Motorcycle Live 2012 is so much more than a display of the hottest new bikes and the latest accessories, it’s a chance to get fully immersed in every aspect of the world of two wheels – and to discover and experience parts of that world you never thought you would!      

Take the FREE Yamaha Off-Road Experience for example. A specially-designed indoor motocross circuit run under the watchful eye of trained instructors, it gives road riders the chance to try off-roading for the first time. 

If you’re already a fledging dirt rider, you can pick up some new skills and improve your technique. It’s a must-try for any adventurous rider looking to broaden their two-wheeled horizon, but don’t take our word for it, here’s what our 2011 visitors had to say…      

“Awesome and exhilarating!!!” – Nicola Ford, 55, Beccles      

"I loved it! Although the experience was free on the day it proved very costly a few weeks later when I went out and bought myself an MX bike!" – Tim Teale, 33, Wilmslow      

“With seeing so many new bikes on display, it was awesome to get a chance to ride one too. The Yamaha guys know exactly what they are talking about and it doesn’t matter how good or bad a rider you are, you leave the course feeling that you had learnt something from the experience.” – Mick Fenwick, 42 , Tiverton      

“It was superb. They look after you, give you all the kit, make you feel welcome and you don’t get treated like an idiot. It’s a great experience, well worth doing and I’d do it again.” – Dave Vaughan, 35, Solihull      

“It was a brilliant experience. I ride on the road all the time but this was my first time on dirt and I really enjoyed it.” – Peter Roberts, 23, Lincoln      

The Yamaha Off-Road Experience is overseen by Chief instructor Barry Johnson (a former Motocross Grand Prix Rider and current Auto Cycle Union Instructor) and caters for all levels of experience - from those who have just the basics of clutch control, through to experienced road riders. All safety equipment is provided.      

It is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and six opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking and the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone and the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.      

Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2012 cost just £16 per adult, £10 for seniors and £6 per child*. To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk and click ‘Tickets’

Road safety charity the IAM is offering driving advice in response to the current severe weather warnings for heavy rain and wind.  

• Before you set off, set your heater controls – rain makes the windows mist up in seconds. You don’t want to be fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on the road.

• Slow down. In the rain your stopping distance should be at least doubled. Giving yourself more space helps you to avoid spray, especially when following a large vehicle.

• Keep your eyes on the road ahead and plan your driving so that you can brake, accelerate and steer smoothly – harsh manoeuvres will unbalance the car.

• Strong winds can also unsettle your car and even change your direction of travel. Grip your steering wheel firmly and be aware of the effects of the elements on other road users, particularly motorcyclists and flat-sided vehicles.

• If you have cruise control, avoid using it on wet roads – it may create problems if you start to aquaplane.

• See and be seen. Put your lights on – as a rule of thumb, whenever you need to use your wipers you should also turn your headlights on, and before overtaking put your wipers on their fastest setting. In cases of severe flooding, you should reconsider making the journey at all. If it is unavoidable, and you have to drive through deep water, the IAM recommends drivers take the following precautions:  

• Drive on the highest section of the road and don't set off if a vehicle is approaching you

• Leave time and space to avoid swamping other cars and pedestrians  

• If you can’t see where you are going to come out of the water, such as when approaching flooding on a bend, think twice about starting to drive into it  

• In deep water never take your foot off the accelerator, as this could allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe

• Once you're out of the water, dry the brakes before you need them. The best way is to lightly apply the brake as you drive along for a few seconds, after checking nothing is following you too closely.  

Rodger said: "A suddenly very wet road surface increases the chances of slipping when braking or steering, which is a problem not just for motorists, but cyclists and motorcyclists too.  When driving in wet conditions remember that stopping distances will increase, and visibility will be reduced. Drop your speed and give yourself more time to slow down."

www.iam.org.uk

Winner’s trophies from the personal collection of six times Grand Prix world champion Jim Redman will be sold to the highest bidder at the 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Stafford.

The event, which takes place at the Staffordshire County Showground on October 20-21, includes a Bonhams auction where the trophies, most of them silver replicas from Jim’s TT triumphs during the early to mid 1960s, and dozens of rare motorcycles will be sold.

Among the show’s other attractions will be star guests including legendary Kiwi racer Graeme Crosby and trials rider Yrjo Vesterinen, live action displays, exhibitions and much more.

