Category: Random

1. How to Take Your Love of Motorbikes to the Next Level

   Posted on 11:00am Monday 1st Aug 2022

   Motorbikes are amazing machines and the people who ride them are some of the nicest and friendliest you will ever meet. If you have had a life-long love of all things motorcycle related, you might be left wondering what else there is for you to try. Luckily, there are still a few things you could do to take your love to the next level. 

   Go on a Tour

   There are so many amazing routes all across the world that people love to visit with their bikes. Experiencing the open road with your bikes is brilliant and it means that you can spend your day doing what you love best.

   If you have never been touring before, you need to be aware that it is a very different experience compared to if you use your bike for a commute or something. Nevertheless, you should try to do at least one tour in your life. Pick a route and get ready to jump on the open road! You could even go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip with all your closest biker buddies.

   Enjoy Some of the Wider Culture 

   There are so many things out there that take inspiration from biker culture that you could explore. When you consider how many bikers there are in the world, it is really not surprising at all that you can see this influence everywhere you turn. For example, you could hop onto a website and see what games there are here that might appeal to you. The biker world is filled with such wonderful and passionate people that it is really not surprising that you will find some fun things to do. You could even just see if there is a biker themed bar or restaurant near you; you could swap some stories and meet some interesting people there.

   Head to a Rally

   You don’t just meet fellow bikers at bars or on tours. You should also think about heading to one of the many rallies around the world. There is a brilliant chance for you to meet some like-minded people and get to check out the amazing machines other people ride. For example, all Harley Davidson lovers should try to visit Thunder in the Glens at some point in their lives, even if they don’t take their bikes. This event is held in Aviemore, Scotland, and is one of the biggest rallies in Europe. It can’t be missed.

   If you love your bike, you may be ready to take things to the next level. Luckily, there are so many other people out there who fully understand the commitment we have to these machines and will help you to celebrate them in all their glory. Whether you are opening the throttle down a famous stretch of road or registering for a big event, there are lots of ways to celebrate the best things about motorcycles. Take a look at some of the things you could try today!

    

    

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2. Motorcycle routes in Europe that are a must

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 30th Jul 2022

   One great thing about Europe is the diversity in scenery within a relatively small area. One day you can be motorbiking through the Alps and the next day you are cruising along the coast. The winding European roads are a lot of fun to drive, so if you’re looking for the next big route, you need to check out the ones on this list.

   The Amalfi Coast, Italy     

   What better place to start than southern Italy, arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world with one of the most incredible drives you’ll find anywhere. The trip from Naples to Salerno going around the Amalfi coast is absolutely stunning, and the best part is it can be done in a few hours if you drive straight through. Starting from the chaotic city of Naples, you’ll drive past Pompei and Mt Vesuvius and through the coastal town of Sorrento before arriving at Salerno. There are plenty of great cafes to stop, have a coffee, and take in the sights, so you can choose to take an afternoon, a whole day, or even spread it over a weekend!

   From Cabo de Gata to Granada, Spain

   From southern Italy to southern Spain, our next route takes you from the coastal town of Cabo de Gata to the city of Granada. What’s great about this journey is that you’ve got two choices - depending on what you want to see. You can drive across the southern coast of Spain before heading north and passing the Sierra Nevada mountain range, or you can head north, driving through the beautiful Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada and getting a great view of the mountain range from the other side. Both journeys will take 2-3 hours if you don’t stop, but if you take the coastal route, we recommend stopping at one of the beautiful seafront cafes to take in the view.

   The Cat and Fiddle run, England   

   The next route on our list is often described as the most dangerous road in Britain and is ridden for the challenge rather than for the scenery. That said, it does go through the Peak District, which is a beautiful part of the country, but you’ll be too busy focusing on the road to truly enjoy it. The road is constantly climbing through a series of sharp bends until you reach the Cat and Fiddle Inn at the summit. From there, you begin your descent into Macclesfield through another series of sharp (and often blind) corners. Local motorcyclists often consider the road a gamble, especially in wet conditions, which are common in the UK. For a safer way to spend your time, give an online casino UK site with exciting casino games a go.

   The Transfagarasan Highway, Romania

   The last route on our list is one that visitors to Europe often overlook: the Transfagarasan Highway in Romania. This 90km stretch of road snakes up through Romania’s highest mountains, giving you fantastic views of the country. As well as stunning views, it’s also a challenging ride, with sweeping turns, tight hairpins and long dark tunnels to navigate. The best time to take the journey is during the week, as it often gets busy over the weekends. The Highway is generally closed from late October/early November through to June due to the ice and snow at the summit. If you can get over for the summer, it’s a route you won’t want to miss.

