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  1. Friday 12th September (Ace Cafe)
    6pm 'till late
    Porky's Hot Rockin'
    Burlesque with Emerald Fontain
    DJ Jimmy Guntrip
    Entry Free

    Saturday 13th September (Ace Cafe)
    Noon 'till late
    The Kingshakes
    Lew Lewis & The Twilight Trio
    Big Black Cadillac
    Restless
    Burlesque with Emerald Fontain
    DJ's Bill & Jimmy Guntrip
    Entry Free

    Sunday 14th September (Brighton Seafront)
    Noon to 5pm
    Lew Lewis & The Twilight Trio
    Mark Keeley's Good Rocking Tonight
    DJ's Bill & Jimmy Guntrip
    Entry Free


    www.ace-cafe-london.com

  2. Independently acclaimed as the world's coolest motorcycle event!

    Three Days, Three Rides, One Reunion!

    Friday 12th September from 6pm - The Continental Run Ride-In & the global premiere of something that is at present top secret!

    Saturday 13th September - Cafe Racer & Rockers Ride-Out & something that is at present top secret!
    Depart: 10.30am: flagged off by the Mayor of Brent
    Destination: Battersea Park (Central London)

    Sunday 14th September - Brighton Burn-Up & Ride With The Rockers
    Depart: 10.30am - flagged off by the Mayor of Brent
    Route: A406 - A40 - M25 - M23 - A23 to Madeira Drive, Brighton Seafront

    Taking place over three days in September and first held in 1994, the 21st annual Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend & Ride With The Rockers, this year not only celebrates the unique history, culture and style of Ace Cafe London and what it represents, this year includes with Triumph as key sponsor and marks the 50th anniversary of the seaside events of 1964, the Mods & Rockers!

    The weekend's events, all being captured on film by a crew from USA for the ever increasingly popular Cafe Racer TV show, includes with the guys from Dime City Cycles and their latest build, a cafe racer inspired by the iconic Triton, built in collaboration with Ace Cafe London, and powered by a modern, twin cylinder Triumph motor.

    This annual event acts as a focus in the motorcycling calendar for all those who are not only interested in the Ace Cafe, Ton Up and Rocker heritage, but also for many others who enjoy a weekend full of rock n' roll and fun!

    The Metzeler team will be at the cafe on both Friday & Saturday of the Reunion, and on Brighton seafront on Sunday, with their display stand, giving away tee shirts, answering your questions on the latest rubber and offering the chance to win a set of their latest tyres. Stop by the Metzeler stand, sign up to join the Metzeler community and grab a tee shirt!

    Over the years, Ace Cafe London has forged lasting and strong links to the global motorcycling and rockin' community, which is reflected by the many visitors from overseas, one of the largest contingents being The Continental Run, and which starts with a party on Thursday 11th September at Cafe Hubraum in Solingen, Germany, before departing the next morning to cross Holland, Belgium and France, gathering numbers en route to the ferry, arriving at the Ace late Friday afternoon, and culminating in an evening of rock 'n' roll!

    The Brighton Burn Up & Ride With The Rockers, has been an integral part of Ace Cafe Reunions since 1996, and is a free, grand day out at the seaside on Brighton's famous seafront road, Madeira Drive. With trade and club stands and displays, wheelie machine, live music and special guests, it's an experience not to be missed!

    Friday 12th September - In addition to the spectacle of the arrival at the cafe of the "Continental Run", to include with Triumph based cafe racer special feature bikes from both Castrol and, Germany's renowned aftermarket parts specialist, LSL, this year celebrating their 30th anniversary. Firing up the party weekend, there will be live rock n' roll with the band Porky's Hot Rockin', DJ's Bill & Jimmy Guntrip and Burlesque with Emerald Fontaine. This evening will include the launch debut and unveiling of what at present is to remain top secret!

    Saturday 13th September, at 10.30am, and all being filmed by Cafe Racer TV, the Cafe Racer & Rockers Ride-Out to London's historic Battersea Park will depart from the cafe, led again this year by the Limited Edition Ace 904S Thruxton Special, returning to the Ace for the 6th annual Cafe Racer Review, which this year includes celebrating the 90th anniversary of Warr's Harley Davidson, the oldest official dealership outside of the USA, with prizes for the best cafe racer based on this marque as well as for the "Best Ridden Cafe Racers", "Best Classic Cafe Racer", "Best Modern Cafe Racer" and "Best Triumph Cafe Racer".

    Amongst the various items to be awarded by the invited special guest judges to the five "Best" cafe racers, each winner will receive a "Rockers" anniversary pack, this year being the 50th anniversary of the 1964 seaside events, regarded today as a seminal moment in the iconography of 20th century youth culture.

    Sponsors of the competitions also include Triumph, Metzeler, Lewis Leathers, Red Torpedo, Lucky 13, Pacto Helmets, La Rocka!,19-60, Prison Blues, Delta Music, Veetone Records, Jukebox & Retro Fair, Cafe Racer Magazine (USA), Jack Lilley Triumph and Warrs HD with awards and prizes being presented on the Ace stage from 2.30pm where the evocative and seminal Joe Meek produced track, Telstar, will be celebrated along with Mike Sarne's Ton Up anthem "Just For Kicks" as the soundtracks of cafe racing and the 1960's.

