Category: Other

1. Carbon Monoxide poisoning in tents - Stormin the Castle

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 6th Aug 2012

   We have been asked to take measures to advise our customers of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in tents.

   Witton Castle have received a visit from environmental health officers, it appears they are doing a tour of campsites warning them of incidents as described below.

   This Bank Holiday (5th – 7th May 2012) saw the tragic but avoidable death of another teenage camper.
    
   Earlier Saturday afternoon this teenager had been enjoying watching the FA Cup Final with her family in the pub to which their campsite belongs. After the match they left the pub and the family barbecued at the families tents.
    
   Sunday morning, family members from other tents realised their relatives had not yet stirred and approached their tent. Horror struck as they realised the family were almost unwakeable. Two adults, the girls mother and stepfather, stirred as did her 11 year old brother, sadly the young girl could not be revived despite the efforts of a doctor on site and paramedics arriving shortly after the discovery. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her parents were very ill and her brother still recovering in hospital.
    
   Why did this happen? A disposable barbecue, the kind in a foil tray costing around £3, was found in the tent and the carbon monoxide fumes emitted from this are believed to have been responsible for the incident.
    
   All Fossil Fuels emit carbon monoxide when burned. They continue to emit carbon monoxide for may hours after they cease to be of use for cooking. Campers are tempted to take the residue of the burning embers in the foil tray, in to their tents to make use of the warmth it is still generating. Then, disaster strikes! The odourless carbon monoxide released increases the already tired occupants drowsiness and sends them off to sleep. Sadly for some, never to wake up again.

    

   Stormin’ the Castle 2012

   31st Aug - 2nd Sept
   Witton Castle
   Pre Book £25
   On the Gate £35

2. Hein Gericke (UK) placed into Administration

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 2nd Aug 2012

   The UK side of Hein Gericke has been placed into administration this week, with hopefully a new buyer found.

   It is hoped a new buyer is found as a matter or urgency and that they may continue to serve a dedicated customer base and keep the staff employed in the 49 stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

   Separate from the German based parent company, the UK motorcycle clothing and accessory retailer trades under a license agreement.

3. EURO TRAINERS OFFER SOMETHING DIFFERENT

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 27th Jul 2012

   Midlands-based RMT Motorcycle Training is organising a continental trip this September that offers the perfect blend of riding, socialising, advanced training and sight-seeing.

   The five-day excursion to Normandy is a package deal that includes ferry crossings, meals and accommodation for up to 25 people, together with as much or as little continental training as riders want from a small team of highly qualified instructors.

   RMT Director, Simon Hayes, explains; “We take on overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, head for an English-owned rustic chateau in Brix, Normandy and ride some of the best roads in lovely countryside for three days. Our five instructors are all DSA-approved, fully qualified as Senior IAM Observers and RoSPA Gold holders - and passionate bikers. Each individual rider decides day-by-day how much he or she takes advantage of their knowledge, but we like to incorporate advanced riding techniques, tips on group riding dynamics and of course, how to ride on the ‘wrong side’ of the road! Individuals can take time out to do their own thing, but we aim to offer a nice balance of touring, learning and socialising“. 

   The trip runs from Thursday 6th until Monday 10th September and costs £650 per person, pillions are also very welcome. Routes and radios are provided, but guests cover their own fuel, lunch stops and souvenirs. RMT can also help with a comprehensive checklist to highlight the useful kit and necessary requirements for riding in France.

   Every rider gets a Development Report when they return home and may even have the bonus of being awarded the DSA Enhanced Rider Scheme Certificate of Achievement if there riding is to a high enough standard.

   A second, 9-day tour to Portugal has been organised for mid October at a cost of £990 per person.

   For more information, go to www.rmtnet.co.uk and click on Training Holidays. You can call Simon and his team on (01527) 500 333 or email [email protected] 

4. The Evolution of Motorcycle Safe

   Posted on 4:36pm Thursday 26th Jul 2012

   It's no secret that motorbikes are officially the coolest mode of transport, however, did you know that many of the safety measures we now take for granted were not introduced for many years after motorcycling became so popular?

   With motorcycle fatalities are at their lowest level ever, this infographic has been created by UK's bike insurer Bennetts to show how motorcycle safety has evolved over the years and what a huge impact the work of bikers, campaigners and legislators has had to make motorcycling safer for everyone.

5. Honda to participate in the 2013 Dakar Rally

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 3rd Jul 2012

   Honda has announced its intention to participate as a works team in the motorcycle class of the Dakar Rally to be held in January 2013 in South America, travelling north to south through Peru, Chile and Argentina.

   Honda competed nine times in the motorcycle class in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally, from 1981 through to 1989, and was a winner five times during that period. It has been 23 years since it last participated in the Rally.
    
   The Honda team, to be called Team HRC, will include Portuguese rider Helder Rodrigues, who took third place in the 2012 Dakar Rally, Brazilian Felipe Zanol, who brings a wealth of experience in motocross and enduro race events, as well as Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina).
    
   They will ride a prototype machine developed and produced by the Motorcycle R&D Center at Honda R&D. The prototype machine is based on the CRF450X, the popular worldwide enduro racing model that combines ease of handling with superior competitive strength. Kit parts designed for use on the standard CRF450X model have also been developed and will be supplied to a limited number of teams.
    
   Tetsuo Suzuki, Senior Managing Officer and Director, Chief Operating Officer, Motorcycle R&D Centre, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. commented: “The Dakar requires competitors to cover several hundred kilometers per day for more than two weeks. It needs a totally different type of vehicle from events such as motocross, trials and road races. Honda has put a great deal of effort into designing and building a powerful and winning machine. We are aiming for the championship from this first year.”