The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) has reported that on a bracing Bank Holiday Monday evening there was the first gathering for some time, of MAG members in Northern Ireland.

The venue chosen by local riders was the Dirty Duck pub in Holywood and the evening saw an interesting array of bikes and an enthusiasm from those attending to get things going again in the Province.

The first gathering was organised by Molly and the MAG UK Campaigns Co-ordinator Paddy Tyson popped over from MAG “Central”, Paddy is originally from County Fermanagh.

Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird said, “Although a MAG UK member, the report of the meeting came as a surprise, especially as we are in discussions with MAG UK about some form of collaboration to get MAG started again here. In the past, first as the Regional Rep for Northern Ireland and then General Secretary of MAG UK, I know that when the motorcycle community works together for the benefit of riders, we all win”.

Our hand at Right To Right (and we are sure our supporters will agree), is extended in friendship to MAG on the various raft of issues we face as riders in Northern Ireland that come either internally or externally from the rest of the UK to Europe.

Let’s hope together both the “new” MAG in Northern Ireland and Right To Ride can work in collaboration with the same co-operation that was extended to us by the local BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) representative, who we worked together with recently on the introduction of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) here in Northern Ireland.

At Right To Ride we look forward to arranging an initial meeting and offer MAG in NI our support and good will and hope that they will reciprocate.

Wings & Wheels thrilled crowds over the bank holiday weekend as more than 32,000 people joined the air and motoring Show for its first year as a two day event.

The RAF put on a fantastic array of air displays with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano and Tutor all delighting crowds.

The highlight of the flying demonstration was the Harrier’s triumphant return to the aerodrome in celebration of 50 years since the first vertical take-off at Dunsfold. The jet danced and hovered along the crowd line before bowing out to a waving, cheering army of visitors.

Miss Demeanor, Red Bull Matadors, Breitling Wingwalkers, Aerobatic Glider Display, Tigers Parachute Team and Vulcan Bomber all added their own little bit of magic to the Show, whilst the ‘Wheels’, masterminded by Brooklands Museum, demonstrated the power and speed of iconic cars up and down the runway. Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, AC Cobras, Lotuses, Porsches, TVRs and the Merecedes-Benz Silver Arrows were just a few of the cars in the line-up.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We have received an unprecedented amount of positive feedback from enthusiastic guests and are overwhelmed by the success of the Show. Having invested substantially in the two day format, particularly the marshalling and traffic management on the external road junctions, it is rewarding for the whole team to know it has paid off and that everyone enjoyed such a smooth entry and exit to the show. We are all very much looking forward to next year and can confirm we will be holding the Show on Sunday 28^th and Monday 29^th August. In response to early demand tickets will be on sale from Friday 3^rd September.”

With over 60 trade stalls and attractions located within the central arena it wasn’t just the aircraft and vehicles which kept the crowds entertained. Visitors enjoyed the return of favourites such as Mercedes Benz World and the Vulcan Village as well as the new attractions such as Walk on Water. The Wings & Wheels supported charities were a vital presence in the central arena and received astounding support and charitable donations from the crowds which will contribute significantly to the total money raised for charity over the bank holiday weekend.    

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited to help raise monies for nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Help for Heroes.

 www.wingsandwheels.net

Independently acclaimed as the world's coolest motorcycle event!

Taking place over three days of the second weekend in September and first held in 1994, the 17th annual Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend & Ride With The Rockers celebrates the unique history, culture and style of Ace Cafe London and what it represents. The event acts as a focus in the motorcycling calendar for all those who are not only interested in the Ace Cafe, Ton Up and Rocker heritage, but also for many others who enjoy a weekend full of rock n' roll and fun!

Over the years, Ace Cafe London has forged lasting and strong links to the global motorcycling and rockin' community, which is reflected by the many visitors from overseas, one of the largest contingents being The Continental Run, which starts with a party at Cafe Hubraum in Solingen, Germany, before departing the next morning, led this year by the new limited edition Ace 904S Thruxton Special, to cross Holland, Belgium and France, gathering numbers en route to the ferry, arriving at the cafe late afternoon, and culminating in an evening of rock 'n' roll!

