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  1. Following the announcement of the 2010 Ally Pally show dates early in the year and noting the regrettable loss of the custom show planned for 2009, Ace Cafe London conducted extensive consultation and research within the industry and which included with AMD for their expert advice.

    The outcome of this is that Ace Cafe London is able to announce an agreement with Andrew Greenwood, the organiser of The Ally Pally Motorcycle Show, to the effect that the show now becomes part of the stable of Ace Cafe London's major events.

    Not only valuing the significance of the affiliation with AMD and the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, with the winning builder going to the AMD Official World Finals held in Sturgis,USA, in August 2010, Ace Cafe London also recognises the importance and suitability of the February date; not conflicting with other events either in the UK or overseas and being at the outset of the 2010 season.

    Mark Wilsmore of Ace Cafe London said, "The prestigious heritage of Alexandra Palace, a venue that has hosted so many successful motorcycle shows, combined with that of Ace Cafe London brings together two iconic London landmarks with the best that motorcycling has to offer. This can only further strengthen the event."

    The West Hall of Ally Pally will become the centre of attention for custom bike enthusiasts and will feature builders from the UK and overseas. With the keen support of AMD and being part of the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, including Zodiac International sponsoring the Freestyle Class, visitors can be assured of a spectacular array machines.

    Harley-Davidson UK has confirmed that it is to back the London Ace Cafe custom show with sponorship of the prestigious Modified Harley-Davidson class at 'Ally Pally'. Harley has agreed to put up a contingency prize of £5,000 of Official Harley-Davidson parts, accessories and merchandise credit, £3,000 of which goes to the class winner.

    UK Parts, Accessories and General Merchandise Brand Manager Allan Brownridge told AMD that "It is good to see that the UK is to get the kind of custom events that the market has needed; being a part of the World Championship Affiliate event programme we here at Harley are pleased to be able to add our name and backing to the event. Shows like this can only be good for the mission that everybody shares of spreading the custom message to the widest possible audience."

    The Great Hall of Ally Pally will be the focal point for motorcyclings "bedrock" exhibitors and, as in 2009, will feature the great brands and their products. In addition there will be live stage action and entertainment as well as a return of the ever popular stunt show, which will be held in the North West Hall, whilst Ally Pally's Panmorama Room will be hosting the smaller trade stands.

    From Sports, Race, Cruiser and Classics to Streetfighters and Custom Superbikes, together with clubs, all are welcome to be a part of putting the Ally Pally Bike Show back on the map.

    Russell Mitchell has agreed to act as Honorary Custom Show Grand Marshal at the forthcoming AMD affiliated Ace Cafe London Motorcycle and Custom Show .
    For ten years now, native Brit Russell Mitchell has operated Exile Cycles in Los Angeles, California, manufacturing custom parts, accessories and signature -styled custom bikes. Producing around twenty complete custom bikes each year, his designs have garnered acclaim and hundreds of magazine features around the globe for their clean, tough, industrial styling. A Discovery Channel " Biker Build Off", " World Bike Build Off" and Official World Championship competitor, Russell now hosts his own show on the U.S. Speed Channel network. Within the motorcycle industry, Russell enjoys a considerable design and engineering reputation that goes far deeper than the full-body tattoos and blonde hair that have made him so publicly recognisable.

    Also appearing at the show are Jenny Tinmouth, courtesy of Sorrymate.com , the UKs fastest female TT racer in 2009 and who has just taken her first Super Sport Cup podium place with a Honda CBR1000RR 'blade and Steve "Mr Showman" Colley with his trials based motorcycle stunt team. Steve will be performing amazing stunts and tricks, including with the world famous "Mono Bike", which has no front wheel or front brake! As well as wheelies, stoppies, jumps over people and drop offs, Steve has a display stand where show visitors can come and view the bikes and chat with Steve.

    Zodiac, sponsor of the AMD affiliated "Free Style" Class of the Custom Bike Build Championship, will be debuting their new 1000+hp supercharged Top Fuel Harley drag bike, together with their show truck and stand.

