Chair’s Chatter

Welcome to my first Chair’s Chatter and can I say what an honour it is to be your Chair for the LAM year ahead and thoroughly looking forward to the challenge. And for those of you that missed the AGM, thank you to Jane for her work over the last two years and may you now enjoy a slightly more relaxed lifestyle and lighter inbox.

I’m sure LAM means different things to each of us, perhaps merely a tool to pass your advanced test, a club to be a member for years to come, making new friends with a likeminded interest, improve upon your already advanced ride, whatever, it doesn’t matter but as long as you all see it as your club and put the maximum in to get the best out.

So, thank you to the many members who regularly help out, or have in the past, or indeed will in the future. We welcome anyone who has something to offer the group, from running a rideout to a workshop idea, from planning an event to picking up the Banstead keys; the more you can all offer the group, the more it will grow and become a better club for everyone.

Let the Committee, Training Team or any Observer know if you’d like to be more involved, even if that’s for a one off event, we’re all ears.

I don’t like dwelling on the weather, I have to deal with it most days at work especially when it’s extreme, however we’re coming into that time of year when all of us need to plan wisely and give it a bit more consideration. I’m sure you all read the IAM RS blogs and tips and soak up their enlightening and interesting content

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/about-us/news-and-insights/blogpostlist/-in-category/blog-posts-classifications/advice

In 2020 the TT brought in a cold weather policy after an unforeseen overnight freeze that wasn’t forecast correctly. Now, sub 5 degrees overnight temperatures may lead to cancelled events at short notice, unsurprisingly the countryside will often be even colder. Jane mentioned it last month you may remember, so why am I boring you again.

Some of you know I had a nasty accident that January morning that I still carry the injury from and always will, but I was lucky, very lucky.

The TT and Committee take these decisions very seriously for the safety of everyone involved; it’s a very unselfish act but not always a popular one with the participants. But please don’t question it as I have heard in the past, it needs to be made quickly and for the safety and greater good for all, better not to ride and live to ride another day.

Just as leading a ride is for the benefit of all the group involved, don’t criticise if it’s not to your exact taste or you have to make a U turn in a tight lane, instead think about the person who made the unselfish and generous decision to plan a route, arrange and advertise the ride and gave up their personal time to entertain you, be thankful and appreciative and maybe more people might give it a go, lightening the load.

I hope to see many of you at The Bikeshed Christmas drink or the now (LAM) famous Cider Run to get in the spirit of things, but if not, I hope you just enjoy the group for being LAM.

Ride smarter, ride safe and Merry Christmas to you and your families.

Steve X