Meet the Rider Training Team
Meet the saltire motorcycles rider training team
John
DAS Instructor
Former hotel manager. Instructor for 5 years, originally as part time hobby.
Full time with Saltire Motorcycles since 2014. DAS instructor since February 2016.
Riding bikes forever. At last 45 years. Current bike Suzuki 650 DL for work and Honda 1000 Varadero for personal use.
Intrests: music, especially but not exclusively Rock and Blues. The natural world. Rugby League passionate Wigan Warriors supporter. The plight of indigenous people throughout the world in particular the Native Indians of North America.
Swimmer as often as possible. I should have been born with gills.
Dream car either mark 1 Lotus Cortina or original Mini Cooper S.
Dream bike, I have never ridden a bike I didn’t enjoy and I try not to dream when I’m on a bike. So really whichever bike I am riding at the time. If pushed, the first big bike I ever road was a BSA Shooting Star so that would be a great piece of nostalgia for me. Modern any big Indian. Despite the apparent bulk, they are a joy to ride.
Colin
DAS Instructor
Retired police officer.
CBT Instructor for the past 3 years, originally as a part-time hobby.
Joined Saltire Rider Training, spring 2019. Qualified as a DAS instructor, April 2019.
Riding bikes since the age of 17, so 40 years.
Member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists since 2017. Advanced rider and observer.
Current bike – Saltire’s Yamaha Tracer 900 for work, and my Harley Davidson Street Bob FXDB 1690cc for play.
Interests: My family, motorbikes, my bike club, motorbikes, instructing others, motorbikes, self-improvement, motorbikes, protecting children in sport, motorbikes, classical music, motorbikes, walking the dog, motorbikes, oh and motorbikes.
Lifelong passion for sport: 5th Dan in judo and head coach of Peebles Judo Club, established over 20 years ago. Also love skiing, scuba diving and tennis.
Dream car: a motorbike…..
Dream bike, one that doesn’t break down…. Saying that, I’d love to own a vintage Ariel, or a BSA or similar…
Nigel
Part Time DAS Instructor
I have been riding bikes for 34 years and have had the privilege of riding many different bikes. I honestly can’t say I have a favourite bike, each bike has its own purpose and enjoyment. Currently I am riding my trusty old GS500.
I have been an instructor at Saltire since 2012, now and enjoy seeing people getting through their bike test’s. Before becoming an instructor I drove trucks all round Europe and then drove buses for Lothian.
Outwith work I enjoy cooking and eating!! I listen to all types of music but especially like 60’s and 70’s music. If I am your instructor you will also find out how good I am at singing!!
Roddy
Rider Training Administrator
Started riding on road when I was 16, passed my test in 2003 and got my full A license in 2005.
I currently ride an Indian Chief Dark Horse, When I was younger, I wanted an MV Agusta F4, unfortunately I am not that flexible anymore.
When I am not on my bike, I will be on the sofa playing Xbox, or going out for dinner and a movie.
I spent 14 years working in hospitality, before making a career move to be the full time CBT instructor here at saltire for 3 years, where I am now branching out into the administration side of the business.
Brian
Part Time CBT Instructor
Before coming a CBT instructor I worked at Edinburgh International Climbing Centre and before that I was in the Fire service.
I have had over 40 years experience on bikes including commuting, socialising, road racing and touring in Europe, Morocco and Australia.
At the moment I have 4 bikes. A 1971 Suzuki B120, a 1972 Suzuki GT750, a 1975 Suzuki B120 and a 1980 Suzuki GS 550. Can you see a theme?
My loves outside bikes are my family, Manchester City football club (don’t hold that against me) and keeping fit.
I try to do triathlons and when I say try I mean try! I look forward to meeting you and sharing experiences.
Ian
Part Time CBT Instructor
I am currently serving in the Royal Navy and have been for the past 25 years. My current role is as a Careers Advisor, based in Edinburgh. My interest in motorbikes has been from an extremely young age (Fathers fault!) from off road scramblers to road bikes. I finally got round to completing my full bike test in 2009. I have since passed my Advanced Motorbike test with the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclist (IAM).
I have owned a number of bikes over the years, sports bikes mainly but age creeps up on us all and I now ride a Triumph ST 1050.
In what spare time I have I enjoy relaxing at home or jumping on the bike for weekends away to the Lake District or the West coast of Scotland. I also try to get up to East Fortune Race track to watch the bike racing during the Scottish Motorbike Session.
