Gary Taylor
Advanced Motorcycle Instructor

Started riding:
From 1973 as a young lad I rode dirt bikes, anywhere I could, a bit naughty really, but around the black country where I am from there was loads of open disused pits that the old bill would not bother me and my fellow riders. In 1978 I joined her majesty's forces and once in post I bought a Kawasaki Z200.

I had this bike until I was posted to Germany, whilst on the continent I toured most of the local countries which were France, Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg on a Honda 250 no less. Then in 1985 I moved to Cyprus and toured the entire island on a 125 (Easy really). In 1997 (Now De-mob and working as a FireFighter) I started touring Western Europe again and visited old haunts.

GT The Instructor:
After a while I began to feel that I needed a more structured direction for my motorcycling, and therefore, in 2004 I undertook the most enjoyable and rewarding course I had ever done on a motorcycle, and this was the 'Advanced Motorcycle Instructors Course' which was six months of hard graft with a company called UK Advanced, Run by Police Class 1 Instructors from various counties. My instructor was Dave Robinson the Top Bedfordshire Police Class One Bike Instructor, a super guy with loads of passion for his trade, which he hammered into me during those six months back in 2004.

After successfully passing the course I was eager to start up my own training company, but had little or no experience and therefore, for a short while I decided to work for UK Advanced as a sub contractor, assessing and teaching riders to pass the OCN Advanced Rider Course.

However, what I really wanted to do was to make my own mark in the industry, so I pushed the boat out and set up my own company which was called 'RideRight UK'. For a while I made good progress teaching clients to ride advanced to the Blue Riband standard, but work was building up, and I could not fill the demand, that's why in December 2004, I joined a group called 'Team UK Advanced' this was a consortium of advanced motorcycle training companies, Buzzbikes, RideRite and of course RideRight UK that shared my ideals and interests.. Together we shared the workload, 'this was the beginning for me, with real satisfaction and support from working with guys that I could trust, to offer advise and support when I needed it most.

BuzzBikes was run by Dave Robinson my old Advanced Instructor from UK Advanced. Dave had decided to leave UKA and move up the ladder, which he most certainly did when he formed TUKA.

By August 2005 TUKA was well and truly established, We were Touring, Training, Off Roading and Providing Track Tuition too, we were defiantly an all rounder in the industry. At one time we were the driving force behind 'Motorcycle Matters', Bedfordshire's interpretation of 'Bike Safe'. However, after a 12 month spell on the committee both Dave and I had to give up our seats due to work commitments and the running of our own company. This group still operates and still have the best interest of the motorcyclist at hart and provide various events each year around the county.

My position within TUKA is currently the full time Tours & Training Manager, which I am very proud to occupy, there's more to tell, but alas I do not want to bore you silly. Nevertheless if you are really interested in us why not book a course or a tour with us, I promise you will not regret it...., so as they say in the trade,'the rest is history'.

Qualifications & Experience: 
Instructors Certificate in Delivering Skills & Learning through Demonstration C24, 2000
Advanced Motorcycle Instructor to OCN Level 4, 2004
Blue Riband Holder
BMF Blue Riband Advanced instructor from 2004
City & Guilds 7302 Teachers Certificate 2005
BTEC Level 3 RoSPA Advanced Instructor Certificate 2006
PC1 Instructor
Bucks County Council Service Provider
Beds County Council Service Provider
Slow Skills Instructor
Pillion Appreciation Instructor
Night Rider Instructor
DIA Diamond Advanced Motorcycle Test Holder
Institute of Advanced Motorists Motorcycle Test Holder
RoSPA Gold Advanced Motorcyclist Test Holder
Track & Road Skills Instructor (Level 1)
Off Road Guide
UK & EU Motorcycle Tour Guide

First Aid at Work certificate held since 1981
First Aid for Bikers, 2004

Current Bikes:
BMW 1150RT,  KTM 525 EXC, Aprilia RSV Millie


My Biking Philosophy:

If there’s any doubt in my mind concerning my riding plan, I always hold back, revaluate the road & traffic hazards and then make my move using the system of motorcycle control, this ensures my safe progress on today’s roads.

Remember Murphy’s Law, ‘If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something important, never assume always check, and then reassess before you make your move’

Biking 'Pet Hates'

Irresponsible, dangerous and carefree riders of all ages. I know they all have a right to ride the same roads as I do, but how on earth do they stay alive…

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