The British Motor Museum has got a cracking line up of egg-cellent Easter Holiday activities to get stuck into from 5 – 27 April! Children and families can crack the code in the puzzling Family Trail, get creative with an egg-ceptional craft activity, and test their car dealing skills on a fascinating tour around the Museum. Over the Easter weekend from 18-21 April, there will also be a traditional Easter egg hunt amongst the car collection! Plus, the Museum will host their first Mellow Monday on Monday 7 April and the first Access Day of 2025 on Thursday 24 April.

Crack the code - Family Trail is available every day and gives children a chance to put their puzzle solving skills to the test and crack the hidden code. There are codes all around us in everyday life, running everything from navigation to smart fridges, making working with codes a great skill to have! Use your skills to reveal the answer, and collect a reward sticker for your achievement!

Hatch your own Car is a super fun craft and design-based activity in which children can “hatch”  their very own car. The hatching process starts with an egg shape made from card strips, and with some more crafty materials and a sprinkling of imagination, a unique car is hatched… all from a simple egg shape!

Finally, children can join the Egg-straordinary Tour with resident car experts Maggie Dwyer the Car Buyer or Barry Wheeler the Car Dealer, as they hatch a plan to buy or sell a car. Children will embark on a fascinating journey through the cars in the Museum, trying their hand at being a top car seller, and picking out which cars they’d love to buy the most!

Emma Rawlinson, Lifelong Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum, said, “Join us this Easter  for some cracking fun activities with our hat-trick of egg-cellent family fun. We have a basket brimming with activities for our younger visitors to enjoy all through the holidays, along with our classic Easter egg hunt around the Museum over the Easter weekend!”

Visit between 3pm and 5pm on Monday 7 April to enjoy the Museum’s first Mellow Monday! Brand-new for 2025, these days will feature afternoon “Relaxed Hours”,  helping to provide a great Museum experience to those who require a quieter atmosphere.

Discover the Museum’s latest Access Day on Thursday 24 April, too. As always, the day will showcase a wide range of accessible activities and initiatives, from extended opening hours and touch and access tours, to specially-adapted crafts and SEND & sensory bags, highlighting all of the Museum’s accessible and inclusive features and activities that help make it as welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Museum entry is just £46 for a family in advance or £52 on the day, £17 for adults in advance or £20 on the day, £15 for concessions in advance or £18 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. Visitors can convert their ticket to an Annual Pass at no extra cost so they can come back again and again over the year. With activities every school holiday this makes it a great value choice for families this Easter. For more information, please visit the website at:

www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/easter-holiday-activities

The BMW Motorrad UK motorsports lineup for the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship and Road Racing campaign has been bolstered, as new team 8TEN Racing will receive full BMW Motorrad Motorsport support through riders Peter Hickman and Davey Todd.

8TEN Racing, named after the Isle of Man TT start numbers of Davey and Peter respectively, is set to compete across the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, North West 200, and Isle of Man TT races in 2025.

The restructure by BMW Motorrad UK has provided the opportunity for a new team to be formed, with an innovative setup where the team will be co-owned by the riders.

Rider and co-owner Peter Hickman commented: “The opportunity provided by BMW Motorrad UK to co-own and run 8TEN Racing alongside Davey is an exciting concept, and having run my own team across other classes, the insight and experience I have gained over the last few years should put us in good stead to be competitive. We know the M 1000 RR very well which will allow some continuity, we’ll be looking to continue our success on the roads, and relish the challenge of being competitive in the British Superbike Championship.” 

Peter will be working with Crew Chief Darren Jones, who have been working together since 2009. Darren has held the role of Crew Chief and Team Manager throughout all Peter’s previous TT achievements, and has extensive knowledge of the BMW M 1000 RR.

After sharing multiple successes together in 2024, Davey will be working with Crew Chief Stewart Johnstone once again in 2025, after Stuart helped Davey achieve the National Superstock Championship title as well as multiple victories at the Isle of Man TT.

Davey Todd added: “I’m really looking forward to this new chapter of my career, riding and co-owning 8TEN Racing. This structure will be a new dynamic to learn, but I’ve seen it work across other motorcycle championships like Supercross. I’m excited to be more involved in the dealings of the team, as well as build on the success I had with BMW last year which ended with a National title and TT victories.”

Scott Grimsdall, BMW Motorrad Head of Marketing & PR said: “It’s great to grasp this opportunity and expand the number of riders and teams competing on BMW machinery for the 2025 season. Peter and Davey have such enthusiasm for this new project, and will receive continued support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport as the team looks to establish themselves in the British Superbike paddock, as well as look to continue their respective achievements on the roads. Following the National Superstock win for Davey last year, unrivalled TT victories in the Superstock, Superbike and Senior categories, and a new M 1000 RR for 2025, there is real optimism among us that 8TEN Racing can deliver further success for the brand.”

8TEN Racing is set to debut at the first Bennetts British Superbike official tests in April, ahead of the opening round at Oulton Park taking place 3-5 May.

3Dcal.com proudly introduces the world's first interactive 3D graphic design system specifically designed for motorcyclists. Our platform goes beyond traditional visualization techniques by offering an immersive design experience directly on a 3D model of your bike. This innovative tool empowers riders to unleash their creativity and design custom decals and wraps without requiring any professional design expertise.

Our user-friendly system provides real-time visualization, allowing you to see exactly how your designs will appear on true-to-scale 3D models of your motorcycle. This ensures precision and accuracy, so your vision translates perfectly onto your bike. Beyond personal customization, 3Dcal.com   also fosters a vibrant community, inviting riders, brands, and artists to collaborate and share their passion for motorcycles.

The intuitive interface of 3DCal.com, based on the Twyst platform from StickerStoke, simplifies the customization process, enabling users to visualize their designs in real-time on true-to-scale 3D models of their motorcycles. This unique feature ensures that riders can see exactly what their concepts will look like before committing to a purchase. The platform caters to various motorcycle enthusiasts, particularly those who seek both protection and personalization for their bikes.

3DCal.com is not just a tool for individual customization; it is a community hub where riders, top brands, artists, and charitable organizations can collaborate. By integrating brand logos and supporting non-profits, such as the Motorcycle Relief Project—an organization that recently collaborated with 3DCal.com to create a custom decal set raising funds for veterans—the platform fosters a sense of community and shared passion among motorcyclists. This collaborative spirit is a key differentiator in an industry where customization options have historically been limited to pre designed templates.

The current market for custom motorcycle decals and wraps has primarily focused on traditional design methods, often requiring riders to seek expensive graphic design services or settle for generic templates. Existing competitors typically offer limited customization options that restrict users' creative freedom. In contrast, 3DCal.com provides a comprehensive solution that allows users to express their individuality while ensuring high-quality production and accurate representation of their designs on real-life motorcycles. With the rapid growth of adventure and offroad motorcycling, 3DCal.com is uniquely positioned to meet this demand by offering custom, protective decals specifically designed to withstand rugged conditions while allowing riders to personalize their bikes. There's an increased demand for protective decals and customization. The global off-road motorcycle accessories market is projected to reach US$ 3,322.0 million by the end of 2034. Over the next decade, the market is expected to grow 1.6X times, according to Fact.MR.

With an emphasis on user-friendliness, 3DCal.com aims to make the design process accessible to all motorcycle enthusiasts, regardless of their artistic skill level. As the company continues to expand its offerings, it plans to introduce additional motorcycle models and accessories, further enriching the customization experience for riders. This initiative not only enhances the personalization of bikes but also promotes a culture of creativity and collaboration within the motorcycle community.

But 3DCal.com is more than just about aesthetics. These decals are engineered to provide an extra layer of protection against scratches and the damaging effects of UV light, ensuring your motorcycle stays looking its best for years to come. With 3DCal, riders can express their personal style without breaking the bank, all while adding a layer of durability to their prized possession.

Court Rand, founder of 3DCal.com stated, "This platform is a game changer for motorcyclists everywhere. Riders can now unleash their creativity and customize their motorcycles effortlessly without the need for design expertise. Our 3D graphic design system elevates the personalization experience through proprietary rendering technology and precision scaling algorithms, enabling users to see their custom decals on lifelike 3D models with unmatched accuracy, allowing users to visualize their unique designs on their bikes like never before."

article supplied

Perfect for off-road and short trips or when travelling with soft luggage: With the new mounting kit, the practical Touratech toolbox can now also be mounted directly on the frame tail of the BMW R 1300 GS - without the need for a pannier rack.

Slim yet spacious, positioned close to the vehicle and perfectly accessible: this is the Touratech tool box for the BMW R 1300 GS. With a volume of 4.2 litres, it offers enough space even for an excellently sorted professional tool set or holds a selection of important spare parts for long journeys. However, the splash-proof storage space is also very welcome on short trips or off-road excursions, for example to store first-aid materials or a breakdown kit within easy reach. Thanks to its well thought-out design and clever mix of stainless steel and plastic materials, the Touratech tool box is also extremely robust.
The extra-large opening is practical and allows easy loading and unloading. If required, the lid can also be removed completely. A safety catch ensures that it does not get lost. The lock, which is of course available with the same key as other Touratech products, is protected against dust and splash water by a cap, ensuring that it remains smooth-running even with frequent off-road use.

