A presentation by Julie Emmitt from Bike Trac about motorcycle security.

Wednesday 1st October, 8 p.m. Whaddon Village Hall.

On Wednesday evening we were visited by Julie Emmitt from Bike Trac who gave an interesting talk on bike security.

A couple of quick take away points:

Use a disk / shackle lock through your chain and sprockets rather than a front disk.  Much more tricky for the ‘little darlings’ to remove (and messy).  

Use a ground anchor on a wall and leave slack in the securing chain.  Harder to get a purchase on than if it’s taut or lying on the floor.

Use ‘sold secure’ products.

Not all tracking products are equal.  Do your homework.

So thanks to Julie for giving us some food for thought – and hopefully what’s ours will remain ours.

Here are some links that may be useful:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2025/uk-motorcycle-theft-stats-crime

https://issuu.com/alltrac/docs/motoguardian_issue_2 https://issuu.com/alltrac/docs/motoguardian_issue_3_rgb_pages_v2

Our Story – BikeTrac

Based out of Silverstone in Northamptonshire, BikeTrac has developed its own technology and now protects thousands of machines. The team proudly boast a recovery rate of over 90% and have recovered over £10m worth of stolen machines in this time.

The BikeTrac story is one of two halves and one that on first inspection would seem to be a simple story of a large organisation developing a new product. But the creation of BikeTrac stems from two individuals who had a passion for both bikes and technology to create the product and service we know today.

See the rest of the story on Bike Trac website: Home | BikeTrac

Wheels at the Woodman, The Woodman Inn, Nuthampstead SG8 8NB. Saturday 15th March 2025 9am – 12pm.

Alan Evans will lead a ride from Tesco Royston to The Woodman. Meeting at Tesco for 10:00hrs departure.

Wednesday 2nd April, 8pm, Whaddon Village Hall.

Presentation: Making the World’s Best Crash Protection.

Presented by Stef Cook and Tim Banks of GB Racing.

They will give a brief insight into GB Racing, what they do and why it works so well.

Also why you do not need to be a racer to benefit from their products.

On Wednesday 2 April about 30 members of the club welcomed Steff Cook, from Baldock based GB Racing, who presented a talk on engine protectors for motorcycles.

Steff outlined a brief history of the company and described how the protectors, made from a mixture called Long Glass Fibered Nylon, are manufactured on site in Baldock. With an extensive history in racing at British and World Superbike levels Steff illustrated his talk with both videos and examples of ‘tested’ products which are able to protect engine cases (and other areas of the bike) at speeds well in excess of those legally permitted on UK roads.

Overall a very interesting evening.

We used to say ‘it’s as easy as falling off a bike’.  Steff has demonstrated that there’s a real art and science to it!

Report by Guy Moody

The second in a series of talks by Lester to our club members and guests.

At Whaddon Village Hall on Wednesday 5th February at 8pm

To a busy Whaddon Village Hall, Lester spoke about the present day challenges of racing at club and national level compared to the scene 50 years ago.

50 – 60 years ago racing was, for want of better words, run on an amateur basis.  Bikes were basic, suspension crude and electronics virtually non-existent.  Circuit safety, certainly at many tracks, left a lot to be desired.  Racing clubs proliferated.  One set of tyres was deemed sufficient for all weathers and if a rider was lucky, a mate or two might come along to help out on the day.

Everything has changed.  Racing at all levels is far more professional, circuits are safer and bikes are faster, much faster.  But there are downsides.   There are now fewer racing clubs, fewer meetings and consequently less track time which, with the speed and complexity of modern bikes, is essential to ensure optimal setup for good performance. A rider needs a back-up team to interpret the data and fettle the bike.  Also needed are various sets of tyres to cope with the vagaries of the British weather.  

In short, today you need time and money, preferably lots of it!  Talent is, of course, essential.

If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of Lester’s talks they are well recommended.

Again the club extends its thanks to Lester and wish him and his son Cameron all the best for the coming season.

Report by Guy Moody

Mental Health Motorbike

On Wednesday 4^th December some 20 club members attended a talk in Whaddon Village Hall given by Martin Young from the Mental Health Motorbike charity.

Martin began by introducing himself and he stated that the aim of the charity was to provide a free face to face and online mental health first aid support for the biker community throughout the UK.  The charity existed to create meaningful and purposeful opportunities, for all bikers, so that together the wellbeing of the biker community was promoted.  He added that this could be achieved through 1 to 1 and peer support, events, training activities and projects, working in partnership with other organisations and clubs.

Martin then gave a number of statistics that highlighted that mental health issues amongst all people, not just bikers were more widespread than generally recognised and added that males, in the age range 20-49, were most at risk from self harm, or worse, as a result of mental health problems.

Martin outlined the support available and gave details of the training available for those wishing to become involved with the charity.  He concluded with a short question and answer session.

We would like to thank Martin for his insightful and thought  provoking talk to the club.