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  1. Driving the Wind: Feel the freedom in your hands as you enjoy the scenery

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    All motorcyclists are well aware of the benefits of traveling on such a mode of transportation as a motorcycle. However, not everyone chooses this type of recreation. Why is this the case? For example, there are other fascinating activities, such as playing in gambling establishments with casino first deposit bonus uk. Several other factors can deter even the most avid motorcyclists.

    However, to begin with, let us analyze everything step by step. Perhaps the following arguments will convince some to change their attitude and use the motorcycle as a recreation from everyday life on weekends, and not just as a means of transportation to and from work.

    Contact with Nature   BMW on tour in Germany

    Covering kilometers on two wheels, our body receives much more stimuli from the environment than when driving a car or other means of transportation (not counting paragliding or other even more extreme means). The proverbial «wind in our hair» and the feeling of «freedom» are not just empty slogans, but are among the most important reasons why I put this mode of transportation above others.

    One of the senses that work very strongly when driving is the sense of smell. Because is there anything more pleasant than the smell of a forest on a spring morning, or the smell of mountains on an alpine pass? In addition to the sense of smell, we sense all atmospheric factors, such as:

    · Temperature

    · Humidity

    · Wind

    · Rain

    · Fog

    · Etc...

    For some people, atmospheric factors beyond our control are unacceptable when traveling. After all, it's better to set the AC to 21 degrees and enjoy the views seen from behind the glass.

    Our sense of hearing also gets a lot more information, provided we have a civilized exhaust that meets any noise standards.

    The sense of balance, while driving on a winding road, gets so much stimulus that our brain starts producing incredible amounts of dopamine. As a result, it has a huge impact on our state of mind.

    The sense of space is also indescribable. It is impossible to feel this, being enclosed in a «can». Just think how many more sensations there are to remember after such a vacation.

    Saving

    A trivial matter, perhaps, because, after all, we do not go on vacation to save money, but to relax. However, the fact is that riding a motorcycle is much cheaper in terms of all tolls (highways, scenic roads, expressways), ferry crossings, tunnels, bridges, and so on. Parking fees are also much lower or nonexistent. And if we add it all up together, we find that we can extend our vacation by two or even three more days.

    Also, the money saved can be spent on another, no less interesting and exciting entertainment – a game of casino no minimum deposit uk. In addition, it is an ideal option not only to relax and rest from a hard road but also an opportunity to earn real money.

    Mobility

    With a motorcycle, we can not only go faster, but we can get into places where an ordinary passenger car can't or won't. Of course, it depends on what kind of equipment you are driving, but even riding a chase bike you can drive a piece of light gravel or terrain. In most resort towns, the problem of driving into the center and looking for a parking spot disappears.

    The problem of standing in traffic jams also disappears, which during the vacation season greatly improves the comfort of travel. In addition to these obvious issues, local law enforcement officers look at people traveling on a motorcycle differently from those traveling by car.

    Minimum luggage  Packed

    Some consider this a plus, while others consider it the biggest problem. Well, because how to pack all the essentials for a two-week trip? There are no major problems if you ride solo. More gymnastics is required if you're going for two. Well, after all, it fits to take «so many» things that «may» be needed.

    From personal experience, many people know that only the essentials are useful during such a vacation:

    · Underwear

    · Flip-flops

    · A pair of shirts

    · Jeans

    · Sweatshirt

    · Sneakers

    There is no need to take a whole closet of clothes and shoes with us because we only use 25% of what we take with us during our vacation anyway. Besides, we can always buy ourselves something from a local store or simply wash it, and the problem is solved.

    If we plan the whole trip well, we can also predict exactly what things we will need and what we will not need. If we plan to sleep in guesthouses, then we drop a lot of things that we would have to take with us, choosing the option of spending the night at campsites or campgrounds. So proper planning helps a lot in taking only the necessary things

    Unforgettable adventures

    Somehow it's the case that every ride, tour, or, finally, motorcycle trip, is an unforgettable adventure. Something always happens, we always encounter some interesting situations. Sometimes someone runs out of fuel, or a license plate falls off, or someone gets lost, and so on. You bring back a whole lot of such memories from every trip.

    Answer the question yourself, how many times, while on vacation somewhere, have you thought: «as if it would be great to ride this road on a motorcycle»? Or: «someday I will come back here on a motorcycle»? There's nothing easier than going on vacation on a motorcycle, and if there's a problem with luggage or space for the kids you can always take the motorcycle with you on a trailer. However, this is already a topic for a separate article.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  2. Motorcycle Rider Development and Safety

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    All motorcyclists believe they are a good rider but, in 2021, 20% of all road fatalities in the UK involved a motorcyclist. (Source: Gov.uk)

    So why is this happening? The fatal five reasons for deaths on the road are:

    1. Not wearing a seatbelt (of course not applicable to motorcyclists, but still important to note)

    2. Riding whilst under the influence of drink or drugs

    3. Careless or dangerous riding

    4. Excess speed

    5. Using a mobile phone (even handsfree)

    As a motorcyclist there are a number of things we need to do and check in order to prevent any accidents on the road, particularly fatal accidents.