The Brighton Burn Up & Ride With The Rockers, has been an integral part of Ace Cafe Reunions since 1996, and is a free, grand day out at the seaside on Brighton's famous seafront road, Madeira Drive. With trade and club stands, stunt displays, live music and special guests, it's an experience not to be missed!

On Saturday 11th September, a Cafe Racer & Rockers Ride-Out to London's historic Battersea Park will depart from the cafe at 10.30am, returning for the 2nd annual Cafe Racer Review, with prizes for the "Best Ridden Cafe Racer". 

This year we will also be celebrating some very special landmarks : the 60th anniversary of the Triumph Thunderbird and the 20th anniversary of Hinckley built Triumphs; the 60th anniversary of the Wideline and 50th anniversary of the Slimline frame, with commensurate competitions for the "Best Triumph"; "Best Triumph Thunderbird"; "Best Norton Featherbeds".

Also, for the first time this year there will be prizes for the "Best Scooter" and "Best Dressed Rider"

Sponsors for the competitions include; Triumph, T-Bird Records, Lucky 13, Lewis Leathers, Salon Moto Legende, Baracuta, Dainese, and more with awards and prizes being presented by Sophia St. Villier, crowned Ace Cafe Hostess of the Year at the cafe's recent inaugural Streetfighter & Stunt Festival, Wembley.

We are also delighted to have special guest and ex-road racer Peter Williams with us together with his Norton Monocoque racer (courtesy Norman White).  Peter will be promoting and signing his new book "Peter Williams - Designed to Race". Peter's engineering designs gave him an advantage on the race track and set the trends for what motorcycles are today. Sadly Peter's racing career came to an end in 1974 with a terrible crash at Oulton Park, but his motorcycle innovation continues today.

The fiesty London Rockin' Rollers will be with us again, raising funds for London's Air Ambulance, the cafe's chosen charity for Saturday 11th September.

On Sunday 12th September in Brighton, as well as club, trade stands and live bands, there will be race bikes on display and guests to include Scott Redding, the youngest rider ever to win a GP, T3 Racing 675s and Harris Performance XR1200 BSB Round based race bikes and riders, and Danny John - Jules (the Cat in TV's Red Dwarf) with his Pink R1!

Stunt Shows featuring Cooper Stunts, Paul Hanks, Nick Storm, Adam Huber and the ever popular Marc "Sparky" Chennel will take place at Black Rock, the eastern end of Madeira Drive, with three displays scheduled for 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, together with a wheelie machine for those who want to try out riding on the back wheel!

As part of Battle of Britain Week,  the cafe's chosen charity RAFA will be in attendance raising funds and for your convenience, Riders For Health will be in attendance with a "helmet park", where you can leave your gear and enjoy the day.

Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend Entertainment:

Porky's Hot Rockin + Burlesque Show (Friday 10th), Daddy Slick Shift, Hot Doggin, The Daytonas and The Polecats + Burlesque Show (Saturday 11th) at the cafe, plus Lights Out and The Jets performing at Brighton (Sunday 12th), with DJ's  Dave Crozier & Bill & Jimmy Guntrip spinning the wax throughout the weekend, and yes, it's all free!

NOTICE:

As guests of Brighton, and this free to enter event we thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation in ensuring that the event is accessible and safe for all who attend

We ask that you do not park any vehicle on the pavements or block the footways and emergency routes, and adhere to the directions and requests of Reunion staff & Marshals.

Please note that the seafront road, Madeira Drive,will be open to the public (and bikes) from 9.30 a.m. with the event closing at 6 p.m.

For updates

Right To Ride’s campaign “No To Throttle Control” has reached across the Irish Sea and has been acknowledged by the UK motorcycle magazine “The Riders Digest”.

