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View Full Version : Bluepete has a new job

Bluepete
23-09-10, 03:59 PM
Well, after five weeks and nearly 5000 miles, today I qualified to ride this for a living :D


http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/MeaboveSedbrough.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/BMWR1200.jpg

We have been all over the country. Wales, Cumbria, the North East, Pennines, on average 250 miles a day.

Naturallly, I took my camera with me and took a few pictures.

Here are a few highlights.

We did an evening ride across North Wales, ending up at the coast where the Welsh water fairies were, well, they were watering the beach. I have yet to find out why, but I'm pleased to say, the beach didn't catch fire!

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Wateringthebeach.jpg

Some pics of the bike;



http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/BikesatClywedog.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/BikesatPonderosa.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/BikeaboveDenbigh.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Llanfefechan.jpg

We started off on BMW F800ST's. Not bad bikes, very uncomfortable after a few hours though.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Bala.jpg

It wasn't all hard work though, each day we left Manchester by 8.00am and rode through to lunch. Some fantastic spots...

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/NorburyJunction.jpg

and whilst doing so, I waved at more kids and did more Public Relations for the Police than I could have imagined. Everyone wanted to stop and chat, sit on the bikes, wave and generally be friendly. Not like Manchester at all!

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Hartside.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/HestBank.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Ponderosa.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/RAFElvington.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/RAFElvingtonHelmet.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/SpitfireatRAFElvington.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Ulleswater.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/TopofPlantations.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/MeatHartside.jpg

Each and every day was special. There were good day and bad days, like the day one lad dropped the R1200 at the fuel pumps...

There were memorable days, and then; there was Yesterday. (Yes it does deserve a capital letter)

It was a sunny, bright day. We left as usual, heading for Wales. Breakfast was at the Elvis Cafe, then I set off in front. (A student leads, followed by the instructor with the other student behind)

Off across the A55 and warp factor LOTS! I'd rather not say just how fast, believe me when I say it was fast enough! Then, Denbigh. I'm getting excited now because I love the roads around there, then off we went up towards Mount Nebo.

Now, you know when you have a good day, it all flows and the roads are perfect? Well, this was my day.

Out on the A534 over Nebo.

I promise you, I was having such a good time, then it all went mental.

An RAF hawk went over. Not an issue, it's happened before. But then, I caught a movement in my mirror as his wingman came past in the valley to my side, AT MY HEIGHT! I was at around 90mph and had a hard time taking it in.

The lad following was beside himself, the pilot had banked the plane at the same angle as us and followed the same curve, but obviously a lot faster! I will NEVER forget that moment.

Awesome.

So we pootled (love that word) over towards Snowdon and down to Rhyd with the other student leading. Lunch by the lake, very civilised.

After lunch, I was given the lead again and after contacting air traffic control, set off.

A487, A470, A4212 from Rhyd to Bala.

25 miles.

17 minutes.

You work out the average speed.

It truly was emotional.

I will never, ever be able to ride that road like that again and not have to worry about losing my licence.

It wasn't all serious though...

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Lunge-1.jpg

Pete ;)
benji106
23-09-10, 04:06 PM
Congrats
AndyBrad
23-09-10, 04:08 PM
that deserves a WOO YAY :)
hindle8907
23-09-10, 04:14 PM
Nice one Pete !! congratulations .... so you do that full time now ?
slark01
23-09-10, 04:14 PM
Well done and congrats :-)

Ste.
timwilky
23-09-10, 04:20 PM
Oh god, there will be no getting away from him now.

Does that mean no more hair dryer duty on Silk Street?


Congrats, enjoy the cold, the rain, the snow when you could have been in a nice warm car.
BigBaddad
23-09-10, 04:30 PM
Woo way
MR UKI (1)
23-09-10, 04:31 PM
That is well cool :D

You may be able to answer a question I have Pete. I went to watch a stage of Le Tour De Britain cycle race a couple of weeks ago (Stage 2 Stoke-Stoke) and in the 'entourage' were at least 25 police bikes from all over the UK. Is that something a police biker would be assigned to or could you volunteer? It looked great fun as they were a couple of miles ahead of the race to ensure the road was clear and to stop the traffic at junctions etc and they weren't hanging around. A couple of them got 'air' on the particularly bumpy back road we were watching from :cool:
Bri w
23-09-10, 04:31 PM
Nice one!

BTW that lunge looks far too feminine
Iansv II
23-09-10, 04:34 PM
Nice one Pete

Congratulations, extremely jealous !!
orose
23-09-10, 04:43 PM
So now you can do the rest of us a favour, and get a BikeSafe course up and running in the region ;)
Mr Speirs
23-09-10, 04:45 PM
Awesome Pete!!! Cooooool job.
Messie
23-09-10, 04:51 PM
Brilliant. Well done!


When I was young I wrote to Jim'll Fix It several times to ask if I could have a ride on a police bike. They never got back to me.

