The third annual Prescott Bike Festival took place on Sunday 7 April 2013 and raised in excess of £35,000 for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and one of its member groups, Severn Freewheelers.

The event attracted more than 4,500 visitors who enjoyed an action-packed day where rare classic, modern and famous bikes took to the historic hill, from Nortons, BSAs and Velocettes, to extreme custom Choppers and well-known superbikes such as the John Reynolds ex-Reve Red Bull Ducati 996RS Championship bike and the David Jeffries' Suzuki GSXR1000 TT (which will be appearing at the Isle of Man TT next month for his 10th anniversary of Davids death).

The festival was supported by many motorcycle clubs and dealers including those representing Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Enfield, Triumph, AJP, Harley, Victory, BMW and KTM. Speaking at the event Chris Waldron, General Manager of the Blade Group said “We have supported Prescott Bike Festival for the past three years; the event is an obvious place for us to showcase our three brands, Triumph, Harley Davidson and Victory. It’s great to be able to take our showrooms outdoors to a large dedicated motorcycle audience at a convenient and unique event”.

Despite the unseasonably cold weather, all 200 tickets for members of the public to “Ride the hill” were sold out months in advance, as was the special feature this year, “Happy Hour” - the public’s opportunity to see, hear, get up close and watch some special motorcycle machinery.

Not surprisingly, passenger thrill rides in an Aprilia sidecar, the new Morgan Three Wheeler, the Carver One and the Scorpion 3 sold out. Throughout the day there were demonstrations by the Scott Redding Mini Moto Academy, Simon Welsh Trials Team featuring the Youth Development Squad, Skyzone Racings’ Chris Hodgson (current British Supermoto Champion), the NHCA Masters, the Classic 50cc Racing Club and motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders, who has motorcycled around the world seven times.

Off track, the paddock was crammed with bike displays, motorcycle trade stands and a host of entertainment with live music from UK hot rocking band, Josie and the Outlaws, and covers band, Come Up and See Me. In addition there were roaming actors from the 501st Garrison, the world’s largest and most accurate Star Wars costuming club, and, back by popular demand, the George Formby look-a-like from the motorcycle film, No Limit? One particular highlight was a surprise appearance from the Cheltenham Pipe Band – who says motorcyclists aren’t eclectic!

In amongst the fun, were serious messages too - exhibitor Chris Harrison, Motorcycle Coordinator from the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership said “Prescott Bike Festival is a prime place to get the Think Bike message out there to a large motorcycle audience. We are here today to provide advice to riders about the training available locally through Bikesafe, IAM and RoSPA and other precautionary measures that riders can take out on the road. In Gloucestershire 84% of all motorcycle collisions involve another vehicle, and whilst it’s hoped they will never be needed, we are handing out free crash cards. Its a scheme where a rider places a crash card inside their helmet providing emergency contact details for ambulance crews in case they are injured in an accident. So far we have distributed over 3,000 in the county and 500,000 nationally”.

Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, said, “Prescott Bike Festival raises vital funds for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, it’s the charity's biggest fundraising event of the year and we are delighted that it has become a firm annual fixture in the motorcycle calendar. We are hugely grateful to all the exhibitors, bike clubs, dealers, marshals, volunteers and visitors who continue to support us and have helped make the event such a success. Plans for the 2014 event are already underway”.

Cheltenham Mayor, Councillor Colin Hay, came to support the event, he is a volunteer Blood Bike rider with the Gloucestershire branch of the Severn Freewheelers. When asked “so why do you do it”, he simply replied “I love riding, it is so rewarding being a volunteer. The hospitals are so grateful for the service that even on the bleakest of nights when you are freezing cold on a call out, you don’t mind, you have a sense of purpose – that ride just might save a life. What a terrific way for me to use my hobby for another benefit”.

Did you 'Ride the Hill' at Prescott Bike Festival? If so, why not buy a picture of your hill run, using the link on the Prescott Bike Festival website.

All proceeds from pictures bought will be donated to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes.

The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes is the umbrella organisation representing 24 regional blood bike charities, all providing a motorcycle-based, free delivery service to the NHS; moving vital medical supplies, blood and pathology samples from medical centres and hospitals throughout the UK. Recently NABB member groups have become involved in the transport of frozen human milk from the donor to the milk processing hospitals. This has been a real lifesaver due to the necessity of very premature babies having intolerance to anything but human milk.

