RoADaR Southern Riders

France Tour (FULLY BOOKED)
2025-04-26 - 2025-05-03 | Kent
Commencing in the South of France in an area near to Valence. From here there will be daily rides of approx 250 miles taking in some stunning scenery and roads.
I am going to book the hotel for the group and will be asking for non refundable deposits from all that are going.
All of the dates and times will be published and I will ask everyone to make their own way to France, we will probably meet at Folkstone or Calais. The plan is to ride halfway there and find your own hotel / B+ B en-route for the Saturday evening, 26th. Making your way to the main hotel by the Sunday evening, 27th. That’s when the tour officially starts.
On the return journey the same applies. We leave the hotel on the Friday morning and ride a distance towards Calais to get the Euro-tunnel. Staying over on the Friday night and getting to Calais during the Saturday to make your way home.

*IMPORTANT*
Whilst our Tours / Wizzes are open to all; we do have some safety criteria that you must meet. So before you come forward and to avoid disappointment please read our Prepare for a Tour and ensure you are comfortable with the advice and that you do or will meet the criteria.
If in any doubt then discuss with the Tour/Wizz organiser.

Tulleys Training - mid month Wednesday
2025-04-23 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-03-19 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-02-19 09:30 - 14:30 UTC | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom
Arrive early for coffee and chat – anything from 9:45am
Instructor allocation for initial assessments and on-going training commences at 10:30am
No need to book/register – simply turn up, all welcome.
If the weather is 3C or below overnight, then this session will be automatically cancelled.
We only use the BBC Weather for our information. Click below to check for Turners Hill.

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

Tulleys Training Sunday
2025-04-13 08:30 - 14:00, 2025-03-09 08:30 - 14:00, 2025-02-09 08:30 - 14:00 | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom
Arrive early for coffee and chat – anything from 8:45am
Instructor allocation for initial assessments and on-going training commences at 9:30am
No need to book/register – simply turn up, all welcome.
If the weather is 3C or below overnight, then this session will be automatically cancelled.
We only use the BBC Weather for our information. Click below to check for Turners Hill.

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

Mickeys Group Sunday Training
2025-04-06 08:30 - 14:00, 2025-03-02 08:30 - 14:00, 2025-02-02 08:30 - 14:00, 2025-01-05 08:30 - 14:00, 2024-11-03 08:30 - 14:00 | Mickey’s Diner, Old Chatham Road, Aylesford, Maidstone, Kent, ME20 7EZ, United Kingdom
Arrive early for coffee and chat – anything from 8:45am
Instructor allocation for initial assessments and on-going training commences at 9:30am
No need to book/register – simply turn up, all welcome.
If the weather is 3C or below overnight, then this session will be automatically cancelled.
We only use the BBC Weather for our information. Click below to check for Mickeys

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

March EOM Ride Out
2025-03-30 09:00 - 16:00 | McD’s – East Grinstead, 165 LONDON ROAD, East Grinstead, RH19 1ET, United Kingdom
Currently a work in progress, details to follow.

RIDE DETAILS
Sunday March 30th with a pre-ride briefing at 09:15, and wheels up at 09:30. Arrive earlier if you want a coffee/tea ahead of time.
Meeting Point Location: McDonalds, 165 London Rd, East Grinstead RH19 1ET.
At the start there is plenty of parking at the rear of site – please park as a group to minimise disruption to other users.
Closest Petrol Station: Esso within 500m in East Grinstead one way system or Jet 100m adjacent.
Pre-ride coffee/tea: McDonalds
Lunch stop: Wings Cafe at Headcorn Aerodrome
Ride Description
A spooktacular route passing through Pluckley, England’s most haunted village using some great roads across West Sussex, Kent and East Sussex, for a total of approx 130 miles.
Outward Route:
Heading towards Bayham Abbey, Goudhurst, across to Charing and then circling back towards Headcorn for a lunch stop
Return Route:
From Headcorn towards Bodium Castle, Battle and ending at Cross in Hand.
Ride end will be at the Shell Petrol Station at Cross in Hand, near Heathfield, allowing time for participants to head home whilst still light.

** New and Recent members – remember please you will need to have had your Initial Assessment Ride with an Instructor to attend this and any other club riding activities
** All members please carry your membership card on this and all club activities

REGISTRATION
There are no restrictions on how many can join the ride, but we ask that you please register by emailing the ride leader. See details below.

Weather
As with all Group Ride Outs, please note that if the overnight temperature is forecast to be 3C degrees or below at the ride start meeting place, the ride out will be cancelled automatically. There will not normally be a second notification if this is the case. We only use the BBC Weather for our information.

