Category: Random

1. The Top Transit Vans of 2017

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 12th May 2017

   The Ford Transit van is the most popular style of commercial vehicle in the UK due to the flexibility its specifications, the experience behind the name and the practicality of each vehicle. In a recent survey we found that the Ford Transit was the limited companies vehicle of choice. 

   Ford Transit Connect 

   (Ford Transit Connect Insurance group: 3 to 6) 

   If you’re looking for a van of practical size that is safe to drive, this is the van for you. However, if you are looking for a large van that is quick and speedy, this may not be the right choice. In 2014 it was third for the “most reliable van” and first for “best class fuel economy” so if you do a lot of mileage, this fuel efficient vehicle could be the right one for you.  

   If you are looking to purchase a brand new Ford Transit Connect you are looking in the region of £13,600+ - £18,000+. Although this is quite an investment, there are lots of finance options available. If you’re about to purchase a new van don’t forget to purchase short term van insurance to get the vehicle home. 

   Ford Transit Custom 

   (Ford Transit Custom Insurance group: 3-9 depending on spec) 

   If you need a van to meet specific needs then this is the one for you. With a wide range of optional extras and a good variety in specifications; power, speed, weight length, etc. you can’t go wrong. 

   Ford has built a reputable brand for itself over many years and has developed a strong understanding of what its customers want and in the case of this model, they are letting their customers choose exactly what you want. 

   With prices starting from £18,000+ going all the way up to £27,000+; there is a huge scope to design the vehicle that you need for your business. This is what we believe to be the business van of 2017. 

   Get reliable transit insurance here!

   

2. The average British commuter will spend over £48,000 across their working lifetime – just to get to work

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 10th May 2017

   ...And over a 47-year working life, Brits will spend over a year of their lives commuting to and from work, with 68 per cent driving, 11 per cent taking the train, and eight percent making their journeys on two wheels.
   
   The study of 2,000 commuters in the UK also found that out of the lifetime cost of commuting, over a third is on snacks and takeaway coffees in the morning.
   
   Andy Goodson, the Sales and Marketing Director for motorcycle insurance specialists Lexham Insurance, who commissioned the research, said: “While many commuters think their journeys to and from work are barely worth considering, the amount of time we spend on them shows we should give them a bit more thought.
   
   “With an average commute time of almost an hour a day, for many Brits this is wasted time as they’re stuck behind the wheel in traffic. Some of the happiest respondents in our survey were ones who were able to walk to work – giving themselves the shortest commute possible.”
   
   Brits commute on average of seven miles to work and back each day, which tallies up to an incredible 171, 080 miles over their working life – enough to circle the globe more than six times each.
   
   Taking a car to work was voted as the most stressful way to get to work, followed by the bus, the train and Metro or Underground systems.
   
   And taking a motorbike was one of the lowest scoring in terms of stress, alongside walking and riding a bicycle.
   
   Nearly half of respondents admitted to being late at least once a week, arriving an average of 10 minutes behind schedule each time.
   
   The most common cause was bad traffic, followed by a lack of sleep leading to too many taps of the snooze button.
   
   Sixty two per cent of commuters said that if their trip to work is particularly stressful or annoying, it makes the rest of their day worse.
   
   And an unlucky 30 per cent of train travellers have had their face stuck up next to someone’s stinky armpit more than once.
   
   Over the course of their working life, the average commuter will read 67 books, 2248 newspapers and listen to 3617 albums.
   
   They’ll also send 1710 work emails, munch down 977 bananas and play 2077 games on their phones.
   
   Andy Goodson said: “One of the best ways to make your commute happier is to cut down how long it is. Motorbikes and scooters are a convenient way to bring down your commuting time, as they can beat traffic so easily. Nobody wants to have their day made any more stressful than it needs to be – and sitting in traffic, other commuters’ personal hygiene and constantly late trains definitely don’t help.”
   
   A LIFETIME OF COMMUTING IN NUMBERS
   
   Distance travelled: 171,080 miles
   Amount spent: £48,708.92
   Time spent: 10,998 hours
   Days late to work: 1906
   Newspapers read: 2248
   Coffees bought: 1759
   Games played on phone: 2077
   Social events planned: 1710
   Albums listened to: 3617
   Bananas eaten: 977
   
   The study was commisioned by Lexham Insurance.
   
