Members Profiles
Here
are the first profiles of some of our members and officials.
As the group continues to grow this page will help members, old and
new, put faces to names.
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Tom Davis - Group
Chairman, Advanced Tutor and Training Officer. |
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Phil Wright: Advanced
Tutor. Age 54, married, self employed. Like most, I started biking on rough ground before I was old enough to have a licence. Immediately got the bug and continued riding into my teens until marriage, children and finances soon put a stop to all that. I came back to biking in 2001. At the time I was a part time postie and one of the guys there had just bought himself a GXR 750, well listening to his stories I was hooked again. Phoned around for the best deal with the local dealers and I was the proud owner of a 600 Fazer. Off to J & S Northwich to buy some kit, oh, at some time I’d better tell the wife. Those that know me will say, yep, that’s Phil, impulsive but Kym was cool and we now go as a team, she loves being a pillion. I first did I.A.M., as like most, they were the only ones I’d heard about. Went to North Wales bike safe and that’s where I heard about RoSPA. Joined the local group, this also incorporated cars as well. Passed the test and got silver, not happy with this, I re-took the test six months later and got gold. I became a Tutor, part of the committee team and I think the group is fantastic, fun but above all, a safe friendly environment with like minded people from all walks of life and ages. |
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David Rogers: Group Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Group Tutor: I am an accountant who rode bikes briefly in my teens. I returned to biking in 1999 and started my training with the group in 2009 to improve my riding skills, passing with a Silver grade. I am currently the Treasurer and Membership Secretary of the group. In 2010 I commenced tutoring Associates. In recent years I have enjoyed many summer holidays on my bike, touring the British Isles, France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. This has included a few trips around the notorious Nurburgring. |
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Patrick Turnbull: Web Site Co-ordinator, Newsletter Editor and Tutor.I took up biking from scratch in 2001 and had 6 yrs on a 600 Hornet before buying a Honda CBF 1000 in 2007. I then joined the IAM and passed that test in May 2008 before acheiving RoSPA Gold in September 2008 with SAPAR. I've had 2 (so far) European holidays on the CBF and love the relatively empty roads over there. The Alps are my favorite. I've now replaced the CBF1000 with a Kawasaki 1400GTR and know that the knowledge and experience I've gained from advanced riding (especially through SAPAR) had prepared me for the step upto a big sports tourer. I look after the website for SAPAR and produce "Going for Gold" the newsletter and I am a Tutor within the group. I get so much pleasure from helping others improve their riding. I'm based in Whitchurch in North Shropshire and away from the bike I'm a Regional Support Manager for Biffa Waste Services. |
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Paul Davies: Group Secretary and Group Tutor: I’ve been riding bikes for 26 years and passed both the RoSPA and IAM tests in 2001. I have been a member of SAPAR since it started, when it de-merged from the local RoSPA car Group. I have held Treasurer, Membership Sec and Website Editor posts within SAPAR and am a SAPAR Tutor. I’ve also been an Observer with IAM. In the past I used to do cover about 20,000 miles a year by bike, taking in commuting, touring, training, weekend rides and trackdays. Check out some of my other other interests at http://www.severnlets.org.uk/ and www.transitiontownshrewsbury.org.uk I also keep pet rats and odd socks. |
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This could be you. |
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Frieda Hughes: As an artist and writer I make
my own hours, and I spend a lot of them on motorbikes. Ever since
I was fifteen I’ve wanted one. After one too many crashes
as pillion when I was younger, because of a rider who should have
joined SAPAR to learn something, I swore I’d never ride pillion
again. When I got my own licence I joined SAPAR because I want to
learn to be a better, safer rider myself. My default motorbike is my black Hayabusa. In order to ride it with confidence I took up track days and got hooked, so now I also have a (black) Suzuki GSX-R750 for track. My workhorse is a (black) 1250 Suzuki Bandit because it’s such a useful bike, especially through winter. Living in Wales I find myself surrounded by some of the best roads in Great Britain, and I do my level best to make the most of them. |
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Marion Versluijs: Marion Versluijs (46) Having joined ROSPA earlier this year, I passed my test in June with a silver grade. I have just started tutor training and continue to be an observer with my local IAM group. |
