Channel 5 TV presenter and former host of BBC's MotoGP coverage Suzi Perry is giving her backing to National Motorcycle Week (NMW) which runs from 18 to 24 July and features Ride To Work day on Wednesday 21 July.

This year's NMW is being supported by Get On, the nationwide campaign by the Motor Cycle Industry (MCI) to get more people on two wheels, and as a result both new and existing riders are being encouraged to get out on two wheels and enjoy the huge range of benefits that life on a motorbike or scooter can bring.   

NMW provides the perfect opportunity for people to try life on two wheels and book a free one-hour taster session with Get On. The campaign offers anyone aged 16 or over the chance to try riding a scooter or geared 125cc motorcycle absolutely free and with no commitment at any one of over 150 centres around the country. To book a free ride the public simply register at www.geton.co.uk and their nearest training centre will contact them to make the arrangements.

NMW also encourages existing and lapsed bikers to get out and about on their bikes and enjoy the great sense of fun and freedom which biking offers, while also encouraging their friends to give biking a go.

As an added incentive during July Get On are running a prize promotion which allows any biker who introduces a friend at a Get On dealer the chance to win a huge range of prizes including biking holidays, Weise kit, Arai helmets and Pirelli tyres. Non-bikers won't miss out either as they will be entered into the draw for iPads, iPod nanos and digital cameras. The competition can be entered at one of 450 participating Get On dealers across the country which can be located on the website www.geton.co.uk

Ride to Work Day (21 July) is part of the event and the aim is to promote the fact that as well as an enjoyable leisure pursuit riding a bike or scooter has many practical benefits. Powered two-wheelers can help;

Reduce congestion
Reduce journey times
Reduce the cost of commuting
Reduce pollution

Perry, who was a presenter at this year's BBC coverage of Royal Ascot, is calling on people to take the opportunity to get out and about and enjoy life on two wheels and said, "Bikes have been a huge part of my life and are just such a fantastic way to get around. Not only do they help you get ahead of the traffic but they're also more economical, greener and a huge amount of fun."

"For many people, the thought of getting into biking can be a bit intimidating and it can often be confusing about what licences and training you need to be able to ride a bike. Get On strips all this away. Not only can anyone try riding for free without any commitment but the website also offers a one stop shop on all you need to know about getting into biking. What's even better is that you can win great prizes just dropping into a dealer to talk about it."

Anyone can get involved in National Motorcycle Week and people who are interested in running their own events can think about planning a bikers BBQ, a local charity fundraiser, getting some extra training or going on a group ride -out to celebrate all that is positive about life on two-wheels.

More information and an event pack is online in the campaigns section of the industry website www.mcia.co.uk

Following the Ducati Multistrada’s incredibly successful market introduction, the top-selling model has now also won its very first international competition with a convincing victory and 3rd place finish in the 1200cc class of the annual Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, held on Sunday high in the mountains above Colorado Springs. The win further underlines world-wide acclaim received for the ground-breaking technology introduced by the Bologna-based company earlier this year.

In the hands of Pike’s Peak veteran, Greg Tracy, the Multistrada 1200 S took a massive lead off the start line, and rode up into the clouds to take the top podium position at 14,110 feet (4,300 meters). Tracy ran a smooth race, demonstrating the exceptional on and off-road capabilities of Ducati’s innovative new model, which uses electronically controlled “riding-modes” to deliver top performance across all terrains.

“That was an exciting week I’ve got to say,” said Tracy in the post race award ceremony. “I want to thank Ducati for the opportunity they’ve given me. The Spider Grips Falkner-Livingston Multistrada was an amazing ride. Everyone did an awesome job and that motorcycle is crazy fast. It hit 137mph (220km/h) at one point up the hill and worked great both on the dirt and the asphalt. When I was growing up, and all these factory teams would win races, I was sure they had $100,000 engines and that was why they went so fast. I was wrong. This is my first year on a factory motorcycle and I’ll tell you that bike was box-stock standard. It had some carbon, and few tweaks and that was it.”

Greg’s teammate, Alexander Smith, also put in a formidable performance, ensuring the second Ducati Multistrada entry also made the podium. Alexander fought his way up the mountain in 2nd position and looked set for a 1-2 finish before falling in the last corner and remounting to grab 3rd place.

“I have to repeat everything Greg said about the bike, it was really perfect,” said Smith. “The race was good, and if you see the start line footage you can tell how awesome the bike was working. It was a pretty smooth race up until the last corner where I kind of laid it down. I got off real quick and remounted which was still good enough for 3rd, putting both the Multistrada’s on the podium.”

More information about Ducati’s win in the Pike’s Peak International Hillclimb is available at www.ducatiusa.com

Hundreds of Mini’s will converge at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 4 July for the Gaydon Mini Festival. The annual event is expected to attract thousands of Mini enthusiasts, keen to celebrate Britain’s favourite iconic little car.

A Heritage Run of 30 Mini’s including classic models and present day MINI’s will depart from the MINI Plant Oxford. The last Mini to leave will be the latest 2010 MINI model. MINI Plant Oxford Managing Director Dr Juergen Hedrich will be there to flag the drivers away at 10:00am with the procession due to arrive at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon at 11:00am.

The Mini Festival includes a host of exciting Mini activities including the Quick Shift Mini stand with children’s activities for under 14's, the Mini cutout corner, the inter club challenge, Car of the Year competition, Mini Trade village and the infamous Heritage Run. A Mini party will take place the night before the show on Saturday 3 July featuring a quiz, skittles and disco.

Advance tickets costs £9 or £11 on the day for adults, £8 in advance or £10 on the day for children and £28 for an advance family ticket or £38 on the day. Camping is available for the evening of Saturday 3 July. Prices are £13 in advance or £18 on the day. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the new ticket hotline on 01926 287728 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm.