View Full Version : Were you at TVAM today
Noticed a few SVs in the carpark at St. Crispins today. Any of you lot?
not on an sv here but i think i saw you. blue curvy with an sv650.org sticker on your swingarm? was the bloke in the silver rst 1 piece that gave you a nod just before you were about to leave i think! thats if that was you? :smt039
DanAbnormal
22-04-07, 06:53 AM
Nope. But I have to admit I am now thinking of joining up. I want to further my skills and can't really afford the £30 an hour my mate charges right now. Want to do Rospa at some point but first want to get the advanced test done, I'll give IAM another bash. When is the next meet?
Yep, that was me with my stickered swing-arm. Was my first go as a trainee observer so was largely oblivious to what was going on around me. Ended up taking out the guy on the dodgy Russian sidecar outfit. I never managed to get out of second gear and he broke 40 once. However when training to be an observer you have to get a tick in the box to say you've ridden with a slow rider and I certainy have that tick well and truly ticked.
Dan,
Meetings are 3rd Sunday of the month, need to be there for 9 for a free cup of tea, cosy chat then an assessment ride. If you do get a bearded FJR rider don't worry, it may be a dull assesment but when you get allocated an observer you can state you want a "more spirited" rider and if you're lucky you'll get one of the blade or GSX-R brigade. However those heavyweight beardy tourer types do get a shift on if they want to make a point.
I tend to find ear hair is the best indicator. More ear hair = much less fun ride.
Say hello if you see me up there next time.
Cheers,
Mark
Sounds like more fun over your side. You guys have advanced training programs which look good. Plus free tea ;) My renewal is due for the year - I wonder if I can transfer?
But think of the Bacon sarnies - do you get them?
I thought all the IAM's were quite separate from each other so you might have a problem getting a free test from one that you didn't pay the £80odd to.
I think the fee for the test is held in trust for the IAM so should be transferrable. However there are no bacon butties at TVAM. Just tea, coffee, biscuits, kitkats and twix.
There are however c800 memebers so not uncommon to get 200-300 bikes turn up on a Sunday a bit daunting for your first time. I'm sure you could always come to an open day and I'll introduce you to someone to have a chat with so if it's a better fit they should be able to sort out a transfer.
3rd Sunday 09:00. If you want a peek let me know and you can ride over with me and I'll introduce you to the right folk.
JonToms
23-04-07, 05:45 PM
I'll come with you next time, i am sure i mentioned this b4 but i should make the effort and join up !
so whens the next one !?:D
:scratch: Yep, that was me with my stickered swing-arm. Was my first go as a trainee observer so was largely oblivious to what was going on around me. Ended up taking out the guy on the dodgy Russian sidecar outfit. I never managed to get out of second gear and he broke 40 once. However when training to be an observer you have to get a tick in the box to say you've ridden with a slow rider and I certainy have that tick well and truly ticked.
Dan,
Meetings are 3rd Sunday of the month, need to be there for 9 for a free cup of tea, cosy chat then an assessment ride. If you do get a bearded FJR rider don't worry, it may be a dull assesment but when you get allocated an observer you can state you want a "more spirited" rider and if you're lucky you'll get one of the blade or GSX-R brigade. However those heavyweight beardy tourer types do get a shift on if they want to make a point.
I tend to find ear hair is the best indicator. More ear hair = much less fun ride.
Say hello if you see me up there next time.
Cheers,
Mark
Yeah, me old man is becoming a trainee observer atm aswell.
And as for the bearded fella's on the FJRs and pans. trust me. they'll have no problems keeping up with most people (except me, lol) in the nationals. :scratch:
I'll come with you next time, i am sure i mentioned this b4 but i should make the effort and join up !
so whens the next one !?:D
The next third sunday. Sunday 20th may i think.
DanAbnormal
24-04-07, 10:55 AM
:scratch:
they'll have no problems keeping up with most people (except me, lol) in the nationals. :scratch:
Modest aren't we!? Could it be Si, that you're just a nutter? I never had much probs keeping up with you though mate, does that mean I can lose the bearded Pan and FJR riders too!?! :D :smt068
I'll be there ont eh 20th May for my first little ride. Will probably bring the Zed as well, poor little Hornet is getting left to all the commuting.
Modest aren't we!? Could it be Si, that you're just a nutter? I never had much probs keeping up with you though mate, does that mean I can lose the bearded Pan and FJR riders too!?! :D :smt068
I'll be there ont eh 20th May for my first little ride. Will probably bring the Zed as well, poor little Hornet is getting left to all the commuting.
never.... :smt046
DanAbnormal
25-04-07, 01:41 PM
never.... :smt046
Hey maybe you should come on one of my early morning 'bunny' runs!
They are suicidal but a fluffy little bunny is no match for a speeding green demon!:D
Was my first go as a trainee observer so was largely oblivious to what was going on around me.
heheh, that made me laugh :D
i didnt notice that but now uve pointed it out! :smt046
Progressive to the max !
Be aware. If you shoot off like a blade/zed wielding lunatic you can guarantee the observer will take you down the windiest, narrowist, graveliest most horse laden lane he knows to show you that bike control is more than going down a road like a rocket.
If you want a "fun" ride they usually come with your allocated observer, and unlikely to be on your assesment ride. If however you feel the vibes from your assessor and feel he may be up for it, when you stop for your mid-ride debrief tell him you're not sure if your quick lines are right and if he/she is of the right mind-set you'll be taken somewhere very quick to see what he can see.