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Nik Bagnall: I joined SAPAR whilst still riding
a restricted SV 650, in 2009 and gained a gold award. I’ve
been riding for just under two years with a total of 3 bikes. I
am currently the proud owner of a Triumph Sprint. (not most 22 year
olds choice) I joined RoSPA to gain experience and become a safer
rider (and also to make my mom happy) I love the group and hope that the skills I have learnt are working. |
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Bob Reilly: I am 58 years
old and have been riding bikes for 43yrs. I hav:e been an IAM
Member since 1973 ( 37yrs ) and have passed all 3 IAM tests, cars,
commercials and motorcycles. I passed the RoSPA test to Gold standard
and then I joined SAPAR in 2009. I currently own 9 bikes including some classics which I show in the summer months and also Classic Cars . I am a property developer based in Shropshire and Derbyshire. |
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Nigel Crump: I joined SAPAR
in 2010 to achieve my goal of becoming a safer rider. My introduction
to motorbikes came after many years of commuting on a push bike
when in 2001 I was given a scrap Tomos 50 which I got up to MoT
standard to use for commuting to work. In 2002 I did some training
and passed the test on a SR125 then progressed to a 500. I've
had my current SV650 for 2 years now. |
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David Ryan: I run my own
business up in the Shropshire hills. I have two children and a
wife who is very supportive of my biking addiction.
I took up biking and passed my test in 2008.
I have a number of bikes but mainly enjoy riding my 2008 Fireblade
with nearly 22,000 miles on the clock. I decided to join SAPAR
after having undertaken the North Wales Bikesafe course. I was
then keen to do further training and obtain the RoSPA qualification.
I also wished to become involved with a local group of like minded
folks. |
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Glyn Jones - Committe member: I am aged 67 and a retired farrier, but currently work as a DSA certified motorcycle instructor with the longest established training company in Telford. My first motor bike experience was 62 years ago, aged 5, on the tank of dad's Sunbeam Lion. My first bike was a 1949 500cc Norton. I passed my bike test in 1959, achieved Rospa silver 2007 but am hoping for Gold on retest in late 2010. |
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Jon Hepburn: I live with
my wife and young son near Shrewsbury and work as a freelance
marketing consultant specialising in advising small businesses.
For motorcycling I ride a Honda CBR 600. I have been riding bikes
for nearly 30 years (starting with a Suzuki AP50) and passed the
RoSPA test last year. When not doing that, mountain biking and
road cycling top the list a good result for Brighton and Hove
Albion, a pint of real ale at the local and a family day out all
go towards a good weekend. |
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This could be you. |
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David Lawson: I Live in
Welshpool with my wife and children and became a member of the
group when my wife bought me a membership gift voucher as a present.
I returned to motorcycling 2 years ago after a 20 year break and
thoroughly enjoy it. My eldest son sometimes comes along as pillion
on the Group Rideouts. My current bike is a Honda CBF1000, very
different from my 1980's XT250. I am currently benefiting from
the considerable wisdom of the patient Paul Davies in an effort
to improve my riding. I work as a pilot based in Liverpool. |
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Mike Rayner:I am 64 years
old and run a tool grinding business in Market Drayton. I started
riding motorbikes in 1992 with a Honda CG125. Having passed my
test I purchased a Yamaha XJ900 followed by a BMW 1100 GS and
I am now on my third Honda Goldwing. Averaging about 6,000 miles
per year I acquired some dodgy riding habits and developed a feeling
that some bike training would be beneficial. By chance I listened
to the Radio Shropshire biking session with the SAPAR group and
following a telephone call to Tom Davis joined SAPAR in July 2009.
After nine sessions with Tom and a further ride out with Tom and
Phil Wright I applied for the ROSPA test and achieved a Gold pass
in November 2009. My riding has become much steadier and many
hazards that were previously ignored are now anticipated / observed
and are dealt with in a continuously updated riding manner. |
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Tadashi Sakait: I am a teacher
of a secondary school, where I teach Japanese to years 7 to 13.
I passed my test in March 2010 with a Silver award and as far
as I know I am the only Japanese RoSPA advanced rider. I expect
that motorcycling was imprinted on me when I was a pillion on
my father’s bike even though I was too young to remember
it. I started riding on a Yamaha MR 50 (2 stroke, 4 gears) when
I was 16. I rode to my high school every day for three years.
