Trainers
Mark Edwards
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Age: Old enough to be worried by it Started Riding: FS1Es were trendy and mopeds had pedals Fantasy Bike: Anything from Mad Max. Favourite Road: Burford to Charlbury, like the TT but without the spectators! Favourite Circuit: Brands Indy
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History:- Started riding on a Puch 3 gear moped. Went into buy a spark plug for it and came out with a Kawasaki KH250 triple. Then came to many bikes to mention. Became and instructor for the RAC/ACU rider training scheme in 1979. Took up production racing in 1882 on a RD350LC. Then various big Kawasaki's, bad crash in 1987 ended an average racing career! Took police advanced riding course in 1985. Sent home from his last refresher training as he was riding miles above the required standard.
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- First race on his new sparkly RD350LC at Brands Hatch. Got a good start and reached the first corner (Paddock Hill) and fell off in the middle of the pack. Slid past loads of riders on his arse and missed them all! Showing off by pulling a wheelie on the way to a track day. With the front wheel in the air he doesn’t spot the turning we need to take. He carries straight on; five following bikes all turn right. Hey where's evrybody gone?
Mark Robins
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Started Riding: soon Fantasy Bike: Got it Favourite Road: Any one without speed cameras Favourite Circuit: Rockingham (national not the oval!!).
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History:- Having saved all my pennies from the paper round, at the age of 14 I bought (much to my parents disgust) my first motor bike. A stripped down Honda C70 Field bike. Yes I was one of those annoying yobs that disturbed the peace on Sunday afternoons riding flat out around the fields that surrounded our housing estate. First road bike was a Suzuki AP 50 at 16, from this point I was self taught as all my friends were still riding Raleigh choppers. I joined the Police shortly afterwards with the dream of becoming a police motorcyclist. In the mean time I owned a variety of bikes used as daily transport. I became a full time police motorcyclist at 23. As well as a class 1 rider/driver, I have been a transport of Dept. authorised motorcycle instructor as well as a Rospa Examiner. I have owned various bikes over the years but the more recent ones include a few Honda VFR's, Fireblades, a BMW R1100S and I have just bought a Honda 900 hornet. I presently work as a police dog handler
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- It was whilst riding my Police Honda ST1100. It was very early on a January morning. I had left home at 0400 am on my Police bike to travel to Newbury to Police the Newbury By pass Protest. I had allowed plenty of time as breakfast wasn't due to be served until 0530 at Newbury horse racing course. I arrived at the course in good time, I was freezing cold, it was dark (these are my excuses you understand). I entered the race course and was riding around the perimeter road or so I thought. I was looking for the food hall (anyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised. I have quite a reputation to maintain when it comes to food). Anyway I was riding along when I thought 'strange, the bike feels funny perhaps I've got a flat'. I looked down and to my horror I had some how found my way onto the race course, I was riding on wet grass at about 40mph. You've guessed it, I lasted about 5 seconds until I crashed I received a standing ovation from the cleaners in the grandstands.
Gary Baldwin
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Started Riding: When flares were trendy (still wears them!) Fantasy Bike: Shaft drive Fireblade with a comfy seat. Favourite Road: Locally B4011 Thame to Bicester Further afield A44 through Wales Favourite Circuit: Cadwell Park or Almeria
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History:- First bike was a SS50 Honda. Usual progression through RD200 to Honda 400 Four. Became RAC/ACU instructor in 1979. Started production racing in 1983 on a Honda CB900F. Won the Brands Hatch Racing School Star Rider in 1983. First Police course in 1983. Became IAM and RoSPA examiner. One of the originators of Rapid Training. The one you speak to on the phone in the Rapid Office.
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- As a young gun on his first big bike, pulls up outside the main dealership. There is the usual crowd of bikers standing around chatting and the like. Trying to look as cool as a cool thing, he parks, flicks the side stand down, and dismounts in one smooth fluid action. Hand has reached the door of the shop, when the unmistakeable sound of the bike smashing onto its side reaches his ears. The dreaded "Sammy the Side Stand" notches up another victim. Still only 30 bikers there to watch him struggle to pick it up.
Stuart Mitchell
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Started Riding: Tudor Period
Fantasy Bike: How many can I have?? Forced to choose just one,
Favourite Road: The old B4525 from Banbury to Northampton. Favourite Circuit: No contest, the old Nurburgring.
