Leeds MAG

AGM

2009-01-06T10:17:00.004Z

Right oh,

It's the AGM tonight, from 20.30 in the Victoria pub on Great George Street. After 2 years as Rep I'm stepping down to give someone else the chance to get things done. I believe the Treasurer is stepping down too and the vacant secretary spot means there are 3 positions up for election so if you're interested in getting more involved then pop along and see what's what. You'll be more than welcome.

It's been a quiet year for Leeds MAG really, there have been 2 weddings, a number of rallies, the Easter and Xmas toy runs and the demo run. Not to mention the Wakefield quiz and post Xmas auction. We've moved pubs twice and the weekly meetings have now become monthly. Attendance has dwindled as life has a habit of giving people other things to do! But membership is about the same as last year with around 130 card carriers, which ain't too bad...

Anyhow, all the best.

Dave.

Crimbo

2008-12-23T15:11:00.002Z

Just a quick post to say "Merry Christmas" to all our members and a special thanks to all those that came along to the toy run last week. If anyone went home with the wrong rucksack can they please get in touch....

We won't be in the pub tonight as we have things to do ready for the big day but we will be there on the 6th Jan as it's time for the AGM.

Seasons greetings.

Toy Run

2008-12-16T08:12:00.003Z

Hi All,

Just a reminder that it's the Toy Run tomorrow, the weather is forecast to be ok so drag the bike out and come along. We're meeting outside the Rising Sun pub on Kirkstall Road opposite Eddy Wrights from about 18.00. Presents need to be wrapped and labelled boy / girl to help Santa dish 'em out.

There's usually warm mince pies and mugs of tea on offer up at Lineham Farm too...

Brrr!

2008-12-02T11:03:00.002Z

Well winter has definately bitten today, I hope none of you have come a cropper on the ice and slush. It's meeting night tonight and we'll be in the Vic from about 20.30 onwards (although it's more likely to be closer to 21.00 if we're honest...)

I went down to the bike show at the NEC at the weekend and there's many a bargain to be bagged if you need kit, tools or trinkets. There's plenty of shiny new metal things to be lusted after too... There'll be a write up and some photo's on the main website soonish.

Times and places

2008-11-25T10:54:00.002Z

How do,

I hope the winter weather hasn't lef you out in the cold too much. Here's a brief update on where and when things are happening over the winter:

17th Dec Xmas Toy run, meet at the Rising Sun, Kirkstall Road at 18.00,
6th January Leeds MAG AGM, 20.30 Victoria Public house, Great George St.

We're moving to the Victoria on Great George St from now on too, different pub, same name, just to keep things simple...

AGM Report

2008-10-22T14:03:00.003+01:00

The AGM was a fairly sedate affair this year, Nich Brown's key note speach went down quite well and Ferg was his usual self. Sheila McFarlane was voted in as regional rep and Wayne as her vice rep / whipping boy. The accounts all seemed to be in order and most of the local reps were there to tell us the sort of things the other local groups have been up to for the past 12 months. All in all it was an interesting do. Those that stayed for pie and peas tell me they were worth the wait.
One main point from Nich (general secretary) Brown's speach is the proposed ressurection of the EU multi directive which aims to impose the 100bhp limit again as well as use type - approval to stop any real modification of bikes after sale. Cosmetic details might be ok but anything that alters the noise or emissions values will be prohibited. We will keep you updated on this as and when things happen.

AGM

2008-10-14T15:36:00.002+01:00

It's that time of year again for the regional AGM, it's on Saturday somewhere over Beverley way by all accounts. Speak to the regional rep if you want more details.... Or bug me a bit and I'll ask him.
If you're interested in meeting the other Yorkshire local reps, finding out what other groups have been up to or even getting more involved and standing for a position then drag yourself to the Yorkshire MAG AMG on Saturday, there's pie and peas in it for you.
Cheers.

Pubs

2008-10-08T12:32:00.002+01:00

We get through a lot of pubs here at Leeds MAG and after much discussion we've decided we want to find another one... So we're off on an exploritory tour of the pubs along Stanningly road next Tuesday (14th), starting in the Daisy at Town End from half eight - ish. You're more than welcome to join us and offer up an opinion on parking, decor, refreshments and general atmosphere that are all so important when finding a good pub to meet in. If you miss us in the Daisy we'll be in the next pub down....

