| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: Tourism & Travel
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What can be more thrilling than to climb on the saddle of your bike and set off into the sunset? The feeling can produce a sense of power, freedom, exhilaration. Your riding companion can make the difference between a pleasing experience and a depressing trip. In case you didn’t already know, you can transform your phone into the ultimate touring companion for an east to west adventure. Gone are the days of carrying maps, multiple guidebooks, and phone numbers. Your smartphone is the best companion on the road. Whether you’re riding solo or in group for safety and camaraderie, there are many helpful apps out there. Let’s go over some of the handiest apps for two-wheel riders.
Google Maps
If you’d like to follow the roads, for a daily ride, use routes. There’s no right or wrong way to plan a motorcycle tour, so do the best you can and hope for the best. Google has added new features to Maps, including more data about bike routes, showing how busy traffic is or whether your chosen path includes a steep hill. You’ll be able to get a detailed breakdown of the route, so you’ll know what type of road you’re travelling on, whether a major road or a local street. Of course, you’ll need Internet data, even if some parts of the map can be downloaded and viewed offline. Just save an area to your phone.
Google Maps uses a mix of machine learning, complex algorithms, and a comprehension of real-world conditions based on imagery and data from government authorities and community contributions. Google and Apple Maps have been struggling to be the leading provider of turn-by-turn directions for some time now. Apple Maps provides routes on bike paths, lanes, and bike-friendly roads and is great for riding hands-free. Many alternatives have emerged, such as Strava, which incorporates social network features. All you need to do is install the app on your phone and your ride record will automatically upload.
Eat Sleep Ride 
Eat Sleep Ride makes it possible for you to track your activities and share your efforts, explore bike routes, and get safety features like CRASHLIGHT technology, which automatically detects crashes. When you’re on the road, you can see other motorcyclists using the app and easily reach out to them. Eat Sleep Ride has potential because it was designed with bikers in mind; it doesn’t address multiple genres of GPS tracking. The mobile app features challenges and leaderboards, so go out and collect miles if you want to stand a chance of winning valuable prizes. They make updates to the app from time to time, meaning it gets better every time.
Rever
With Rever, you can plan your routes, draw attention to interesting, well-known roads, and track your epic rides in real time, as you go (distance, duration, and speed). If you’re looking to elevate your riding experience, making it more fun and memorable, decide on the style of ride you want, and Rever will do the rest. Join the community to share your journey, compete in challenges, and connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. You can navigate through your route, even in aeroplane mode, which only disables radio signals like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Rever also has weather alerts and SMS safety alerts.
Calimoto
Calimoto makes available route recommendations, navigation, and tracking figures – it’s specifically developed for those travelling on motorcycles. Select a starting point, add via points, and the nearest point of interest (restaurants, gas stations, etc.). You’ll get details on the estimated time of the trip and the distance; Calimoto will show how twisty the road is. The free version of the mobile app offers access to more than 50,000 ride routes and a trip planner. The premium version is a little bit expensive, but it does come with a few extras, such as terrain and satellite maps with full-voice navigation.
AccuWeather
Finally, yet importantly, if you’re not properly equipped with the right information, it’s even more challenging to forecast the weather. Climate conditions can have a significant impact on bike riding. Snow, ice, and rain can affect your performance and even put you in danger. This is why you should take precautions like wearing safety gear, adjusting your riding style, and avoiding venturing into the world during extreme weather conditions. AccuWeather is super easy to use, providing detailed hourly forecasts, not to mention weather alerts. The app becomes increasingly useful as your adventure lengthens.
AccuWeather offers data like real and perceived temperature, humidity, air quality, allergens, and so on. And all of this with superior accuracy, no matter where you are in the world. There’s a lot of online feedback about the app, generating five-star reviews and ratings for reliability, accuracy, and ease of use. All the information you need can be viewed directly in the Radar section, which features up to the minute reports. Prior to embarking on a motorcycle trip, there’s a lot to consider, from staying safe to the itinerary, but weather concerns are the focus of attention. Luckily, AccuWeather comes to the rescue.