   

3. Reggie Yates to headline Honda TT Revolution

   Posted on 10:00am Wednesday 10th May 2017

   – Ongoing success sees the Honda TT Revolution return to the Isle of Man for the fourth year
   – Honda partners with Mixmag for this year’s event
   – Closing party at the Isle of Man TT to round off seven days of breathtaking racing action

   Now in its fourth year, the Honda TT Revolution is fast becoming the must see event at the Isle of Man. Held at the culmination of an unforgettable week of motorcycle racing, the TT Revolution celebrates the Isle of Man TT with an epic closing party that is attended by fans, racers and celebrities alike.
   
   For the 2017 edition of Honda TT Revolution, Honda Motor Europe joins forces with Mixmag – the world’s biggest dance music media brand – to bring the BBC’s Reggie Yates to the island, who will headline the event after the Senior TT on Friday 9th June.
   
   “I’m really excited to head over to the Isle of Man TT races”, explained Reggie Yates, ahead of this year’s event. “It’s an event that has grown year-on-year and I am excited to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the racing too, I have watched some onboard videos from the Honda Racing team and it looks insane! I can’t wait to get over there and experience the Honda TT Revolution for myself and be a part of it”.

   Since its launch in 2014, the Honda TT Revolution has grown year-on-year taking the crown as the TT closing party and the place to be on the island. With tickets selling fast each year, the event has always been sold-out with partygoers keen to see their TT experience off in style.

   The Honda TT Revolution closing party will take place at Tahiko, Douglas on Friday 9 June. A limited number of tickets will be on-sale through Resident Advisor on Friday 12 May, with further tickets available on the door at Tahiko, priced at £5 per person.

   Join Honda on the #HondaTTRev journey!

   

    

   
   Twitter: @HondaRacingCBR
   Facebook: HondaProRacing

   www.mixmag.net

    

   www.reggieyates.com

4. BikeSafe takes delivery of ten Ducati Multistrada 1200 as it joins forces with the RAF to improve service personnel motorcycle training

   Posted on 9:00am Wednesday 10th May 2017

   BikeSafe takes delivery of ten Ducati Multistrada 1200 as it joins forces with the RAF to improve service personnel motorcycle training.
    
   BikeSafe take delivery of ten Ducati Multistrada 1200 motorcycles
   Highways England support BikeSafe with funding
   BikeSafe provide RAF personnel with training
    
   RAF Brize Norton was the location for the official handover of ten Ducati Multistrada 1200 motorcycles to BikeSafe, a police led initiative to reduce the number of motorcyclists involved in accidents on the road by improving skills, knowledge and hazard awareness. The location was also chosen to highlight BikeSafe’s partnership with the RAF that will involve the police putting an estimated 2,500 motorcycle riding RAF personnel through the workshops.
    
   The Multistrada 1200 was chosen by BikeSafe after an extensive evaluation process and deemed to be the most suitable motorcycle to assist the various forces throughout the UK to deliver the BikeSafe workshops, feature at shows, events and bike meets.
    
   The purchase of the bikes is funded by Highways England, which is responsible for 4000 miles of England’s motorways and major A routes. Highways England has seen the results and benefits of the BikeSafe project and sees improving rider skills as one way of achieving its aims to reduce rider casualties on its road network.
    
   Ducati UK along with the motorcycle industry has been an important supporter to the BikeSafe project regularly loaning its bikes to them in police livery for use at shows, race meetings and bike meets. Ducati motorcycles that BikeSafe have used in the past has included, a 1299 Panigale, a Scrambler, a Diavel and for this year the new SuperSport.
    
   Assistant Chief Constable Nick Adderley the National Police Chiefs Council lead for BikeSafe said “We are delighted by the recognition and direct support that BikeSafe has received from Highways England, a national body that is working in partnership with BikeSafe to reduce motorcycle casualties. This has enabled BikeSafe to purchase this fantastic fleet of Ducati motorcycles.,These exciting and dynamically engaging bikes will be used for BikeSafe engagement and education of motorcyclists across the country, as well as keeping our service personnel safe through our partnership with the RAF.”

