Meet Ashley- our new Vice Chairman

I developed an early passion for motorcycles and at 16 had my first a Yamaha FSI-E. Although I loved my “fizzy days” at 17, I was able to get a Yamada RD 125, aah the love of screaming 2-strokes. Passing my test which in 1982 was a straightforward affair I continued to enjoy a few more years of biking, mainly tearing around Cornwall. I then took a break as family and career took priority.  Then 20 years later, as if by magic, my kids had grown up and with some disposable income again it was time to relight my love of biking again, a Honda CBR 1000, boy had things changed in 20 years! I then moved to a Kawasaki ZZR1400 which was a thrilling bike to ride, but as I wanted to tour more with my partner Jo, I now ride a Versys 1000.

My career has been in hospitality and of course covid wreaked havoc with this industry. It was time for a change and becoming self-employed allowed me more free time. What better thing to do with this time than enrol with the IAM and become a safer and smarter rider. My observer was Graham Barnett and weirdly we lived in the same village, Mullion and rode the same bike, but had never met before then. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, getting a real buzz out of improving my riding skills. I didn’t want this journey to end so went on to complete my Local and National Observer qualifications with the help and support of Terry Tomlin and Malcolm Farrar. Passing on your skills and experience to associates is immensely satisfying. I am now in the process of completing the Masters Programme and with Tim Collins as my mentor, the bar is set higher than ever!  

The great thing about CAM is that it not only provides an exceptional high standard of coaching and mentoring for people wanting to become advanced riders which plays its part in making our roads a safer and hopefully more pleasant place it has an active social side too. I have really enjoyed meeting like-minded members and sharing our passion for bikes. This year Graham, Terry, David, and I toured Scotland which was incredible.  I was thrilled to be asked to be a committee member and very surprised and honoured for that to be the role of vice-chair. With the support of our committee and club members, I look forward to the challenge!