Category: Random

1. RSTA response to Spending Review and National Infrastructure Strategy

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th Nov 2020

   The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has welcomed the Chancellor’s emphasis on the need for a well-maintained local road network.

    

   The National Infrastructure Strategy, launched today (25^th November 2020)  by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Spending Review, underlined how “well maintained local roads allow for faster and reliable journeys, boosting local businesses and serving all road users.”

    

   The Strategy confirms the Government commitment of £1.125 billion of local roads maintenance funding in 2021-22 including £500 million for the Potholes Fund to fix potholes and surface roads. This will be supported by £260 million allocated to Local Authorities in 2021-22 for shovel ready local transport schemes through the Integrated Transport Block, including public transport and active travel upgrades. The government is also investing £310 million in 2021-22 in upgrading the road network. Altogether, this means that the government is investing £1.7 billion in local roads in 2021-22.

    

   “Whilst the additional £500 million funding is not new, having already been highlighted in the March budget, the government’s commitment to maintaining the capital maintenance block allocation for improving the local road network, despite the significant public borrowing costs of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, is welcomed and represents a significant overall increase,” said Paul Boss, RSTA chief executive. “We will continue to work with both national and local government to ensure proactive cost effective investment in, what the National Infrastructure Strategy rightly calls, ‘one of the UK’s most valuable public assets.’

2. Mitas celebrates 2020 FIM Speedway Grand Prix world title with Bartosz Zmarzlik

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 18th Nov 2020

   Mitas, part of the Trelleborg Group, celebrates 2020 FIM Speedway Grand Prix World podium finish with Polish hero Bartosz Zmarzlik, Great Britain’s icon Tai Woffinden and Swedish star Fredrik Lindgren, all of which ride Mitas Speedway Competition tyres.

   Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President Two Wheels and Specialty Tyres, says: “We are pleased to see another great achievement by our riders in the 2020 season. Speedway racing has always had a special place in the heart of Mitas, being the origin of our motorsport activities. We are delighted that the greatest Speedway riders still recognize Mitas as the best choice.”

    

3. National Motorcycle Museum Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage Grant Refusal

   Posted on 1:00pm Thursday 5th Nov 2020

   The National Motorcycle Museum applied for a grant from the above fund which was established by government to “provide funding support to organisations across the heritage ecosystem that were financially sustainable before COVID-19”.

   On Saturday 31/10/20 we received an e-mail from the Heritage Lottery Fund (who are partly responsible for administering the scheme) that our application “did not meet the criteria for the programme, and the board has decided not to award a grant through the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage”.

   We cannot begin to describe what a bitter blow this news was. We had applied for funding in the under £1 Million category in order to help retain all of our expert team of people, as well as preserving the museum collection of British motorcycles as the largest in the world. These are some of the things that have now been put in jeopardy.  

   Readers may be interested to see those organisations who have been considered worthy to receive some of the £1.5 billion of funding support on offer by visiting- www.artscouncil.org.uk/publication/culture-recovery-fund-data 

   All the team here at the museum want to thank everyone who has given to our own Covid-19 raffle and appeal since its launch in July. Everyone can be assured that the funds raised so far will go directly towards us reopening the museum for a limited number of days each week sometime early in 2021.

   However, we are still a long way short of our £500k target, and this huge setback lends even more importance to our current appeal which includes the chance to win one of the three bikes shown in the image.

   For more details of how you can help, visit www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/appeal-raffle/   

    

4. How to make money when betting on biking

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 30th Oct 2020

   Motorsport continues to blaze a trail as one of the most popular sports in the world and few vocations are as entertaining and thrilling as bike racing.
   
   With competitions and races taking place all over the world and in many forms, bike racing continues to be one of the most popular punts for sports fans and sportsbooks alike.
   
   Key to the appeal of bike racing betting is the sheer excitement that comes with every race. With bikes racing at speeds of up to 200mph, the margins for error are so small and with the added element of danger associated with every race, it makes compelling viewing.
   
   As a betting vocation however, biking is not always the easiest for punters to earn big money from so read on for a guide on how to profit from biking betting:
   
   Use Trusted Bookmakers
   
   The surge in sports betting popularity has led to more bookmakers than ever emerging within a congested marketplace.
   
