JACOPO CERUTTI, SECOND, STRENGTHENS HIS GRIP ON THE LEAD IN THE OVERALL STANDINGS OF THE AFRICA ECO RACE WITH FOUR LEGS LEFT TO REACH DAKAR

FRANCESCO MONTANARI CONTINUES TO ASTONISH, ONCE AGAIN THE LEADING ROOKIE, JUST MISSING ANOTHER LEG PODIUM

With just four legs left to reach the final destination of Dakar, Aprilia continues to battle at the top of the Africa Eco Race. At the end of almost 400 km of special trials tackled yesterday in segment number 8, the Aprilia Tuaregs ridden by Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari occupied second and fourth place respectively.

On the treacherous sand dunes of Mauritania, Cerutti and his Tuareg were once again protagonists, putting in an outstanding performance and battling with direct rivals, Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarres, with whom he shared much of the route today, taking on some complicated navigation. The prestigious placement earned today allows him to increase his lead in the overall standings, with his closest adversary, Botturi, at a gap of 3’03, whereas Tarres is 22’22” behind.

With a splendid third place two days ago, his first leg podium in his first ever race in the African desert, Francesco Montanari was once again a protagonist in yesterday’s segment, finishing fourth and barely missing another sensational podium. This is an outstanding result that allows him to consolidate his sixth place in the overall standings - the best of the rookies.

Today, the riders will tackle the ninth leg, returning to the Amodjar bivouac after travelling 467 km, including 364 km of timed special trials.

For updates on all the news, follow the web page
www.aprilia.com/it_IT/aprilia-racing/aprilia-tuareg-rally/africa-eco-race/

JACOPO CERUTTI
“A complicated day, but one we came out of on a positive note! At the beginning we found rather soft sand dunes and I got stuck in the sand a couple of times. What’s more, I quickly found myself blazing the trail, having caught Botturi after just 15 km. At that point, identifying the right trail wasn’t simple, but in spite of this, I continued blazing the trail for practically the entire leg, even when Tarres caught us, all the way to the end.”

FRANCESCO MONTANARI
“This was a fantastic leg. In the first 80 km, we found a lot of sand and I found myself in difficulty on a couple occasions, but I managed to overcome quickly. After that, I navigated well and maintained a good pace. Towards the end, I tried to push a little harder, so I managed to arrive at the destination extremely close to the top three, which is truly satisfying, also because I always feel good on the bike

Embark on a European adventure on two wheels! Discover our concise guide to biking across Europe, your key to unforgettable cycling experiences.

Many kinds of transportation have been popular in Europe for a very long time. After working hard to make travel better, routes between places have gotten very fast and environmentally friendly. Speedy trains and buses connect countries, making it easy to get around.

Biking is a fun activity and sport in Europe that people of all ages enjoy. With sports betting becoming legal in more places, some people also like betting on professional bike races. But this guide is mostly about biking for fun and sightseeing, not bike sports.

Riding a bike is an important way for many Europeans to get around towns and cities. It also lets tourists see new countries in an exciting way. Biking offers a lot, from getting around faster to exploring nature trails. Here we will talk about what makes biking in Europe special and some of the top trails.

What About Biking in the Netherlands?

When biking in the Netherlands, learn this phrase: “Uitgezonderd fietsers”. It means “except for bicycles” and marks places where cars are not allowed but bikes can still go. As a cyclist, you can go almost anywhere.

Zandvoort has miles of beaches and beautiful seaside campsites. It also has bike routes through local villages and forests, perfect for mixing cycling with outdoor adventures. It brings you close to the North Sea, where the next major cycling route in Germany begins.

Can I Bike Through Germany?

The Elbe Cycle Path in Germany stretches 900km. It passes through major cities like Hamburg and Dresden before ending in the Czech Republic.

For city travel, Germany’s big cities are very bicycle-friendly. Berlin has wide roads and usually bike lanes. Bike rentals are also easy for visitors to find.

There are a few main categories of visitors to Germany: Members of the Schengen area and countries with special agreements. Then members of countries with more relaxed entry rules who can visit for 90 days.

Can I Bike Through Austria?

Austria’s capital Vienna is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe. Bike lanes are common within the city, and the flat terrain makes exploring easy, even for beginner bikers. In some places, you can rent bikes by the half hour, with a full day of riding costing around 15 euros.

With 1,660km of bike paths, Vienna is exciting to see by bike and simple to get around. You can easily travel along the Danube River, but the best biking in Austria is outside the city.

Austria is especially popular for mountain biking. Stattegg, Leogang, and Saalbach-Hinterglemm are all popular mountain resorts for biking. If you want to experience both city and countryside biking, Austria has options for all interests.

What is Biking Like in France?

Rural France combines cycling and wine tours in a way few other countries can match. France's traditional old-world regions also make for beautiful, scenic rides. The Route Des Vins winds through vineyards and villages in Alsace. Whenever you need a break, there is usually a village or town nearby that makes a nice stopping point.

Riding in non-industrial areas helps avoid heavy traffic. If you want a famous challenging bike ride, head to Provence. A long uphill ride through vineyards and villages is difficult but rewarding.

Bike paths run throughout Paris and almost fully along the Seine River. This makes seeing the sights of Paris by bike easy for tourists. If you want to try cross-country cycling, Paris also connects to EuroVelo 3.

EuroVelo is a huge cycling network that started in 1995. Its goal is to promote cycling and connect regional and national bike routes across Europe. New additions are made to EuroVelo each year, with the aim of eventually connecting the whole continent.