After living in the UK for 20 years and not riding a bike, I suddenly
decided to start riding again and took a direct access course
in 2008. Glyn, a SAPAR member, was one of my riding instructors.
My first bike on returning to motorcycling was a Honda VFR 750
and I still ride it as I like the V4 engine. Currently I am looking
for a flat or a house with garaging to enable me to own two or
three bikes. I thoroughly enjoy being with other SAPAR members
as they are friendly, thoughtful and most of all bike loving people
with good manners. On behalf of my home country I would like to
give a special thank you to those of you riding Japanese bikes. |
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Stuart Wall:I have been
riding bikes since 1960's when I started off on a Honda SS 50,
after passing my test I progressed to larger bikes, Nortons, Triton,
BSA (with sidecar +kids), etc, and had a go at trials riding. I worked as a motorcycle mechanic for a while before working for the AA. I took early retirement in 2005, after 28 years. I still restore old bikes and travel around frequently on our VFR 800 with my wife Pat who has been into bikes since riding pillion on her Dads Norton in the 1950's. |
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Nev Gleed: Hi All. I am
a Technical Engineer for a plastics extrusion firm in Nottingham
and live both in Wales and Shrewsbury. I love being in Wales due
to the amazing roads and views and love a quick trip to the lakes
Bala and Vyrnwy. I have been on motorbikes since the age of 8
when I was thrown in to school boy trials riding by my motorbike
mad father. I love to watch all types of bike racing especially
Moto GP, BSB and WSB. I decided to join SAPAR because I wanted
to fine tune my riding as over the years bad habits have appeared.
I have now found a wide and varied group of new friends and best
of all you all love bikes to. Now where is that sun. |
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Howard Hughes – Vice Chairman
and group Tutor: My first experience of motorbikes was
a D3 125cc BSA Bantam when I was about 10 years old (40 or so
years ago). It was a mate’s bike that I used to ride around
a farmer’s field. I learned at least one thing from that,
how to fall off with minimal injuries! What on earth was I up
to? His (my mate) next bike was a Husqvarna 250 ‘crosser.
%”*%^”£%^* was it fast. I then had a “fallow”
period when I went to school and learned to drive. My own first
‘bike was a Yamaha DT175 twin shock. On a cold and icy November
evening I remember pulling out the choke knob (remember those?)
riding away with my (then) intended on the back and pulling the
biggest unintentional wheelie I can remember. Hmmmm. Since then
I have ridden Honda TL125 (how I wish I still had it), Kawasaki
KE175, Suzuki GT185 (manic 2 stroke), Yamaha DT250 mono, DT400
mono, Suzuki GSX1100, Kawasaki KH250 (my brother’s), Yamaha
Diversion 600, FJ1200, FJR 1300. I have also ridden trials, at
club level, on a 1979 Suzuki RL350. A beast of a 2 stroke to start
but one hell of a good bike through a muddy slot or a slimey hill
climb. Not as good as modern ‘bikes through nadgery stuff
tho’. My current ‘bike is a Yamaha FJR 1300A (my second
one). It does what it says on the tin, to quote another company.
