Our People

Passed my bike test in January 1974 on my first bike, a Yamaha 80. I moved on to a BSA Goldstar SS 250 for a while. I passed the car test in August 1974 and had a share in a car
with my mum until she passed her test in 1976 after some of my coaching. I needed a full-time vehicle later in 76, so the bike was sold.

In 2006, I had a track day with Ron Haslam Race School. I enjoyed it so much that I returned to biking on a Yamaha Fazer 600. In 2010, the bike was changed for a Yamaha FJR, which was kept until 2018 and swapped for a lighter Honda Crossrunner. I didn’t like the chain cleaning, so I exchanged it in 2019 for a Honda Crosstourer DCT. In late 2019, I bought a Moto Guzzi v7 as a second bike. The cross tourer was replaced by a Yamaha Tracer GT in 2020, which Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello has now replaced and then updated to the 2024 Stelvio. Currently own two Guzzi’s. Both are shaft drives, so there are no chains to clean.

In 2007, my son started on bikes, so I have supported his progress through some exciting bikes. A Malagutti scooter, Derbi Terra, Suzuki sv650, Yamaha Mt03 (660),
Yamaha Xv950, Harley 883 Sportster, Triumph America Bonneville. Of these, the best was the Mt03.

I have travelled the UK on the FJR, with the longest trip around the Scotland Northwest 500 with my Daughter and Granddaughter.

Since joining NAM, I have taken on the roles of Chair and Comms equipment manager. I have qualified as a National Observer and enjoy observing, organising events and rides, and leading one of the recent tours.

My interest in motorcycles started when I was a young lad riding pillion with my dad and older brother. Then, at around 14, I started riding my dad’s Norton 16H on the cinder path that led to his garage on private land.

Shortly before my 16^th birthday, a motorbike appeared in our backyard—a 200cc Francis Barnett. When I asked my dad whose bike it was, he just said if you can ride it properly, it’s yours. I spent the next couple of weeks riding up the garden to make sure I had the clutch control sorted, and on my 16th birthday, I was away.

I passed my bike test in 1968. It was easy then: you just needed to stay on, stick your hand out before turning, and not run the examiner over when he jumped out in front of you for the emergency stop. That bit was not so easy, though, because the brakes were not good.

In addition to the bike, I also bought a Scooter, Lambretta LI 150 series 2, already ‘done up’ mainly because most of my mates had scooters, and the girls seemed to take more interest in flashy scooters than the bike.

The scooter was fun, but I always preferred riding bikes, and I have had quite a few over the years. My favourite bike was probably the Yamaha FJ1200S I had in the late 90s. My main bike now is a Kawasaki Versys 1000.

I was quite late doing my advanced training, which I initially did to ride Blood Bikes, but I have found it has enhanced my enjoyment and safety on two wheels. I would encourage every motorcyclist to do some sort of advanced training. After years of riding, I still learnt plenty.

I have been riding since 1988, when I passed my test despite the examiner complaining that I’d “aimed for him” during my emergency stop (in those days, the examiner would step out onto the road). That was on a Honda CB100N, which had taken me and my L-Plates on a round trip from Nottingham to Dumfries for a memorable New Year’s Eve. That bike was also, thankfully, the only one upon which I’ve fallen asleep whilst riding and, of course, inevitably had my only meaningful accident… so far. I like to think that I learn from my mistakes.

After a 20-year hiatus, I got seriously back into biking in 2015 when I took possession of TDM900. I’ve never looked back – figuratively speaking – joining NAM shortly after and passing my Advanced Test on snow-lined roads at the end of 2016.

My current bike (I’ve only ever had one at a time) is a 2017 Z1000SX, which has been an astonishing machine on which I’ve enjoyed racking up 6k-8k miles each year since I rolled it new out of the showroom – having only gone in to get a chain and sprocket set for my previous bike! Chris Walker didn’t even have to try all that hard.

I passed my test in 1977 on a Suzuki 120 when all you needed to do was ride around the block and perform an emergency stop in front of the examiner who was on foot! I bought a Suzuki GS550 and in 1981 had a big SMIDSY which I, very fortunately, walked away from. Three weeks later I purchased a GS650GT that I rode all over Europe on but in 1992 it was sold. In 2003 I returned to biking and bought my first Ducati, a yellow 900SS.

My mum who had passed her advanced driving test bought me the RoadSmart package as soon as she realised I was about to set out on the road on my Ducati. I thoroughly enjoyed the training and passed my Advanced test in 2004. As the cliche goes “I wanted to give something back” and became an observer in 2005.

In 2009 a beautiful yellow Ducati 999 was added to the garage. I loved its looks and ride. I went touring on it, took it on the track and thoroughly enjoyed the full Ducati experience – yes I had a couple of electrical problems!!

In 2016 I struggled to remain in a crouched position for as long as the small 999 fuel tank allowed and both Ducati’s were sold to finance the purchase of a Ducati Multistrada. The Multistrada is a phenomenal bike as it’s happy on both road and track! I ride for pleasure on club ride-outs and on my own. I’ve been on several excellent European tours with club members.

