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1. A Frosty Start & Then to The Golden Arches! A very cold and frosty start on their CBT today for Vernon & Aaron. The training site needed gritting before we could start… so 12 cups of tea later we were ready to go. Aaron has a 125 at home and is going to clock up some miles using his new skills, whilst Vernon, who has done a few CBT’s over the years is finally going to get the Direct Access done. Vernon had the course bought for him by his wife for Christmas with one of our Gift Vouchers. What a nice lady………… (I hope Dave’s Wife – below- turns out to be just as nice…) Well done to them both for completing the CBT to a great standard today in these challenging conditions. We just had to take a break up at the Golden Arches…..
2. Like Father, Like Son. A CBT today for Carl, (in the foreground) and his Dad Kevin. Both good riders with excellent balance and clutch control. Seen here practicing the slow speed Figure 8 Exercise. Both have their Theory Tests done and are now ready to step up to the big bikes for their final practical bike tests. Both proved themselves to be competent and methodical riders which will stand them in good stead to be safe riders for the future. Well done to them both.
3. Welcome to the CBT. Instructor Jeff gives the introductions to the CBT for Paul & Carmel over a welcome cuppa. A good start to the day.

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1. At last! A Sunny CBT. Jonathan & Johan enjoying the sunshine on their CBT with 1st Class Rider Training today. Both completely new to biking but proved themselves to be competent and confident riders, as they perfected their new skills throughout the day. Both now have the bug and are keen to get going on the Step Up day on to the bigger bikes. Pictured here at the start of the day. Well done to them both.
2. Motorcycle Training in Merthyr. Congratulations to Simon pictured here, who just passed his Mod 2 bike test. Also congratulations to Neil who also passed today. A few more safe riders ready to ride. Ashley this morning and Neil and Simon this afternoon. Great Stuff.
3. Direct Access Training in Merthyr. Instructor Jeff prepares Alex and Gareth for moving off this morning. Heading for a Direct Access Day on the Honda 600s in Merthyr. Two smooth riders who have both enjoyed the progression from the 500s for the Mod 1 up to the 600s ready for their Mod 2 tests. Despite the rain…. All smiles.

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1. Last Cbt before Christmas. In the foreground is China, who is a Clown (honest she is) had a gift voucher bought for her by her sister for the training, and James who had a gift voucher bought for him by his ‘Anti Biking’ Mum! (His Mum doesn’t like bikes but wanted James properly trained). Both completed the Cbt today in challenging conditions. Heavy rain and inconsiderate car drivers added to the excitement during the road ride. Well dealt with by both China & James. Well done. It’s not too late to get your loved one a 1st Class Gift Voucher for Christmas for some 1st Class Rider Training. Vouchers for Cbt up to Advanced levels.
2. A Very Wet Cbt. This is Matt & Leah taking a break at the Golden Arches during the road ride for their Cbt. McDonalds must use Magic Beans in their coffee as during the second half of the road ride we didn’t even notice the rain!!!! It absolutely chucked it down. Well done to both of them for the way they handled the challenging conditions and a few inconsiderate car drivers who just added to the excitement of it all. Well done.
3. I want one of those…. Pictured here is Martyn who successfully completed his CBT today, who has his eyes on my bike!! He is ready for the next stage in the Direct Access Scheme and fancies a Kawasaki for himself but will probably go for the 600 to get going. A complete novice, he completed the cbt to a good standard and is another safe 1st Class Rider on the road. Well done.

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1. More 1st Class Smiles! A drizzly Newport couldn’t dampen Dave’s spirits as he passed his Module 2 Bike Test this morning. Waiting at home he has a new Harley Davidson 883 Sportster! He’s spent enough time polishing it…… so now it’s time to get it out on the road. He’s going to bring down to show us so I’ll post a picture of it then. It’s like the words of the Arlo Guthrie song say….. “I just want to ride on my motor…. sickle”….. Nothing stopping you now Dave. Well done.
2. The CRASH CARD Scheme. Devised by Ambulance Service Staff. A simple idea The green sticker on the sheet is affixed to your helmet and your personal & medical information is written on the card. The card is then placed inside the lining of the helmet. In the event of a crash where you are not able to this important information to the Ambulance crew, the green sticker alerts them to the presence of the card. No fuss, no fees. Forms can be obtained from Swansea Motorcycle Test Centre and from us here at 1st Class. A good idea. But if you ride the ’1st Class Way’ you should never need it.
3. Don’t forget the Ride Out tomorrow to the Bike Show at the NEC. Meeting at MacDonald’s – The Golden Arches at Coryton Interchange, Junction 32 of the M4. Meeting at 8.30 for an 8.45 departure. Taking the scenic route, Abergavenny, Hereford, Worcester and getting on the M5 just North of Worcester for the last few miles. For further automatic up dates log on to my Newsletter Blog and leave your email. Its free. www.1stclassriderblog.co.uk See you tomorrow.

