Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. bmf Tailend Motorcycle Show, 18 / 19 September, Lincolnshire Showground

    With advanced ticket sales well up on last year, it’s a thumbs up for the bmf’s re-located Tail End show to be held for the first time at the stunning Lincolnshire Events Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground.

    The decision to move the show after twelve years at Peterborough’s East of England Showground was a brave one, but advance ticket sales for this popular end of season event are up a staggering 60% on this time last year, while even the trade stands are looking to top last year’s figures.

    Harley Davidson are bringing their brand new road show rig to the event including nine demonstrator bikes (driving licences will be required to be shown) while Rieju will be showing their stunning new range of bikes aimed at both the new and novice rider and will hopefully be bringing a long rising star Katie Bullock, European Intermediate Trials Champion and X Factor contestant.

    Other exhibitors already booked include George White, Kawasaki, Norton Motorcycles, Frank Thomas, Hein Gericke, Bikers Gearbox, Carole Nash, Powerbronze, Busters, Enigma Clothing, SMC Bikes, Skidmarx and the ever-popular Wall of Death plus a large fun fair – and for those camping, James Toseland and his band CRASH will be headlining the live entertainment on Saturday night.

    Making a guest appearance over the weekend will be Enduro Challenge star Graham Hoskins (and if he can make it, his riding partner Danny John Jules [The Cat from TV’s Red Dwarf]) to talk about their epic Enduro challenge for Sport relief – 7,000 miles, 15 countries, 3 continents in just 16 days!! Graham will have the bike he used and will also be giving a talk about the trip in the showground’s appropriately named Epic centre during the day.

    Vertical Trix will be there with their wheelie machine for those who want to try their hand in relative safety, while in the main arena, top class stunts from the Bolddog Lings Stunt Team and amazing tricks from ace trials rider Steve Colley will keep the crowds happy. But that’s not all, as the fast and furious racing from the British Lawnmower racing association will give a whole new meaning to the phrase cut and thrust competition!

    Thanks to the bmf’s insurance partners MCE, visitors will also have the chance to win a VIP experience at the BSB at Oulton Park including pit lane walks and a ‘meet the teams’ session. Visitors also have the chance to win a £500 custom helmet paint job courtesy of the BLD group.

    For those camping, ticket prices include live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings from bands such as Trash Monkey (back from a successful bmf May show appearance), the League of Mentalmen, The Band from County Hell and Bad Penny with James Toseland and Crash headlining Saturday.

    There’s even a Free shuttle bus service from Lincoln city centre to the showground throughout the weekend 10-18.00hrs.
     

    For full details on Tail End, ticket options and on-line booking see:

    www.bmfshows.co.uk or book by phone on 08448 845151

  2. Using a bike or scooter to commute is a practical, cost-effective and congestion beating mode of transport according to the MCI's analysis of the most recent National Travel Survey.* 

    The survey reveals that the average motorcyclist relies on their bike for everyday transport, using it for over one-third (35%) of all journeys they make. The average rider makes 7 trips per week, covering 88 miles in a three-hour period.

    The survey shows that over half (51%) of all motorcycle trips in 2009 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (33%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (20 %) of car journeys.
    Congestion-beating - Cars used for commuting continue to have a low occupancy rate with 85% drivers using their car for commuting are single occupancy, so opting for a bike or scooter can help to reduce congestion and add to a quicker route to work.

    Cost-effective - Cheaper parking, lower tax and less fuel costs mean that using a bike or scooter is one-way people who are concerned about the cost of driving can get access to private transport. 

    Overall 30% of people surveyed have not learned to drive a car because of the cost of buying. Considering a motorcycle or scooter is a positive alternative. For younger people age 17 - 20 years this increases to 57% who gave the reason for not driving a car as cost. A motorcycle or scooter is a cheaper private transport alternative.

    Convenient  - Using a bike or scooter eliminates the need to rely on public transport timetables and can help to reduce travel times. Motorcycling is the SMART solution that provides a more Sustainable transport option, provides greater personal Mobility, is always more Accessible and provides a Realistic convenient form of Transport for many.

    Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented " The MCI is committed to ensuring motorcycles and scooters are represented in mainstream transport policy. The Government's own Travel Survey has shown that powered two-wheelers have an important role to play in providing a cost-effective mode of transport that can reduce congestion and help get people to work more efficiently and on time.

    "If employers can help with secure parking and locker facilities for example, this would go a long way to encouraging more people to use a bike or scooter for commuting and will help to ease congestion and ensure a less-stressed work force."
     
    1) National Travel Survey 2010 -Department for Transport
  3. The annual Stockport Bike Show, in aid of NABD, Rainbow Trust and Together Trust, is tTo be held in Stockport Market centre 12 noon until 12pm.  Live bands all day and evening, bike show, food & drink venues, raffles, tombola, trade stalls and much more!  Bikes, trikes & scooters welcome.
     
    venue: Stockport Market Place,  SK1 1ES
    price: free entry
    tel: 0161 221 9078
  4. Wings & Wheels are thrilled to announce that on Sunday 29th August the airshow will be paying tribute to the Harrier and celebrating 50 years since the first vertical take-off, which took place at the aerodrome in October 1960, with a very special flypast.

    Having taken a break from the airshow circuit for four years, the Harrier is back and joining the Show on both days and in a unique twist organisers have teamed up with the RAF Red Arrows to bring the crowds something a little bit different.

    Wings & Wheels are delighted to confirm that the Red Arrows and the Harrier will be marking the anniversary with a special tribute flypast formation.

    Gerry Forristal, Air Display Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “The aerodrome at one time was not only home to the Hawk aircraft flown by the Reds but played a key role in the development of the iconic Harrier. With 2010 being such an exceptional year for both us and the Harrier, we are delighted that the Red Arrows and the Harrier have agreed to team up and help us celebrate this landmark with a special tribute flypast formation.”

    Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are extremely proud and very excited to welcome the Harrier back which we know is a firm favourite with our Wings & Wheels visitors. The formation flypast tribute is something not seen before at our airshow and we hope our visitors on Sunday enjoy watching and joining us in our celebrations.”

    Dunsfold Aerodrome has an illustrious aviation history and for many years was used as a flight test centre for Harriers and Hawks for the worldwide markets. The Hawk aircraft, flown by the Red Arrows, and most of its components are British made, built and, at one time, delivered from Dunsfold Aerodrome.

    Attracting phenomenal crowds of over 25,000 in 2009 with some of the finest aircraft and motoring displays in the UK, Wings & Wheels is not just an Airshow, it’s an exciting weekend of family entertainment.

    Tickets are still on sale for the advanced rate of £16 until 5pm on Saturday 28th and can be purchased from Dunsfold Park Estate Office, Guildford Tourist Office, Horsham Tourist Office, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Brooklands Museum.

    The Red Arrows will be headlining this year’s airshow and performing on both days, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August. Also confirmed in the spectacular 4 hour flying displays are the RAF Typhoon, RAF Hawk (Solo Hawk Jet), RAF Tutor (Solo Training Aircraft), Lynx Helicopter, Blades Aerobatic Display Team, Breitling Wingwalkers, Hawker Hunter (Jet), Hawker Hurricane (WW2), Red Bull Matadors, Aerobatic Glider Display,  Tigers Parachute Team and Vulcan Bomber.

    The ‘Wheels’ of the show is masterminded by Brooklands Museum who have lined-up an assortment of motoring icons, including Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, AC Cobras, Lotuses, Porsches, TVRs and the McLaren Mercedes SLR, to entertain the crowds as they demonstrate their speed and power up and down the runway made famous by BBC’s Top Gear.

    The two day show is being held over the August Bank Holiday, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey and is open to spectators from 9.00 to 18.00.

    Tickets prices remain the same as 2009 and start from: £16 for adults, £5 for under 15’s and £36 for a family. Hospitality packages start at £120 per person. For more information or to book a ticket visit www.wingsandwheels.net

    Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited to help raise monies for nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Help for Heroes.