Back-Marker System
One of the riders will need to Back-Mark so any volunteer for this please advise the ride leader when you register for the ride. If you have an orange Hi-Viz please bring it with you, or one may be provided on the day, or dependant on the size of the group an alternative marker may be agreed.
Please make sure you are fully conversant with the rules of the “BACK-MARKER SYSTEM“. Following these correctly is vital to the smooth running of the day and reduces the risk of losing someone or everyone. Details of the BM system are on our Southernriders.org website. If you’re unsure on the day, ask one of the attending Ride Leader. They will be more than happy to clarify any issues you have.
Hi-Viz
If you wear hi-viz, please ensure it is not Orange as this is reserved for the ‘back-marker’ during our ride-outs. We appreciate you may normally wear an orange hi-viz whilst riding. However, some find it confusing when in the middle of the group to see two or more riders with the orange hi-viz. So, in an effort to avoid confusion and markers leaving their post prematurely ONLY the back-marker is to wear orange hi-viz. Thank you

Ride School - Part 2, 2025
2025-03-23 09:00 - 15:30 | The Haven Centre, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4LJ, United Kingdom
Ride School is open to all members at zero cost. This event is held over two Sundays in the Spring and is intended to reinforce ‘The System’ and Motorcycle Roadcraft whilst hopefully being insightful and informative in an informal jovial couple of days.
This is the second session of two. Details for Part 1 can be viewed here
Welcome from 9am for a prompt 9:30am start.

Agenda

Overtaking and Filtering
Back-Marker system and Group riding
Open Q&A Session – Ask the Experts

How expertly do you overtake? Ever had a close shave or felt rushed? Do you miss safe overtaking opportunities?
In this week 2, you’ll learn the overtaking techniques used by expert road riders to boost safety and skill. You will also learn our top tips for safe and sound filtering. This is where you’ll learn how to apply the System for finely tuned observation, precise positioning and silky smooth progress to bring your confidence to new heights. We will also be showing the Back-Marker system SMART uses when on group rides and covering general group riding disciplines.
Light Lunch and Refreshments are provided

Location
9am – 14.30pm

The Haven Centre
Crawley Down
West Sussex RH10 4LJ
** Please book your place clearly stating Session 1, 2 or both by registering with the membership secretary by emailing membership@southernriders.org

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

Ride School - Part 1, 2025
2025-03-16 09:00 - 16:00 | The Haven Centre, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4LJ, United Kingdom
Ride School is open to all members at zero cost. This event is held over two Sundays in the Spring and is intended to reinforce ‘The System’ and Motorcycle Roadcraft whilst hopefully being insightful and informative in an informal jovial couple of days.
This is the first session of two. Details for Part 2 can be viewed here
Welcome from 9am for a prompt start at 9:30am
Agenda

The System
Bends and Positioning
Motorways

Ever had to react to a situation suddenly? You’ll learn the details of the renowned Police System to ensure that you always have the breathing space to tackle the hazards every biker faces. The System was developed to reduce Police rider accidents in pursuit riding situations; before the System, the accident rate of police drivers and riders was one every 7,000 miles. Since the introduction of “the System” that dropped to one every 70,000 miles.
Bends and Positioning – applying the system of motorcycle control.
How safely are you keeping away from likely hazards? How far ahead can you spot what’s going on? Positioning directly affects both. In week 1, you’ll learn how to use your positioning to be more stable when cornering, ride safer and see further ahead. You will also learn about ‘observation links’ and other tricks of the trade. How stable is your bike when cornering?

We are also pleased to confirm that HELITE will be attending in the afternoon from circa 2:30pm to answer any queries and assist you in fitting prior to any order.
Light Lunch and Refreshments are provided

Don’t forget to attend Ride School Part 2 next month

Location
9.00am – 15.30pm
The Haven Centre
Crawley Down
West Sussex RH10 4LJ
** Please book your place clearly stating Session 1, 2 or both by registering with the membership secretary by emailing membership@southernriders.org

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

February EOM Ride Out
2025-02-23 09:15 - 16:00 | Blue Boy Services A21, Hastings Road, TONBRIDGE, TN12 7HE, United Kingdom
On offer for your pleasure this month, courtesy of Simon Lucas, is a lovely ride through Kent and Sussex.