   Conclusion

   These routes highlight the variety of journeys you can find across Europe, from treacherous mountain roads in Romania to leisurely coastal drives in the south of Italy. There are plenty more stunning routes around the continent that we haven’t mentioned, including the Furka Pass in Switzerland, the Antrim coast road in Northern Ireland, and Bergen to Geiranger in Norway.

    

    

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3. Ride smarter this summer: GEM urges motorcyclists to put safety first

   Posted on 11:00am Saturday 30th Jul 2022

   ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is keen to ensure motorcyclists put safety first on rides this summer. At the heart of this call, according to GEM, is a focus on rider skill for those who may be back into biking after a lengthy gap.  

   There were 285 motorcycle fatalities in 2020 (the most recent available figures), with 4,429 seriously injured. Date from recent years consistently shows that ‘born again bikers’ (males aged between 40 and 60) continue to be an over-represented group in collisions.

   GEM chief executive Neil Worth commented: “There’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained from riding a motorcycle with skill and precision. That’s why we’re encouraging riders to give themselves a ‘skills MOT’ which will help ensure they lower the risks they face on journeys – and greatly reduce the likelihood of being involved in a collision.

   “The recent heatwave has placed unprecedented pressure on the already overstretched emergency services this summer, so anything we can all do as road users to avoid adding to this pressure will help save lives.”

   Follow GEM’s simple ‘lifesaver’ safety tips and reduce the risk of being involved in a collision:

   • Invest in a refresher day with a training professional. Search online for motorcycle training days or consult your local club or advanced motorcyclists’ group.
   • Motorbikes are capable of rapid acceleration and high speeds, but if you’re back into biking after a lengthy gap, then your reactions are likely to have slowed down. Typically, a 55-year-old’s reactions will be almost a third slower than those of a 25-year-old.
   • Ensure self-preservation is your priority. The predominant cause of motorcycle crashes is the failure of car drivers to detect and recognise motorcycles in traffic. So, wear high visibility clothing on all journeys, and ride in a way that gives others a better chance of seeing you.
   • Please invest in the best protective equipment you can afford. For example, your helmet should be comfortable and fit correctly (for details of ‘SHARP’, the national helmet safety scheme, visit sharp.dft.gov.uk).
   • Choose boots that are sturdy, well-fitting and above ankle height. Remember, nearly one fifth of all hospital admissions for motorcycling injuries involved broken bones in the lower leg, so providing protection for ankles and feet is vital.
   • On a ride, don’t go beyond your comfort zone, especially if you’re riding in a group. If your friends are cornering too quickly for you, let them go and join them at the next junction.
   • Try not to dwell on your errors as you go along. Plan 10 to 15 seconds ahead, anticipate the next hazards. When you stop for a break, reflect on anything that didn’t go to plan, ask what you have learnt and how you can reduce the chance of the same thing happening again.

   www.motoringassist.com

    

    

    

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4. How to Plan a Bike Road Trip

   Posted on 10:00am Saturday 30th Jul 2022

   The UK is an amazing place to take a road trip no matter how many wheels your vehicle has. This country is home to winding routes, spectacular landscapes, amazing scenery and some of the best roadside pubs and restaurants to stop off at. If you love the freedom of the open road, then the UK is an ideal place to be. From the coasts of Devon and Cornwall all the way to the Scottish Highlands, you can find smooth roads and stunning views. No matter which region you choose to explore, some foresight and planning will help you put together the best trip. With that in mind, here are some of the main tips to keep in mind when you plan a motorbike road trip in the UK.

   Be Flexible with Planning

   First of all, it’s a good idea to have a general plan in place, including a detailed route of any roads that you are going to be taking and where you are going to be staying, so that you can get the most from your trip with a smooth and stress-free experience. If you’re going to be staying on the road overnight, it’s a good idea to book your stays in advance as the last thing that you want is to end up struggling to find somewhere to stay after a long day of riding. It’s also a good idea to check the weather in advance and plan your trip around it, as you will want to avoid getting caught in any storms.

   However, while careful planning is essential for some aspects of your trip, it’s also good to have some room for flexibility. When you’re on a motorbike road trip, it’s good to be able to keep your plans flexible as much as possible as you never know when the weather might change or when you might want to stay somewhere different to where you had originally planned if you’re too tired from driving or have found somewhere else that you like better. Try to book places to stay with free cancellation or amendments.