   Doing prior research on any bookmaker you choose to use is always recommended and opting to bet with a reputable sportsbook is key.
   
   Adequate security measures should always be met and look out for companies that are registered with their relevant gambling commission.
   
   Embrace Bike Betting Variety
   
   Whilst the essence of every bike race is the same – first racer past the chequered flag is the winner, the formats within each race takes place is interchangeable.
   
   Here are some of the best bike betting options available to punters:
   
   Moto GP – Perhaps the most recognisable format of bike racing is Moto GP. With races taking place at circuits all over the world, Moto GP is a global brand that dates back to 1949. A traditional Moto GP season contains 20 races – with fiercely competitive races taking place on a weekly basis.
   
   Bets can be placed on simple markets such as the race winner, all the way through to which driver will crash out first – adding to the market variety punters have when Moto GP betting.
   
   Superbikes – The direct competitor to Moto GP is the Superbike World Championship, which is also competed all over the world on a weekly basis. Most Superbike races take place on road based circuits and it has been a staple of the motorsport calendar since its launch back in 1988.
   
   Speedway – When it comes to thrills and spills, few bike disciplines are as engaging as speedway. With leagues taking place in the UK as well as Poland and Scandinavia, speedway pits racers against each other in a series of heats before a Grand Final in each event.

   The unique scoring system and innovative way in which a speedway event is run makes it a godsend for punters as straight win all the way through to individual race accumulators can be bet on.
   
   Enjoy the Uncertainty

   As mentioned, few sports are as unpredictable and unaccountable as bike racing. With racers speeding around courses at incredible speeds and a variety of external factors such as weather and track conditions, anything can happen.
   
   Every racer will feel that they can win a specific race if things go their way and in competitions such as speedway and superbikes, with the mechanical make up on every bike being the same – most races are an even playing field.

   Picking a long odds winner within the bike betting sphere is far more commonplace than when betting on car racing for example – so accept that things may not go your way every time and seek out value in every bet you place.

    

   
   
   article supplied

5. Biking and Gaming – It’s More Common Than We Think

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 27th Oct 2020

   One would think there are absolutely no similarities between biking and gaming, but in actuality, both are much more common than what is apparent.
   
   Interestingly, bikers can learn a great deal from gaming. Naturally, there’s a clear difference between the two acts; if you are a biking enthusiast, you will find yourself out on the road being all adventurous, but if you are a gamer, you are likely to be glued in front of a screen as you strive towards victory.
   

   However, when it comes to biking, you are prone to injuries and what not, but for gamers, their injuries are limited to their characters on screen. However, there are a few similarities between the two of them, and there are quite a few things that both gamers and bikers can learn from each other.

   Both Require Metal Stimulation and Alertness

   When you all are decked up in your biking gear and are ready to begin your ride, it’s not just physical energy that you require, but also a great deal of mental stimulation. You have to focus on the road, keep your eyes open, and your mind alert.

   Similarly, when gaming online, your mind needs to be on the top of its game. Whether you are playing shooting and battles games, or say online gambling, mental stimulation is very important.
   
   Experience Is Key
   
   You know how when you are new to something, a hobby, for instance, and you need to take it slow so that you get the hang of it? The same applies to both biking and gaming. Inexperienced bikers and gamers often strive to do more and achieve beyond their experience, and while some do get lucky, others end up taking a fall. Take online gambling, for instance. It needs you to give it some time and learn all the tips and tricks before you become a pro at it. There’s a way with online gaming to get the hang of it.
   

   When it comes to biking, you need to start slow, take a learner’s course, learn all the basics, and then you will be able to ride properly on the roads.
   
   Breaks Are Absolutely Important
   
   Biking and gaming both are the kind of activities that require your utmost attention and focus. However, it is a natural human tendency to feel a shift in focus after some time, which is why breaks are very important in both these activities.
   
   Given the competitive streak that both of them have in common, you are likely to find gamers stuck to their phone or computer screens for hours, and similarly, bikers often go on long road trips either for leisure or to win a biking marathon.
   

   In both cases, breaks are an absolute must in order to relieve yourself from mental and physical fatigue.