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  1. The You've Been Nabbed rally is moving to a new venue for 2017!

    Posted on

    It 26th Youve Been Nabbed rally, The Royal Cheshire Showgroundwill be held at The Royal Cheshire Showground, Flittogate Lane, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HJ on 5th - 7th May 2017 

    The You’ve Been Nabbed rally is the main annual showcase/fundraising event of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD).

    The new rally site has hard-standing on two sides so it should not be as vulnerable to being churned-up in wet weather as the old Astle Park site was on two recent occasions. The new site is also much easier to secure, though our traditional professional security company will still be providing cover on the site.

    There are three separate marquees, each boasting live on-stage entertainment, disco and licenced bar. Unlike many other events the marquees are liberally furnished with tables and chairs (because creature-comforts are important!) though wide clearways are maintained to allow easy access for wheelchair users.

    The event also has excellent toilet facilities throughout the site that are constantly maintained and hot showers are also available on site.

    The huge ‘Adult’s Only Marquee’ plays host to eight live bands over the weekend, with a full-blown world-class stand-up comedy road show on Saturday afternoon, filling the marquee with laughter for four solid hours and there are ‘exotic dancers’ on Saturday night, and a well-stocked bar offering a comprehensive range of canned beers, wines and spirits much cheaper than pub prices (and cheaper than most other rallies too).

    The ‘Family Marquee’ plays host to six live bands, over the weekend, and an excellent disco plus a smaller bar offering a comprehensive range of soft drinks, canned beers, wines and spirits (also at low prices).

    The ‘Real Ale Marquee’ plays host to nine very diverse music acts ranging from solo singer/songwriters to duos and outright legends, with a bar offering a vast range of traditional real ales and ciders that would put many a real-ale festival to shame.

    When you consider that canned beers and spirits are very reasonably priced at £1.50 and the real ales and ciders are just £2.50 per pint, you can see why the NABD has an excellent reputation for not treating bikers as ‘cash cows’. When you add to this the surprisingly eclectic range of live music and other entertainment on offer you can see why this event has become universally recognised as the best-value-for-money rally in the UK.

    In addition to the huge amount of marquee-based entertainment the YBN rally features an iconic Bike & Trike Show (this year sponsored by Back Street Heroes magazine) running throughout the afternoon from 12 noon until 6:00pm showcasing an enormously diverse range of machines from the sublime to the idiosyncratic with 12 highly coveted trophies up for grabs. Please note, all Bike & Trike show entries must be ridden in.

    The Custom Bike & Trike Show takes place within a huge circuit-style arena formed by the marquees and more than 50 assorted trade stands with 10 catering units offering a wide range of cuisines, a shooting range, and a 24 hour ‘Holy Joe’s Café operated by the Cheshire branch of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA).

    The hardest things to describe about this event are the marvellous party atmosphere and the wonderful level of camaraderie amongst the 3,000+ people in attendance. To understand these things you just have to attend.

    It is a common misconception that you have to be an NABD member or a disabled biker to attend this superb event but in truth everybody is welcome. This is a fully inclusive event and we don’t care how you get there, whether by bike, trike, car, van, campervan, train or Shanks’s Pony; just so long as you get there.

    The proceeds from this event are essential to the continuing existence of the NABD so come along, bring your friends; help us to celebrate 26 years of the NABD in style and party with a purpose!

    The You’ve been Nabbed rally has earned itself a fine reputation as the undisputed best-value-for-money weekend event on the UK motorcycling calendar, with tickets costing just £30 in advance, or £35 at the entrance to venue, for a weekend that is absolutely bursting with entertainment and activity.

    Of course, weekend camping is included in the price of the ticket as is motorcycle and trike parking. Car parking does cost extra, though it is free for people who have a blue disabled parking badge.

    The cost of car parking for people without a blue badge has been halved to ten pounds for 2017 in response to many requests from event regulars; however, cars without blue badges will have to remain in a designated car-parking area and will not be permitted onto the camping areas at any time.

    A full list of prices is available at www.nabd.org.uk

    The entrance to the showground is on Pickmere Lane adjacent to the junction with Flittogate Lane. Less than 1.5 miles from Junction 19 of the M6 motorway (turn right at the Windmill Pub 100 yards from the M6 roundabout and follow Pickmere Lane (B5391) to the showground entrance on the left just after Flittogate Lane).

    www.nabd.org.uk

    Regular updates will be posted on the website and at www.facebook.com/YouveBeenNabbed26

    The NABD is a registered charity, established in 1991, that helps and supports disabled motorcyclists.