    Before setting out on a ride, always ensure your personal protective equipment (PPE) and bike are ready for the ride. This includes ensuring your helmet fits properly, is fastened securely and make sure the visor is kept clean.

    All biker clothing needs to fit properly; make sure you fasten the zips, even in hot weather, and wear season appropriate clothing. In terms of your motorcycle, check your tyres, the fluids (leaks and levels) and any wear and tear on the machine itself.

    Safe bike control

    When out riding, ensure safe bike control, particularly when approaching hazards. Position yourself on the best part of the road (without compromising your safety). Adjust your speed according to the road and ensure you’re in the correct gear for the speed, only applying acceleration when appropriate. Don’t use your gears as brakes as this can upset the balance of the bike and either slow you too much (too low a gear) or not slow you enough (too high a gear).

    Hazards on the road

    Before you change lane, position or speed, you need to know what is happening in front where you can’t see and also to the sides and to the rear of you. We always need to be actively looking for warnings. Continually assess your route, the view and hazards may be constantly changing. Match your speed to the hazard; consider what you can’t see, not just what you can. Travel at a speed that you can stop safely on your own side of the road. Ride in the position that allows you to negotiate hazards safely and look for the best bit of the road surface where you would like to be.

    When can it go wrong?

    1. Poor overtaking

    Poor overtaking can lead to accidents such as if the rider hasn’t considered that a car may pull out and cross the path of the bike or the car is about to turn right. Good overtaking occurs when you move your position so you can see ahead. If it is clear, accelerate, consider a headlamp warning, and accelerate past the car, gradually regaining position in your lane.

    2. Insufficient observations

    Poor observations or riding too fast can also lead to having insufficient time to react. By increasing the speed of your bike, you are effectively reducing the amount of time and distance you have to react and respond to events you are travelling into.

    In summary, we need to do the following:

    · Motorcycle Safety Checks – Do we do them enough?

    · Consider your style of riding – Are we safe and smooth?

    · Observation techniques – Do we actively try and see everything?

    · Hazard perception – To react to it, you must be aware of it.

    · The safest method of filtering – Do we have to be in such a rush?

    · Going for the overtake – Is it on? Can we make it safely? · Rider training – a decision only you can make; use BikeSafe, RoSPA or IAM.

    · If it goes wrong – get specialist legal advice with Potter Rees Dolan, a Hugh James Business.

     

    Potter Rees Dolan, Motorcycle Serious Injury Solicitors, England

  3. THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATES MC by C.K.SMITH

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    If you are looking for something new to read and you are a horror fan, then this e-book could be for you.  

    It’s September 1972. The Devil’s Advocates MC have ridden from Essex to the remote, Snowdonia Mountains of North Wales to attend a secret outlaw motorcycle rally. The party takes an unexpected twist when the gang is invited to a gypsy camp to celebrate the ancient festival of Mabon. What starts as a promise of fun and misadventure, quickly turns into a nightmare ride into the unknown. On roaring, Harley choppers and thundering, British café racers, the outlaws take to the road in a desperate fight against evil. The story is inspired by the fantastic New English Library's 'Biker' books of the 1970s and can be found on Amazon Kindle.  THE DEVILS ADVOCATES MC by C.K.SMITH
     
    *All proceeds from the book go to (1) The Devil's Advocates MC - (USA) - A not-for-profit club that provides invaluable support to military veterans and their families. (2) National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) - (UK) - A registered charity that has grown to become the world’s leading support group for motorcyclists who suffer disabilities due to accidents, illness, genetic conditions, or any other cause.
     
    All profits made on the sale of this book will be donated to Biker Charities*.
  4. Ford is new ACT Partner

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    Scouting with Ranger and Bronco
    Ford is supporting ACT

    Kürten, Germany, 08.03.2023
    - With Ford, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, Adventure Country Tracks e.V. (ACT) has gained a strong partner to support the association in maintaining legal off-road tracks in Europe. With its brand-new Ranger and Bronco models, Ford will provide valuable help in scouting the next track.

    Off the beaten tourist track, experience the authentic spirit of a country and take as many unpaved tracks under your wheels as possible - this unique combination of riding fun and unadulterated impressions is made possible by the Adventure Country Tracks.
    With Adventure Country Tracks e.V., a team of inveterate adventure riders has created a registered association with the goal of linking the last legally rideable gravel routes in Europe to attractive routes through selected regions. The GPS data and extensive travel information are available to all members of the association. The makers of Adventure Country Tracks e.V. need the support of strong partners for their responsible and time-consuming voluntary work.