EuroVelo Route 3 starts in Spain and enters France through the south. It then passes through Belgium.

What is Biking Like in Belgium?

Relative to its small size, Belgium has very diverse bike routes. Bokrijk park in Limburg offers unique cycling trails.

One section called Cycling Through Water has a carefully built path that lets you bike through the middle of a lake. Another section called Cycling Through the Trees is an elevated bike path 33 feet off the ground that rises above the forest. This gives a bird's eye view of the woods for brave cyclists.

For those interested in history over nature, Belgium has the Peace Cycle Route. This path goes through Ypres and many WWI historical sites and memorials. It explores Flanders Field itself and where the famous poem was written.

What is Biking Like in Spain?

Spain has a variety of cycling routes for all skill levels. A mix of mountain, hilly, and flat terrain offers options for beginners and experienced cyclists. To get away from cities, Spain has the Caminos Naturales.

Caminos Naturales are nature trails covering over 10,000km. Farmland, forests, and canals are all open and available to explore.

As mentioned before, EuroVelo Route 3 starts in Spain and goes to Norway. EuroVelo Route 8 also begins in Cadiz, Spain and travels through the Mediterranean, ending in Greece.  

The Sierra Nevada mountains are also a must-see. The rugged terrain is perfect for hiking, climbing, biking, and any outdoor activity. As one of the tallest points in Europe, it’s an amazing destination.

What About Biking in Portugal?

Portugal’s warm weather means the country rarely sees snow, except in the north. This allows excellent biking conditions year-round. Fall, winter and spring are ideal seasons, as summer can be too hot for cycling in some areas.

Portugal’s population is concentrated around Lisbon. The farther out you go, the fewer cars share the road, and the more scenic the backroads become. This makes for relaxing trips through rural villages.

If you’re in Lisbon, don’t miss biking along the waterfront. 20km of bike lanes provide a nice short seaside ride.

Can I Bike Through Italy?  

Italy has plenty to see by bike. Riding through the Dolomites can easily become a multi-day mountain biking adventure. Charming cafes and villages along the way provide places to rest.

For coastal views, nothing beats cycling around the Italian lakes. They offer hundreds of kilometers of paths for short or long rides.

One thing to avoid is August. Italy is busy with tourists and August is one of the most crowded months. For more peaceful cycling, visit during the off-season when weather is still nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Indian Motorcycle UK has strengthened its presence in the Reading / Berkshire area with the opening of a new official dealer, Rideworx – Indian Motorcycle Reading. Bringing America’s first motorcycle brand to the region with full sales and aftersales facilities, Indian Motorcycle Reading has issued an open invitation for all riders to join them on Saturday, January 26 as they open their doors to celebrate the new showroom.

Indian Motorcycle Reading guests will be welcomed to see the new facility, meet the team and view the Indian Motorcycle range alongside the clothing and accessory line-up. With classic models on display, a free buffet and drinks, everyone is welcome whether they ride an Indian Motorcycle or any other marque.  

Ryan Leadbetter, Director of Indian Motorcycle Reading said, “The whole team is super excited about joining the Indian Motorcycle network. For me, it’s the perfect fit. I love big cruisers, customs and the social side that makes riding them so enjoyable. Having started Rideworx from scratch 8 years ago, it’s remarkable how it has grown. Becoming an Indian Motorcycle dealer is a significant milestone for everyone involved. We can’t wait to embrace the lifestyle, welcome everyone to our showroom and be an active part of the local scene as we set up our Indian Motorcycle Riders Group in the coming months.”

“We are always looking to make Indian Motorcycle more accessible to UK riders by opening showrooms that fill a gap in the network. Finding the right people who truly understand what Indian Motorcycle is all about is an essential part of developing a high quality, customer focussed dealer network. With Ryan and his staff, we have a team that is passionate about what it means to be an Indian Motorcycle owner and visitors from the area will have a great experience at the dealership,” said Andy Simpson, National Sales Manager for Indian Motorcycle UK.  

Indian Motorcycle Reading can be found at Rideworx, Unit 1, 125 Reading Road, Wokingham, RG41 1HD. 

 

 

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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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Completely in black, an assortment of selected Touratech parts gives the BMW R 1300 GS an exclusive look.

For many motorcyclists, black is still the colour of all colours: cool, mysterious, elegant and timeless! Touratech fulfils this wish with a range of accessory components for the new BMW R 1300 GS that are finished entirely in black. The components naturally go perfectly with the GS in the Triple Black colour scheme. However, riders who own a 1300 in a different colour can also set individual accents with the black Touratech parts.
The black accessories are technically identical to the standard versions, guaranteeing the usual high level of quality and functionality.
Both the engine crash bar and the fairing crash bar are available in the attractive black version. These ultra-robust tubular constructions are made of stainless steel, just like the pannier rack and the top case carrier. This not only makes them ultra-rugged, but also completely resistant to corrosion. The products are given a high-quality finish with an indestructible powder coating that can withstand even the toughest off-road use.
With their elegant black anodised surfaces the ZEGA Evo pannier set or the ZEGA Evo topcase match the black-coated stainless steel carriers perfectly. The protector for the "Nano" LED auxiliary headlights from the BMW accessories programme, the GPS handlebar bracket and the radiator guard are also available completely in black. The black headlight guard with quick-release fastener forms an exciting colour contrast to its stainless steel-coloured fastening elements.
And that's not all: further parts with a stylish black look are in preparation. The engine guard Expedition will be available from February, followed by the engine crash bar Sport with a black finish in March.

Further information on the black Touratech components for the BMW R 1300 GS can be found in the webshop.