NORTH WALES RoSPA ADVANCED RIDERS
Where taking your skills to a 'higher level' means more than simply riding in the mountains!
Pont Aberglaslyn
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North Wales RoSPA Advanced Riders (NWRoAR) is the only RoSPA motorcycle group for North Wales, covering Ynys Môn (Anglesey), Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. Our aim, as a group of volunteers, is to develop our members’ advanced motorcycling skills in order to enhance their riding experience and increase their level of riding enjoyment. As a byproduct of raising onroad awareness and skills advanced riders also reduce their risk of becoming involved in a road traffic incident. This doesn’t necessarily mean riding more slowly; it means riding more skilfully, confidently, and more safely.
You can find NWRoAR members involved in a wide range of riding activities including charity runs with local clubs, group ride-outs, blood bikes, as Observers supporting the North Wales Police BikeSafe scheme and generally enjoying the wonderful variety and quality of roads on ‘our patch’!
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What's Our
Background?
The A4080 on Anglesey
looking across to Snowdonia
NWRoAR came into existence during the early part of 2019. There was no RoSPA group in the area at the time and yet there were many hundreds of riders spending their weekends flashing around the glorious roads through the mountains of North Wales, and beyond - some having 'unfortunate incidents'.
As a small section of those riders, we felt there needed to be some way of improving rider skills, whilst shaking off the view that advanced rider training was for the 'older generation' - because us younger ones know what we're doing! ("Younger" in this context is clearly tongue in cheek, if you look at some of our photos!)
So, a group of enthusiastic riders gathered together, set about achieving RoSPA Gold and Tutor qualifications and, with RoSPA's help, formed the group.
Initially, the idea was to cater for the needs of the central and north western Welsh counties, but it rapidly expanded to include all the counties along the coast, including the Llyn Peninsula and Anglesey. There were many local riders beginning to take an interest in advancing their skills, either for themselves or, in some cases so they could ride for Blood Bikes Wales, which was rapidly expanding its fleet in the north of the country. Consequently, having successfully passed with the highest RoSPA qualification many of the NWRoAR advanced riders have now joined the blood bike team.
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From the point of our inception the membership has grown rapidly to over 70 members, with the vast majority of those tested achieving 'Gold' at their first attempt!
Activities
Initiating Change
RoSPA Approved Advanced Riding Courses
NWRoAR Tutors are dedicated to raising the standard of motorbike riding on our roads. The course, tailored to our Associates' needs and capabilities, is based around the skills and knowledge found in:
Motorcycle Roadcraft: the police rider's handbook,
supported by the most up-to-date Highway Code. On completion of the course Associates undergo a pre-test check ride with one of the Advanced Tutors prior to applying for the RoSPA Advanced Riding Test. Successful Associates will pass with a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.
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Group Ride-outs &
Updating Your Riding Skills
We aim to provide the opportunity for all members to explore the amazing roads available to us across the whole of North Wales.
On occasions these will be extended further afield with visits to specific places of interest.
As one of our RoSPA qualified members, if you wish to organise a tour beyond our borders we'd be delighted to consider including it in our schedule!
What is Advanced Riding?
"It is a deliberate, skilful and responsible riding technique admired by others. As an advanced rider, you are able to anticipate and control situations to reduce your accident risk. An Advanced rider is equipped with the knowledge and skill to ride safely and effectively in all conditions.
Advanced Riding is based upon IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) the 'System of motorcycle control' as detailed in Motorcycle Roadcraft - The Police Rider's Handbook. It is unlikely that anyone will gain a high grade without a good knowledge of the current editions of The Highway Code and Motorcycle Roadcraft."
RoSPA
For more information please email Pete Pearcey, our Membership Secretary:
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Or phone Geth Thomas, our Chairman, on:
07980 238896
Committee & Tutors
Here at NWRoAR, we know that sometimes all it takes to improve riding skills is a little support. Since our founding in 2019, we have been determined to make an impact. The core of our efforts is to bring our team’s fresh ideas and passion to the development of our Associates' riding abilities. As a result all our Associates have passed with the minimum of a RoSPA 'Silver' grade, but it's usually a RoSPA 'Gold'!
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Group Committee (2021/22)
Chair: Geth Thomas
Vice-Chair & Training Officer: Stuart Bell
Secretary: Paul Hughes
Treasurer: Paul Kennedy
Membership Sec: Pete Pearcey
Social Media: tbc
Publicity: Richard Williams
Ride outs: Mark Girdler
Derek Scrowston-Williams
Group Tutors:
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Bryan Bremner
Mike Deakin
Mark Girdler
Paul Kennedy
Derek Scrowston-Williams
Lee Woollam
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Advanced Tutors:
Martin Ainsworth
Stuart Bell
Paul Hughes
Lee Parsons
Pete Pearcey
Richard Williams