    Now, with Ford, a company that shares the passion for adventure and discovery is joining the association. "We share the same values when it comes to responsibly experiencing nature and culture, which the association advocates," explains Marc Bertelsbeck, Head of Advertising and Marketing Planning, Ford Germany.

    In the current product range, Ford has two highly emotional, iconic vehicles, the Ranger as well as the Bronco, which perfectly fit the Adventurous spirit of ACT. With their high off-road capability, both the Ranger and Bronco are also ideally suited to the driving challenges of scouting new Adventure Country tracks. "Both vehicles will be newly launched in Europe this year, and with both we are supporting the ACT team's production this year. They are made exactly for this kind of adventure and represent the feeling of freedom and life that the ACT team brings to life through their work," says a delighted Marc Bertelsbeck.

    Mirko Nagler, board member and co-founder of Adventure Country Tracks e.V., adds: "Thanks to the cooperation with Ford, we have two powerful vehicles at our disposal that can reliably transport the extensive photo and film equipment of our documentation team even over the most difficult stretches of road."

    Nagler adds: "Besides the main sponsor Touratech, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, SENA, NEXX, REV'IT!, Edelweiss Bike Travel and others support our project. Ford's commitment shows that ACT's experience-oriented target group is also highly attractive to companies outside the motorbike industry."

    More about which part of Europe the upcoming Adventure Country Track will be ridden is only to be announced later this year.

    About Ford

    Ford-Werke GmbH is a German automobile manufacturer and mobility provider based in Cologne. The company employs around 19,800 people at its sites in Cologne, Saarlouis and Aachen. Since its foundation in 1925, Ford-Werke has produced more than 47 million vehicles.

    About Adventure Country Tracks:

    ACT Adventure Country Tracks® is an association for motorbike adventure riders that has been verifying a new ACT track in Europe every year since 2016. Each ACT track is carefully developed and includes the best, legal to ride routes for heavy adventure motorbikes. ACT tracks are GPS-readable routes that can be downloaded from the ACT website in the members' area.

    Since 2016, the ACT has established tracks in Portugal, Italy, Pyrenees, Romania Greece and the UK. Each ACT route has an ACT film, which is made possible through the support of industry partners and makes an important contribution to the maintenance of the Association.

  5. Ben provides support during National Careers Week and highlights why people enjoy working in automotive

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    • This National Careers Week, Ben is promoting its career-related support for those in the automotive industry 
    • Ben is also shining a spotlight on why people enjoy working in the automotive industry 
    • The charity explores what the future holds for automotive in thought leadership piece

    This National Careers Week, Ben, the automotive industry charity, is promoting its support for those who are job hunting or looking to progress in their career.

    Ben’s support services team can provide one-to-one support for people in the following ways:

    • Practical support for people who are looking for work
    • Information, advice & guidance for managing money and maximising benefits 
    • Access to Ben’s free Life Coaching service by registering online and completing a short self-referral form. Whether it’s progressing their career, improving their lifestyle, or simply boosting self-confidence, Ben’s team of Life Coaches can help make those goals a reality
    • Access to Ben’s digital platform, Silvercloud, with a programme on building personal resilience.

    Ben also has a range of work-related tips, advice and tools online to help people get back on track in their career or make the changes they want. The online tools (available at www.ben.org.uk/work) offer guidance and self-help resources on the following areas: 

    • Creating or updating a CV 
    • Writing a cover letter 
    • Job seeking
    • Finding the right job
    • Identifying transferable skills
    • Preparing for interviews.

    Ben is also shining a spotlight on what it’s like to work in automotive by sharing real quotes from people about why they joined the industry and what they enjoy about it:  

    “The industry never stands still - constant challenge, opportunity, innovation.” 

    “The current industry transformation is very exciting.”

    “I like the variety. Every customer has different requests and problems that need to be satisfied.” 

    In light of the changes happening in the industry, Ben is also exploring what the future holds for the automotive industry in a thought leadership piece by Matt Wigginton, Ben’s Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income: www.ben.org.uk/futureautomotive.  

    Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “We’re here to help and support automotive people working in the industry, including those who are looking to the future, interested in progressing their career or improving their working lives. We can provide information, advice and guidance for job-seeking, CV building and interview skills and be there to support people through any career-related changes. Work is a very important part of our lives and contributes to our overall health and wellbeing. As well as providing financial security, work provides us with social connectedness and builds confidence, self-esteem and a sense of purpose.”

    Ben is always there for those who are struggling or in crisis too. When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.