Blog by Emma Bridget
First PECAM British Summer Time ride of the year, and the sunshine arrived — a great way to kick off British Summer Time, with it being many members first ride of the year.
Riders met at Peterborough Services before heading out on a relaxed, well-paced route to the Ascent Café in the Offords. With around an hour each way, it was an ideal early-season ride — giving everyone the chance to settle back into riding, enjoy some excellent roads, and ride as part of a supportive group.
With 13 riders attending, the group used the “second man drop-off” system. This means the rider directly behind the leader stops at each junction to mark the route, waiting for the Tail End Charlie to arrive before rejoining the ride — a simple and effective way to keep the group flowing smoothly without needing constant stops.
On this occasion, a brief moment of confusion over the colour of the Tail End Charlie’s vest led to a small split in the group. A quick phone call later and all riders were accounted for, with two groups continuing on and arriving safely at the café — a good example of how the system still works even when things don’t go perfectly.
At the halfway point, the Ascent Café provided a welcome stop, with a selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes before the return leg.
A big thank you to Martin Mooney for leading today’s ride and Martin Jones for Tail End Charlie duties — both ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout.
PECAM is a local group of IAM RoadSmart, focused on helping riders build confidence, improve skills, and enjoy motorcycling to the fullest. Whether new to riding or more experienced, there is always something to learn — and a supportive group to ride with.
Those interested in developing their riding skills are encouraged to get in touch and find out more https://pecam.org.uk/contact-us/