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In July last year we reported that it appeared that Northern Ireland was getting wired up with the fitting of Wirerope/Cable barriers (Vehicle Restraint Systems).
We first noticed these barriers in Belfast, situated at the junction of Tesco’s at Newtownbreda, however stretches of wirerope barriers have been and are now being fitted on the A1 Dual Carriageway between Belfast and Newry.
We also reported that A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual carriageway (Newry By-pass), a 12km stretch at a cost of just over £150million which was part funded by the European Union, TEN-T (Trans-European Network Transport) Programme, seemed to have ignored the exposure to risk of motorcyclists by installing a wire rope barrier system.
On Wednesday 23rd February the Roads Minister Conor Murphy, officially opened the £45million A2 Maydown to City of Derry Airport dualling scheme.
At the launch the Minister said: "The completion of this £45million project is an important step forward for the people of the northwest. The new dual carriageway will help ease congestion, resulting in improved safety and journey times for traffic travelling on this route.”
However what is clear at Right To Right is that when the Minister says that the “project” will result in improved safety for traffic travelling on this route, he has again forgotten about one mode of transport and that is the motorcycle and their riders.
At Right To Ride our position on wire rope barriers is clear and what is considered by riders’ organisations around the world, which is that these road restraint systems are seen as the most dangerous type of crash barriers because of the exposure to the lethal upright posts.
A2 Bikers against Rope Barriers - (BARB)
Local members of the motorcycle fraternity have now been spurred into public action and they have formed into an organized group called, A2 Bikers against Rope Barriers - (BARB)
The group has unanimously agreed that a wrong and lethal decision has now been made by Roads Service, supposedly on our behalf, resulting in a 100% rejection by bikers, of this type of Vehicle Restraint System chosen for this stretch of road.
BARB continues by saying, “Either by a mistake or design, this decision has resulted in exposing a fundamental safety flaw. It is our view as lay people that instead of decreasing a greater daily risk to us motorcyclists, it has multiplied the daily risk who have to use this stretch of road in the future. This is compared to other types of safety barrier choices that were available to the engineers at the time.
Right To Ride along with the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) in Northern Ireland, are 100% behind BARB and are supporting BARB’s mission, "to stop DRD Roads Division from updating/upgrading our roads infrastructure with any more anti motorcycling safety rope barriers until an alternative suitable barrier has been agreed by all parties for this road and past and future development."
For further information BARB can be contacted on [email protected]
And also via the Facebook page - Bikers against rope barriers A2
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"I, Superbiker", the new no-holds barred full length motorcycling documentary film, will be presented in a special screening event across the UK, for one night only on Monday 14th March and Ace Cafe London has a pair of tickets to attend the evening screening at the Apollo Cinema, Piccadilly. The winner of this pair of tickets being chosen at the cafe on the evening of Friday 5th March, monthly Streetfighter night at the Ace.
DVD's of "I, Superbiker" are also up for grabs as raffle prizes at the cafe on each of the five Friday evenings through April, being the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th with a pair of VIP tickets to attend the Easter BSB race weekend at Brands Hatch being the top prize at the cafe on Streetfighter night, Friday 1st April, no fooling!
The high octane documentary intimately follows the great British hope Tommy Hill, whose parents have sacrificed their home, holidays and finances to support his burning ambition to be Britain's number one superbike racer. Tommy commented, "British Superbikes is motorcycle racing at its very best and this film shows that brilliantly. It's amazing to see BSB on the cinema screen. Its a massive sport with a great following - now hopefully people who don't know it that well can see what an incredible event it is."
Alongside Tommy Hill, "I, Superbiker" is a revealing portrait of the highs and lows of fellow racers, James Ellison, Josh Brookes and Gary Mason, riding through tortuous conditions and risking life and limb at every race meeting. Motorcycle fans and thrill seekers alike will be able to experience the gladiatorial speed, strength and tenacity of the riders as they battle their way through the dramatic 2010 BSB season.
The film's writer, producer and director Mark Sloper of 400TV commented "I wanted to capture the emotion and passion of motorcycle racing - a classic motorcycle racing film that might be set in the 2010 season but can still be fresh in years to come." He added, "I also wanted it to appeal to people outside of the motorcycle industry and fan-base. And I wanted to try an change outsiders perceptions of motorcycling."
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EXMoD LTD - 'Forget-Me-Not', was founded in 2005 by Anthony Finlay (a former member of HM Forces) who believed there was no provision for homeless ex-servicemen and women in the United Kingdom, especially those suffering from mental illness or addiction. It is a charity run by ex-servicemen for ex-servicemen.
Tony had served with the British Army for twenty years and found it extremely difficult to adapt to civilian life when he eventually retired. He has been homeless and for three months Tony spent each evening chained to his BMW 1100GS, in a sleeping bag around London and the south west. When he had the money breakfast was at the Ace Cafe, somewhere close to his heart. Upstairs was an old photograph showing the lorry owned by his father parked outside the Cafe. For a time he toured the Alps before coming back to the UK and asking for help. He fully appreciates the problems encountered and the lack of empathy shown by local authorities to these men and women who have laid their lives on the line for their country.
Approximately five years ago, he decided that something needed to be done and wanted to establish a ,safe haven, where any man or woman who had received a day’s pay from HM Forces, and who, for whatever reason had found themselves homeless would be safe. He wanted a place where they could stay in a room, or pitch a tent, receive a hot meal and be amongst their own kind.
