| Chairman | |
|---|---|
| Don Jack |  |
| Suzuki Hayabusa - Honda Goldwing | |
| Born on the Black Isle, I started motorcycling after my Dad told me that I couldn't have a bike, which wasn't surprising as I was only 14. He was the Army Speedway champion during the war, and he had this thing that it was too dangerous for everyone, except him! After persistent nagging, I was presented one day with a clapped out Post Box Red Bianchi Falco 50cc, which had a scooter type gear change on the handlebar. From then on it was upward and onward, progressing to a Honda C15 that myself and a mate of mine put together in his garage, and then to a Honda CB250K, followed by a BSA Starfire, until my first and only 2 stroke, the super fast (at least for that era) Suzuki X7. It was about this time that we formed the Wyvis Motorcycle Club, of which I was a member for many years, running down every year to the Brighton Rally to pick up the 'Furthest Travelled Award'. It was about that time myself and my cousin were asked if we would be interested in becoming instructors for the northern branch of the Star Rider scheme, strong armed by one of my late dear friend, PC Thomas Gray, police motorcycle rider and ardent beer drinker. We did this for a number of years, before things became more formalised. The bike by this time was changed for my first 750, the Suzuki GSX750. I owned this for only 6 months, as every sharp corner taken at any speed at all used to make the bars slap back and forth which I was told was down to a the rather poor tubular swinging arm, before giving up and changing to the better boxed swinging arm GSX 1100. This was later traded in, after many tears for a Triumph Toledo on the arrival of our second child! From here it was downwards and backwards to a Yamaha 175 trail bike, and the occasional shot on one of my mates bikes before a better job lead me to a Ducati Monster. I've had a number of lean biking years whilst working abroad, but always managed to 'get a shot' on someone's bike, but on my return bought the Pan, and from there to my present bikes, the Goldwing (best touring bike ever if you don't have to turn sharp corners, especially near Pennan), and the Hayabusa which is a fantastic bike requiring lots of respect. I joined the GMC three years ago, and have enjoyed the 'crack' from day one, great runs organised by great people, with great bikes, and overall just great fun. What else is there? I hope that we can encourage more and more people to join in to do the same. | |
| Vice Chairman | |
 | Michael Forbes |
| Honda Pan European - BMW R1200GS | |
| Never having been a biker in my youth and looking for something completely different to do to mark the millennium, I took my direct access course, timing it perfectly to avoid having to take the theory test. After passing, it took a few months for me to get over the terror and challenges of the course and begin to realise that biking was actually for me. The following year a friend introduced me to the Aberdeen branch of The Institute of Advanced Motorists, and developing my riding skills to an advanced level means I have since never looked back. I am one of the founder members of the GMC, which started in 2004, with the sole aim of enjoying biking with like minded people. Not known for getting my hands dirty I am a big fan of shaft drive, owning a Pan-European ST1300 for myself and a BMW R1200GS because my wife Norma prefers to ride pillion on it. Whatever your biking abilities, come along - we do try to accommodate all riders from new to experienced. | |
| Treasurer | |
| cliff barron |  |
| Honda VFR1200 | |
| Cliff doesn't like changing tyres, so just gets a new bike when the tyres wear out, so he won't keep the VFR long as it eats tyres. He enjoys any ride out in fine weather, and especially enjoys the weekend trips. | |
| Secretary | |
 | peter sanderson |
| Honda Pan European | |
| I remember as a boy that my dad always had motorbikes, flat caps were the order of the day and I was a regular pillion. I suppose it was inevitable that sooner or later I would have a bike and at 15 my dad bought me a Honda 90 sports for my birthday. A year later I sold the bike for a BSA 350 B40 against the advice of my dad and paid the price for his advice as it often broke down and cost a lot of time and money to repair. However, most of the repairs I did myself and during the process I learnt a lot about bikes. Two years later I progressed to 4 wheels and after a break of some 20 years bought a BMW R100RS. I kept this for a year but had to sell it to pay for my garage and so there was a further gap until last year when I became a born again biker, bought a Honda Deauville 700 joined the club and a year later joined the committee. The advantage of club membership means that there is a lot of knowledge and experience to tap into and this is helping me to regain my confidence, skills and meet some interesting characters in the process. I hope I can make a positive contribution to the development of the club and would welcome new and in particular young members. | |
| Events Coordinator | |
| Alec Scott |  |
| Honda VFR800 | |
| A late starter to motor cycling despite being a petrol head all my life, driving fast cars and competing in motorsport. I passed my test on the 31st of August 2006 and had my first bike ready to go, a 1991 GPZ500s. However I had holidays booked in September and unfortunately the day after returning broke my leg while mountain biking which laid me up for two months while a mate took advantage of my bike! I knew that I wanted to take advanced riding lessons as soon as possible after passing my test and approached the local IAM group. So 2007 was a steep learning curve with an especially memorable day trip to Lochinver and back in the pouring rain on the GPZ with three big 1000cc plus bikes for company. Needless to say there was a huge transformation from the timid person who left to the one that came back. During this time I also joined the GMC in order to get some more miles under my belt in the company of experienced riders. Feeling a bit ashamed of my scruffy GPZ in the company of the both the IAM and GMC groups gleaming machines I decided to buy a newer and more powerful bike and bought a lovely '99 VFR800 in yellow to add some colour to the car park! I passed my IAM test in September 2007. | |