The observer will never tell you to ride quick as we're not allowed to do that. However terms like "When in NSLs I'll be too busy looking where I'm going to look at my Speedo :-dd " is a good enough hint especially if they then go out and turn up next to you on their GSX-R 1000 in full race rep colours.
If anyone wants to turn up with me, we can arrange to meet en-route nearer the time. Otherwise, go there, ( www.tvam.org (http://www.tvam.org) for directions) go in the carpark round the back of the school, be there for 9 so a) you can park and b) you get a cup of tea and a chat before you go out. Follow the crowd, but basically see the nice folk on the front desk. they'll point you to the newcomers desk and everything else will be managed for you by us beardy blokes on lardy tourers.
Tis tempting, need to rustle up some money though for this mind
DanAbnormal
27-04-07, 01:21 PM
Tis tempting, need to rustle up some money though for this mind
Ah yes, how much will it cost Mark?
The assessment and tea are free. Should you then decide to join up I think it's about £80 for the first year (this includes TVAM membership, IAM membership and IAM test fee) There after I think it's abotu £20 per year. Includes BMF membership too.
If you fail your IAM test you'll need to pay for the next one and that I think is about £50. However you get checked, cross checked, validated and otherwise well probed before they stck you up for test so it is unusual for anyone to get put forward for test then fail unless you do something really stupid on the big day.
Ongoing Tea is 25p per cup and you'll be expected to get them in for your observer. Twix and kitkat are 35p.
The fees are more or less the same which ever IAM group you join but the actual coaching (they are not allowed to call it training) is free. Just the cost of your fuel and tea/bacon butty for your observer + prezzie for him/her when you pass your test.
Or about half the costof a second hand race can. :)
DanAbnormal
27-04-07, 01:33 PM
That sir, is a bargain. I'll be there on the 20th May (is that the next one?).
Might bring the Hornet so it's not so abusive on the observers ears. Plus I ride that thing like it was a Tonka toy now I've got the Zed!
Cheers,
Dan
As an added bonus, Ultimate ears (the custom ear plug folks) will be there on May 20th. 10% discount for TVAM members.
However still no sign of a bacon butty van :(
As an added bonus, Ultimate ears (the custom ear plug folks) will be there on May 20th. 10% discount for TVAM members.
However still no sign of a bacon butty van :(
Ooh been tempted to get some of those, tempting to pop along and see what the fuss is about for the IAM also :D
As an added bonus, Ultimate ears (the custom ear plug folks) will be there on May 20th. 10% discount for TVAM members.
However still no sign of a bacon butty van :(
Hey Mark - didnt you have some folks down there that set up suspension as well?? Remeber someone mentioning it - not sure if it was there or another.
ASM-Forever
08-05-07, 10:12 PM
Well thats one mystery solved.....i was near there a while back, on the way to Wargrave and saw what must of been hundreds of bikes....i was nodding like the Churchill dog :)
The fluorescent pan types were a clue though.
GMonsta,
Yep the suspension man comes but not every month and I have no idea how to find out if he's there. If you want to PM me your mobile number I can call you when I get there to tell you if he's there or not.
I think he looks at your bike, looks at you, asks you what you like to do and what issues you have, taps his chin a bit, tweeks various tweakable bits and charges you a tenner. General feedback is that it makes a huge difference and is far more sensible than most folks attempts at just tightening everything up and ending up wqith a bike that handles like a shopping trolley.
In the mean time I'll see if I can track down his contact details as you may be able to visit him elsewhere.
OK folks, May 20th is next Sunday (unless you're reading this later in which case it is today/yesterday/some time ago) If anyone is still interested in popping along to TVAM some info.
1. Next meet is Sunday May 20th. (every 3rd Sunday)
2. Meeting place is St.Crispins School Wokingham. RG40 1SS
3. If you get there, go down the main driveway then go anti-clockwise. entrance and parking is round the back.
4. If it's your first time, you'll need to be there by 9:00. Go in the door, say "hello, I'm new" at the reception desk and they'll point you to the newcomers desk.
5. If it's not raining there wil be about 300 bikes there. If it's raining there will be about 300 wet bikes there. It's very loud in the hall.
6. The ultimate ear man is there (they supply earplugs, not a bloke with huge ears) this month. About £60-70 for a pair. If you need financial approval for such expendature, get it before you turn up.
7. Norman will be there flogging ultra-seal. Puncture protection stuff he puts in for you. Costs £25 if I remember. Same price as getting it yourself, but he does it all for you.
8. There are no bacon butties, so have breakfast before you turn up.
9. I'll be leaving fleet about 8:15 going Yately, Crowethone, nine-mile ride route. If you want to meet en-route I'll happily chaperone as it can be a bit daunting for us socially inept folk being all new and alone.
If any of the Ripley crowd want to pop along I'm sure they'll make you welcome too although not sure of the inter-group relationships so you may end up being dragged into the gents and thoroughly beaten in a safe, planned, progressive way.
Largely useless website with different details can be found here. www.tvam.org (http://www.tvam.org)
Hopefully see one or more of you there.
If any of the Ripley crowd want to pop along I'm sure they'll make you welcome too although not sure of the inter-group relationships so you may end up being dragged into the gents and thoroughly beaten in a safe, planned, progressive way.
.
Well as long as it's to a plan.:smt081
Did anyone make it along, Saw about 5 SVs in the carpark, but given the GM only have about 3SVs between us these days, this does not say a lot.
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