem I have had with my insurance company. I'd parked my Honda CBR1000 outside my place of work when an idiot in a van drove into it, causing over £2k worth of damage. I called my insurers and was told someone would be in touch. I waited and waited but heard nothing and was finally sent an email confirming that it was being dealt with. Ultimately I had a call from one of the insurer's representative companies. I was told to claim through my own insurance and they would claim from the other party later on. I decided to do this. I was offered £1650 for the bike which I thought was reasonable so I accepted, only to find out that the excess of £450 was to be deducted plus my last premium of £45 as I paid monthly. This was a huge mistake on my part so my advice is don't claim through your insurance company, go and see a solicitor and let them sort it all out and claim their fee from the other side.
Pete Bonehill
Secretary of the Whistlestop
Bike & Trike Club, Kinmel Bay, N Wales
Good taste
Our three kids who are all grown up now, were all bought up to be part of the motorcycle scene. Our latest addition to the family is our grandaughter Ruby who has also begun showing an interest in motorcycles. I spotted her the other day looking through the latest edition of The ROAD magazine, she seemed to be quite engrossed. Maybe I should think about making her a MAG member.
Barry Leonard Maltas
Sunderland Tyne & Wear.
Dog hater
Sir, re the dog hater. I was barking mad when I read the comments of Paul re dogs at motorcycle rallies. I was that mad I rushed out and bit the postman! (my case comes up next month).
I've been to countless rallies sitting on the tank of many bikes and been smuggled into an event in a bag after riding pillion in that bag. I have ridden all year in all weathers and unlike many bikers, with no helmet, the wind blowing through my fur, enjoying the freedom of biking. I have also been a MAG member for eight years. As for 'Beasts Corner' bring those bitches on ed.
Yours Jack Rocket Russell
MAG member 9194
Award winning biking dog
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