Riding History: I started riding (legally) at 16 with a Honda SS50 and had a range of bikes of increasing performance and capacity for 20+ years. Took a break for a while and got back to biking some time ago now, joining IAMRS about 16+ years ago. I took my iAM RS advanced riding test and immediately decided to try and become an Observer. I got my National Observer a few years after that, eventually becoming a Local Observer Assessor in the West Sussex iAMRS Group and eventually Chief Observer in WSAM before my wife and I moved back to the East Midlands. I remain a member of WSAM and contribute to their observer group.

Current Biking Activity: Chief Observer NAM, Observer Trainer, National Observer for both NAM and WSAM and currently a member of the Bike Safe course delivery team Surrey and Sussex.

Current Bikes: BMW GS 750 Sport and R80GS under renovation, but always looking for another bike, can’t have enough bikes can you!

My day job: is working as an independent contractor to UKROEd and DriveTech, where I am a trainer delivering Speed Awareness Courses and the National Rider Risk Awareness Course specifically for Riders.
Biking Regrets: Having to sell some of the great bikes I have had in the past, e.g. my beautiful red Honda 400 4 F2 back in the ’80s (now a classic) and that Silver VFR I took my iAM Test on.

I passed my test in the early 80’s so I could commute to work before I could afford to buy a car. But as soon as I was out and about on 2 wheels, I realised this was for me. My first bike was a Honda CB125S and I now have the same model for the occasional runout and about on. I soon progressed to a Yamaha 250XS which kept me on the road for the next years, but I did eventually switch to 4 wheels.

I rejoined the wonderful world of 2 wheels in the mid-’90s when I bought a Triumph Daytona and toured extensively around the UK on this. I did have a GS for a couple of years, but switched to my current Triumph Tiger 1050 in 2011 and have since retired, joined NAM, passed my IAM advanced qualification and now observe and manage the Group’s associates.

I also volunteer with Nottingham Blood Bikes. I am thoroughly enjoying life on 2 wheels these days, riding throughout the year and have expanded my touring horizons to visit Europe when we are allowed to.

I have also added a couple of older bikes to my garage recently, getting a Triumph Speed Triple from 1994 and a 1930 Sunbeam Model 1, both of which are eligible to ride in VMCC ride-outs. See you out there – stay shiny side up!

My father was a biker, so I grew up with them. When I turned 16, I went straight out and bought a Suzuki B120, but there was one caveat; I had to get some training. I enrolled in the Star Rider Silver course that set off each Saturday morning for 6 weeks from just beside Lambeth Bridge. I was living in London at the time. I passed my silver course on a Saturday and the actual bike test the following week. This all happened in 1981. The car test didn’t happen until 1982.

After school, I spent a year working in London in the wine trade and bought myself a Honda 250N Super Dream to commute on. I loved that bike. I even took it to Ireland on a summer tour. During the tour, I realised I could do with a bit more power, so I swapped it for a 600cc BMW flat twin. This was the bike that brought me up to Nottingham in 1983.

I joined NAM in the late 1990s and passed the test in Sept 1999. This was on a Honda VFR750, which was an excellent machine. 2002, I moved abroad, so I lost touch with NAM, but biking was still in the blood. In 2003, I bought a Varadero XL1000, which is still my companion today. I returned to the UK and, in March 2022, re-joined NAM and passed the test that November. Around the same time, I joined the committee in the Events role. During 2023, I completed the National Observer training and passed the exam in November.

Riding bikes since I was at school. First bike Honda SS50 (£140) which didn’t last long as a car pulled out across me at a set of traffic lights, I hit it side on, a couple of spins through the air and one bounce but I was shaken not stirred, no broken bones, very lucky. Passed my test in the days when the examiner was on foot!

Lots of bikes followed including two strokes, Honda and Suzuki fours. More recently Ducati Multistrada, BMW GS and now KTM 1290 SA plus a 38 year old Honda CBX 1000, my dream bike when I was young.

Ride for pleasure. Enjoy motor bike trips especially Isle of Man TT, Europe, SE Asia, Himalayas…….

Joined Nottingham Advanced Motorcyclists 2007, became an Observer, then Ride Out Coordinator. Now National Observer and proud to be Chairman

I started riding in 2022 after wanting to do my test for many years! As a female rider, I was quite nervous about stepping into the riding world, but I jumped straight in and never looked back! I bought a CBR 600f as my first bike, and after getting lots of valuable experience, I upgraded to a Z1000sx.

In 2024, I began my advanced journey and loved every second of it! When life gets a little quieter for me, I will begin my training to become an observer myself, alongside my work with motorcycle industry professionals who influence motorcycles on social media platforms.

In 2025, I bought myself a 2009 Repsol Fireblade… a real dream come true! Now, I enjoy riding both bikes for pleasure and am excited to get some track days under my belt this year!

I started riding at the age of 12 and progressed from trials to roads at 17. My first road-going machine was a Yamaha RS125, and over the years, I have had many bikes, with the highlights being a Norton 650SS, Suzuki RGV250VJ21, Buell XB9R Firebolt, Yamaha R6, and Aprilia RS660 Tuono. My current runarounds include a Moto Morini 350 Strada, Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT+ and Suzuki DL1050XT V-Strom.

As a passionate rider, I commute, socialise, and observe, clocking up approximately 20,000 miles yearly. I completed the IAM Masters Course and am now an IMI National Observer. Other courses I have completed include i2i and Rapid Bike Master. I love everything about motorcycles.