The Riders Digest in-house reporter, Amelie Summers’ column “Inside Line” has featured the issues on Throttle Control in an article entitled, “Automatic speed limiters – coming to your bike soon?”

The article also mentions that inspite of preliminary advice given to the SAFERIDER project by training experts, they were ignored. Partners in the project include the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) of which the BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) and MAG (Motorcycle Action Group UK) are both members.

Riders Organisations

Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird says, “We have been writing to these organisations over the last three months regarding this fundamental issue of rider control and have not received any positive feedback on what they intend to do to stop the development of this system”.

FEMA’s answer to threats of throttle, braking or steering interference is to use its best weapon of “plain common sense”.  We ask - when will its best weapon of plain common sense be deployed?

Urgency is required, because the SAFERIDER project ends in November when the final review will be presented to the EU Commission and the deliverables (results) of the project, including the force feedback throttle will be seeking the EU Commission’s approval and support.

Saferider

Meanwhile at Right To Ride we have written directly and presented a paper to the EU Commission Project Officer and Directors of the SAFERIDER project, setting out the reasons why we consider the Force Feedback Throttle dangerous.

Our argument in this paper is that any interference with the throttle will de-stabilize the motorcycle and place the rider in a precarious situation. We set out our reasons in detail why the development of this device – the force feedback throttle – must be stopped immediately and withdrawn from the SAFERIDER project.

We say – “No To Throttle Control”

Read The Full Story

bmf Tailend Motorcycle Show, 18 / 19 September, Lincolnshire Showground

With advanced ticket sales well up on last year, it’s a thumbs up for the bmf’s re-located Tail End show to be held for the first time at the stunning Lincolnshire Events Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground.

The decision to move the show after twelve years at Peterborough’s East of England Showground was a brave one, but advance ticket sales for this popular end of season event are up a staggering 60% on this time last year, while even the trade stands are looking to top last year’s figures.

Harley Davidson are bringing their brand new road show rig to the event including nine demonstrator bikes (driving licences will be required to be shown) while Rieju will be showing their stunning new range of bikes aimed at both the new and novice rider and will hopefully be bringing a long rising star Katie Bullock, European Intermediate Trials Champion and X Factor contestant.

Other exhibitors already booked include George White, Kawasaki, Norton Motorcycles, Frank Thomas, Hein Gericke, Bikers Gearbox, Carole Nash, Powerbronze, Busters, Enigma Clothing, SMC Bikes, Skidmarx and the ever-popular Wall of Death plus a large fun fair – and for those camping, James Toseland and his band CRASH will be headlining the live entertainment on Saturday night.

Making a guest appearance over the weekend will be Enduro Challenge star Graham Hoskins (and if he can make it, his riding partner Danny John Jules [The Cat from TV’s Red Dwarf]) to talk about their epic Enduro challenge for Sport relief – 7,000 miles, 15 countries, 3 continents in just 16 days!! Graham will have the bike he used and will also be giving a talk about the trip in the showground’s appropriately named Epic centre during the day.

Vertical Trix will be there with their wheelie machine for those who want to try their hand in relative safety, while in the main arena, top class stunts from the Bolddog Lings Stunt Team and amazing tricks from ace trials rider Steve Colley will keep the crowds happy. But that’s not all, as the fast and furious racing from the British Lawnmower racing association will give a whole new meaning to the phrase cut and thrust competition!

Thanks to the bmf’s insurance partners MCE, visitors will also have the chance to win a VIP experience at the BSB at Oulton Park including pit lane walks and a ‘meet the teams’ session. Visitors also have the chance to win a £500 custom helmet paint job courtesy of the BLD group.

For those camping, ticket prices include live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings from bands such as Trash Monkey (back from a successful bmf May show appearance), the League of Mentalmen, The Band from County Hell and Bad Penny with James Toseland and Crash headlining Saturday.