    Custom Show categories:

    Freestyle - One-off, ground up customs, Any design or modification accepted.

    Modified Harley-Davidson - Frame and motor must be original equipment Harley-Davidson. Any modification to an original H-D frame and motor is accepted. Engine cases must be H-D, but modified or changed heads or cylinders are acceptable.

    Old Style - Entry must be based on, or have the appearance of, a motorcycle manufactured prior to (circa) 1970.

    Scooter - Entry must feature step-through architecture and either a platform for the operators feet or footrests integral with the bodywork.

    Metric (including Streetfighter) - Entry must be based on a production motorcycle (frame and motor) manufactured in Europe or Asia.

    Brit Bike - Entry must be based on a British manufactured production motorcycle frame and motor.


    The chosen charity for the Ally Pally 2010 show is the London Air Ambulance who will be in attendance raising funds for their publicly funded service and explaining what they do.

     

    For ten years now, native Brit Russell Mitchell has operated Exile Cycles in Los Angeles, California, manufacturing custom parts, accessories and signature -styled custom bikes. Producing around twenty complete custom bikes each year, his designs have garnered acclaim and hundreds of magazine features around the globe for their clean, tough, industrial styling. A Discovery Channel " Biker Build Off", " World Bike Build Off" and Official World Championship competitor, Russell now hosts his own show on the U.S. Speed Channel network. Within the motorcycle industry, Russell enjoys a considerable design and engineering reputation that goes far deeper than the full-body tattoos and blonde hair that have made him so publicly recognisable.

    Also appearing at the show are Jenny Tinmouth, courtesy of Sorrymate.com , the UKs fastest female TT racer in 2009 and who has just taken her first Super Sport Cup podium place with a Honda CBR1000RR 'blade and Steve "Mr Showman" Colley with his trials based motorcycle stunt team. Steve will be performing amazing stunts and tricks, including with the world famous "Mono Bike", which has no front wheel or front brake! As well as wheelies, stoppies, jumps over people and drop offs, Steve has a display stand where show visitors can come and view the bikes and chat with Steve.

    Zodiac, sponsor of the AMD affiliated "Free Style" Class of the Custom Bike Build Championship, will be debuting their new 1000+hp supercharged Top Fuel Harley drag bike, together with their show truck and stand.

    Custom Show categories:

    Freestyle - One-off, ground up customs, Any design or modification accepted.

    Modified Harley-Davidson - Frame and motor must be original equipment Harley-Davidson. Any modification to an original H-D frame and motor is accepted. Engine cases must be H-D, but modified or changed heads or cylinders are acceptable.

    Old Style - Entry must be based on, or have the appearance of, a motorcycle manufactured prior to (circa) 1970.

    Scooter - Entry must feature step-through architecture and either a platform for the operators feet or footrests integral with the bodywork.

    Metric (including Streetfighter) - Entry must be based on a production motorcycle (frame and motor) manufactured in Europe or Asia.

    Brit Bike - Entry must be based on a British manufactured production motorcycle frame and motor.

    More information about the custom competition can be found at:
    www.acecustomshow.com
    The chosen charity for the Ally Pally 2010 show is the London Air Ambulance who will be in attendance raising funds for their publicly funded service and explaining what they do.

    Advance Ticket Hotline: 08452 305177

    www.ace-cafe-london.com

    www.alexandrapalace.com

    www.amdchampionship.com

    www.classicshows.org

  2. In October 2008, the Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) came up with the idea to try to break the world record for the largest amount of riders to complete 1,000 miles in less than 24 hours.

    The inaugural event took place from Squires Cafe Nr Leeds on Saturday 20th June 2009. The 1000 miles covered either a Northern Route into Scotland or a Southern Route to take in the West Country. In total the event had 171 finishers which 162 riders and 9 pillions, which would have smashed the world record if the Americans hadn't pipped us to the post first. However the event did break both the European and UK records and so far has raised over £33,000 for the Poppy Appeal. In 2010 we aim to make the event even bigger, raising more for the Poppy Appeal.
    So are you up to the challenge?