RIDE DETAILS
Sunday February 23rd. Arrive in good time (~09:15) for a coffee/tea and a pre-ride brief at 09:45. Wheels up shortly after, around 10:00.
Meeting Point Location: Kippings Cross BP Petrol Station / Burger King Car Park (TN12 7HE)
Closest Petrol Station: At start
Pre-ride coffee/tea: At start
Lunch stop: Custom Cafe, Bexhill. Approx 12:00 noon.
Ride Description
A shorter ride, given the time of year, of approximately 120 miles in total.
From Kippings Cross, the ride will be on A and B roads and mostly national speed limits through Kent and Sussex.
The return journey is planned for 30 miles, back to Kippings Cross, although if road and weather conditions permit, a longer route may be taken. Ride finish around 3pm.

** New and Recent members – remember please you will need to have had your Initial Assessment Ride with an Instructor to attend this and any other club riding activities
** All members please carry your membership card on this and all club activities

REGISTRATION
There are no restrictions on how many can join the ride, but we ask that you please register by emailing the ride leader. See details below.

Weather
As with all Group Ride Outs, please note that if the overnight temperature is forecast to be 3C degrees or below at the ride start meeting place, the ride out will be cancelled automatically. There will not normally be a second notification if this is the case. We only use the BBC Weather for our information.

Back-Marker System
One of the riders will need to Back-Mark so any volunteer for this please advise the ride leader when you register for the ride. If you have an orange Hi-Viz please bring it with you, or one may be provided on the day, or dependant on the size of the group an alternative marker may be agreed.
Please make sure you are fully conversant with the rules of the “BACK-MARKER SYSTEM“. Following these correctly is vital to the smooth running of the day and reduces the risk of losing someone or everyone. Details of the BM system are on our Southernriders.org website. If you’re unsure on the day, ask one of the attending Ride Leader. They will be more than happy to clarify any issues you have.
Hi-Viz
If you wear hi-viz, please ensure it is not Orange as this is reserved for the ‘back-marker’ during our ride-outs. We appreciate you may normally wear an orange hi-viz whilst riding. However, some find it confusing when in the middle of the group to see two or more riders with the orange hi-viz. So, in an effort to avoid confusion and markers leaving their post prematurely ONLY the back-marker is to wear orange hi-viz. Thank you

Route Planning Workshop
2025-02-16 09:00 - 16:00 | The Haven Centre, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4LJ, United Kingdom
There are a wide variety of tools and choices out there to help with route planning – whether it is for a ride with mates, a group ride with the club, or a longer tour – here or abroad.
In an effort to bring you something new, some of your instructors have prepared a session/workshop on the running of an EOM rideouts, Wizz/Tour planning and general Route Planning using Google maps or My Route App and sending this to your navigation device.
Several of us are very happy with a combination of My Route App and Garmin XT, and use of these will definitely be one of the subjects covered. But maybe you use something else and want to learn more ?
Join us for an interesting session in the warm.
If you are interested then please email the organiser – details below.

Tulleys Group Training - mid month Wednesday
2025-01-22 09:30 - 14:30, 2024-12-18 09:30 - 15:00, 2024-11-20 09:30 - 15:00, 2024-10-23 09:30 - 15:00 | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom

Tulleys Training Sunday - CANCELLED
2025-01-12 08:30 - 14:00 | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom
OWING TO THE COLD WEATHER THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Arrive early for coffee and chat – anything from 8:45am
Instructor allocation for initial assessments and on-going training commences at 9:30am
No need to book/register – simply turn up, all welcome.
If the weather is 3C or below overnight, then this session will be automatically cancelled.
We only use the BBC Weather for our information. Click below to check for Turners Hill.

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

December / Year End - EOM Ride Out
2024-12-29 09:00 - 15:00 | Sevonoaks Shell, Shell, London Road, Wrotham, Sevenoaks, TN15 7RR, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 7RR, United Kingdom
For our Year End ride, we have a ride led through Kent and Sussex by one of our existing gold level riders – Rish Rai.

RIDE DETAILS
Sunday December 29th – Meeting at 09:00 for a 09:20 briefing, and a departure at 09:30 sharp. Ride finishes around 15:00.
Meeting Point Location: Shell, London Road, Wrotham, Sevenoaks, TN15 7RR. Coffee, snacks, toilets available on site.
Closest Petrol Station: At start point
Pre-ride coffee/tea: At start point
Lunch stop: Route 1066 Cafe, Robertsbridge
Ride Description: Outbound – A ride on A & B roads through the Kent and East Sussex countryside – passing through Brenchley, Horsmonden, Lamberhurst, Burwash. Pit stop at Little Bull Cafe Brenchley.
Return – back via Rolvenden, Benenden – finishing at McDonalds on the A228 in Snodland / Holland in north Kent.
Total trip ~110 miles.

