The President....

Hi everybody, it seems a while since I was asked to write a few words for the Newsletter. Since edition one, a lot has been written about the 'Knights and why we ride; the truth is, we all ride for different reasons, yet if we can help someone else along the way, then that adds to the pleasure. As police officers and 'Knights, this is part of our ethos, to help. Indeed, our very last major event of 2000, the Poker Run (more of that later) was about raising money for charity; despite the low turn out from our Chapter, we still succeeded in making money for our nominated Charity, the Milton Hospice. Regrettably, (as many of you know) we had to cancel the Christmas Toy Run for the Hospice, due to their short notice of refurbishment. We will however be presenting the money in due course. All of these events are about getting out there, doing what we do best: having fun and helping people along the way. This is a theme that you will find mentioned in our forthcoming AGM, which will be held at RAF Mildenhall, on February the 24th. Although details appear later, we have planned the day so that you can have a little fun as well as the more routine (but nonetheless important) activities of the AGM.

 So please do try and get to the AGM, whether by car or bike, it doesn't matter. Support our Chapter and as we support others.

Corey
 

The Secretary....

So what happened to the Summer, in 2000? When I look back at all the miles I rode last year (nearly ten thousand), most of it seems to have been in the cool or damp. Reality says this is not true, but we do tend to remember only those runs in truly astounding or awful weather. As the riding season drew to a close (for some), I had to concede as an all weather, all year biker, that 2000 was a challenging year. Last winter saw me desperately trying to keep the ravages of road-salt at bay, the summer just trying to keep my bike clean! Something that, as I write at the end of January 2001 doesn't seem to have changed! Yet all the rides we did last year as a Chapter, were also memorable for the fine weather - long may it continue! For those of us who ride all year, there is the promise of those rare crisp yet clear winter rides, and I truly hope that we have something similar for our early rides this year. It would be really good to claim that all our formal rides have been in good weather for 2 years running!

While we had a good range of rides last year, please don't forget that some of the best rides are the impromptu unplanned ones; so don't forget, if the weather's good, you're not on duty and fancy a ride, just phone someone on the member list! Many are shift workers too, so you never know who else might be available when you are.

Ride safe,

Richard

Some events are far easier than others to plan and organize; the poker run I guess, fell into the latter category. To most of us, a poker run was an alien concept, most of us know the rudiments of poker, but on a bike! Little did we know when we started planning this one, the fun that it would be. Initial planning started at the beginning of September, Bill (Ride Captain) to look after the route, Richard (Secretary) to look after publicity and pins, Dawnie (Vice Pres) to oversee and pick-up everything else the boys couldn't manage. With 10 days to go, the route, some 85 miles around Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, was finalised; pin badges (a superb design) had been received and were ready, route cards produced and the BBQ to end all BBQs was planned to coincide with Corey's (Pres) return from the Gulf. With a week to go all that was needed was good weather and a good turn-out.

Support from the majority of Chapters was excellent, and certainly made the event the success that it was; attendance from our own Chapter was limited to the "execs", but I guess duty (either professional or domestic) prevented attendance - thanks to those who did proffer apologies.

 Saturday (party day!) arrived and with it the rain, albeit with a promise of something a little brighter the following day.

 The BBQ and party were truly excellent, but then we were aided significantly by the culinary skills of Huber (of Liphook Run fame). Now for most people an English BBQ in the autumn is a bit of a damp cold and undercooked affair; not so this one, there was enough food to feed a whole a Roman Legion, not to mention the hungriest 'Knights from England. Not only did we get to marvel at Huber's beautifully cooked food, but also Corey's beer fridge - there must be a garage forecourt somewhere missing a Coca Cola machine!

 For those that didn't stay over at Corey's, the ride-in on the Sunday to the RVP (Hard Times Cafe) showed promise of clear, dry and fine weather, yet again we got the weather! After briefing, a veritable selection of machines ranging from BMWs and Hondas to a veteran 3-wheeler departed on the route. As one of those waiting at a check point, it was interesting to see how the challenges of the route took their toll (or was that the beer from the night before!). Bill had certainly come up with something a little "special", one stretch in particular tested not just rider but suspension too. Apparently the correct method was to ride this slowly, not at Warp Factor 5, as attempted by some! Despite the sun and mental challenge, it became apparent that the whole event was a major physical challenge too. After all, the furthest travelled contingent had travelled down from Tyneside and were due back later that day. Locals, hang your heads in shame against the determination of these individuals!

 By early afternoon, the event was complete and it was time for the ubiquitous raffle (some fantastic prizes - well done Corey, Dawnie and Bill) and the real prizes, the awards. These will be coveted I'm sure, for years to come and were awarded for "High Hand", "Low Hand", "Hard Luck", "Furthest Solo", "Furthest Couple" and, "Oldest Rider".

 Once again, it was good to meet friends, old and new from the other Chapters. But most of all it was good to see how much we raised for Charity, over one hundred and thirty pounds. Well done to all who participated. Oh, and sorry there are no photos of the event, the Secretary's digital camera doesn't work very well with flat batteries!!!

