Hello and welcome to HighPeakBiker (HPB). This site records my thoughts and exploits on a motorbike. It also offers information about Motorcycle Training I offer. I hope the site map is intuitive enough to navigate to what you want. It should get better as I learn the mechanics of webpage creation. It’s never too late to learn. Click here to contact me or subscribe to the Blog posts. or start a conversation via WhatsApp below
All the points below can be read in more detail (if you feel the need to) on the home page where all Blog Posts appear. I have linked the first one for you 🙂
1983
My venture into motorcycling started when I was a 15 yr old. As a teenager I was desperate to get on the road and all I could think of was getting my first 50 cc motorbike. For me it was the Honda MB 5 – read the blog post for this. That was back in 1983.
1984
Big Brother wasn’t watching me then. I really developed my independence in North Wales on my Beautiful Honda CB125 Superdream.
1988
The engine died and my life on two wheels halted. It was my brother who was riding it and the engine ran dry of oil.
1998
My brother passed his test and bought a Honda 600 Hornet (I think). It made me start to think again about bikes, but I was living in London, had a new small family and it never happened
1999
Ralph (my brother) had a fatal collision on his Police bike and I promised my mum that whilst she was alive I would never ride again.
2019
Mum died in 2016 and the itch started. But it took me three years to scratch it. I did it in style with a 2012 BMW F800 ST. Of course I couldn’t ride it as I had to complete my DAS (Mod1&2), but I thought that buying it was the only way to ensure I followed through.
I did my CBT, Mod1, Theory and Mod 2 over a period spanning 12th May 2019 and the 13th June. Unlucky for some, but not for me. It was that day that I re-learnt what pure freedom and Mindfulness was. Being on two wheels
July 2019
T Boned. F800ST sliding along the road, me in hospital (just for the day). Strapped and packed off, limping with twisted ankles, purple ribs and a shoulder that had issues a physio had to sort. I also left that day with a definite aim to start Advanced Training. “If I only knew then what I know now…..”.
July 2020
IAM F1RST achieved and loved the experience. Keen to stay actively involved I started to train as observer. Obviously needed a BMW 1200 RT for this so upgraded to a real beauty.
2021
Took on my first Associate, and since then have been Observer for 8, all of whom have passed. One with a F1RST. (as of 12/2023).
2022
August 2022 saw me swap the RT for a 2014 R1200 GSA. This bike is perfect. I know people love them or hate them, but I think people who hate them haven’t ridden one.
2023
August – – passed the assessment to be an IAM RoadSmart National Observer.
2023
August – – started my training for the IAM Masters assessment.
2023
December – -decided to leave teaching, my comfortable professional home for 33 years and explore the possibilities of supplementing my pension by riding motorbikes. Fully trained now as CBT down-trained Instructor at Swain’s, Buxton.
2024 has been a busy busy year so far. I achieved my Masters with Distinction and then trained to be an examiner.
October 2024 I am now an IAM Examiner, Masters mentor and National Observer Assessor. All set up on the system and operational.
Really starting to enjoy the challenge of being a digital creator on YouTube now.
2025
First year of trading as HighPeakBiker and it has been a bigger success than I could have hoped for. See My Conversation Blog Post for details.
2026
Writing this in May. Pretty much fully booked until July. Need to start saying no a bit so I can cut the lawn 😂
Have completed the DVSA Chadderton assessment days, so I am now able to open my own training centre (never going to happen), but am able to train new instructors. I now need to complete the DVSA DAS assessment, but there is currently a three month (minimum) waiting list. Frustrating. But hey ho.