EXMoD LTD, are now at the juncture where they need to relocate and are looking to raise half a million pounds for a suitable property, to enable them to offer further assistance and to prevent the need to turn our former heroes away due to lack of space. Exmod prides itself in offering assistance to and former serviceman or woman. Like the RBL and SSAFA our only criteria is that the client has received one full days pay.
Tony has been riding bikes since he was seventeen, his first bike being a Rayleigh Run About. His first posting with his regiment was Northern Ireland during the troubles and Tony took it upon himself to purchase a Honda CB125 and travel by bike from his home town of Leicester to his posting. When his first R&R came up, Tony rode back to Leicester with a small collie pup tucked in his jacket.
If anyone would like to fund raise on our behalf,we would be extremely grateful.
Our Forthcoming Events
Several charities offer a sponsorship/adoption scheme, well if it good for the goose then it is good for the gander. We cannot promise that the horses, goats, pigs or rabbits will actually write to you three times a year, because as far as we are aware they are somewhat clumsy with the keyboards. However, we will write four updates per year send out photographs and allow our sponsors to visit three times a year.
It has also been suggested that we should arrange a sponsor a hero scheme. The money received will pay for vocational training courses, travel costs, etc.
If you would like more information, please contact a member of the team or watch the site for further details.
30th April 2011
We are hoping that the parents and children involved in The Forces Children’s Trust will accept out invitation to A Day On The Farm. We would like this to be a special day for all concerned and propose to include attractions like pony and carriage rides 4 x 4 off-roading, BBQ and treasure hunt. Fund permitting we would like to arrange for several fairground rides to be at the venue.
Once again we are looking for support. Anyone living in the Northamptonshire area that is able to offer their services are invited to contact the Exmod team.
May 2011
We are funding raising and will be holding a promise auction. We have already been offered several fantastic lots but need more. If you have a speedboat, or helicopter or can offer a ride in a side-car and don’t mind giving up your time or you have tickets to a show that you have seen, please donate the same. We need to relocate as quickly as possible and cannot do so without your continued support.
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Following the lamented loss, due to new building works, of last years inaugural event venue of Wembley, and as a consequence of the event having outgrown the original historic North Circular Road premises, Ace Cafe London, in association with StuntUK and the International StuntBike Freestyle (SBF) competition, have teamed up again to present the Ace Cafe London Streetfighter & Stunt Festival, to be held throughout the day from 10am on Sunday 31st July, now relocated one mile east from the cafe along the North Circular Road and near the M1 motorway at the UK's premier shopping centre, Brent Cross.
In addition to trade and industry stands and displays, this second annual event again combines the cafe's legendary Streetfighter Sunday, as well as showcasing the live action finals of the SBF competition, with stunt riders from across Europe and beyond taking part.
Highlights of the event include the Evel Knievel " True Evel" tour, featuring Evel's original motorcycles, famous jump leathers, personal memorabilia, and untold photos and stories, "Best Streetfighter" static display and "Show Up n' Shine" competitions, dyno shoot-out, tyre-frying burnouts and a wheelie machine for those who want to experience "up in the air" thrills!
In addition to the Ace stage, featuring live music from Avenge Vulture Attack & DJ & MC mixing it up, entertainment includes The Fuel Girls, a host of hot tricks from the East Coast FMX display team and pro drifter Belinda Challis, who will be putting her Garage-D built Nissan Skyline R32 through its paces.
London's Air Ambulance is once again the events chosen charity.
To enter your bike in the Streetfighters Magazine Static Display please contact:
WILL JOBBINS Email: [email protected]
Tickets are available at the cafe and via the Ace web shop, as well as on the gate on the day.
Buy your ticket at the cafe and you will receive a free tea or coffee.
Tickets:
Individual £7.50 (£10 on the gate)
Individual + Bike £7.50 (£10 on the gate)
Individual + Bike + Pillion £12.50 (£15 on the gate)
A special family ticket will be available on the gate £15
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Former BMF Public Relations and Communications Director and one time army corporal, Dave Muckle, is leading a team of seven riders, all on Triumph Bonneville’s, on a charity ride that follows the route taken by Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, the mastermind of the plot depicted in the film The Great Escape.
The Bonnevilles were chosen in homage to Steve McQueen who was famously seen escaping from prison camp Stalag Luft 111, (the scene of the film the Great Escape), by leaping the prison camp fence on a Triumph motorcycle. In fact one of the bikes will be a modern day replica of Steve’s bike and will be auctioned off after the ride as part of the fund-raising attempt.
The trip, The Great Escape 2, is planned to begin on 4th June 2011 and aims to cover 3,500 miles in two weeks. The Bonnevilles and all riding equipment will be supplied by Triumph Motorcycles through Laguna Motorcycles Of Maidstone, Kent, with Nissan UK providing back up vehicles.
The aim of the ride is to raise £10,000, to be divided between the charity Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion, assisting in the care of our injured troops. To date just over £6000 has been raised but further donations, large or small, can be made through the website
The team intend to follow the route of Squadron Leader Bushell from a starting point at former RAF Biggin Hill, via Dover to the beaches of Dunkirk and then through Belgium to sites in Holland, Germany and returning via Trier train station where Roger was caught. After a night in Ypres to take part in the Last Post Parade, they return to Dunkirk and home.
Full details on the background to the Great Escape and the route to be taken this time around can be found at www.greatescape2.net
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