By Infogirl875

This morning my partner R and I were greeted by a glorious blue sky, a welcome change from the usual autumn weather and cheerfully we got dressed to go riding. The plan was to meet up with R's Chapter for a breakfast meet (a social/biking event they organise almost every Sunday throughout the winter season). As not everyone rides their gleaming Harleys during the winter even cars are welcome at these meets, so we thought my Bonnie shouldn't pose a problem.

One of our neighbours had cleverly parked in front of our "drive". Okay, it's not really a drive in that one can't park a car on it, but since today it contained two motorcycles I'd have thought it was obvious that at some point those bikes might wish to leave, but heyho such is life. R offered to get both bikes out, which as I'm inherently lazy, was fine with me.

I do need my "pre-flight checks" and always regret it if I try to rush and since I'd left it a bit late with the choke I stalled her instantly. I hurried to start her again to catch up with R, who was patiently waiting a little down the road, and dodged a police car coming from the other direction. Having only passed my test last April I still feel like I'm doing something illegal when I'm out on my bike and as a consequence I'm annoyingly law abiding. I feel like there is a giant spotlight on me ready to catch me out should I make a riding faux pas. It's like my Mod 2 never finished.

I turned out of our street and stopped. I'd forgotten to switch the fuel on. It is literally always something. I caught up with R who asked if I was okay. Having established that I was, but feeling not particularly confident, we rode through Gloucester. Being a Sunday morning there was some, but not a lot of traffic. I'd expected to be colder, but I was very comfortable with a set of thermals plus T-shirt. Considering the nice weather I'd opted for my Kevlar-lined jeans, probably for the last time until spring. R is a bit tougher than I and rode without thermal underwear, but I was very glad of it and that I'd used my winter gloves and scarf.

I have a lot of affection for the A38 north of Gloucester as I spent a lot of my training miles there in order to avoid the faster Golden Valley Bypass from Cheltenham. The speed limit varies from forty to sixty, but there are few traffic lights so if it's not too busy and it rarely is you can have a nice run.

Despite the usual claim to never exceed the speed limit R sped away from me. I tried to pick up the pace, whilst remembering road positioning and life savers and vowing to have either R's or my speedo checked. Eventually R's tail light came back into view and I caught up just as we came upon the town of Tewkesbury.

We were slightly disgusted that car parking was charged full price even on a Sunday especially as it was one of those machines that requires a registration number, thereby depriving you of the small kindness of passing time unspent to another patron of the car park bringing a little joy to both giver and receiver. We decided to risk the wrath of any parking attendant and purchase one ticket as we were taking up only one space. We quickly spotted the pub where we were due to meet R's HOG brothers and sisters.

We had a traditional breakfast at The Royal Hop Pole which by the time it arrived was very welcome. There was a good turnout of people, though many were regretting not bringing their bikes. Having been fed and watered we met up again in the car park (no ticket) and one of R's mates said: "We're taking a scenic route back to Gloucester. Wanna join us?"

Of course we said 'yes' immediately and it wasn't until I followed five Harley's with R taking up the rear behind me when it dawned on me. Holy shit, I'm on my first ride out!

We followed the A38 and turned off towards Ledbury on the A438. It was a very tight turn, but I made it round without embarrassing myself and followed the lads onto the B4208 towards Staunton. I must admit there were a couple of corners where I really thought I might end up in the verge or worse in serious trouble should there be traffic from the other direction, but on the whole it was okay.

R, also realising that my first group ride out had caught us by surprise and that there had been no time for a briefing, pulled alongside me at some traffic lights and reminded me to look far, not just at the guy in front. I kept in formation on the straights and moved to the optimum cornering position where the road surface allowed. I didn't ride into the back of anyone, nor fall off or force people to stop and wait for me.

The sun was shining, but there were surprisingly few motorcycles on the road. We saw some, but not many. We rode on along some interesting B roads and ended up on the A435 towards Cheltenham where R and I split off from the others as planned and headed home. All in all a great day's riding.

R commented that my riding had greatly improved. "You've really stepped up a level. Now you know what you're capable of."

"But I nearly lost it on some corners, it was just too fast."

"You didn't lose it and you kept up with the group even though they were speeding at little at times. That's how I want you to ride when you're following me."

Hmmmm. So there it is: one count of parking fee dodging and several instances of speeding . . . here beginneth my life of crime!

By Sheila (Wiggy)

I was fortunate enough to get a place on one of the last track days at SILVER STONE last year before the weather got too cold and wet. We were meant to go together bob and I but only one ticket remained, he was thoughtful enough to give it to me, ahhhh what a guy.

We were up at 4.30 am the trailer was loaded up the night before then off to meet up with friends jon and sally with their daughter Zoe who always comes along as she is her mum and dads pit girl, and a fine job she does.

It was pitch black but it promised to be a good day 3 bikes two vans and a trailer, all headed for SILVER STONE, for sally and myself it was our first time, but jon had been several times before, at various tracks the butterflies were there but I had already seen first hand the focused events team the last time we went to a track day to watch. They are very professional and won't stand any nonsense.

After getting the bikes off the trailer we chose a pit garage to work from just like you see on the TV - B S B rounds.

The basic preparation of the bike was to cover up mirrors or remove them altogether tape up indicators and screen in fact anything that would cause debris on the track if we came off was covered up. Safety was priority. Also they require you to wear one piece leathers or two piece zipped together, again it was for safety after all you only have one skin.