Conclusion
Regardless of your riding goals, there’s an app out there to help you achieve them. Every now and then, you’ll turn to the smartphone in your pocket – it’s your digital travel assistant. Each of the aforementioned apps provide benefits to bikers, but none requires you to be a tech genius.
Image Source: Motorcycle Cruiser on highway - Unsplash License
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To many, motorcycle tours are the best ways to make the most of your bike. Some look for massive stretches of open road, while others seek the windy tracks up and across mountain ranges. For some, plotting these tours can be tricky – especially if you don’t want to follow one of the organised routes from tour companies.
What can help is coming up with a theme for your tour. That way, you home in on the selection of places that you can visit, and as it’s all from a theme, you add a bit of extra purpose to the trip. Here, we’re proposing ones based on hit TV shows that are not only popular shows, but will also take you to some incredible places.
Famed period drama set between Reading and Bath
Its TV run many have ended in 2015, but Downton Abbey is still revered as a near-immaculate British gem, powered by impeccable acting and a terrifically posh setting. The period drama even managed to earn itself several Emmy nominations over in the US, cementing it as a favourite both across the pond and at home. Now, from its storylines to its sets, it boasts an incredible legacy.
Downton Abbey – Official Trailer
So, it won’t come as a surprise that Downton Abbey has escaped the bounds of the TV screen and leapt further into pop culture. Of course, it was able to sidestep into other entertainment mediums. Downton Abbey has even found its way into iGaming, becoming one of the most popular slots at the top community site for bingo online. It’s got wilds, free spins, and the smashing Grantham Cup Jackpot is up for grabs!
For teeing up your real-world Downton Abbey adventure, you’ll need to turn your attention to a circular route that runs from outside Thatcham, down to Andover, over to near Corsham, up to Swindon, further on to Asthall, over to Witney, towards Didcot, and round to Thatcham. This road trip will take you to all of the most iconic locations, including Highclere Castle, Basildon Park, Lacock, The Old Forge in Shilton, and the Avebury stone circle.
Game of Thrones captured the attention of millions of people around the world, but it just didn’t stick the landing, or whatever comes a season before the landing. Still, you’ll continue to find tour groups venturing to the old filming locations. People still go to Northern Ireland, Iceland, and Croatia to see those locations. Instead of that, maybe turn to the revival of the Westeros setting with the very well received House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon Season 2 | Official Teaser
The series set over a century before the events of Game of Thrones and was filmed in some superb locations, many of which are in the UK. 
Holywell Beach, St. Michael’s Mount, and Kynance Cove all feature in the show and can be found in Cornwall, or you could go to Surrey to find the set for the opening tourney. In Season 2, Gwynedd and Anglesey in Wales feature in the backgrounds, and they returned to Surrey, only this time for Bourne Woods.
So, will you be riding out into the classic setting of Downton Abbey, or will you be off to the fantasy realms of House of the Dragon?
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As a motorcyclist, there's nothing like hitting the open road for an extended excursion. A long-haul motorcycle tour gives you the freedom to explore the world around you in a way that you can't replicate with any other method of transportation. 
However, spending hours or days on the road can take its toll on your body and mind, but you don't have to sacrifice your creature comforts for the wind in your hair on the road. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of five ways to bring the comforts of home with you on your long-haul motorcycle tour.
1. Portable Power
Where you go, your devices go. But on a long-haul bike tour, you may not have many options to keep your devices powered up. That's where a portable power station comes in – you can even get one that can be charged using solar panels to be more environmentally friendly.
A portable source of power makes it so you don't have to worry about running out of battery life, even if you're out of reach of electrical outlets. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing you can always stay connected and powered up while on the road.
2. Pack Light and Nutritious Snacks
Food plays a vital role in the comfort level of your tour. While it may be tempting to pack junk food or stop for fast food, it's essential to pack light and nutritious snacks that will keep you full without weighing you down.