It’s big, comfy, has a good tank range and handles remarkably
well for a ‘bike of its size. I have toured France (and
Switzerland and Italy) a few times. My next trip is to see friends
in the Burgundy region of France in July 2010. I joined SAPAR
in 2003, having had a near miss and wanting to improve my riding
skills. My first test result was a Bronze, my second test was
Gold. I then decided to qualify as a tutor for the Group, to give
back some of my experiences to help other riders improve their
own riding. I am self employed Driving Standards Agency Approved
Driving Instructor (car) and Driving Standards Agency Certified
Motorcycle Instructor. |
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David Hunt: I started riding at sixteen and passed my motorcycle test whilst serving in the Forces. I then had further rider / driver training whilst in Australia, Germany and Sinai . After leaving the army I started working with Pony Express(just having a bit of fun that lasted many MILES). I am now working with Extra Mile bike tours www.extramilebiketours.com and Global Adventure Challenges www.globaladventurechallenges.com and love both these jobs. I joined the group at the beginning of the 2010. I'm a lover of good wine and good company and unsurprisingly hate bad wine and bad company. I also enjoy traditional jazz. |
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Tony Carrol: Is a relatively new member of the
group and hasn't sent his profile in yet. He is an electrical contractor
and lives in Stafford .Hello everyone, I have been riding bikes
since the first day I borrowed my fathers honda Benelli CD 200 that
he used to commute to work and back on, I was 14 .At 15 I borrowed
a Yamaha RD 200 for six months as I was by now totally hooked on
bikes, stripping, repairing and cleaning whenever possible. At 16
I down graded to a Suzuki TS 50 ER ,bought insurance and road tax,
not satisfied with that, I put a conversion kit on, a piston and
barrel from a Suzuki RM 80 ,had to lose the air filter though !,
couldn’t suck enough air , this increased the speed from 39
mph to 70mph , sadly I lost the buzz with not enough power so I
purchased a red Suzuki X7 250 from a mate from college ,popped K&N
air filters on it and micron pipes , drop handlebars (awesome) HAPPY
AGAIN.
That was until I saw a Kawasaki Z 1000 and fell in love , ditched
the girlfriend and bought one, very happy for the next three years.
( Five year gap , wine women and song ) found a wife. At 25 I
purchased a Suzuki GSX600F only 80hp but I thoroughly enjoyed
that bike, it was comfortable and I could get it to handle really
well. I liked that bike so much a few years later I imported the
750 Katana version from Japan, de restricted of course, knocked
up some 30 odd thousand miles on that, and loved every minute,
sold it when it was worn out and bought a Kawasaki ZX 12R Ninja.
For the next five years I didn’t notice the beautiful countryside
, just the tarmac and how well I had blistered the sides of my
tyres often getting no more than 500 miles out of a set. THEN
!!!!! it happened, time to change my bike again !! For about twelve
months I'd test ridden four big traily bikes three tourers and
a handful of superbikes but got hooked on a Honda Varadero XL1000
, love it !!!! |
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Ross Jeal: I live in Wales at Gladestry, 1 mile from the border with Herefordshire. My first motorcycle was a 125cc Sun Villiers bought when I was 17 years of age. I've owned a Triumph Speed Twin with girder forks, a 650 Arial Huntmaster, a Yamaha XS500, a BMW R1100RT and presently a Honda ST1300. I am also a keen cyclist, an organiser for the CTC and Audax UK cycling associations. As I travel to compete in cycling events, I built a one wheeled cycle trailer to tow with my ST1300. I joined SAPAR to assess and to improve my riding capabilities. |
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Mike Owen: I live in Telford just outside Admaston
and I have been a self employed Engineer for nearly 9 years in the
plastics Industry. I travel all over UK and Ireland repairing and
Servicing Injection Moulding Presses,Robots and Down stream Equipment.
I used to ride motorcycles many years ago had a Honda CB200 and
later a Suzuki GT 250. Like others I recently came back to Motorcycling
and passed my test in 2009. I currently have a Bandit 650SA but
am looking to move up to may be a Honda VFR, I enjoy Films, good
food,real ale travelling and try to play a bit of golf when i get
the time |
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Gill Trevis: I’ve been riding bikes for the last 29 years, with only a 6 year gap when kids arrived. I work full time Nationally, 2 days a week in London, 1 day in south Wales, and other days can be anywhere, but occasionally from home. We have 5 bikes in total, 2 new Hondas, 2 very old Yams, and a Kawasaki. My personal favourite is my Hornet – I love it! Biking history; Yam 100-cheaper than a car, more exciting than the bus, Honda RS250-Brand new from crate, Kawasaki 750-too heavy hated it, Kawasaki 400-loved it,much fun was had, CBR 600s- great at speed but drop handlebars too heavy on wrists in towns, Hornet – love this one-suits my age. Some of the places I have been on bikes other than Sunday afternoon run are;- Devon-camping, Isle of Man 3 times, inc once camping, Ireland B&B’s touring round, France-touring again, Holland-Assen track. All of these were as pillion, but I would love to do Ireland again on my Hornet.I’ve never done anything like SAPAR before, but hope it will give me more confidence and keep me safe. |
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This could be you. |
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