Valley Bike School was set up in 1999 by Stuart Nelson following his retirement from the police. Whilst still training, Stuart has taken more of a "back-seat" role and will be concentrating more on Advanced Courses which will be based in Mid Wales.

Joe Vaiders - Chief Instructor

Like Stuart, Joe is a retired police officer. He is totally committed to safer riding. He is trained to Police "Advanced" standard and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Joe has a life-long passion for riding motorbikes and when not training is usually out riding his R1200GS. His philosophy - "Growing old is compulsory... Growing up is optional." Like most men, his toys have just got bigger as he grows older.

Joe, loooking younger & slimmer

In 2004, Joe appeared on Men & Motors "Used Bike Heaven" where he was given the opportunity to ride and comment on a Triumph Tiger, Yamaha TDM, and Suzuki 1200 Bandit. His performance in front of the cameras was absolutely average and his "je ne sais quoi" will be talked about for seconds! He enjoyed every minute of the experience and is grateful to Paul, Fran and the rest of the crew for giving him the chance of 30 minutes of "fame".

The Triumph Tiger got Joe's vote

Joe & Michelle (and glove puppet Max) have recently returned from the Sternfahrt rally in Kulmbach, Bavaria. Awesome event with some amazing roads to ride. If you get the chance to ride on the continent, take in the Rhine, Mosel and Danube river valleys.

Max went down a treat with the crowd

Martin Greenwood - Direct Access Instructor

A keen motorcyclist since the age of 17, Martin has owned and ridden all sizes and styles of bike that the market has to offer. Martin recently retired from the Greater Manchester Police after 30 years service. He passed his Police Advanced Motorcycle test in 1978 and spent time as a motorcycle patrol officer. In his last 4 years of service he was as the Force Advanced Training Sergeant for Motorcycles and Cars. With a view to the future, prior to his retirement, he qualified as a Driving Standards Agency motorcycle instructor (CBT and Direct Access). With his qualifications, Martin also examines for ROSPA and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Bob Kenyon - Direct Access Instructor

Bob is a product of training at Valley Bike School and is the only Instructor to "come up through the ranks" so to speak. He is a very enthusiastic motorcyclist and excellent trainer who came to biking later in life but has made up for it since! Before starting CBT training at weekends he has usually covered a 60 mile circuit - just to warm up his tyres. Bob is also a keen BSB and WSB fan and his ideal weekend is training all day Saturday and Sunday whilst calling in at Oulton Park on the Monday to catch up on the British Superbikes. Like the rest at Valley Bike School, Bob is "up for the crack" committed to Motorcycle safety and loves all aspects of Bike training.

Bob Kenyon

In Memoriam

Jack Atherton - Mentor

For those who have had the pleasure of meeting Jack, you will appreciate why we have adopted him as our Mascot/ Mentor/ Guru/ Therapist/ Counsellor... Jack brings a little insanity into an otherwise stable environment... We call it "Jack Therapy"... Feeling low? Onset of Winter's SAD syndrome around the corner? Half an hour with Jack and all your problems will disappear in a haze of good old Lancashire humour.

Jack died in hospital on Sunday 21 March 2010.

We have left his profile intact as a tribute to him.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Rest in peace buddy.

Valley Bike School will not be the same without you.

Further photos of Jack can be seen by clicking here

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Last updated 30th July 2010