So we signed on and listened to the team members of focused events talk us through what was expected of the day basically it was for us all to enjoy and experience what was about to be one of the best days I have spent in a long time, and all thought and time consuming, (awesome)

There were three groups fast, intermediate, and novice. I was in the latter with sally; jon was in the first group. I was just wanting to get the first lap over so my tummy would settle, we had to follow a lead rider for three laps they were called sighting laps and all novices had yellow bibs as each group were of mixed ability. My plan was to get a feel of the circuit which wasn't the full one as we would have been exhausted before lunch, and then try to look for braking markers which they have already on all circuits and improve each lap trying to keep it smooth and fast, they also had professional riders who would show you the best lines

The faster riders passed me but my VFR 400 NC30 was a little goer and all too soon the chequered flag went up to end our first session it was one of many and I looked forward to every one.

I intend to do another one this year at either Oulton park or Mallory park.

You can have professional photos of your day as there is a photographer all pictures are put onto a CD.

• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge
• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge
• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge
• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge
• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge
• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge
• Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge

Navigation tip: click first photo then hover mouse on the top right or left of a photo to see the next or previous photo

By Bellak

Don't you just love this time of year? Crisp clear mornings and bright days, followed by starry nights? It's the perfect biking weather, provided you have warm gear.

For me, this is the time of year when I use every opportunity to get out on my bike, knowing that in a short time we may have the type of weather where you daren't even venture out the door. The weather men and press are telling us that snow is just around the corner. We have to look forward the wonderful snowy conditions that we had last year, I'm sure you remember – cars stuck, schools closed and everyone complaining about the cold conditions.

So, before we are gripped by an icy chill, I look out of the window each morning to assess the weather. If it's not icy or throwing it down, out comes the bike for my commute to work.

But recently, I am starting to question whether I actually want to ride to work. This weather brings about other things I need to think about. Not only do I have to remember to watch out for the car drivers who are in auto pilot, talking on their phones or (as I saw last week) a woman putting on her make up whilst driving along, now I have to keep a better eye on the road surface.

For some reason, this time of year is also the time that pot holes start to develop. Let's face it, the road conditions in the UK aren't the best anyway, but the 'repairs' to the pot holes that were done last year are starting to deteriorate and holes are starting to show. So much so, that I have to remember where many of bigger pot holes are on my route to and from work, so I can take the necessary avoiding action early.

There is one point on my journey where there is a line of pot holes that have been repaired several times of the last couple of years and they are all starting to redevelop. This line is right on my riding line, parked cars on the left, pot holes where I ride and the only way to avoid them is to ride on the other side of the road. So the plan, take it slow and steady, but this only seems to aggravate the drivers behind me, who then spend the whole time driving so close I can see the colour of their eyes!

This obstacle course is made even more dangerous by the fact that its dark on my way home and we know you can't see all pot holes in the dark. You are happily riding along and then BANG, you hit a hole, have a wobble, manage to stay on your bike and thank goodness that you didn't come off.

We have all seen the news showing the state of our roads and many discussions on what the local councils can do to put it right, whatever they do doesnt seem to work, unless they resurface the roads completely. These councils tell us they do not have enough money to do that. I have an idea - they have a nightmare removing chewing gum from our pavements, once down it sticks fast and will not come off without lots of persuasion, its costs the councils thousands each year to remove it. My solution - ask people to put their discarded chewing gum into the potholes, it will stick hard, fill the holes and will not come out.

Problem solved?!

So how does a group of Curvys go about meeting an A list Hollywood movie star? Well our story starts with a planned weekend to Kinnlochlevn.

A group of us were making our way up Glencoe admiring the view, (through the drizzle) and generally glad it was a Friday and we weren’t working. Nearing the top of the valley we pulled in to re-group, take some photos and have a giggle at getting some baby grow waterproofs on. We agreed that the next petrol station we came to we would stop and re-fuel as it is sparse up in those parts. Little did we know who had had the same idea!

We all pulled in and caught a glimpse of a guy standing at the road side with shades on having a smoke. "Wow that guy looks like Brad Pitt" I thought as I stopped the bike and switched off.

The guy turned and walked towards us, at which point I turned to Gillian behind me who was obviously having the same thought. I looked again, B****y H**L IT IS BRAD PITT!!! I clambered off my bike with camera phone and approached, expecting to be told to get lost! Quite the opposite. I can’t remember exactly what all was said, but before the rest realised what was going on, I had introduced myself and said we were all part of an all female motorcycle group called the Curvy Riders and would you mind if we got a photo with you? At this point the rest of the girls realised who it was and were all making their way over! "Wow that’s cool, Ang rides bikes, she'd like this" he replied, OMG Brad Pitt IS talking to US!!!!!!

People in the Photo L to R. Teeny, Shona, BRAD, Carol, Claire, Janis, Gillian (Curvy Stig).

He chatted for a few minutes asking where we had been, where we were going, what we were doing etc etc. He admired Teeny’s Bike and tank cover but declined the offer to “get his leg over” as he had a couple of Dukes back home. Teeny, Gillian and Claire scored a hug before he posed for a photo. We spent the rest of the weekend telling everyone from Glencoe to Mallaig about our chance encounter with Brad. This was an amazing start to a fantastic weekend in and around Kinnlochleven. I am sure it will give the Westies plenty to boast about for many months to come. So what better reason do you need to join the Curvy Riders, you never know who you might meet.