I have a wonderfully understanding wife who has arranged a racing car experience for my 70th birthday in October. Of course she did think of another, Bike Race School session, but she went for the cars instead.   I must say that the thought of driving a single seater racing car, a Ferrari 355 and a Porsche is really exciting. I get plenty of kicks out of riding my bikes every day and my FJR 1300 is faster than any of the cars that I will be driving at Thruxton anyway.

Of course we Bikers so often talk about the power and speed of our bikes, but to be truthful, how often do we use even half of what is available to us. I know that I seldom rev my engine anywhere near to the red line, for if I did, I would find myself in trouble with the law in about 1 second.

I suppose that many riders of sportier bikes do spend more time near to the rev limit to get any decent power but also to hear the noise that their bikes make. Whilst leading our SAM evening run the other week we had 3 or 4 sports bike riders pass us, crossing double white lines on bends in the process to then pull over and stop for a breather as we cruised by.  They later repeated the exercise, and how their presence spoiled that part of our moderate paced ride in the evening sunshine.

Of course we all get enjoyment in different ways and I recently led a group of 30 SAM members who were more than content to cruise along at 40 mph enjoying their bikes, the company and the scenery all at the same time. An Advanced paced run would have also been enjoyable, but in a different way.  So SAM does cater for all tastes as best that it can.  Leading a SAM group run is a most gratifying and enjoyable experience and is also very much easier than many folk think.  I find it a most satisfying experience from start to finish.    Elsewhere in this issue, and on the Web Site,  you will see a short article that I hope will tempt many of you to organise a SAM Group Ride in the coming months.  

We appear to be getting more and more ladies join our club recently and a few ladies could show us guys how to ride a bike I can tell you. As a Senior Observer, I conduct some Mock Tests for our associates and one lady recently achieved one of the best Mock Test results that I have witnessed.    

We also have several young riders who have recently joined us, so committee member Sam Davies, who is just eighteen, is not now the only young SAM member.  So at the age of 70 years, it will be time for me to have a rest from being your Chairman, and I shall be standing down at the next AGM, so how about one of you younger folk having a go at it.  

Happy and safe riding to you all.