** New and Recent members – remember please you will need to have had your Initial Assessment Ride with an Instructor to attend this and any other club riding activities
** All members please carry your membership card on this and all club activities

REGISTRATION
There are no restrictions on how many can join the ride, but we ask that you please register by emailing the ride leader. See details below.

Weather
As with all Group Ride Outs, please note that if the overnight temperature is forecast to be 3C degrees or below at the ride start meeting place, the ride out will be cancelled automatically. There will not normally be a second notification if this is the case. We only use the BBC Weather for our information.

Back-Marker System
One of the riders will need to Back-Mark so any volunteer for this please advise the ride leader when you register for the ride. If you have an orange Hi-Viz please bring it with you, or one may be provided on the day, or dependant on the size of the group an alternative marker may be agreed.
Please make sure you are fully conversant with the rules of the “BACK-MARKER SYSTEM“. Following these correctly is vital to the smooth running of the day and reduces the risk of losing someone or everyone. Details of the BM system are on our Southernriders.org website. If you’re unsure on the day, ask one of the attending Ride Leader. They will be more than happy to clarify any issues you have.
Hi-Viz
If you wear hi-viz, please ensure it is not Orange as this is reserved for the ‘back-marker’ during our ride-outs. We appreciate you may normally wear an orange hi-viz whilst riding. However, some find it confusing when in the middle of the group to see two or more riders with the orange hi-viz. So, in an effort to avoid confusion and markers leaving their post prematurely ONLY the back-marker is to wear orange hi-viz. Thank you

Tulleys Group Sunday Training
2024-12-08 08:30 - 14:00 | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom

Mickeys Group Training Sunday
2024-12-01 08:30 - 14:00 | Mickey’s Diner, Old Chatham Road, Aylesford, Maidstone, Kent, ME20 7EZ, United Kingdom

November EOM Ride Out
2024-11-24 08:30 - 16:00 | BP / McDonalds Princes Road, Dartford, 474 Princes Rd, Dartford, DA1 1YT, United Kingdom
On offer for your pleasure courtesy of one of our newer instructors, Bobby Thomson O’Connor has a lovely ride up into the wilds of Essex to Hylands Park.

RIDE DETAILS
Sunday November 24th. Setting off from Dartford Services – with a briefing at 08:45, leaving at 09:00. Return by 3pm. Come earlier for a coffee / chat beforehand.
Meeting Point Location: Dartford Service, DA1 1YT
Closest Petrol Station: At start
Pre-ride coffee/tea: At start (McDonalds)
Lunch stop: Hyland Park and Gardens
Ride Description
After an unavoidable bit of the M25 through the tunnel – the remainder of the ride will be mainly A and B roads. A mid-morning tea stop is planned if time allows.
Return will be more direct – to allow enough daylight after the ride to let people get home.
Return by around 15:00 for a total of approx 140 miles.

** New and Recent members – remember please you will need to have had your Initial Assessment Ride with an Instructor to attend this and any other club riding activities
** All members please carry your membership card on this and all club activities

REGISTRATION
There are no restrictions on how many can join the ride, but we ask that you please register by emailing the ride leader. See details below.

Weather
As with all Group Ride Outs, please note that if the overnight temperature is forecast to be 3C degrees or below at the ride start meeting place, the ride out will be cancelled automatically. There will not normally be a second notification if this is the case. We only use the BBC Weather for our information.

Back-Marker System
One of the riders will need to Back-Mark so any volunteer for this please advise the ride leader when you register for the ride. If you have an orange Hi-Viz please bring it with you, or one may be provided on the day, or dependant on the size of the group an alternative marker may be agreed.
Please make sure you are fully conversant with the rules of the “BACK-MARKER SYSTEM“. Following these correctly is vital to the smooth running of the day and reduces the risk of losing someone or everyone. Details of the BM system are on our Southernriders.org website. If you’re unsure on the day, ask one of the attending Ride Leader. They will be more than happy to clarify any issues you have.
Hi-Viz
If you wear hi-viz, please ensure it is not Orange as this is reserved for the ‘back-marker’ during our ride-outs. We appreciate you may normally wear an orange hi-viz whilst riding. However, some find it confusing when in the middle of the group to see two or more riders with the orange hi-viz. So, in an effort to avoid confusion and markers leaving their post prematurely ONLY the back-marker is to wear orange hi-viz. Thank you

Tulleys Group Training Sunday
2024-11-10 08:30 - 14:00 | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom
Tulley
Arrive early for coffee and chat – anything from 8:45am
Instructor allocation for initial assessments and on-going training commences at 9:30am
No need to book/register – simply turn up, all welcome.
If the weather is 3C or below overnight, then this session will be automatically cancelled.
We only use the BBC Weather for our information. Click below to check for Turners Hill.