New mounting kit: mounting now also possible without luggage rack!
Previously only available for use on the stainless steel carrier of the Touratech ZEGA Evo aluminium pannier systems, the Touratech tool box is now also available for mounting directly on the rear of the frame. This is made possible by the new mounting kit. This is Touratech's response to a frequently expressed request from the community and allows the tool box to be used without a luggage rack. This makes the box even more versatile, which should please users of soft luggage systems or sporty adventure riders.
Precisely laser-cut from three-millimetre-strong stainless steel, the mounting kit allows the boxes to be fitted directly to the rear frame on the left and right with a precise fit and high strength. Thanks to the careful positioning of the boxes, there are no restrictions when getting on the bike or for comfort on the pillion seat.
This mounting kit is now available for the BMW R 1300 GS. There is also a variant for mounting on the left-hand side of the R 1200 GS (LC), the R 1250 GS and the corresponding Adventure models.

Further information in the Webshop

Every biker is cognisant of the fact that preparation is key to making every ride count, whether it's a weekend ride or a long tour. From safety to technical requirements, having the proper gear is a game-changer in terms of comfort, safety and ride experience. And when it's time to wind down after a day of riding, some riders get their adrenaline rush from trusted online casino bonus offers that they know they can always rely on. Whether you’re in the mood for entertainment or something else, here’s a list of gear every biker needs to have a smooth ride.  

Protective Gear: More Than Just a Helmet

While many riders would put their focus on the helmet as their first line of protection, your entire body needs protection. A great helmet is a prerequisite to protect you from head injuries, but investing in total protection gear is a prerequisite to mitigate risk in every ride.

A well-ventilated, impact-resistant jacket that is padded in areas of high impact, such as the shoulders, elbows and back, reduces injury in the event of a fall. Reinforced gloves and footwear also provide comfort and protection. Also, carry gear that is seasonally suitable to adapt to temperature changes, keeping you warm or cool regardless of the weather forecast.

Navigation Tools: Finding the Best Routes

Riding on new roads is one of the pleasures of biking, yet it's always a wise move to be armed with the right tools to guide you in the process. GPS devices that are made specifically for bikes are vibration-resistant, rain and harsh-condition-resistant, something that would destroy ordinary devices. The GPS systems also come with glove-friendly screens and live reports of weather, road conditions and traffic to allow you to select the most convenient route for your ride.

Apps like Scenic or Calimoto are perfect for personalised routes, offering you the flexibility to explore curvy roads or side routes that enhance the ride.

Motorcycle Maintenance Kit: Be Ready for the Unexpected

Motorcycle riders often ride a fair distance from a point of help, so it is practical to take a small maintenance kit. A multi-tool that includes screwdrivers, pliers and a tyre lever, along with a small air compressor or a tyre repair kit, can get you moving again if something breaks down.

Check your bike in advance by checking tire pressure, oil and chain tension. Precautions in advance can prevent small issues from turning into huge troubles during your ride.

The Right Luggage: Travel Light, Pack Smart

The right bag is a plus, especially for cross-country trips. Hard security panniers or soft saddlebags for flexibility and a lighter load, depending on ride style, are wonderful options.

Make sure to pack just the essentials - gear, a first aid kit, tools, food and water. In rainy conditions, a waterproof electronics or valuables dry bag is also a wise option. The seat bag and tank bag are useful for small items and can be easily accessed on the move.

Staying Connected: Communication on the Road

Bluetooth helmet communicators are a must for riders who want to stay connected on their ride. The devices allow riders to talk to other riders in their group, receive turn-by-turn directions, or listen to music without having to take their attention away from the road.

Some communicators also feature wind noise-reducing technology to allow you to hear without interference even when you move at high speeds. Long-lasting batteries enable you to stay connected throughout your ride.

Unwinding After the Ride: A Different Kind of Thrill

After hours of cycling, bikers also unwind in various ways. Some of them opt for a bikers' friendly pub visit to share stories, while others use reputable online casino bonuses to give a splash of fun to their breaks.

Online casinos provide a range of different games, such as slots, poker and live casino action, that you can play on your tablet or phone. From a campsite or hotel room, you can enjoy a fun way to wind down after a day of travelling.

Weather Protection: Prepare for the Elements

The weather can be unpredictable, so it's a wise move to be ready for rain, wind, or sudden drops in temperature. Carry a light, breathable rain jacket that is easy to carry around and that will keep you dry in unexpected showers. Heated gloves and jackets are great for cold-weather cycling, keeping you warm in any weather condition.

Also, consider a fog-proof visor on your helmet and waterproof overboots to get a clear view and dry feet in rainy conditions.

Essential Documents: Ride with Confidence

Lastly, always carry important documents such as your driver's license, insurance, emergency contacts and permits to cross borders if required. Familiarising yourself with local road laws keeps you in check and avoids any potential legal issues during your ride. 

By staying outfitted with the right gear, tools and know-how, every ride is a smooth, enjoyable ride. Whether you ride on scenic routes or find new ways to unwind, these tools will make every aspect of your ride better, keeping you safe, connected and ready for whatever is around the bend on the road.

article supplied