    You have been Nabbed - NABDness 26, new venue 2017

  2. Update on Guy Martins around Britain cycle ride

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    Guy: "Well it’s not gone quite to plan...

    "I"ve cycled over 11,000 miles this year, including the Tour Divide in America, to and from work most days and I spent three weeks in China in October, back for a few days at work, straight to New Zealand for ten days racing motorbikes, back for a few days at work and then off.

    I badly pulled my achilles tendon on the left side after a day or so but thought I'd just get my head down and work through it. I kept good miles up and got to John O’Groats from Grimsby in 4 days and 8 hours, about 800 miles.

    But my leg was getting worse and I thought I could keep going and maybe do the whole lot in 30 days but I knew I'd be jiggered for a long time after and maybe even have serious long term damage, which would mean I couldn’t do the serious cycle trip I've got in my head for next year. So I've put my push bike back in the shed for the rest of the year, giving my leg a chance to recover. I'm back at work and I realise I need to listen to my body more.

    By just manning up I was papering over the cracks. Thanks very much for the support, loads of folk wishing me well and that was mega. It is what it is and like I said ‘Ive got to stop it before it stops me’ and it did stop me."

    See more here

    Guy Martin - By just manning up I was papering over the cracks

     

    Quote of the day/week must be - "By just manning up I was papering over the cracks".

    Wishing Guy and his Achilles tendon well!

  3. Toy runs this weekend...

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    10th December 2016
    Three Amigo's Annual Toy Run

    In aid of the local Childrens ward and disabled children in the care of the local NCH. Bring a toy or chuck a few bob in the bucket. Presents should be unwrapped and new. 13:00 departure.

     

    venue: Meet @ 12:00 from The Commons Car Park, Pembroke, South West Wales, SA71 4EA

    tel: 07515 631 554
    facebook

    11th December 2016
    Roughleys Toy Run   Roughleys Toy Run 2016

    Bring some cheer to those children who are less fortunate than us by bringing a toy to give to them. We will be leaving Tesco's in Stockport at 12 prompt, proceeding to The Rainbow Family Trust in Didsbury then onto The Together Trust in Cheadle, learner friendly route. If you could mark the gifts with either Male/Female, approx age (don't forget there are teenagers in these establishments) that would help so much. 

    venue: Stockport Tesco, (near Manchester) Tiviot Way, Portwood, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 2BT 
    price: Cash donations are welcome 
    website
    facebook

    12th December 2016
    2 Wheels in Unison

    Annual charity ride to the local hospital children ward. Ride starts at 12.30, returning to The Woodlands by 2pm for refreshments. Also a band on in the evening.

    venue: The Woodlands Hotel, 362 Liverpool Rd, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 1RU
    price: Please bring a new unwrapped toy or a donation to the baby unit.
    tel: 07851 810060
    website: www.taliesinbrotherhood.co.uk
    facebook
    e-mail: [email protected]

    11th December 2016
    Toy Run - Ace Cafe

    The cafe's annual Christmas Toy Run into central London departs at 11am on Sunday 11th December to attend the children's wards of three hospitals:

    St Mary's (Paddington) 11.45am - 12.15pm 
    Royal Brompton (Chelsea) 1pm - 1.30pm 
    Evelina Children's Hospital (Westminster) 2pm - 2.30pm

    As always, any surplus gifts will be distributed to various children's homes and groups. Please bring gifts that are wrapped and labelled Boy/Girl/Age Group. 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!

    venue: Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London, NW10 7UD 
    tel: 020 8961 1000 
    website: www.ace-cafe-london.com - www.acecafeevents.com 
    facebook
    e-mail: [email protected]

    11th December 2016
    Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy Run

    Caimbridge Bikers Christmas Toy RunJoin lots of other Bikers in a truly spectacular ride to Addenbrookes Hospital taking gifts and toys to those in hospital over the festive period. Previous years have seen three miles of bikers riding into Cambridge with many dressed in costume. Meet at 9am ready to ride at 9.45am. Bacon rolls, tea and coffee should be on offer again. There may be a one way system in place this year to make exiting a little easier.

    venue: La Pergola, Cambridge Road, Harlton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 1HA. A603 outside Cambridge. 
    price: Just bring a toy or gift for someone in hospital. One gift per rider or pillion.
    facebook
    facebbok event
    e-mail: [email protected]

  4. Ducati Globetrotter 90th, the final stages, with the places and people that have created the legend

    Posted on

    • The around the world trip with the Multistrada 1200 Enduro will end up in Borgo Panigale on 15 December
    • The seventh and final globetrotter has departed from the Isle of Man and will cover the remaining 2000 km of this incredible adventure
    Ducati Globetrotter 90th is now in its final exciting phase. Having started in Borgo Panigale on 4 July, the around the world voyage on the Multistrada 1200 Enduro will come to a close on 15 December, with the bike returning to its starting point at the Italian manufacturer’s Bologna-based HQ.