| Newsletter Editor | |
 | Phil Littler |
| Kawasaki GTR 1400 | |
| I was a member of my local biking fraternity when I lived in England, many moons ago (late 70s - early 80s). Rode all sorts Japanese two and four strokes and a succession of British bikes. Then I passed my car test, started a family and left it all behind I suppose. Came back to biking in 2005 when I took a DAS course in Watford, England and passed my test. Within a few days of getting my certificate I was in a London dealer haggling over a Kawasaki 550 Zephyr. I'd always wanted a Z650 but couldn't find a decent one within my budget- so went for the Zephyr. I commuted to work daily on it and practically rebuilt most of it over the time I had it. What a great bike for dealing with London traffic. Also did a few longer runs on it over time. Turned out to be restricted during one of the repair jobs so I whipped out the restrictors and it was like getting a new bike! When we decided to move up to Scotland last year I decided to change the bike as it wasn't really suitable for the weather up here. After testing out a Moto Guzzi Norge and a Kawasaki 1400 GTR - I went for the GTR. We arrived in Balmedie before the bike which arrived mid September (seemed like an age waiting for it to arrive!). I joined the GMC while still running it in and it was one of the best moves I made since we relocated. Love the longer runs although Wednesday nights can be a blast depending on the route. Led my first run in October 2008 and loved it - looking forward to the new season. Oh I forgot to mention - I'm a teacher - now what's that got to do with anything? | |
| Web Admin | |
| Ali McIntyre |  |
| Triumph Sprint ST | |
| I took a direct access course early in 2006, and found the club by chance on the internet soon after. I passed my IAM test in November 2007, on the first attempt. I'm now on my 3rd bike, a Triumph Sprint ST, after a CBF1000, and a 600 Fazer before that. Originally from Dumbarton, near Glasgow, I moved to Aberdeen with work in 1997. I normally make 3 out of 4 Wednesday night runs, and most Sunday runs. Feel free to contact me with any ideas for the site, the forum or if you would like a link or event added that would be of benefit our members. | |
| Committee Member | |
 | Dan Archer |
| BMW 1200 RTSE | |
| First ride was on a Corgi (as used by paras in WW2), OK, so I'm old enough to remember seeing the dog-fights over London. Joining the Royal Navy in 1956 transport wasn't required until getting married and having to travel between ship and home. A two stroke James Captain enabled me to traverse the short distances. Further distances were dealt with by a succession of A.J.S's including one with a sidecar, handy for transporting the wife, kids and dog. Riding through the years has seen a procession of Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda's taking me all over the world. East to Poland and Italy, south as far as Gibraltar and Portugal and west to the U.S.A. and Mexico. You will notice there is no North, too bloody cold! This Scotland is the furthest I go. Spain is the preferred destination due to its warmth and friendly people. I was going to say it's cheap but that has now all changed. I prefer to travel the longer distances and think nothing of travelling to Plymouth for a ferry in one. I am a Pan Man at heart having had four of them but currently ride a BMW 1200 RTSE for a change. MOTTO: Keep the Rubber on the Road. | |
| Committee Member | |
| Colin Brodie |  |
| Suzuki V-Strom | |
| My dad always said I wasn't to get a bike while I lived under his roof as it was too dangerous. So, taking his advice to heart, I started biking on my honeymoon in 1984 aged 18. A weeks rental of a clapped out C50 in Corfu and I was hooked! I've very rarely been without two wheels since then & have enjoyed every one of the many bikes I've owned. These were changed a lot when I was younger (stolen, written off or just sold on for something different) but I tend to keep them a little longer now. Pity the same can't be said of my wives...ahem. Anyway, a few wives later and I currently have two bikes, the DL1000 V-Strom and a Bandit 600S. I've been very impressed by the club since joining last year, especially the Wednesday night and weekend runs with the other members. I look forward to seeing you at the Park & Ride this year. | |
| Committee Member | |
 | David Morris |
| Honda VFR & BMW K1300GT SE | |
| Before taking a direct access course for my test in September 2008 I had been a very keen cyclist covering typically 4500 miles a year. In my youth I had always wanted a motorbike but my father would not allow it and the reason given was "that there was too much traffic on the roads". This was back in the 1970's and as he used to have a motorbike himself I just accepted his decision as you did in those days. Using the motorbike I can travel much further and see more countryside than you can on a push bike and last year I covered over 8500 miles on Wednesday night and weekend runs with the GMC. After joining the club I took advantage of 4 days advanced tuition. This experience transformed my bike handling skills and increased my awareness and confidence. I would strongly suggest no matter how long anybody has held a licence that they should consider this training. Being a member of the GMC has allowed me to socialise with like minded people and enjoy weekend trips away to destinations that otherwise I would never have ventured to. Current bikes are Honda VFR V-TEC 800 and BMW K1300GT SE. | |
| Committee Member | |
| Liam Walker |  |
| Whatever I can borrow from work | |
| Awaiting profile picture. After my folks saying it was a waste of time and money having both car and bike, I determinedly passed my bike test in 2008. I had a Suzi Bandit 600 for my first bike. I work for Ecosse Honda which puts me in fine position to pick up some bargins - bargins that I'm only to keen to punt on in order to finance the next bike. | |