Maybe now I can realise my dream!!!
christopher
23-09-10, 04:51 PM
Excellent Pete, congrats :)

The Mach Loop (http://www.pbase.com/caeclyd/mach_loop) and surrounding areas are great to see the aircraft. Seen loads while out that way, never as low as beside me though! Must have been immense looking over after hearing it.

As you probably know, all the flight times are published (here's September 2010 (http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/CD4C584B-0811-4A17-AE45-7F23A57936A1/0/olfseptember2010.pdf)) so you know when they'll be around.
Jabba
23-09-10, 04:55 PM
Is that a naughty dark visor I see in some of the pics? ;-)

Well done fella :thumbsup:
Bluepete
23-09-10, 04:56 PM
So now you can do the rest of us a favour, and get a BikeSafe course up and running in the region ;)

No such luck.

We did visit somewhere you didn't like though!

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/P1030012.jpg

I'll give you three points of you recognise it!

Pete ;)
Dave20046
23-09-10, 04:57 PM
woo yay

Great stuff :thumbsup:


I'll give you three points of you recognise it!

Pete ;)
!:smt082
Bluepete
23-09-10, 04:59 PM
Is that a naughty dark visor I see in some of the pics? ;-)

Well done fella :thumbsup:


Ta very much.

It's a very light tint, road legal. There's no way on a GMP course I could use my black race visor! They would rather I couldn't see...

Pete ;)
Mr Speirs
23-09-10, 05:04 PM
No such luck.

We did visit somewhere you didn't like though!

I'll give you three points of you recognise it!

Pete ;)

Thought I recognised that place!!
Will never forget that copper arriving on a bikesafe course and then heading over to DMC and telling him the bike cop was wanting a word with the owner of the Black GSXR :)
dizzyblonde
23-09-10, 05:05 PM
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Bike%20course/Lunge-1.jpg




:smt041I am so pleased I had to wait five weeks for that cheezzzzzy grin!:smt041

In my mind I had no doubt you'd pass, and so well deserved. Congrats:kiss:

Now please bump off the boring gits over here and take over the ROSPA, I've heard theres too many pipes n slippers.
Specialone
23-09-10, 05:13 PM
Congrats Pete, hope you have a brill time in your new post.

That place you stopped was also just before binky lost his number plate and then put on a high viz jacket to make himself look more responsible ;)
orose
23-09-10, 05:19 PM
No such luck.

We did visit somewhere you didn't like though!

I'll give you three points of you recognise it!

Pete ;)

Cheeky git... I'll get my own back when you've blown your RT up, like they seem to do a lot of over this side of the hill :p
Milky Bar Kid
23-09-10, 05:20 PM
Yay! I have been mega excited for you! There was a few times I nearly mentioned it and then had to remember that you hadn't made it public yet!

Congrats Pete! You did awesome!!
Bluefish
23-09-10, 05:27 PM
congrats mate, well done, remember now, if we're going slower than you have been then it can't be that bad ;)
SuzukiNess
23-09-10, 05:28 PM
:smt026well done pete..
Mr Speirs
23-09-10, 05:29 PM
Congrats Pete, hope you have a brill time in your new post.

That place you stopped was also just before binky lost his number plate and then put on a high viz jacket to make himself look more responsible ;)

Haha yeah I remember that. Had to ride my bike in between him and the copper on the way out of the car park.
Like it made any difference.
Bibio
23-09-10, 05:31 PM
supose a congratz is in order. well done have fun and keep the rubber down.
pmapp
23-09-10, 05:39 PM
Congratulations Pete, well done :-D
Geodude
23-09-10, 05:48 PM
Nice one very well done BP now whats the secret handshake for us orgers you havent met just incase we meet you on the road ;)
Biker Biggles
23-09-10, 05:48 PM
What a great way to spend five weeks.Well done on passing and I hope the actual job lives up to expectations.
The Guru
23-09-10, 05:49 PM
Aye well done! :smt038
gruntygiggles
23-09-10, 06:04 PM
Well done, well deserved and what a beast you have there sir!

I have to say, each and every one of your photos is fantastic! :-)
andrewsmith
23-09-10, 06:24 PM
congrats mate!!

I'm guessing you ended up a airbase in the North east?
Bluepete
23-09-10, 06:40 PM
congrats mate!!

I'm guessing you ended up a airbase in the North east?


Ta very much.

It's RAF Elvington near York.

They have the original ATC building with tannoys playing Glenn Miller and such like. I'm not posting the pics of us dancing!

Pete ;)
RichT
23-09-10, 06:45 PM
Nice One Pete.

Congrats.
Speedy Claire
23-09-10, 07:14 PM
Pete you are awesome!!!!! I really am so happy for you and your smile in the pics says it all. Hugest congrats to you on your achievement :smt026
andrewsmith
23-09-10, 07:16 PM
Where you based Pete?
Seggons
23-09-10, 07:19 PM
Pah I could pass the test with my eyes closed. ;)

Congrats Pete. :D
600+
23-09-10, 07:25 PM
WELL DONE PETE!!!!! Many congrats!! Are you coming out on rides with this bike from now on?

