Category: Events and Shows

1. Mods and Rockers - A new way of life for Newark Show

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 13th Dec 2017

   Elements of the scooter/motorcycle rivalry of the mid-60s will be showcased at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic show. The motorcycling event, now in its seventh year, takes place at Newark Showground on January 6-7 and has been expanded by two halls for 2018.

   Among the many attractions on offer will be a Retro area dedicated to the 50s, 60s and 70s; slap bang in the middle of that time period was the collision of youth cultures that defined what the press came to call ‘the Mods and Rockers’ era.

   Visitors and traders alike are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing in their finest Mod or Rocker gear to enjoy a faux-seaside atmosphere reminiscent of Brighton, Clacton or Hastings during the heyday of the two movements. Prizes will be on offer from the organisers to the best-dressed Mod and Rocker. The Retro area will also feature gentlemen’s grooming specialists Arthur Razor from West London. Known to stars such as Colin Firth and Tim Vincent, the pop-up barber shop will be offering great contemporary and vintage haircuts and excellent traditional wet shaves to visitors.

   Alongside the Retro area will be the show-within-a-show that is Scooter World – which this year will feature the sounds of the scooterist internet radio station, Mod Radio, as well as some of the finest custom scooters on the scene today.

   Another adjoining hall will also contain a dedicated ‘Pit Area’ which will reflect the atmosphere of a race paddock and will include a ‘Blast From The Past’ bike start-up area which will see highly-tuned sprint and race machines revved-up for your enjoyment – earplugs are optional!

   Event planner Vicky Bean said: “Outside it might be the depths of winter, but inside we’re aiming to recreate those hazy lazy days of mid-summer at a south coast resort during the golden age of two-wheeled travel. Visitors will be able to explore the sights and sounds of our Retro area before stepping into Scooter World halls for a dedicated scooterist experience.

   “Why not escape those post-Christmas blues to join us for some scooter and motorcycle-related retro enjoyment among like-minded enthusiasts!”

   Beyond the Retro area and Scooter World, visitors will be able to explore and admire hundreds of beautiful classic bikes, pick up parts for their project, or find spares for the motorcycling year ahead.

   Discounted advance tickets are now on sale for the show, with a one-day adult pass costing just £8. Tickets will also be available on the gate, priced at £10 each. Under 12s go free, and free parking is available for visitors.

   For more information visit classicbikeshows.com

2. Xmas Toy Run & Carol Service - Ace Cafe

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 6th Dec 2017

   Sunday 17th December
   Depart: 10.30am
   
   The Ace Cafe's annual Christmas Toy Run into central London departs at 10.30am on Sunday 17th December to attend the children's wards of three hospitals:
   
   Royal Brompton (Chelsea)
   St Marys (Paddington)
   Whittington (Highgate)     
   
   As always, any surplus gifts will be distributed to various children's homes and groups.
   
   Please bring gifts that are unwrapped.
    
   Because of allergies hospitals advise against stuffed toys and sweets - the nursing staff however may appreciate some sweeties!
   
   On returning to the cafe, there will be prizes for the "Best Dressed Bike" and the "Best Dressed Rider" - and a hot cuppa.
   
   NB: On the morning of the run, please check in at the cafe with “Toy Run Ron”, who once again is kindly looking after the logistic involved with this special occasion.
   
   On the same day, Sunday 17th December, why not join us for the cafe's annual candlelit Xmas Carol Singalong & Service, from 7pm, followed by complimentary hot, oven fresh, mince pies!

   

3. Paws & Claws Pet Food Run

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 3rd Dec 2017

   Sunday 10th December
   Depart 11.00 am
   
   One week before the annual Xmas Toy Run, meeting at Ace Cafe to depart at 11am, is the annual ride out to attend the Mayhew Animal Home in Kensal Rise, NW10. Established during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1886, the home is entirely funded by, and dependent upon, public support.
   
   Being the season for giving, we must not forget the animals, so often overlooked and neglected, and which entirely rely on places like "The Mayhew" and the generosity and support of all.
   
   The Mayhew welcomes gifts, to include towels, blankets (used as bedding) as well as pet food and treats for cats and dogs.
   
   Private donations can also be made on your visit to the Mayhew. You may even find a furry friend that you may wish to adopt!
   For those of you who can't make the run, there will be collecting tins on the counter and a collection box for food, treats and bedding etc. at the cafe in the week leading up to the run.
   
   www.mayhewanimalhome.org

   

4. Over 100,000 bike fans enjoy an action-packed Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 27th Nov 2017

   Motorcycle Live 2017 drew to a close this evening after a nine-day stint at The NEC, Birmingham, where 107,072 bike fans enjoyed what many have hailed the most interactive, entertaining and action-packed event in the show's history. 

