Bikesafe Day at The Warren

6 police motorcyclists (1 City of London, remainder Met.) and 12 bikers.
Self, 1 oldish 250 rider, remainder mostly sprots bikers in their 30s and
40s. (R1 parked next to my CG, giving rise to some mirth.)

2 rides out - first mostly urban. I was 1 to 1 with the oldest copper. It
was an interesting experience to be riding with the Plod in both mirrors,
and most vehicles kept under the speed limit, allowing me to overtake
everything that moved. At our first stop he commented "You don't hang about,
do you! Your speedo must be reading rather low." I took the hint.

He gave me a number of useful pieces of advice about positioning and
visibility, which came in very handy on the second ride out around the
Westerham / Crockham Hill area. His general assessment was "one of the best
125 rides I've had, certainly the fastest, and the overtaking generally very
confident and safe. But somewhat spoiled by 2 dodgy overtakes, one when
nearing the top of a hill, and the other when playing chicken with an
oncoming bus. Settle down a bit cos you havn't got any power left to get you
out of trouble. Don't be scared of riding on the right-hand side of the
road, and I could make a very tidy rider out of you."

He also told to do much more riding out of town, to help develop cornering
and positioning skills.

Lunch was good, plenty of banter and interesting chat from the more
experienced bikers. Lots of useful info from the various presentations.
Analysis of 3 fatal accidents was not as emotive as I expected, made mental
notes not to ride an unfamiliar bike when pissed with a pillion, to watch
out when filtering for cars pulling out to also filter, and not do 80
through the centre of Bromley. Also to beware of deer when riding through
Epping Forest (one blokes brother was killed when doing only 50 after one
ran in front of him).

I found the day very worthwhile. But then with only 3 months experience, I
need all the help I can get. Still, I'd recommend to anyone who thought that
they still had something to learn about safer biking.

 

How? Well maybe at 03:00 you could do 80mph through the centre of Bromley...
I'm not at all surprised that the silly muppet killed 'emselves.
(I accidentally jumped the lights right outside the copshop once and that
was hairy enough).

 

Late at night, belting around a slight bend on what looked in the photos
like Kentish
Way, unable to stop in time to avoid oncoming car turning right. Must have
hit the
car hard - the headstock was rather bent.