    Returning for Ace Cafe Reunion 2014, we are again delighted to host Manx man and renowned author Mick Duckworth who will be signing copies of his definitive hard back book "Ace Times - Speed thrills and tea spills, a cafe and a culture".

    The feisty London Rockin' Rollers who have been rollin' with the punches since 2007, will be with us again, raising funds on Saturday 13th September for The Samaritans, the cafe's chosen charity and which was founded in 1953 by the late Rev. Chad Varah.

    On Sunday 14th September in Brighton, as well as an array of club, trade stands and displays, and live bands, the annual short seafront service and blessing is being kindly undertaken by Father Denis of the 59 Club, which, as well as being a church charity, is also a motorcycle club, following a visit to the Ace by the late Father Bill Shergold in 1962.

    There will also be a "Best Scooter" competition on the seafront at Brighton.

    As part of Battle of Britain Week and with Sunday being Battle of Britain Day, the cafe's chosen charity RAFA "Wings Appeal" will be in attendance and, for your convenience, the charity Riders For Health will be on the seafront with a "helmet park" where you can leave your gear and enjoy the day.

    Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend Entertainment (yes, it's all free!)

    Friday 12th (at the Ace) Porky's Hot Rockin + DJ's Jimmy & Bill Guntrip + Burlesque with Emerald Fontaine.

    Saturday 13th (at the Ace) The Kingshakes, Lew Lewis & The Twilight Trio, Big Black Cadillac, Restless + DJ's Bill & Jimmy Guntrip & Little Carl + Burlesque with Emerald Fontaine.

    Sunday 14th (in Brighton) Lew Lewis * The Twilight Trio, Mark Keeley's Good Rocking Tonight + DJ's Bill & Jimmy Guntrip.

    www.caferacertv.com

    www.lewisleathers.com

    www.lucky13apparel.com

    www.19-60.com

    www.jukebox&retrofair.co.uk

    www.jacklilley.com

    www.egp-enterprises.co.uk

    www.britishtaxdiscs.co.uk

    www.crowood.com

    www.riders.org

    www.samaritans.org

    www.rafa.org.uk

    www.londonrockinrollers.co.uk

    www.the59club.org.uk


    NOTICE:

    As guests of Brighton, and this free to enter event we thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation in ensuring that the event is accessible and safe for all who attend

    We ask that you do not park any vehicle on the pavements or block the footways and emergency routes, and adhere to the directions and requests of Reunion Staff & Marshals.

    Please note that the seafront road, Madeira Drive,will be open to the public (and bikes) from 9.30 a.m. The event closes at 6 p.m.

    For updates

  3. Leading road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has issued a warning to drivers to stay on their guard on their daily commute, as distracted youngsters make their way home from school at the start of the autumn term.

    Many schools in England return from the summer break this week, and as is the case each year the risk of an accident becomes significantly greater as the school run brings with it a 20 per cent growth in rush hour traffic.

    While much has been said about watching out for youngsters on their way to school, the IAM has warned that a greater risk comes on the way home from school – where under 16’s are more likely to be distracted by playing with their friends, listening to music or interacting on social media on their phones.

    Existing research from the Department for Transport’s THINK! initiative showed that 62% of 11-16 year olds admit to being distracted by talking to friends as they cross the road, a similar number had to stop a friend from having an accident by either pulling them back or calling out, and 36% of girls and 25% of boys say they get distracted by using their mobile phones.

    Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research said: “Technology has moved on at such a pace, it is clear that youngsters are being distracted by the myriad of portable entertainment devices available to them."

    An existing report commissioned by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and supported by the IAM called Stepping Out looked at trends in pedestrian safety. It found children are more likely to be injured in spring and summer (excluding August) and more likely to be injured as pedestrians on weekdays at morning and afternoon school times. It also found the age at which pedestrians are most at risk is 12 years old.

    The research showed while there were naturally peaks in casualties between 7 and 9am (15% of child pedestrian casualties being in this two hour period), there was an even greater peak between 3 and 5pm (nearly 23% during these times) suggesting that while children may be driven to school, they make their own way home in the afternoon – making this a more crucial time for drivers to be aware of young pedestrians.

    The IAM also urged drivers to be more vigilant in rural or remote areas, as the findings showed 70% of child casualties were injured on sections of road not at or near a pedestrian crossing.

    The charity also offered a series of tips towards ensuring everyone remains safe during rush hour as the schools return.

    • Don’t compromise your concentration and the safety of other road users by being in a hurry. Leaving the house five minutes earlier changes the nature of how you make the journey.
    • Take extra care to compensate for the fact that children won’t always be paying attention, especially when approaching the school gate.
    • Never stop on the yellow “zig zags” by the school gate, and always ensure you let your passengers out on the pavement side.
    •Roads surrounding schools are usually 20 mph- it’s essential that you slow down and keep an eye out for children crossing the road and emerging from between parked cars.
    • New starters in reception class are unlikely to understand the dangers that the road outside their school presents – bear this in mind when driving nearby and keep your eyes peeled for children wandering into the road alone. • If your children are walking to school on their own, make sure they are aware of potential hazards such as crossing busy roads – encourage them to always use the pedestrian crossing if there is one.