   Over 40 of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers turned out in force to debut their brand-new 2018 machinery, each one pulling out all the stops with their spectacular stands. Special features included a 20th anniversary display of the Yamaha R1 YZF, a full restoration of Kevin Schwantz’s Suzuki RGV500, a celebration of 25 years of the Honda Fireblade and the Harley-Davidson Jumpstart feature.

   The Indian Motorcycles stand featured live music, Kawasaki’s Team Green stage hosted daily racer appearances and KTM displayed a stunning range of racing machinery in its Ready to Race showcase. Triumph, Carole Nash and the National Motorcycle Museum added to an already incredible atmosphere with regular start-ups of their respective Moto2, MotoGP and classic race bikes.  

   Among the interactive features at the show were ten FREE opportunities to ride a bike, with activities for all ages and levels of experience. Strider and Arenacross were busy getting youngsters on two wheels, while Get On’s Two Wheel Taster and BMW’s Rookie to Rider targeted new bikers. The Test Ride Zone, Experience Adventure and the Yamaha Dark Side MT Tour allowed licenced motorcyclists to take a selection of great models for a spin. The ACU offered the chance to Try Trials and BMW tutored people in Off Road Skills.

   The stunning FMX Live presented by Arenacross did not disappoint in its final year of tenure, keeping the crowds on the edge of their seats with bigger, braver and more impressive stunts than ever before. Slightly more sedate, but no less extraordinary, were the Classic Feature supported by The National Motorcycle Museum and the Custom Xtreme Zone supported by Back Street Heroes.

   If that wasn’t enough excitement, each and every day saw an influx of famous faces from the world of motorcycling and beyond. MotoGP’s Johann Zarco could be found back flipping off the Black Horse stage while the legend that is John McGuinness signed autographs on the Isle of Man TT stand and singer James Blunt tried his next motorcycle out for size.

   To round off a truly memorable week, the winner of the Motorcycle Live Ace Builds custom showcase was announced, with Phil Price from Stoke-on-Trent’s Yamaha XV750 Vigaro “PP2” being voted the ‘Ultimate Ace Build’ by show visitors.

   “We’ve had a record show this year,” said David Holloway, sales director of Infinity Motorcycles, which has ten retail stands at Motorcycle Live. “The visitors coming to our stand have all been genuinely enthusiastic, having a fantastic time and really raving about all the entertainment and interactive things to see and do. It’s been a brilliant year.”  

   John Drogan, head of customer experience at CCM Motorcycles, agrees: “This year’s Motorcycle Live will go down as one of the most successful in CCM Motorcycles’ history. We’ve had so many keen visitors to the stand – all absolutely loving the show and the entertainment on offer. James Blunt unveiled our new FT6 Flat Tracker and we’ve hundreds of genuine orders, with the Scrambler totally selling out. It couldn’t have been a better show for us and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2018!”

   Motorcycle Live 2018 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November – save the date!

5. A free event - Sam Childers, The Real Machine Gun Preacher is coming back to Hayling Island 16th March 2018...

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 23rd Nov 2017

   To date, Sam has rescued over 1,500 children from the hands of evil warlords who make sons kill their parents and who take small female children away and exploit them in the sex and slave trade and he currently feeds over 12,000 children, widows and orphans a day.

    "I will guarantee that you will never meet a preacher like Sam again.... He is unique - a one-off."

   In his former life, he dealt drugs and was an enforcer (a hired gun) for one of America’s most notorious motorcycle gangs, before his conversion to Christianity and him finding his mission - to save children in war-torn East Africa.

   In 2013 Sam received the Mother Teresa Award for International Social Justice (the largest award of its type in the world for International Social Justice) and he is the only American ever to be bestowed with that honour (the Dalai Lama and UK House of Lords rep, Baroness Caroline Cox were also bestowed with this award in previous years). 

   Bikers are very welcome to this event, especially as Sam is a biker. Go along and listen to this great inspiring man speak and bring as many fellow bikers with you as you wish to. Just pre-book to secure your space.

   The organisers have even arranged to have MGP (Machine Gun Preacher) and AOEAUK (Angels of East Africa UK) biker patches available on the day. Sam Childers - Angels of East Africa UK - The Real Machine Gun Preacher

   There will also be books, dvd’s and t-shirts available for those who wish to purchase them and Sam will gladly sign them for you.

   venue: Hayling Island Community Centre, Station Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11 0HB

   The event is free and if you would like to attend, then just contact Mark or Deborah Dawes on 02392 460815 or by email at [email protected] to secure your space.

   A free event - Sam Childers, The Real Machine Gun Preacher (not the Hollywood Gerard Butler), is coming back to Hayling Island 16th March 2018...

   www.facebook.com/events/2081971628697347/

   See more information here