Run entirely by volunteers, NABB member groups have over 1500 active members with a fleet of 88+ emergency response vehicles. All NABB riders are trained in the movement of medical essentials and operate from individual regional charities but with a common goal – to alleviate suffering and reduce the funding pressures on the NHS. NABB was formed in 2010 and is chaired by Gordon Downie, from Gloucestershire.

Severn Freewheelers is the regional Blood Bike group operating in Gloucestershire, Hereford & Worcester and North Wiltshire. Over 70 volunteers help Severn Freewheelers carry out a much-needed service. Severn Freewheelers runs four BMW R1200RTs and a Honda ST1300, all are emergency response equipped and the members handle some 3,500 call outs per annum, covering 140,000 miles. ?They work from 7pm in the evening to 7am the following day and all day at weekends. Each "shift" consists of four people, three riders and a dispatcher. The dispatcher fields calls from the hospitals and plans the route for the evening based on the calls received. Emergency calls are obviously dealt with first and for these we use blue lights. All riders are volunteers. All receive extra training in emergency response riding and go through a first aid course. In short, a professional team delivering a professional service, FREE to the NHS at the point of use.

Volunteers join for many different reasons. Below are just three examples:

After spending two years watching my mother be treated by the NHS for cancer I wanted to do what I could, to give something back, to say "thank you". I joined Severn Freewheelers and have spent two years riding and helping deliver our service to our customers. I think my mum would have approved. Paul

Although I was aware of SFW from its formation, it was only during my late wife Lindsey's hospital treatment that their day-to-day work became apparent. During her inpatient treatment at Cheltenham & Bristol hospital out of hours, units of blood and platelets were delivered by SFW and the Avon team. Although Lindsey did not survive we were grateful to everybody involved for giving her the best opportunity to overcome her leukemia. David

My elder son was diagnosed with leukemia when he was two and a half and since then I have given blood, whole and platelets, as I saw how much he needed of both. Joining SFW was an extension of this and a way of helping a health service that gave him so much. He was treated in Gloucester & Bristol hospital and is now a large, robust 28 year-old. Ian Stockwell

Severn freewheelers are a charity organisation and are always looking for help. If you feel that you would like to volunteer to either ride, dispatch, provide help with event fundraising, or offer financial aid, sponsorship or product – please contact us at www.severnfreewheelers.co.uk, or contact Edward on: 01527 544 292

To sustain Severn Freewheelers need around £28,000 per annum to provide the service. It is estimated that the service saves the NHS some £280,000. Please see below where the money goes:

• £300 pays for fuel for one motorcycle for one month • £400 pays for one motorcycle’s annual insurance premium • £600 pays for our liability insurance for a year • £1,000 pays for six months depreciation for one motorcycle • £2,000 pays for our motorcycle servicing costs for one year • £7,000 enables us to buy a new motorcycle • £7,500 enables to fully run one motorcycle for one year

Your contribution, however small, could save someone’s life, maybe your own...

The top TT riders are heading for the Isle of Man for the launch of the 2013 TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and you can follow the event wherever you are in the world.

The leading riders will all be appearing at the free Fan Party hosted by Manx Radio TT's Chris Kinley and Tim Glover, which kicks off at 7.30pm at the Villa Marina on Wednesday 10th April.

This is your chance to hear the thoughts of all of the top riders as they get ready for this year's TT; from John McGuinness as he looks to add to his 19 race wins through to Australian Josh Brookes who will be taking part in his first TT. Other riders who will feature in the evening include race winners Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson, Ian Lougher and Honda TT Legends team-mates Michael Rutter and Michael Dunlop while Cameron Donald is scheduled to link up live from Australia.

You'll also get to hear from Dan Stewart, Conor Cummins, William Dunlop, Dean Harrison, Dan and Ryan Kneen and Simon Andrews while newcomers Horst Saiger, AJ Venter and the Isle of Man's Gav Hunt will be sharing their thoughts on tackling the TT Mountain Course for the first time.

The sidecars will also be represented with 16 time champion Dave Molyneux and passenger Patrick Farrance heading the field. You'll also get the chance to get insights from current World sidecar champion Tim Reeves and his passenger Dan Sayle, and 2012 TT race winner John Holden and Andy Winkle.

