Neil Loxton

Role on committee (if applicable)? PR & Recruitment. The purpose of my role is to increase the knowledge of road safety and increase the membership for the future of the club. When taking the post the club had 220 members. I set myself a target of250 members which then increased to 300 members. I go out recruiting to motorcycle showrooms and accessories/clothing stores. 

When did you start biking? I started biking in 2013.

How did you start biking? I started biking late in life at 48 years old, after spotting a poster with Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying "If you drive a car you are in the movie, if you ride a motorcycle you star in the movie".  I started on a Aprilia Atlanta 125cc (scooter), then for my first proper bike, given I knew practically nothing about biking, so I just went for the first bike I liked the look of, in my price bracket; which was a Suzuki GSXF750cc, followed by an Aprilia Futura RST1000, then a Triumph Sprint 955iST, Honda Varadero XL 1000 and finally the BMW s1000 XR. ‍

When did you join BAM? I joined BAM in 2013 straight after passing my direct access full motorcycle test. I joined BAM because I wanted to become a better motorcyclist in the shortest possible time. I promised my partner at the time that I would be as safe as possible. 

Best things about BAM? ?   I think that BAM is probably the best club of any kind that I’ve been a member of. The people are great, knowledgeable, kind, always willing to pass on their vast experience without any judgement. Every one is always willing to help out, and the free further training is exceptional. I didn’t know anyone who rides until I joined BAM but now I have 300 people I can ride with!

What Difference did joining BAM have on your riding/life? Since joining BAM  I have undoubtedly become a better rider. I have gone from total novice to one of the top 1% of the 1%. I genuinely ride the bike as if I have been riding for many more years than only 11 years. Being able to ride with like minded people at around the same level gives you peace of mind when riding in the group and also the confidence knowing that you’re not going to get some fool scream past at warp speed. 

Current bike(s): I was lucky enough to be able to afford a 2016 BMW S1000 XR . 

After around 3 months of research I narrowed it down to 2, Ducati Multistrada or the XR . The XR felt right and ticked all the boxes. More than enough power, very comfortable and of course pretty to look at. ‍

Most interesting story, or best experience, from your biking history: Very early on, in my BAM life I went on an FMR [Full Member Ride-out]. I was practising my skills and still getting this wrong on a regular basis. We were on the B6047 road between Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough.  It’s a technical and challenging road with a series of bends including a very sharp right hander, that's off camber and tightens up on you. I got it very wrong and put my bike in a ditch which sent me forward and hit a tree.

The BAM family were helping me out when a lady and her daughter turned up and started to help out. The daughter was getting blankets from the ambulance and both of them were very helpful which of course I was very grateful for. (although I was unconscious and totally unaware of all this going on!) After spending the night in Leicester royal infirmary. I attended the next club night and the lads had taken their details which of course I was glad of. I had address and telephone number, I wanted to thank them for their help. I dialled the number and the number did not exist. So I took some flowers to the address, the address didn’t exist either.  I genuinely believe that they were my guardian angels.  I am fully recovered apart from a lump on my shoulder.

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