    For more information visit www.rblr1000.co.uk

  3. Motorcyclists at the head of a group of riders will face stiffer penalties for speeding under a crown court ruling.

    Being the lead rider in a group is an aggravating factor making you partly responsible for speeding offences of those behind you according to the decision.

    The ruling can be applied in any future cases where two or more motorcyclists riding together are accused of speeding. The head rider might be only a few mph over the limit, but could be given the same penalty as the worst offender behind.

    Road traffic solicitor Robert Dobson said: "Any crown court decision can be stated in future cases. This is potentially a very dangerous judgement for motorcyclists. Riders in a group change position frequently. If you are riding at the front any group at excess speed, then the very fact you're at the front is an aggravating factor."

    Ken Clark, 49, reached 85mph on his Yamaha R1 while leading a group of three riders on the 60mph A272 near Rogate, Sussex, last June. The speed is within the usual threshold for a fixed penalty of three points and a £60 fine. But Chichester Crown Court ruled he should receive the same penalty as a following rider accused of going 103mph.

    Barrister notes on the ruling given to Clark after the hearing state: `Although his was the lesser speed, [the bench] found it an aggravating feature that he was the lead motorcyclist, was setting the pace and he knew that the other two motorcyclists would want to catch him up and would be speeding to do so.'

  4. The Touratech Touring and Adventure Zone is once again proving to be a giant hit with visitors to the UK’s premier two-wheeled event - The 2009 Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, which is running at the Birmingham NEC until Sunday 6th December.

    The expanded Touratech Touring and Adventure Zone has been positioned alongside the major manufacturers in Hall 1, which reflects the continual growth of touring and adventure holidays amongst the biking fraternity. The entire Zone is geared to accommodate numerous exhibitors offering motorcycle tours to varying corners of the globe.

    For those new to holidaying with their bike, the Show offers handy tips, useful advice and trips of a lifetime for the most novice rider. For the touring enthusiast, there are trips on offer to far and away destinations, which even the most intrepid explorer would not have thought about visiting by bike, from Transylvania and the Himalayas to Mount Everest!

    Visitors to the Show over the past weekend have been able to meet and get advice on two-wheeled long distance travel from the face of biking adventure, Show ambassador Charley Boorman. Having recently returned from his latest ‘By Any Means’ journey, Boorman has proved to be a real crowd-puller with fans queuing for his autograph at the Touratech stand over the course of the opening weekend.

    Exhibitors at the Touratech Touring and Adventure Zone include Alpine TT, whose signature trip includes guiding groups through Northern Spain and Portugal, taking in the splendour of the Douro Valley, the hot springs at Chaves and an awesome ride through the Picos de Europas. Tour operator  Compass Expeditions has also received impressive levels of interest for their bespoke bike expeditions to South America, which includes Chile and Argentina, whilst MCi Tours offers sensational biking holidays across Europe, America and New Zealand.

    Touratech UK Managing Director, Nick Plumb , commented: “The popularity of touring on motorcycles has steadily grown. All the touring stands at the Show are vibrant with people who see the biking tour as a fantastic way to travel. Touratech has been inundated with attention and our new Streetline range, which is designed for adventures on road-biased bikes, has received an incredible reception from the public. There’s also been a lot of general interest geared towards motorbikes for longer trips to exotic destinations, proving that riders are wanting to explore further afield.”

    Managing Director of MCi Tours Alistair McFarlane , added: “The Show is proving to be a big success for us. Our FlyRide holidays have attracted an incredible range of interest and we’ve distributed more package brochures than ever before and have even drafted in extra staff to cope with the demand. However, it’s the quality of interest, along with the vast cross-section of people that the adventure market is appealing to that has been so impressive.”

    Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of MCI Exhibitions , said: “The Touratech Touring and Adventure Zone continues to be one of the most popular areas of the Show. We are delighted to have so many companies from this growth area of the industry exhibiting at the NEC.”

    For more information visit www.motorcycleshow.co.uk