Hundreds of traders will set up shop at the event selling bikes, parts, tools, leathers, maintenance services, insurance, workshop manuals, books, magazines, memorabilia, transfers and even gifts.

Classic Bike Shows organiser Nick Mowbray said, “It’s not every day you get a chance to buy a unique piece of motorcycling history and we’re privileged to be able to offer this opportunity at our show.

Stafford is something special. It’s a celebration – not just of classic motorcycles but of the history that goes along with them too. I am proud to say that this year’s show will embrace classic machines from every era like never before and demonstrate the passion that exists for bikes of all ages.”

“You need only look at the clubs who’ve already booked to exhibit at the show. We had more than 70 at the last count, so you can see a bevy of beautiful 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s machines looking their very best.”

The VJMC will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its UK wing with a display to mark the occasion and the BSA Bantam Club will also be hosting a display to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The Different Strokers stand will feature examples of the finest 750cc race-replicas from the late 80s and early 90s and the Air-cooled RD Club will have a large selection of 20 singles, twins and triples on display.

Among the private entry display machines will be everything from single cylinder air-cooled scooters through a pair of Honda six-cylinder CBX1000s and an NS400R two-stroke triple to a rotary-engined Suzuki RE5.

Not only that, the show includes final round of the Classic Bikers Club Bike of the Year Award. This takes the overall winner from shows at Newark, Bristol, Lanark, Netley Marsh and two previous Stafford shows and puts them together in a face off to decide the best of the best. First prize will be £1000 worth of goodies from GP Legends and a unique trophy built using parts from John McGuinness’s works Honda Fireblade motorcycle.

There’s free parking at the show and dogs on leads are welcome.

Gates are open 9am to 6pm on the Saturday and 9am to 5pm on the Sunday.

Pre-booked one-day tickets cost £10 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens and £3 for under 15s. Two-day tickets cost £20, £17 and £6 respectively. Weekend camping costs £40.

You can even arrive on Friday and get a three-day ticket. These cost £30, £25.50 and £9. One-day tickets on the gate will cost £12, £10.50 and £4.

Call our pre-booked discount ticket hotline today on 01507 529529.

To book a stand, call 01507 529430.

For more information visit www.classicbikeshows.com

A ride out to raise money for Help for Heroes. There is going be loads of riders and a real sense of camaraderie all for a great cause.

Dewsbury will be heading up the Ride Out and the crew will be taking pictures and video for the website. J-Rock and Dewsbury will be trying to get interviews with a few of you before you leave the ground.

If you would like to take part, please make sure you register in advance and not just turn up on the day!

venue: The ride out starts at Salford City Reds Stadium (M30 7LJ) at 9am, for a 10am set off and finishes at The Winking Man Pub (ST13 8UH). L-Plate riders should meet in a layby near to Gatley Traffic Lights- near a road called Broadway. A marshal will then join you onto the Ride Out.
price: Real radio (the organser) would like each rider to raise £30 and that can be donated through JustGiving or on the day by making cheques payable to Help for Heroes.
tel: Any queries/problems you have in advance: 0161 886 8784. On the day: 07976 284874
web-site:
facebook:

23rd September, 2012

Ace Cafe London is delighted to confirm that this years annual Ton Up Day, Sunday 4th November, will include the unveiling at the premises by The Heritage Foundation of a Blue Plaque in tribute to the late Screaming Lord Sutch, 3rd Earl of Harrow.
 
Born, during the blitz on London, in a Hampstead hospital, Dave Sutch lived locally in Harrow and soon became a regular frequenter of the then notorious Ace Cafe, visiting on a BSA 125 and listening to the latest rock n' roll sounds on the jukebox.
 
In addition to finding success with his music and extraordinary stage shows, in the 1960's, when voters had to be over 21, he stood in parliamentary elections as a representative of the National Teenage Party and went on to found the Official Monster Raving Loony Party which he served as leader from 1983 to 1999, during which time he stood in numerous parliamentary elections.
 
As a great friend of the Ace, Dave Sutch kindly officiated at the first Ace Cafe Reunion, held at the premises in 1994, and shared with all those present on that day of how it was at the Ace that he ate his very first rubber egg!
 
Dave Sutch 10.11.40 - 16.6.99 RIP
 
www.theheritagefoundation.info/index.html
 
www.ace-cafe-london.com/lord-sutch.aspx