Some great options include fruit, nuts, and granola bars. Not only will these snacks be more satisfying, but they'll also keep you feeling energized for longer periods.
3. Listen to Your Favorite Tunes With a Bluetooth Helmet
Unless you love the sound of the wind for hours, a good helmet is crucial to your motorcycle gear. One with a Bluetooth feature allows you to listen to music and audiobooks or even take phone calls on the go. This keeps you entertained and helps lessen the feeling of isolation during solo trips.
4. Make Navigation Easier With a GPS
Getting lost on a long-haul trip can be frustrating and time-consuming. A GPS device saves time and energy and will protect your phone's precious battery life when outlets are scarce. You don't need to stress finding the correct route; simply plug in your destination and let your GPS lead the way.
5. Create a Comfortable Ride
A comfortable motorcycle ride is the key difference between a great excursion and an intolerable one. When travelling for long periods, you'll quickly discover the advantages of a good seat.
Installing a more comfortable seat will help prevent aches and pains. While you might not see the value of this upgrade for short rides, it's well worth the investment for long hauls.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to bring the comforts of home with you on your long-haul motorcycle tour, you can be more confident on the road and enjoy the experience more. By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be better positioned to take in all the sights and sounds of the world around you without compromising your comfort and well-being. Happy touring!
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Autumn is, for many, a season to retreat at home and be as cosy as possible. But this is not true for everyone, as many people like to explore nature and the landscape to take in all those beautiful autumnal colors and vibes. There are many routes that give their best during this time of the year, as trees change from green to orange and evenings get chilly. If you feel the need to take a trip in nature and want to explore the UK territory, we have some advice for you.
In this article, we propose a series of routes in the UK to explore during this time of the year. So, if you are looking for more itineraries to try out this year, this short article is a great place to start looking. Continue reading to find out more about some of the best autumnal routes in the UK.
South West Coastal 300 and North Coast 500 (Scotland) 
Let’s start out with the South West Coastal 300, which begins in Dumfries. This fantastic route is perfect for admiring the views of the Ayrshire coast. While heading inland to explore the Southern Highlands, you can get to the Mull of Galloway and even see the highest village, Wanlockhead. This route is considered one of the best UK routes to do during this time of the year if you want to surround yourself with amazing coastlines and seaside locations.
The North Coast 500, on the other hand, starts and ends in Inverness, which is often considered to be the Scottish equivalent of the famous ‘Route 66’. If you want to surround yourself with the very best of the Scottish Highlands, this is the right route for you.
Usually, this route takes five days, but if you are looking for a longer trip, you can simply take a week off and enjoy 500 miles of scenery and pubs that often broadcast major sporting events like the Champions League. If you are lucky and plan your trip right, you could even find a fellow sports enthusiast to discuss the Champions League odds with over a dram of Scotch whisky. There is no point in rushing this route if you have the chance to take your time.
Honister and Hardknott and Wrynose Pass (Lake District) 
The Honister Pass is perfect if you want to start in an urban and busy setting and then dive into a scenic motorcycle route. This itinerary starts in the busy town of Keswick and then passes by the Slate Mine, which is a popular tourist attraction. Be careful, though, as this road can be challenging for many due to its steep and narrow shape, as well as a gradient of 1 in 4. On the bright side, there is no traffic.
Hardknott Pass develops between Eskdale Road and Duddon Valley. It starts at Santon Bridge, cruises through Wrynose Pass, and continues to Ambleside. It is often described as one of the most challenging riding routes in Britain and the steepest road in Britain, with a gradient of 1 in 3. This route is perfect for autumn, as, due to its popularity, summer days are often particularly busy with traffic and tourists, so take that into consideration when planning your journey.
These were just some of the most amazing autumnal routes in the UK, but we are sure there are many more to consider all over this territory. Autumn is a wonderful time to explore nature and to ride surrounded by beautiful landscapes and scenery. So grab your favourite jacket and all the needed gear, and hop on your bike for a beautiful autumnal ride.
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