If you were unable to attend and would like to buy one of the few remaining unique enamel charity pin badges, please contact the VP. They are available at £5 each, with all the profit going to support our charity appeal.

I can't remember what it was that I noticed first, the light handlebars or the sudden sliding, but the tank slapper was wholly unexpected. It was dark, raining hard and I was tired. The next thing I remember was falling sideways with the handlebars hard left. The sound was that awful metallic crash, of scraping metal and broken glass. The pain hit me, so intensely in my left ankle, as I realised that I was trapped under the bike and it was dragging me along. I just could not get my ankle free. I cursed those engine bars, I had long harboured a suspicion that they would not protect me in a scrape - how true it was. Literally grinding to a halt, I was so glad that there was no traffic in the immediate vicinity, for lying on its side, with me under it, pinned to the tarmac, my bike was blocking the near side lane. My immediate thought was to kill the engine, then see that no fuel was leaking. It wasn't, I felt happier. Then I tried to move the bike and get up. Struggling with the bike, I realised that I was trapped. I opened my flip front helmet and looked around me. I saw a young policeman running over (finally realising the truth in the statement, that you know you've been around a while when the policemen look like they should still be in school!), carefully he lifted the bike sufficiently for me to extract my leg. Climbing steadily to my feet, I was pleased to find that nothing was broken and after a few seconds this young lad helped me lift the bike onto it's stand and survey the damage. Shaking my head in dismay at the broken indicator, distorted bars, scraped shield and flaking paint, this young man cheered me know end, by saying, "Don't worry sir, it still looks really good, are you OK?". Replying that other than bruising, cosmetic damage to the bike and severely damaged pride, all was well.

 Having taken my details and discussed what happened, it was evident from the beam of his "maglite" the cause of my upset. Having negotiated a mild traffic- calming speed hump (slowly), I had run into a patch of road with about an 1/8" of standing water, atop one of those smooth joins in the tarmac. This ran lead away from my frnt wheel at an angle of about sixty degrees and for good measure was topped with a smattering of diesel. Having given my details, the young lad was suddenly embarrassed by the predicament both as a biker himself and me an officer too. We spoke briefly, and good heartedly, discussing the road and what had caused my spill. He, a less experienced rider than I, admitted that he would not have noticed the standing water, let alone the "stripe" and diesel. We stood there, his patrol jacket reflecting the, passing car headlights, rain dripping off the brim of his hat. Carefully we walked a short distance back and reviewed what I should have seen. Could I have seen the hazard, should I have read the road better? Just what had I missed.

 After several minutes of pacing up and down, it was obvious that because of the position of the lighting, nothing would have been visible; the only discernable fact was a slight smell of diesel, barely noticeable, but there nonetheless.

 Having re-lived this "incident" many many times, I have to accept that this was (as the insurance companies say) an act of god! But what of the morals, the lessons learned? My thoughts are;

1. You can't always see what's on the road.

2. That even when you least expect it, you may encounter the evil diesel.

3. Make sure that any "extras" added to your bike do not compromise safety. In my case, the engine bars resulted in my very minor injury; nonetheless, what if the same had happened at higher (motorway) speeds, in the face of other motorists.

4. Wear the best safety gear you can. It was only afterwards that I found the hole in my jacket. Because of the "Hiprotec" armour I use, I hadn't even felt the impact with the tarmac - truly astounding.

Our AGM will take place on Saturday 24th February, at RAF Mildenhall. Be at Gate 6 (SW of Mildenhall village from 10am. The day will start with a little entertainment on the electronic weapons range at 11am, followed by ten-pin bowling at 1pm and the main meeting from 3pm.

Those wishing to attend are requested to pass their details to Corey on 01284 789245

 Keep an eye out for more details for this on the website!.

While we have not currently planned any rides for the 2001 season, we intend to discuss these at the AGM. If you have any ideas, please bring them along and speak out. As with 2000, we will generate a list of rides in due course that will be listed both on the website and provided to all members.
 

For those of you that followed (and hopefully voted in) the 2000/2001 Blue Knights International elections, the results were:

 President: Robert Flanagan

Vice President: Gary Pierce

Secretary: Mick Rackliffe

Treasurer: Jerry Bryan

I am sure you, that like me, you wish them the best of luck and that they will serve us well.

The European Convention 2001, hosted by Germany II will be held at Schwarzwald, from 31 May to 3 June 2001.

 An International Meeting will be hosted by Belgium III at Zutendaal, from 8 to 10 June 2001.

With the next edition you will receive a planner showing all our main rides which we shall agree at the AGM. It will also include detail of some of the other major events planned for his year in both the UK and rest of Europe.
 

Nothing submitted for this edition; but, if you have something you want to dispose of through the Newsletter, just let the Sec know

Note from the Secretary......

 "I note that some of you in the Peterborough postal districts will have had your postcodes changed since recording member details last year. I would be extremely grateful if you could update me as soon as practicable, the 2001 member list can then be updated before issue to all. Please email me or phone me with your new details. Thanks.