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1. Motorcycle Training in Swansea. It’s the same steamy Swansea cafe and the same great result for Sam. A 6.30 am start found us down West for her Mod 1 test. All passed and ready to book her Mod 2. Well done. Breakfast on you Sam…… What do you mean you’ve got no money…….
2. Our Ride Outs are Back. On the 6th of November, our Monthly Ride Outs are restarting. Please visit my ‘Newsletter Blog’ for full details. If you enter your email address at www.1stclassriderblog.co.uk you will receive automatic up dates on news and events as they are published. Next Ride Out, The Wye Valley, then the NEC Bike Show and in December a Christmas Teddy Bear Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the UHW, Cardiff. Come on… you know you want to.
3. Motorcycle Training in Merthyr. Congratulations to Simon pictured here, who just passed his Mod 2 bike test. Also congratulations to Neil who also passed today. A few more safe riders ready to ride. Ashley this morning and Neil and Simon this afternoon. Great Stuff.

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1. A trip to The Ardennes. We are putting together the Euro Trips programme for this year and the first trip is scheduled for the weekend of the 9th, 10th, 11th of March. Travelling by ferry from Dover to Calais and then riding into The Ardennes Region of Belgium, via a lunch stop in Brugges on the way. The cost is yet to be finalised but will be in the region of £300 – £350 which will include the return ferry crossing, two nights, shared hotel accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast Basis, plus the services of our experienced tour guide. Taking in some of the best biking roads the region has to offer, with some spectacular scenery. Places on this trip will be limited and normally sell out very quickly, so don’t hang about. Secure your place on the list as soon as you can by contacting me. We’ve been there before… if you haven’t then this is the trip for you. Don’t forget your DISCOUNT. If you’ve travelled with us before, or if you passed your test with us then you get 10% discount off the final cost of the trip. Come on….. you know you want to….
2. Night Riding Course. Here is the next of our ‘one off’ topic courses. Night Riding requires a whole new host of skills and considerations and with the dark nights coming as early as 4pm this time of the year, we can all find ourselves riding in the dark. So blow off the cobwebs after Christmas and join us for one of the best nights out you’ll have over Christmas. Thursday the 29th of December. Starting at 4pm. (until approx 9.30pm). We will be taking in City Traffic Situations as well as unlit mountain roads. So something for everyone. Just £75. Call us now, or add your name here and I’ll get you booked in. Maximum of 2:1 with the instructor in radio contact.
3. Thanks to all of you for joining the Ride Out through Tintern and the Wye Valley today. Fantastic weather, roads and company. Also, big thanks for your generosity in buying the NSPCC Full Stop badges. A total of £42 was raised. I will make that up to £50 and get a cheque off to them in the morning. Thanks again. A great day all round. The Ride Outs are back…. Thanks to you lot. Cheers.

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1. Don’t forget our Christmas Hospital Teddy Run. Taking toys to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the UHW Heath Hospital. The Teddies in this picture are just 99p at Ikea and Ikea will then donate €1 to a Children’s Charity. So please dig deep and give twice. (They have plenty of others for just 40p upwards so you can fill your panniers for a couple of quid). A soft toy such as this can aid a Childs recovery when in hospital for illness or injury. Join us on the ride out but don’t forget your Teddies. Sunday the 11th of December. Just in time for Christmas. Meeting at The Mountain Monster, Caerphilly Mountain for 10am. Tell all your Facebook ‘friends’ and let’s make this years event massive! If you can’t come, we can collect your Teddies and take them for you.
2. The Teddy Bear Run. 4 year old Megan is the first to choose from the over 400 teddies and cuddly toys that were delivered to the Children’s Casualty Unit at the Heath Hospital. Just short of 20 bikes braved the clouds to make the event a runaway success. Staff Nurse Sarah said ‘this is wonderful. We’ll certainly put these to good use’. Thanks to all who supported this event. Cheers.
3. Children’s Casualty Unit Teddy Bear Run. Sunday the 11th of December, (that’s this weekend). Meeting at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, on the top of Caerphilly Mountain on the A469. Meeting at 9.30-10am to be at the Children’s Casualty Unit at The Heath Hospital for approx 10.30-11am. As a Traffic Cop I spent quite a bit of time at the Casualty Unit dealing with the victims of road crashes, many of them children. So with colleagues we set up a fund to raise money for Teddies for these unfortunate kids. Since retiring that fund is no more but with your help we can continue delivery of these toys to aid the recovery of these young patients. If you can’t make it, please don’t let your Teddy miss out. We can get him collected and taken there for you. After dropping off the Teds we will ride to Norms Cafe, The Downs, Cowbridge for breakfast. Full details can be found on our newsletter blog : www.1stclassriderblog.co.uk Please support this Ride Out and bring some Christmas Cheer to any kids that might find themselves in the Emergency Room at this time of year. If you have any queries please give me a call. 07545567273. Cheers.