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History:- History:- The usual 125, 250 & then British twins. Saw the light with a Suzuki GSX 750, choosing reliability over mineral oil rash and total rejection by female half of human race. Worked as a courier in London, CX500 of course, then went through BMW phase, all round Europe, 1000 mile days and all that. Commuted on various multi coloured MZs, raced MZ briefly and not very illustriously.
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Releasing the strap holding the front forks of my 'crosser onto the trailer, forks extend, bike and me go over backwards into the mud. Steel foot peg embeds itself in groin. Crashing before the bike is even off the trailer, takes some doing. So called mate too busy laughing to help.
Dave Burton
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Started Riding: Long time ago after short boring time on a scooter bought Fantasy Bike: Own it Favourite Road: A87 Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh Favourite Circuit: Cadwell Park
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History:- TBA
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- A few years ago lead bike when Princess Diane visited Humberside.On arriving at Airport I was parked directly in front of royal car with engine ticking over. Plan was that she would get straight in car and away but the Princess saw a group of school children and to get to them walked behind my bike burning her legs on the exhaust fumes much to the obvious annoyance of my Chief Constable.
Andy Morrison
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Started Riding: Late Jurassic Period Fantasy Bike: Just brought it, Favourite Road: A483 Newtown to Llandovery or just about any road in Scotland Favourite Circuit: Oulton Park
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History:- Started riding on the road legally at 16 (Actually about a year earlier unofficially). Joined the 'Old Bill' in 1972 at Gerrards Cross and joined the Police Trials team in 1975 - managed to virtually write off two of their bikes at the first meeting. Became a police biker in 1977 still had a Norton Commando on the fleet with extra loud exhausts sounded great - if you could get it started. Started Bike training with the then RAC ACU training scheme in 1973 becoming a chief instructor in 1977. Had a day out at the Brands Hatch Race School, did so well the chief instructor came over and asked him back for their star pupil day. 60 of the years students (with racer potential) take part in a competition.
So on a cold wet autumn finals day, he took part and won the star prize - the bike Mick Grant used in the street bike series that year (1981) a Suzuki GSX1100 + expenses to race it the following year. Several years of successful production racing followed until wife, kids and the odd crash stopped him becoming world champ. Joined Police Driving School in 1985 as an advanced bike and car instructor qualifying with one of the highest riding marks in the country, later that year teaching a certain Gary Baldwin on his first Advanced Bike course.
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Fell off colleagues patrol bike on ice just as he was stopping a car driver - managed to pick it up and put it on the stand before the driver of the car had switched off the engine, he didn't know anything about it!
Martin Boyden
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Started Riding: Yesterday Fantasy Bike: FS1E or MV Augusta Favourite Road: A44 (all of it) Oxford to Aberwrstwyth Favourite Circuit: Cadwell Park
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History:- My first bike arrived in three cardboard boxes, and Dad said if I (aged 9) put it together, he would teach me to ride it. Being a Honda C50 (forerunner of the Fireblade) even I could do it. And I've always had a bike since. Passed my test with 3 days of being 17 and invited to be an RAC/ACU instructor in Bletchley. Being awestruck (?) by the power and smoothness of Police BMW's, I joined the police to be a motorcyclist. Or was it because I kept getting stopped by them. As well as being a Rapid gopher, I work for Jaguar Cars as an advanced driving adviser, Volvo (we've got to sort them out somehow) as a Drive for Life Instructor, and anyone else who will give me the Queens Shilling for doing what I enjoy best
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Whilst riding my 250 Honda with my friend on the pillion, we were riding along Bletchley High Street. We saw two girls walking along the pavement who we were due to take to a party that night. As I indicated, and turned right, the bike took on a mind of its own, slid off down the road, and crashed into a rubbish skip. My bemused friend finally coughed that he had been standing on the footrests and seat waving to the girls, just as I started to turn. Surprisingly enough, we didn't get a snog from the girls that night. It's very difficult when they kept bursting into fits of giggles, and I kept spilling my Woodpecker Cider
Giles Lamb
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Started Riding: As a teenage kid in rural Suffolk. (Thanks for the moped Dad). Fantasy Bike: Mr Lamb, we'd like you to long term test our fleet if Ducatis, what tyres would you like and here's a petrol card. Favourite Road: Quiet, rural B rads. Give your eyes and brain a work out Favourite Circuit: Brands
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History:- Trained as a classical singer at Music school!! Dispatched in London on a Kwak GT550 before becoming an instructor for seven years with a national school. Chief instructor with them, training new instructors whilst playing with IAM, Rospa, and track days. These were the days of Schwantz and Doohan. Trips to Assen .. Donnington were regular summer outings. Sigh, ... happy days!! Left instructing and joined the Police in '96 and have been on traffic since 2004. I ride a bike full time; off road, marked patrol and unmarked. Haven't driven a traffic car in anger for over four years. If yer a petrol head, it's a dream job.