   Breakdown Cover and Insurance

   Before heading on a motorbike road trip across the UK, it’s important to protect yourself and your bike in the event of an emergency or accident. As a motorbike rider it’s hard to ignore the statistics that prove accidents and fatalities are more common on motorbikes compared to in cars, which is why it is so important to make sure that you are safe and have precautions in place to protect both you and your vehicle. Driving on roads that you are not familiar with can increase the risk of an accident, so make sure that your motorbike insurance is valid and up to date.   

   Along with checking your insurance, you should also make sure that you have valid motorcycle breakdown cover for the duration of your trip. If you are unlucky enough to have your bike break down in a remote location, you will want to know that somebody can come to help and take your bike to the nearest place where it can get repaired.

   Communication, Navigation and Entertainment

   Once you are on the road and exploring the country, it’s important to have a good system in place so that you know where you are going, especially if you are travelling somewhere you have never been before. A good GPS system is one of the best pieces of equipment that you can have on your bike.

   Along with this, you should make sure that you have enough data on your phone so that if you need to stop and check Google Maps to figure out where you need to go, you’ll be able to do so easily.

   If you don’t already have unlimited data on your phone, most networks will allow you to purchase an add-on so that you can use as much data as you like. This is definitely worth paying for as Wi-Fi might not always be available everywhere you go, especially when you get to the more remote areas. 

   Clothing

   Making sure that you pack the right clothes for your motorbike road trip is another part of planning. While you might not be able to fit everything that you want to bring, you should make sure that you can carry any indispensable items with you, especially clothing items that are designed to protect you against the often unpredictable weather in the UK. If you don’t already have one, it is worth investing in an outfit that is lightweight, high quality, breathable, waterproof, and designed to be worn in all weathers.

   You may want to consider getting a good quality jacket that is fitted with a removable fleece or thermal liner so that you can easily be comfortable in all weather conditions. Invest in biking jeans or trousers that are designed to not only look cool but also offer the utmost protection in the event of an accident. Consider getting an undergarment that’s designed to absorb moisture and is breathable as this will make it easier for you to enjoy a ride that is more comfortable and less sweaty. And last but not least, invest in some heated gloves if you are going to be travelling during the autumn or winter.

   The UK offers some of the best roads for a motorbike road trip with everything you need no matter where you go. Whether you’re exploring the Scottish Highlands or the coasts of the UK, keep these tips in mind to plan the road trip of a lifetime.

    

    

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5. Motorcycle Safety on the Roads

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 27th Jul 2022

   Riding a motorbike is a thrilling experience, but it is also vital that you know how to ride safely as you are a vulnerable road user and motorcycle accidents can be incredibly dangerous. This post will look at a few of the best ways to stay safe while on the roads.

   Wear a Helmet & Protective Clothing   

   Obviously, wearing a helmet is one of the most important steps to take. Not only is wearing a helmet a legal requirement in this country, but you will also find that it provides essential protection for your head if you were to come off the bike. In addition to a helmet, you should also wear other protective clothing such as leathers, goggles and motorcycle boots.

   Keep Your Bike in Good Condition 

   You also want to make sure that your bike is in good condition and roadworthy, which will require carrying out regular maintenance. This will include tasks such as topping up the tyre pressure, checking the lights, cleaning the mirrors and lubricating the chain. In addition to making sure that your bike is safe to ride, this should also prolong the life of the vehicle too. 

   Be Visible to Others 

   As a motorbike rider, you need to make your presence felt on the roads. Motorcyclists often get into accidents and are knocked off their bikes when they are not visible to other road users, so you need to make your presence felt on the road and make sure that you are always visible. If you are involved in an accident that was not your fault, you could look to make a personal injury claim to receive compensation for the damages.  

   Check the Weather Conditions 

   A good habit to get into before setting off on a motorbike is to check the weather forecast. The weather in the UK is unpredictable throughout the year, so it is always worth checking before you set off. Driving in rain and snow can be dangerous for a motorcyclist and you should avoid travelling in these conditions if possible.  

   Avoid Distractions 

   When riding a motorcycle, you must be completely focused at all times and this is all part of the thrill. This means that you need to avoid distractions as even taking your eyes off the road for less than a second could lead to a serious accident. This is why you should put your phone away and never wear headphones while riding. 

   Get Training 

   You will also find it worthwhile getting training so that you can learn how to drive safely and defensively. You can always improve as a motorcyclist and a training course could make a big difference to your abilities (and even bring your insurance down!). 

   Safety is paramount when it comes to riding a motorbike and these tips should help you to stay safe on the roads.  

    

    

    

    

    

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