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1. The Sun shines on 1st Class Riders! Here is Instructor Jeff with Julian about to take to the road today on the Honda CBF600 preparing for his Direct Access Module 1 Test. A full training day for him today and looking forward to his forthcoming test. Come on… the Sun is shining so why not become a 1st Class Rider like Julian.
2. Congratulations! A Big ‘Well Done’ to Darren who passed his Mod 2 Big Bike test in Newport today. A good ride from Darren who has passed both his Mod 1 & Mod 2 tests first time. He now has a ticket to ride any bike, anywhere in The World! And he can’t wait, as he is already planning a “Land’s End to John O’Groats” trip. Now that is 1st Class! So why not follow Darren and become a 1st Class Rider yourself. Here’s Darren….. All Smiles!
3. Direct Access in Cardiff today. Pictured here is Sam who just passed her Mod 2 bike test. A first time pass for her. With her is Darren who completed his Step Up day on to the 500 after his Cbt with us last week. Congratulations to Lee (not pictured) who passed his Mod 2 yesterday after it was ‘weathered off’ last week. Well done to all these 1st Class Riders.

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1. We give you more. If you pass your test with us, to say “thank you” we will give you our Congratulations Discount Card. Money off Advanced Training, a Direct Access Course for a friend and even now, discount off the cost of one of our Foreign Tours. Don’t miss out on 1st Class Free Stuff…. Become a 1st Class Rider today, and let us take you beyond simply getting rid of your L plates.
2. Night Riding Course. Here is the next of our ‘one off’ topic courses. Night Riding requires a whole new host of skills and considerations and with the dark nights coming as early as 4pm this time of the year, we can all find ourselves riding in the dark. So blow off the cobwebs after Christmas and join us for one of the best nights out you’ll have over Christmas. Thursday the 29th of December. Starting at 4pm. (until approx 9.30pm). We will be taking in City Traffic Situations as well as unlit mountain roads. So something for everyone. Just £75. Call us now, or add your name here and I’ll get you booked in. Maximum of 2:1 with the instructor in radio contact.
3. Thanks to all of you for joining the Ride Out through Tintern and the Wye Valley today. Fantastic weather, roads and company. Also, big thanks for your generosity in buying the NSPCC Full Stop badges. A total of £42 was raised. I will make that up to £50 and get a cheque off to them in the morning. Thanks again. A great day all round. The Ride Outs are back…. Thanks to you lot. Cheers.

Related posts:

1. The Sun shines on 1st Class Riders! Here is Instructor Jeff with Julian about to take to the road today on the Honda CBF600 preparing for his Direct Access Module 1 Test. A full training day for him today and looking forward to his forthcoming test. Come on… the Sun is shining so why not become a 1st Class Rider like Julian.
2. Big Congratulations Well done to Bart & Alex, pictured here, who both passed their Module 2 Bike Test in Newport this afternoon. Two good rides brought smiles all round, after a very cold start this morning. (I mean a very cold start…. Bart is from Poland and even he said it was cold!!) Alex has his bike already and will be out on it later today and Bart is setting himself a weekend of test riding at the local dealers to help him decide what to buy. 1st Class Congratulations to you both. Well done.
3. Direct Access Training in Merthyr. Instructor Jeff prepares Alex and Gareth for moving off this morning. Heading for a Direct Access Day on the Honda 600s in Merthyr. Two smooth riders who have both enjoyed the progression from the 500s for the Mod 1 up to the 600s ready for their Mod 2 tests. Despite the rain…. All smiles.