Summer Hols are usually spent touring abroad. (Did I mention I was a bike nut ...?)
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Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Tensions are high. A feud between two international biker gangs, and both are partying on my patch. Roads are contained, Police are every where, PSU serials at specific junctions, and me too, sun on my back, bike on it's side stand, both feet on the pegs and kipping like a meerkat. I wake from my forty winks, blurry eyed, dazed and confused, I stand the bike upright and promptly hurl myself and the bike too far over to the right and go sprawling, launching myself like a rock star in to the mosh pit, in front of Hells Angels and riot police. ''What the hell was that crash...'' ''It's Giles sir, he was having a kip on his bike and he's fallen off ...'' Ooops ...
Alan Thomas
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Started Riding: Petrol went up to £1 a gallon. Fantasy Bike: Somebody else paying the running costs, A Gordon Brown special!
Favourite Road: Out of Cherbourg - all France/Europe to aim at.
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History:- Survived teenage years due to parental disqualification, but took up 2 wheels eventually. Passed test on the Isle of Wight during the last week of round the block, on a Super Dream. Made normal progress with several downers, mainly my fault 'cos of stupidity. Standard and Advanced courses- Normal patrol work, VIP Escorts (minor royals + PM Thatcher) Air Shows. Got involved in Better Driving with the public for 10years,local bike groups, IAM examiner and Observer.
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Biking Event - dropped the patrol bike alongside the A303, had to crawl under it to lift it. Spent the next 2 weeks off with a bad back.
Graham Allen
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Started Riding: 1977 Fantasy Bike: No fantasy --- MV1000 --- Got to get one!!
Favourite Road: The A170 Scarborough to Thirsk and then round the Favourite Circuit: UK - Donington Park. Abroad - Nurburgring
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History:- First started riding "Up North" when I was 16 with a Honda SS50, terrorising the local chippy with mates on FS1Es and AP50s. Got my first "real bike" at 17 with a RD250 which I loved and cherished (but obviously crashed it) Progressed to the cutting edge (for the time) CX500 and then a VFR500 which handled like a dream but chucked up all it's coolant on rides over 100 miles Joined the Police in the Met in 1984 in order to ride and drive fast and started to commute on a Suzuki GSX750 --Yes the "flying teapot"---actually quite a good bike --but you never look at yourself in a shop window when riding it !! Started to get into World Superbikes (as a spectator !) and when ZXR750 released I had a go on one and that sealed the deal---absolutely fantastic handling. Had managed to join Met Traffic in 1991 and spent most days off "hooning around Herts and Bucks with like minded work mates in Gatso free UK. Managed to get another ZXR750 - with proper ram air this time !! and got intoxicated with it ! An RF600 then kept me in commuting and I started to get the foreign holiday trip bug. A short interlude from Traffic and then rejoined working NE London, dealing with Police collisions and serious and Fatal Collisions.
Got the opportunity to help out at "Bikesafe" which I really love and have done some Bike work with ROSPA. Bike wise I tried out a Triumph Daytona which was so good I bought my second 4 years ago. My last dabble bike wise has been the Aprilia Futura (Italian VFR - which has been great for touring and only broken down twice !!!) The Aprilia finally gave up the ghost and I have gone over to the "darkish side" as I got a Beemer K1200s - which is a superb tool but it is a bit boring. No worries -- The bike finance fairies let me have my dream -- an MV1000 is sat in the garage. "Sat" being the operative word as the alarm electrics fried a week after getting it -- "Italien shite" -- Won't I ever learn !!! Still looks nice though !! For anyone interested I now run a RoSPA bike meet in Kent - check out via Rospasmart.com. I would be pleased to see anyone at the meet on the 1st Sunday of every month at Mickeys Diner."
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- To return to my RD250 in 1978. riding round Scunthorpe looking cool and seize an opportunity to overtake a bus up a hill in a haze of "Barry Sheene" 2 stroke smoke, giving it the smooth look to the chicks as I flew past !! At the top of the hill I pass a parked car-- except he is setting off and bowls me and said RD250 into a lamp post, Bike very bent, me writhing in agony with a broken foot !! 2 minutes later same bus chugs past with same chicks laughing and pointing at me whilst I pretend that I had just wanted to park my bike around said lamp post - Not cool at all !!!