This is when they say combine the job with the hobby I guess :)
Bluepete
23-09-10, 07:27 PM
Hey Moses! Long time no see!

Not at Stretford any more, moved coser to home.

And no, the R1200's are too slow. My Tiger is much better...

Pete ;)
Ch00
23-09-10, 07:31 PM
5 week course lucky man. Our course was only 3 weeks.

Well done :D
maviczap
23-09-10, 07:33 PM
Well Done Pete, good pics too
Richie
23-09-10, 07:35 PM
Nice one buddy /:0) congratulations my friend.
Told you that you'd breeze it.
Luckypants
23-09-10, 07:40 PM
Congratulations Pete, well deserved. I hope the job is all you hope it will be.


I never doubted you...:kiss:
stewie
23-09-10, 08:17 PM
Well done Pete, where was the nimrod btw ?
davepreston
23-09-10, 08:18 PM
so when you jumping on a busa and goading people to race ;)
Bluepete
23-09-10, 08:31 PM
where was the nimrod btw ?

RAF Elvington. They had all sorts of cold war era gems, planes I watched at airshows in the '80's. Victor, Nimrod, Lightning, early Tornado, Mirage and so on. Lovely spot.

Pete ;)
rob13
23-09-10, 08:33 PM
Ahhhh just the man. Pete you have PM.
svrich
23-09-10, 08:54 PM
Nice one Pete. **** paint job though, I'd be changing that asap!
(You wont be coming anywhere near Norfolk will you :pale:)
anna
23-09-10, 08:54 PM
So good to read an upbeat post :smt026:smt026

Well done!!!
-Ralph-
23-09-10, 09:05 PM
Now that's a bit better than an X5!

Nice one Pete :-)

Jealousy is a terrible thing you now...

Barsteward! ;-)
Shellywoozle
23-09-10, 09:07 PM
Well done you, you did well on the board then ;)

Looking good, I am not jealous in any way, shape or form LOL.

p.s. cant they afford to buy you some leathers ;)
petevtwin650
23-09-10, 09:30 PM
Fantastic news BeemerPete.

Hopefully it's a different type of policework and you will feel much better for it.
ethariel
23-09-10, 11:29 PM
Congratulations ;)
missyburd
23-09-10, 11:48 PM
Clever clogs :-P

Chuffed for you indeed!
BanannaMan
24-09-10, 03:33 AM
Congratulations!
Hope you enjoy the new job.
Great pics also!
Warthog
24-09-10, 08:32 AM
Nice one bp! You look very happy, I am very pleased for you :). Slowly the org are infiltrating top level positions, we already have the Police, the Army, submariners etc, now we just need the Prime Minister and our secret goal will be complete :D
plowsie
24-09-10, 09:04 AM
Congratulations buddy :)
Ed
24-09-10, 09:11 AM
Congratulations Pete!!! Ace pics!!

But after all week on a bike, will you want to ride the Tiger?
BoltonSte
24-09-10, 09:15 AM
Awsome mate, well done.

Are you going to turn up at Rivi on it?

That'd be entertaining.

Ste
El Saxo
24-09-10, 11:47 AM
Since when did GMP start letting plumbers loose on their bikes? ;)

Congrats mate, I seem to remember you talking about wanting to be a bike cop on a rideout ages ago so am really chuffed for you.

Does this mean the Org has it's own Police escort for its rideouts now? :lol:
tanis34
24-09-10, 11:59 AM
nice one congrats to becoming on of the elite boys in blue some great photos as well
dyzio
24-09-10, 12:04 PM
Nice, but aren't you afraid that you'll start hating bikes now? Or does that apply to bike couriers only?
pete m
24-09-10, 12:07 PM
BLue Pete- you write well ...please consider doing a blog for us - 2onTrack..

where will you be stationed ?
Girth
24-09-10, 01:06 PM
Nice one dude! You'll have to pop in and let us have a look at the bike :)
scooby
24-09-10, 09:43 PM
Well done Pete:D I didn't realise there was such demand for Fast Response Plumbers though.....:plod: Seriously it's fantastic news I hope you really enjoy your time in the saddle.
Tim in Belgium
24-09-10, 10:00 PM
Don't ride too fast/slow*

Have fun.











*delete as appropriate
Holdup
24-09-10, 10:31 PM
Congratulations dude
_Stretchie_
24-09-10, 11:25 PM
Cool. Well done mate
embee
25-09-10, 09:44 AM
Good news, congrats. Nice to see my tax being spent on something useful! =;
Geodude
26-09-10, 12:03 PM
Nice one very well done BP now whats the secret handshake for us orgers you havent met just incase we meet you on the road ;)

No secret handshake then :(
yorkie_chris
26-09-10, 02:17 PM
congrats :)
seedy100
26-09-10, 09:42 PM
Congratulations.

Enjoy!
darylB
27-09-10, 07:03 AM
Well done Pete, looks like you had a great time and you get paid for doing it, where is the justice in that. :D

Daryl.
martin15s
27-09-10, 08:31 AM
congratulations - best job I ever had - truly a paid hobby - be safe