WAM

Chairman : Lee Spindler – chairman@iamwam.org

Unlike many of my friends and colleagues I was late entering the biking world. I passed my direct access test in early 2001 while in my mid 30’s and consequently rushed out to buy my first bike. The bike in question was a stealth black Suzuki 750 GSXF affectionately known as the baboons bottom in reference to the cone shaped rear light cluster. It still brings a smile to my face when I see the same model of bike on the road today. For the next 10 years I’ve had a plethora of different styles of bike including Kawasaki 600 & 636 ninja’s, a Suzuki Hayabusa and a selection of the smaller capacity BMW models. I then transitioned onto the infamous R1200 GS. Presently I ride the latest incarnation the mighty R1250 GS. Up to then I had only ridden road going bikes and it was in 2010 that my biking style changed direction.

In 2011 I booked a trip to ride 2000km from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in Cambodia, 90% being Off Road. It was titled Tomb Raiders and if you think of Laura Croft it did not disappoint. The chance to ride through Cambodian jungles and sleep under the stars in 4000-year-old temples. Among the participants were a couple of Dakar riders so to say it was a baptism of fire was an understatement, but what an adventure. Over the last 10 years subsequently I have been extremely fortunate to have had the chance to ride some of the most beautiful parts of Southeast Asia. Thailand’s famous Mae Hong Son Loop with its infamous 1860 consecutive bends. Crossing the mighty Mekong River and the bridge over the river Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Riding through Myanmar and actually getting to sleep (for one night only) in the actual hotel room that Richard Hammond used in the Top Gear Burma special edition. The last adventure been in 2020, riding the full length of Vietnam from Hanoi in the north following parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail all the way down to Saigon in the south. It was back in 2016 at motorcycle live at the NEC in Birmingham where a chance conversation with volunteers promoting the National Association Blood Bikes started me on my quest to improve both my safety and enjoyment of motorcycling. I signed up there and then with the IAM and in turn joined Wolverhampton Advanced Motorcycle. Through their dedicated volunteer training team of observers, I pass my advanced test in September 2017 and joined the training team 12 months later after passing my IMI observers qualification. I have also completed my advanced car test obtaining a f1rst in February 2019. Being a member of WAM has allowed me to re-energise my riding and I’ve had the chance to explore a little closer to home some of the best biking roads the world has to offer. Some being the West Atlantic Way in Ireland, a 2200-mile trip around Scotland taking in some of the famous NC 500 and John O’Groats. Together with regular visits to enjoy the endless tarmac of Wales. In December 2021 I had the prestigious honour I’ve been voted onto the WAM committee in the position of Group Chairman. The duties that I hope I can carry out with pride and passion for advanced motorcycling and promoting road safety and enjoyment for all.