The Committee
Chairman & Treasurer – Tony Brown
I’ve been the Club Chairman since 1979 and I have been involved in motorcycles nearly all my life.
It was hard not to take an interest in bikes as my father was the late George Brown (a founder member of the club) of Vincents Nero and Super Nero fame, and once had a motorcycle shop in Stevenage.
At 16 years old, I started sprinting (drag racing in todays terms) on a 250cc Ariel Arrow, winning the 250 British Sprint Championship 3 times. I then upgraded to Nero and then Super Nero.
I also road raced a 350cc Aermacchi and then a Yamaha TZ350. Unfortunately my road racing career came to an abrupt end when I crashed the Yamaha in the Isle of Man at Brandywell putting myself in hospital for six months. (least I got a ride in the helicopter so they tell me).
After that I went back to sprinting on Super Nero and achieved six World Records.
My first road bike was a Triumph Tiger Cub but today, now getting on a bit in life, I ride sedately on a Triumph Street Triple.
Secretary – Mick Taylor
I first joined the club in the mid sixties, served on the committee in the early seventies and I’ve been Club Secretary since the early eighties.
My first bike was a Excelsior Talisman twin, followed by a NSU Max and then an Ariel Arrow. I’ve had various road bikes since.
I started road racing in the mid sixties on a 125cc Bultacos followed by a 125cc Yamaha, competing
in club events and the 125cc British Championship.
At that time, I also took up competing in trials events on Bultacos, Montesas and a Suzuki. I stopped
road racing in the seventies but continued trials riding into the early eighties.
I’ve been a regular visitor to the Isle of Man since 1976 and still love going there for the TT.
I still ride and am now on my 4th Aprillia – they are fantastic bikes and ooze class and style. I really can’t understand why every club member hasn’t got one.
Treasurer – Jackie Armstrong
I have been a member of the Club since 2019 when my husband, Kelvin bought a Yamaha MT09 SP and in 2024 I took over the role of Treasurer. I am an IT Training Manager for a law firm in London and part of that role includes training on Excel which is one of my favourite pieces of software (I know, it takes all sorts!). I am enjoying creating spreadsheets to keep track of the Club’s money.
I ride pillion on Kelvin’s bike (which is now an MT10 SP) because unfortunately my legs aren’t long enough to ride a bike of my own! I did ride a Yamaha FS1E when I was 17 because I grew up in Walkern and in those days there was very little public transport and I needed to get to college in Ware.
We have 3 grown up children Jamie, Leah and Callum. Jamie also has a motorbike (a Triumph Daytona) although it only comes out in the good weather. Callum isn’t interested in the slightest and Leah is married to Dan who is a Police Driving Instructor and has a motorbike of his own (a Kawasaki).
Others Making Up The Committee
Carol Hutchins
I’ve been a member of Stevenage & District MCC since 2018.
I married into motorcycling and have been riding since 2002.
My 1st two wheeled machine was a Peugeot Zenith 50cc scooter (I know…. but you’ve got to start somewhere… lol)
After passing my bike test I owned a Kawasaki ZXR400 L9 1998 , then moved to a Honda CBR400 NC29 1990, Honda CB500 1996, Suzuki GSXR600 K6, Kawasaki ZX6R 2012, Kawasaki ZX10R KRT 2016, Kawasaki Z900 Street Naked 2018 & current bike is a Kawasaki Z900 Street Naked 2021.
The 1st track ridden was the notorious Nurburgring in Germany on a tourist day in 2005 on my CBR400, then I got the bug and then rode Cadwell Park, Snetterton, Mallory Park, Oulton Park, Donnington Park, Anglesey, Pembrey, Thruxton and a European 3 day track event at Portimao in Portugal.
I started racing in 2011 with the NGRRC in the Street stock 400 on a Honda RVF400 NC35 for a couple of seasons.
I have been a motorcycle MOT tester at Raceways Motorcycles Stevenage Old Town since 2004
“Cider Bob”
I joined the S&DMCC in 1988 when I first moved to the area as a way of getting to know local motorcyclists and I’ve been with it ever since, often being on the committee.
I’ve been riding all year round every year since I was 16, having started on an embarrassing Honda C50 (but it was faster than all my mates 50s!), moving swiftly to a Yamaha RXS100 and owning more than 40 bikes of various types over the years. At the moment, I have a Triumph Tiger 660 Sport, which I use most days, a Triumph Tiger 1200 which only comes out when there is no salt on the road and a Honda CRF250L.
I’ve also done a fair bit of green-laning and motocross over the years with bikes ranging from an old Suzuki TS185ER to ex-army Armstrong MT500 and currently the Honda CRF250L but my favourite was a Yamaha WR450F.
I try to get at least two long distance tours in each year (normally more) and I go along to most Monday club nights – usually leading one of the group rides. I’m always up for a ride if I’m not at work and time/commitments allow. I’ll also talk to almost anyone so if you come along to a club night, introduce yourself.
I’m also the “webmaster” so if you have any constructive criticism, email me by clicking here!
Dave Chapman
I joined the committee in 2020 after being a member for three years.
My first bike was a green CB200 which I purchased in 1978. I then went onto a CB400/4 and then a CB650 before an RD350LC and a Kawasaki ZXR400 in red with the vacuum hoses on the tank.
After a break of a few years I went onto a Yamaha TRX850, a Ducati Multistrada, Suzuki GSR750, Triumph Tiger 800 and onto my present Triumph Speed Twin 1200.
I have been involved in Supermoto racing as a mechanic and travelled all over Europe and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I have owned many makes of motorcycle but am definitely a Triumph man now.
Kelvin Armstrong
At 16, I started riding a Yamaha FS1E and then progressed up to a Yamaha RD200 electric at 17.
I first joined the club in 1979 for a couple of years before discovering cars and women!
I then had a long break from motorbikes thanks to marriage, mortgages and three children!
I returned to biking and the club in 2019 riding a Yamaha MT09SP, I rode 30,000 miles before upgrading to my current bike a Yamaha MT10SP.
My wife (Jackie) regularly rides pillion and our weekends usually involve a ride out to a cafe or event.
I was elected onto the committee in 2024 and look forward to helping out with the running of the club.
Pete Blackburn
I’m 47 years old, ride a Triumph Street Triple and have been an active member of the Club for about 17 years.
I have for the past 6 years been on the committee – my role being to organise ride outs and to be involved in the organisation of bike trips with other members.
I’m a keen classic bike enthusiast and have visited the Isle of Man on several occasions, twice doing the parade lap at the classic TT.
Linda Smith
We are awaiting Linda’s “bio” but we are sure it won’t be long!?
President – The Late Pat Barrett
Sadly, our President, Pat Barrett passed away on 12th October 2024.
He started riding and passed his test in 1952 and he never stopped riding bikes since. He did approximately 480,000 miles on bike ranging from Ariel, Norton, Velocette and Triumph to Honda and Yamaha in later years. Many of these were sidecar outfits including his last, a Yamaha XJ900.
In 1959, with his passenger Phil Chambers, he began competing in Sprints (Drag Racing) and hill climbs with a Vincent sidecar outfit supplied and sponsored by world record holder George Brown and prepared and tuned by his brother, Cliff. They werer very successful and in the first year became national sidecar sprint champions.
During their racing career they had over 40 wins and course records all over the country. The very famous Brighton speed trials was the event he would never forget – standing start kilometre elapsed time of 24 seconds with an average speed of 85mph and terminal speed of 158mph. This was very fast for a sidecar and passenger in 1961. And but for the fact it was only one way, would have broken the world record.
He rode all year round and attended the Monday club nights on his outfit until the end.
RIP Pat.