5. Best Biking routes in the USA

   Posted on 8:00am Thursday 4th May 2017

   

   Touring the good old USA in the ultimate American coast to coast biking trip is on the bucket list of most bikers. Who among us hasn’t dreamt of riding the infamous Route 66 from the saddle of a Harley Davidson while listening to Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild? It might be a cliché, but it’s a cliché for a reason.

   The truth is the USA offers some of the most amazing empty roads and spectacular scenery that you’ll find anywhere in the world, and is probably the most biker friendly country you’ll visit too, featuring plenty of iconic biker friendly accommodations and bars along every route. While there are hundreds of amazing routes you can take in America, let’s take a look at some of the best and most popular routes.

   Route 66 – From Chicago to Santa Monica
   
   
   

   This list would not feel right unless we started with the world famous “Mother Road” highway – Route 66. One of the original highways in the US Highway System, Route 66 spans a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). Beginning in Chicago, IL, this historic cross country route established in 1926 will take you through a total of 8 states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally to California.

   The so called Main Street of America is not just a hugely visited route because of its legend however, as it features a huge variety of beautiful landscapes, national parks, monuments, ghost towns, and kitschy iconic pieces of Americana that are definitely a sight to behold.

   From the quirky Cadillac Ranch in Texas, the breathtaking Painted Desert in Arizona, the Teepee shaped Wigwam Motels, or the Jesse James Museum in Missouri, there are enough historic, natural and cultural landmarks throughout the route to guarantee that you’ll get your kicks on Route 66. TheRoute-66.com has a very complete list of attractions you well encounter along the way.

   Valley of Fire Loop 

   

   About 20 minutes away from Las Vegas you’ll find about 100 miles of the most amazing ride areas in all of America. Featuring twisty, windy roads with scenic vistas of desert, canyons and Lake Mead, this route will take you to the Valley of Fire State park and back, visiting some amazing locations along the way.

   Starting in North Las Vegas on the I-15, you will border Lake Mead and the Colorado River until reaching the Valley of Fire. The Valley of Fire State Park, located about 50 miles northwest of Las Vegas, offers some of the most incredible vistas for bikers throughout its 42,000 acres of spectacular red sandstone formations dating back over 150 million years. Owing its name to the way that the sandstone appears to be on fire when reflecting the harsh desert sun, The Valley of Fire is the oldest state park in Nevada and offers riders a great spots to camp and amazing hiking trails.

   However, since this route should only take you about a day or so the best bet will always be to simply return to Las Vegas and enjoy yourself with some of their famous shows, bars and of course casinos! If you want to know which casinos are the best to visit, Vikingslots travel guide of Las Vegas can help you determine which casino is right for you.

   Route 50 – The Backbone of America

   

    

   “For the unhurried, this little-known highway is the best national road across the middle of the United States,” William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highway (1982)

   Route 50, also dubbed ‘The Backbone of America’ by Time Magazine, is a coast to coast highway that stretches 3000 miles long, spanning 13 states on its way from West Sacramento, California to Ocean City, Maryland. Running mainly through rural areas and passing hundreds of old, little towns, the Nevada section of the route is known by travelers as “‘The loneliest road in America”, as you will find nothing but mountains, sand, blue sky and the open road ahead of you for as far as the eye can see.

   Running through national parks, caves, petroglyphs, ghost towns, lakes and forests, this route will allow you to see a little bit of everything along the way, particularly the natural beauty found throughout Middle America.

   Once you arrive in Maryland, you will also be in the perfect place to start two more of the East Coast's best routes The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.

   The Three Sisters (aka The Twisted Sisters)

   

   Three Sisters starts in Medina, TX, and offers bikers a 131-mile roller coaster ride that will absolutely blow you away and change the way that you view Texas for good. Filled with twisty mountain-like curves and sharp turns (hence the name the twisted sisters), this road will take you through large hills, clear rivers, the amazing million dollar vistas of Frio Canyon, and even authentic J.R. Ewing-style Texas ranches.

   If you feel like doing a little fishing along your journey, the Nueces River is the perfect place to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and the Texas native Guadalupe bass, as well as a variety of panfish such as redbreast sunfish, green sunfish and even Rio Grande perch.

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

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