Dave Brown
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Started Riding: 1976 Fantasy Bike: Prilla RS500 (500cc not the 50)
Favourite Road: A fast bendy one, no plod or cameras. I don’t bloody know. Favourite Circuit: All time- old Silverstone GP. Current- Cadwell & Assen
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History:- Lots- you know mainly disastrous. Brainwashed by my father into bikes a very early age. Road riding from 16. Dabbled in proddy racing with great success (not). Have a great little business buying leathers then not liking them, then selling them on to Mark Edwards. Always messin about with my bikes (cant leave them standard).
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Falling of my CB125J in front of about 30 cyclists in Chesham, and ruining my mates brand new Shoei crash helmet which was on my arm at the time. Never did replace it.
Graham Nash
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Started Riding:- 1997 when I got fed up with traffic jams trying to drive into central London each day Fantasy Bike: Anything I could break the 200mph barrier on) Favourite Road: Almost all routes to Rye, Kent, especially the Military Road Favourite Circuit: Oulton Park (Mugello in my dreams - maybe one day!)
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History:- I was a late comer to the biking world having been a car mad teen, tearing around in my MG Metro with red seat belts. Eventually when I moved jobs to work in the firearms world and had to travel to Central London each day I decided it was time to through my leg over a CBR600 having done a direct access course. I joined a few rides with Wey Valley advanced group and ended up on a rapid training day to hone my skills. Rapid track days followed and I was hooked. Since then I completed my police bike courses and here I am, sort of back where I started!
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Losing control of my marked BMW on the wash bay whilst on my first Police motorbike course (it is on a slope in my defense). The bike toppled over which was bad enough but it started a domino effect taking out two more BMWs and the instructors brand new that day Honda Pan European. The Pan went for repair as a result. The instructor had to ride a different bike the next day and came off into a field - guess who got the blame!
Tony Gabb
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Age: 21 - Had a difficult paper round Started Riding:- When I got fed up with cycling everywhere Fantasy Bike: Ducati Hypermotard Favourite Road: Loads, B660 from Ramsey to Kimbolton, Cambs
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History:- Originally from Derby. Moved down to join the Met after Derbyshire wouldn’t have me. First bike was of course a Fizzy, then moved up !! to Superdream, Lc 250,X7 etc etc when you could ride them on L plates. Had a selection of bikes over the years, went through a bit of a Trial faze, still compete in a few Enduros, its not the winning!
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- There are a few, worst one and always will be when pulling up alongside a group of girls from school on the trusty Fizzy. Looking cool up the point I needed to put my foot down and found that my shoelace had wrapped around the footpeg. Still it was only talked about at School for about a month. Still mentioned at reunions.
Rob Embleton
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Started Riding:- when my Dad told me to Fantasy Bike: Ducati Hypermotard Favourite Road: N85 Roue Napoleon from Grenoble to Grasse Favorite Circuit: Brands; I can stagger home from World Supers from there
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History:- My dad was a Police Rider so 'bullied' me into riding a mokey bike around a rubbish tip in SE London on Sundays when I was 8. Graduated to off road bikes and trikes(remember them?) and my first official road bike was a TS50. Then a DT125, RD350, RG500, GSXRs ZXRs ZZRs FZRs XRs TTRs CBRs etc.even a couple of BMs(ssshh) and Triumphs. Joined the Old Bill in 1990 and got my Class 1 car and bike qualifications. Blame Tony Gabb! Toured loads and done work with RoSPA, IAM and DSA but don't let it put you off.
Most Embarrassing Biking Moment:- Got loads but.... Aged 17, and luckily I knew all there was to know about biking. Wanted to impress a girl that I was desperate to ask out on a date. After a lot of pestering she agreed to come out on my DT when my 'L' plates 'ahem' fell off. Rode to a country pub in Eynesford, Kent and elected to ignore the bridge (and the queue for it) over the little river outside the pub. Instead we rode through the ford. I mean, how deep can it be? Answer, Just deeper than the air intake on a DT125. Stalled, Fell over, and froze. Did I mention it was February? And, to ad insult to a non-starter of a date, the local plod gave me 2 points for the 'L' plates. All witnessed by the drivers queuing for the bridge!