** All members to carry your membership card on club activities. **

October EOM Ride Out
2024-10-27 09:00 - 22:00 | Costa, Billingshurst, Costa Coffee, A29 Stane Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9LY, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9LY, United Kingdom
On offer for your pleasure courtesy of our very own Group Chief Instructor, Steve Tovee, a scenic ride up towards Oxford.

RIDE DETAILS
Sunday October 27th from 08:30, for a pre-ride brief at 9:00 and Wheels-up at 09:15
Meeting Point Location: Costa Coffee, Stane St, Billingshurst, RH14 9LY
Closest Petrol Station: At start point
Pre-ride coffee/tea: Costa Coffee, Stane St, Billingshurst, RH14 9LY
Lunch stop: H Cafe – Deacon’s Garage, Oxford Rd, Dorchester, Wallingford OX10 7LY
Ride Description
We will be riding from Billingshurst to the H Cafe in Dorchester. Taking in the scenic route. It’s approx 2 hours each way and 70-80miles. This will be a shorter rise as it is the end of October, with shorter days.
A morning tea stop may be added. There is also fuel at the lunch stop.
Return Route: A different route back to the same point as the start, by around 3:30/4:00pm.

** New and Recent members – remember please you will need to have had your Initial Assessment Ride with an Instructor to attend this and any other club riding activities
** All members please carry your membership card on this and all club activities

REGISTRATION
There are no restrictions on how many can join the ride, but we ask that you please register by emailing the ride leader. See details below.

Weather
As with all Group Ride Outs, please note that if the overnight temperature is forecast to be 3C degrees or below at the ride start meeting place, the ride out will be cancelled automatically. There will not normally be a second notification if this is the case. We only use the BBC Weather for our information.

Back-Marker System
One of the riders will need to Back-Mark so any volunteer for this please advise the ride leader when you register for the ride. If you have an orange Hi-Viz please bring it with you, or one may be provided on the day, or dependant on the size of the group an alternative marker may be agreed.
Please make sure you are fully conversant with the rules of the “BACK-MARKER SYSTEM“. Following these correctly is vital to the smooth running of the day and reduces the risk of losing someone or everyone. Details of the BM system are on our Southernriders.org website. If you’re unsure on the day, ask one of the attending Ride Leader. They will be more than happy to clarify any issues you have.
Hi-Viz
If you wear hi-viz, please ensure it is not Orange as this is reserved for the ‘back-marker’ during our ride-outs. We appreciate you may normally wear an orange hi-viz whilst riding. However, some find it confusing when in the middle of the group to see two or more riders with the orange hi-viz. So, in an effort to avoid confusion and markers leaving their post prematurely ONLY the back-marker is to wear orange hi-viz. Thank you

AGM 2024
2024-10-19 09:30 - 13:00 | The Haven Centre, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4LJ, United Kingdom
SMART’s Annual General Meeting
Venue: The Haven Centre Saturday 19th October, 9:45 for 10am to approx 1pm
Tea and Coffee on arrival.
REGISTER Attendance: Please email committee@southernriders.org
Please join us to understand more about how Your club is organised and run.
All associates are welcome, however whilst we now no longer have any restrictions on numbers attending, your registration is required so we can ensure we have the correct catering.
The AGM provides You the opportunity to understand what has occurred during the past year as well as to air ideas on how the club can be improved and to participate in the Election of club officers which is a key part of the agenda. For point of note, our constitution states that committee members (except the GCI) hold office for one year and are re-elected or replaced in the AGM.
If you are interested in taking up one of these positions, then please email the position of interest to secretary@southernriders.org where you will be added to the list of candidates standing and we ask that you also please attend the AGM. All candidate nominees must be received by the 30th September.

Agenda

Apologies for Absence
Report by the Chairman
Report by the Treasurer and presentation of the accounts
Report by the Membership Secretary
Report by the Group Chief Instructor
Election of Officers for 2024
Nominees for Group Life Membership
Questions and comments from the members attending

Tulleys Group Training Sunday
2024-10-13 08:30 - 14:00 | Tulleys Farm, Tulleys Escape Rooms, Turners Hill Rd, Worth, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE, United Kingdom