Running Lights

2008-09-30T13:26:00.003+01:00

For those of you that don't know; the EU has imposed a new regulation that from 2012 all new vehicles will have to use daytime running lights. You may remember that a few years back they suggested that all bikes had thier headlights on permanently to make it easier for people to see us. So is this new regulation designed to make us more difficult to see again? Will riders just be lost in a sea of lights?
The idea is that having daytime running lights will make vehicles easier to spot - for whom I wonder? As a pedestrian or cyclist if you can't spot a truck, bus or car coming down the street then getting out of the house is likley to be far more of a challenge than crossing the road.
Other drivers and riders who can't make out a vehicle will have issues finding their own and therefore wont be on the road anyway...
So really why are these daytime running lights being imposed? Surely the money would be better spent making drivers and riders have regular eye exams and reaction time tests? Feel free to write to your MP or even the Under secretary of state for road safety and ask him... I have. I'll let you know what, if anything, he says...

Absent

2008-09-22T15:16:00.003+01:00

Also my apologies for the lack of recent posts, as some of you may know I've been on holiday for the past couple of weeks with the treasurer (no need to call in the fraud squad, we paid for it ourselves, honest).
As we don't have a sec. at the moment that left no one to hold the fort. Anyone interested in getting a bit more involved in the group and taking on the role of secretary please email me for more details at mag.leeds@gmail.com for more details....

Cheers,

Dave.

MPTC

2008-09-22T15:13:00.001+01:00

Good News!

Despite the DSA saying time and again that they would not delay the introduction of the new test they have delayed the introduction of the new test until March....

MPTC

2008-08-26T18:24:00.000+01:00

Hi All and wlecome to Leeds MAG on-line...

Now then, I emailed Jim Fitzpatrick (the under secretary of state for road safety) a while back and have finally received this response from the DSA, apparently they would rather put money ahead of novice riders lives....

Dear Mr Glanville

Thank you for your email of 30 July addressed to Jim Fitzpatrick about the introduction of the new motorcycle test on 29 September. Your letter has been passed to the Driving Standards Agency to reply as we are responsible for the implementation of the new motorcycle test. You are correct that on 29 September the nearest operational multi-purpose test centre (MPTC) for West Yorkshire will be at Rotherham. As you are aware our customer service criterion is that most customers should be able to reach a motorcycle test centre within 45 minutes, travelling no more than 20 miles, which we will meet by 29 September although we recognise that motorcycle candidates in West Yorkshire will initially have to travel further. We are, of course, concerned about the prospect of there being no motorcycle test centre in West Yorkshire and we do have three search areas covering this area based on Leeds, York and Keighley. Unfortunately, despite an extensive search, we have so far been unable to locate a suitable site for a MPTC in any of these areas. We are continuing to look for a site which we could use as an interim measure. We are working with the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA), to help us offer motorcycle tests on a part-time basis from 12 VOSA sites across the country. Because of VOSA’s operational requirements, we will probably only be able to offer tests from these sites at weekends and, potentially during summertime evenings, but our intention is to ensure that as many as possible will be delivering the new test from 29 September. We certainly expect to be delivering motorcycle tests from the Leeds/Wakefield and Wetherby VOSA sites and possibly from the Keighley site as well. You have asked if we could postpone the introduction of the test. I am afraid we do not believe this to be possible. The Government agreed to meet the new test regime established in the European Directive 2000/56/EC which came into force in September 2000. The Commission Directive 2008/65/EC, issued on 27 June 2008, confirmed the new test must be implemented by 30 September 2008. Any delay in meeting this date would risk infraction proceedings from the European Commission and we intend to implement the Directive as planned on 29 September.

Yours sincerely

Sue HinchliffeChief Executive’s Office - Correspondence

Life

2008-08-21T10:08:00.000+01:00

I thought this would make it easier for people to get involved in what we do. Rather than having to stop decorating for the evening or find change for a pint down the back of the sofa we'd have out meetings on line (we'll be video conferencing next!). Every Tuesday I'll publish a blog and those that want to can post a response or a thought. We'll still be at the Victoria on the first Tuesday of the month for those that want to meet up face to face but the rest of the month we'll do it 'on-line'....