    Neil added: “It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure we don’t create another young casualty. A bit of forward thinking and increased awareness will make our roads safer for everyone.”

  4. On the 28th of September,  Leighton Hall races back to the spirit of 1969 as hundreds of classic and modern motorbikes race up the drive in an exciting Bike Sprint.

    Leighton Hall goes Full ThrottleThe hall has a history of motor racing sprints, however this is the first time in 45 years that Leighton has been fortunate enough to host such an exhilarating event.

    The track stretches for 220 metres with a thrilling 50 - 60 degree bend 50 metres from the start-line, adding extra excitement, as it is not just a straight line sprint. Racing is open to all classes from vintage to modern machines and 3 wheelers (with no cc limit), so all enthusiasts can push their bikes to full throttle. For serious competitors, the times at this event will count towards the North West Sprint Championship.

    The action doesn’t stop there though. With commentaries throughout the day, a fantastic collection of trade stands, an autojumble and motorcycle club displays, this show gives visitors a chance to get up close to bikes from every era, including entry into the race paddock. Enthusiastic exhibitors will be talking about their passions, and sharing stories of the golden age of motoring. And they’ll be in good company, as very special guest John McGuinness will be there. Used to reaching speeds of up to 200mph around the TT race track, Leighton Hall’s driveway shouldn’t be too taxing for this superstar of motorsport.

    Run in association with Sherrard Classic Vehicle Events and Blackline Sprinting, this thrilling family day out came to fruition after organiser, Ian Sherrard visited Leighton Hall last year. “After attending their classic car event in July, it seemed Leighton Hall was the perfect venue for a motorcycle sprint. It’s going to be wonderful to see (and hear) over 100 motorbikes racing through their beautiful parkland. As many of our bikes are true classics, Leighton steeped in history and heritage seems the perfect backdrop”.

    Admission price includes entry to Leighton’s picturesque grounds, gardens and tea rooms (there is a small additional charge of £3 for house tours). Practise and public entry starts from 9:30 and racing starts at 1pm. Onsite catering is available to complement Leighton’s tea rooms. Although (due to health and safety) dogs aren’t allowed, there are lots of outdoor activities for younger visitors to enjoy. Children can let off steam racing around the Caterpillar Maze, Woodland Walk and Tree Face Trail as well as playing in Leighton’s dens and sandpit.

    So if the purring of engines sets your pulse racing and the sight of beautifully waxed bikes reaching top speeds catches your eye, Leighton Hall on the 28thof September is the place to be.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Leighton Hall Motorcycle Sprint will take place at Leighton Hall, Carnforth on 28th Sept 2014 9:30am – 4pm. Admission is £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children. Free Parking. Admission price includes entry to grounds, gardens and tea rooms. There is a small additional charge of £3.00 for house tours.

    For all enquiries and entry forms, please contact Ian Sherrard on 07836 331324 (daytime) or 01772 323654 (evenings 6pm - 8pm) or visit the webpage at www.leightonhallsprint.co.uk

  5. As the warm weather draws to a close, chances of giving our favourite ponies one final ride are dwindling day by day. If you haven't had the chance to hit the road this summer, there's still time to get your motorbiking fix if you're willing to travel for it and ride on the other side of the road.

    The great Route 66 is a path that's been favoured by American bikers for years, but there are also a number of other roads you can take across the land of the free, each with their own exciting stop off points. Here are a just a few stops that you can't afford to miss on the trip of a lifetime.

    The Grand Canyon

    Grand Canyon view from Hermits Rest. Author; ChensiyuanThelma and Louise may have put this on the map by driving off it, but you don't have to total your motorcycle to enjoy the views of the Grand Canyon! Situated by the Colorado River in Arizona, this 277-mile long canyon offers outstanding views like no other. There's ample parking on all four sides for your wheels of choice, offering the opportunity to walk, hike, or even fly into and around the Canyon.

    Las Vegas

    Situated 200 miles from the Grand Canyon, one of Nevada's best gems, Las Vegas, offers the perfect stop off point for bikers. If you head over there quick, you can catch the Las Vegas Bike Fest, which lasts from 2nd-5th October. However, for something a little different, you can't miss any one of the strip's famed casinos, offering more games than you could ever imagine. If the party scene's too much for you, you can always play River Belle's Canadian online casino games in your hotel room, or visit any one of the strip's theatre performances.


    Pacific Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway, Point Mugu,Perfect for the petrol head driver, the Pacific Highway offers a blend of accommodating stopover spots plus an unforgettable motorbike ride. Over on the west coast, the highway bypasses some of California's most beautiful destinations, including San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. If you're a bit of a tourist at heart, you can't miss an opportunity to walk amongst the stars in Hollywood, where you can find the names of your favourite stars on the Walk of Fame. Wherever you go, just make sure you take the route from north to south – it's a common warning amongst locals that driving the wrong way down the highway will make you miss out on the best views of the sea!