However, if you can't get to the Isle of Man you can still follow the event live via the iomtt.com website, which will be broadcasting the whole launch from the Villa Marina. It will also be broadcast live via Manx Radio and through the stations on-line service. You can also tweet your questions to the riders on the night to @iom_tt and presenter Chris Kinley will ask the best ones on the night.

Anyone lucky enough to be on the Isle of Man can also meet the riders in Douglas at the Motorsport Merchandise store on Strand Street at 5pm on Tuesday 9th April where they will be signing autographs at the launch of the 2013 TT Merchandise collection - your chance to bag an early souvenir including the launch of new limited edition TT 2013 posters featuring new unique artwork of the leading TT stars.

However, if all of this isn't enough you can still buy tickets to the 'TT Launch - Access All Areas', package which offers exclusive behind the scenes access at the launch including the opportunity to meet the riders behind the scenes at the official media launch during the day on Wednesday 10th April. The day will include breakfast reception, the chance to be pictured with all of the leading riders at a secret location as well as lunch. You'll then be transported back to the Villa Marina for an evening buffet with the riders followed by reserved seating at the public launch event. Tickets are available at £200 plus VAT from www.iomtt.com or official ticket and travel agency Regency Travel on 01624 694456.

Actor and Producer, Adrien Brody, was recently photographed on his Ducati Monster 1100 EVO in Los Angeles.

The 40-year-old passionate motorcycling New Yorker, who won an “Oscar” Academy Award for his role in the 2002 film, The Pianist, was riding a version of the Ducati model styled in co-operation with fashion brand Diesel.

The 2013 customised model is an ‘urban military chic’ interpretation of Ducati’s iconic naked motorcycle with an exclusive ‘Diesel Brave Green matte’ livery aligning with Diesel’s dedicated apparel collection.

Of Their £4.2 Million Upgrade - Grey Power Helps Move Over 1000 Tons Of Motor Vehicles In 14 Hours

The Haynes International Motor Museum opened Phase One of its multi million pound upgrade in time for the Good Friday crowds.

Seventeen volunteers with an average age of 72 years old moved exhibition material, 187 cars and motorcycles with a combined weight of over 1000 tons in a little over 14 hours.  The oldest volunteer was 84 years old Derek Ayres and the youngest 54 year old Alan Goddard.

The exhibition organisation was effectively a giant tile puzzle, which had to be completed on time to avoid disappointing the Easter crowds.  Museum volunteers, despite their advancing years proved to be more than equal to the job.

The new Black Box exhibition, with the Vroom Room – a high performance car exhibition from all ages and countries forms the heart of phase one of the development.  Other areas including the American collection, micro cars and custom cars are amongst other new interpretations waiting to be enjoyed.

Phase two and three of the museum redevelopment will be completed over the coming nine months and will completely transform this iconic museum bringing its exhibition into the 21st century, much enhancing its appeal as one of the world’s premier motor museums.

Next on the schedule for completion is Haynes Hatch the children’s electric go-kart race track which forms the final part of the new Haynes Motorland a £250,000 play area where children can experience all types of vehicle related fun.

www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk

Following his dismissal from a job he never should have had, Kevin Turner packs a tent, some snacks, and a suit, and sets out on a two-wheeled adventure across Europe.

With no idea where he's going, and only two very large and confusing maps to rely on, he heads out to prove that planning and forethought are the very antithesis of a motorcycle adventure.

Bonjour! Is This Italy? A Hapless Biker’s Guide to Europe, offers a unique and often hilarious insight into the challenges and excitement afforded by a lone motorcycle journey though Europe. In his quest to escape the frantic nature of London life, Kevin Turner heads south across France, crossing the Alps into Italy, and onto Rome, before returning via Germany - and the treacherous Nürburgring - in the hope of rendezvousing with the beautiful Nina.

Throughout, the author provides valuable advice to those considering a similar journey, noting the best and most scenic routes, where to stay, and what to see.

This is interspersed with a raft of comic anecdotes that demonstrate exactly what NOT to do when lost on a motorbike in Europe.  

A must read for anyone who has ever toured on a bike, with many laugh-out-loud moments! (THE BIKER GUIDE)

For more information and contact details, please visit www.haplessbiker.com