    The seventh and final globetrotter is Germany’s Timo Schäfer, who began his journey from the Isle of Man on 5 December. During this last stage of Globetrotter 90th, Schäfer will cover the remaining two thousand kilometres of this incredible adventure, which has involved 30,000 km of riding to some of the symbolic sites that have contributed to the first ninety years of Ducati’s history.

    Timo Schäfer, from Karlsruhe in Germany, is 30 years old. A mechanical engineering student, his first motorcycle was a Cagiva Elephant with a Ducati engine. Today a smiling Schäfer confirms: “Clearly Ducati was my destiny all along!” During the final phase of Globetrotter 90th, Schäfer will stop in the city of Canterbury to meet with Paul Smart, who starred in what Ducati considers the most significant win of its history. On 23 April 1972, the first Imola 200 Miles was in fact won by a young, unknown Smart, riding the standard 750 GT; Bruno Spaggiari crossed the line in second place, with the same bike.
     
    Then it’s on to Belgium, where the seventh globetrotter will visit the Spa - Francorchamps racetrack where, in 1958, Alberto Gandossi won on board the 125 Desmo. Timo Schäfer will then continue on to Germany and once in Bavaria, he will visit the Audi Museum in Ingolstadt that, up until 30 April 2017, will house the "More Than Red - Passione Ducati" exhibition, celebrating the motorcycle manufacturer’s 90th anniversary. Lastly, the return to Italy, and to Monza, where long ago on 30 November 1958, the futuristic Ducati Siluro, with a mere 100cc displacement, set 44 world speed records. There is no doubt that Timo Schäfer’s planned meeting with Santo Ciceri, one of the heroes of that day in the late ‘50s, will be a moving one.
     
    After this, Schäfer will head to Florence to see Giuliano Maoggi, born in 1926 and a living legend for Ducati. In 1956, Maoggi won the 4th Motogiro d’Italia on the Gran Sport 100, known as the Marianna, designed by Fabio Taglioni. Having crossed the renowned Futa Pass, the Multistrada 1200 Enduro will arrive in Borgo Panigale on 15 December, thus concluding the epic Globetrotter 90th voyage.
     
    Before the torch and Multistrada were passed on to the German, the final globetrotter, they were entrusted to Englishman Hugo Wilson. The Brit left Lisbon on 17 November and travelled day and night in all conditions, covering almost two thousand kilometres across Portugal, Spain and France before boarding the ship at St. Malo. Having crossed the Channel, Wilson arrived home, where the Multistrada 1200 Enduro was exhibited at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham, Britain’s biggest motorcycle show. Straight after this, the globetrotter travelled to Silverstone, because it was here that Mike Hailwood won two races in two different classes – both on a Ducati - on the same day in 1960. At Donington, the World Superbike temple, Hugh Wilson relived Ducati’s SBK wins right from the very first race of the first championship, or rather 3 April 1988 with Marco Lucchinelli on the newborn 851 SBK.
     
    Lastly, on the Isle of Man, Wilson met with the seventh globetrotter Timo Schäfer. The baton was passed on here because the Isle of Man is a truly evocative setting. Long ago, on 2 June 1978, during the demanding Tourist Trophy, Mike Hailwood, who was 38 at the time and had already retired from racing, scored a victory with the Ducati 900 SS TT IOM that deeply moved the 300,000 spectators, a feat that Ducati would celebrate the following year with the birth of the legendary 900 Mike Hailwood Replica.
     
    Follow the Globetrotter 90th adventure on the official Globetrotter90.ducati.com site
  5. Guy Martin - Cycling Home for Christmas...

    Posted on

    Guy Martin is currently cycling around the coast of the UK, trying to beat the current Guinness World Record of 22 days of riding the 4,800 mile route around the UK coast line, set in 1984 by Nick Sanders.

    This is Guy’s last challenge of the year, where the aim is to complete the distance by Christmas Day, averaging 250 miles a day and we hope in 'kind weather'.

    Guy says “It’s further than you think” - "It's not the best time of year to be doing it" and proudley shows off his 2017 Calendar, before he head off to the pub for a 'quick pint' before bedtime for an early start on Wednesday 7th December. 

    The programme will be aired on Channel 4 on Thursday 29th December, 9pm. 

    Guy Martin, Guinness Record for cycling around the coast of Britain, Cyclin