The 'Spirit of 59 Run' sees Lennie Paterson, original founder of the Rocker Reunion movement, return to the scene for the Father Graham Hullett 'In Memoriam' tribute ride.

Run:

It's an "Unofficial Ride" with no organisers from the old 59 Club site in Paddington down to Chelsea Bridge and round the corner for drinks opposite the dogs home.

What's happening?

There will be Rock n Roll DJ in the Dudley arms pub by DJ Dynmite Ady from Crondall Rock n Roll club also real ales and hot snacks at normal prices.

On the actual site of the old 59 club there is a 'proper' transport cafe, not some retro re-make. They will be selling taxi men's breakfasts and main meals at low prices with toilet facilities on site. A chance to stand reminisce with original club members on the footprint of the old 59 building and show off your bike!

A Lewis Leathers sponsored ruddy red Routemaster bus will be there for folk unable to ride a bike anymore, or anyone who's just blown up or is still building theirs (costs-only fee payable). Paddington rail station is just a short walk from the Dudley arms.

The route from 59 Club site to Chelsea Bridge/Pavilion Pub is 4.5 miles and takes, oh, at least 4 minutes if the lights are with you. Alternative, if you want a good pose and for all the civilians to look at your iron on the way down ... plan on 25 minutes, making some noise and keeping up with the bus.

Father Graham's special 'Spirit of 59' 500cc Enfield Bullett will lead the ride to the Pavilion in Battersea. At the Pavilion pub the following will be available,

Rock n Roll - Sixties music being played by Chris 'Fender' Blacks 'C'mon Everybody Rock n Roll show' featuring cameo's of Eddie Cochran - Brenda Lee- Buddy Holly - Bill Haley - Duane Eddie (Chris Black played the 59 club 3 times as Unit 7 in the early Sixties). Spinning the discs will be 'Tongue Tied Danny and 'Run-around Stu Wester'.

Father Grahams motorbike will be on show in the back bar of the Pavilion along with his amazing collection of photos. Real Ale's will be on sale at 'Normal' prices. There will also be films of early Rockers Reunion runs and dances.

There are a few other 'SPECIAL' things happening but you have to be there to experience them!

Thanks to the following for their support

Lewis Leathers - Motor Cycle News - 59 Club - Dudley Arms Pub - Pavilion Pub - Cafe Racer TV

www.the59club.com

TT star Conor Cummins has today confirmed that he will contest the inaugural 500cc and 350cc Classic TT Races on board Manx Nortons built and prepared by Tony Dunnell, one of the most respected classic bike builders in the UK.

The Ramsey Rocket was one of the first contemporary TT stars to show his support for the new Classic TT, signing up for the Formula 1 Race where he will ride an XR69 Suzuki for Team Classic Suzuki as team mate to fellow TT star Michael Dunlop. Adding his name to the provisional entry list for the 500cc and 350cc Classic TT Races, the Superbike TT Lap Record Holder's entry adds further spice to an already mouth watering line up.

Tony Dunnell has a long association with the Isle of Man first as a competitor in the Manx Grand Prix and in later years as a sponsor and entrant. The Classic TT sees Tony return to race on the Isle of Man for the first time since 2009, and he will be providing Conor with the latest specification 500cc and 350cc Manx Nortons along with spare bikes for each class.

Commenting on the news, Conor said: "I've wanted to support the Classic TT right from the start. I think it is an excellent idea and the interest since it was first announced has been amazing. I'm delighted to have been given the chance by Tony to ride his immaculate bikes, and it's great to be able to ride in all three races. It's going to be quite a challenge getting used to all these new bikes, but I'm lucky to have been asked to ride some of the best machines around and I want to reward the support being put in me with some top results."

Tony Dunnell added: "We have been keen to be involved in the Classic TT since it was originally announced and to be able to do it with a rider of the calibre of Conor Cummins is very exciting. Conor's talent is unquestionable and we are committed to providing him with the very best bikes we can to match his ability."

TT & Motorsport Development Manager, Paul Phillips commented: "We are delighted that we now have Conor Cummins confirmed for three races at the Classic TT. He is the Superbike TT Lap Record Holder, the second fastest rider around the Mountain Course ever, a works Yamaha rider and is always a big draw with the fans. We have been talking to Tony Dunnell about taking part for many months and we are really pleased that he is now supporting the event with his immaculate Manx Nortons."

The top road safety priority for local councillors is improving road surfaces and reducing potholes, according to a survey conducted by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). 

74 per cent of councillors placed potholes in their top five road-safety priorities while 61 per cent think that the budgets for repairing them will decrease or stay the same. 

Almost half of councillors surveyed think that road safety targets should have been kept. Fifty-eight per cent of local councillors agree that budget cuts are having a negative impact on roads and road safety, with one in four councillors strongly agreeing. 

Although councillors agreed that transport was a priority half of them thought that their transport budget would reduce in the next year. 

Other key findings include: 
• Fifty-nine per cent of councillors support 20mph speed limits, with 15 per cent supporting 20mph for most urban roads.
• Twenty-nine per cent of councillors think that the government’s policies have been bad for road safety.
• Councillors in the north of England are more likely to say they anticipate spending reductions while councillors in the south and east of England are less likely to report reductions in their transport budgets.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “It’s good to see that potholes are councillors’ top priority as this is a big concern for motorists. 

More must be done to fix our roads before the backlog of repairs becomes unmanageable.  The results show that different political parties offer the electorate real choice on their transport priorities. Conservative councillors are more likely to focus on road building, road surfaces and car parking, while Labour councillors appear to be more likely to prioritise road safety and the use of public transport. Liberal Democrats are more likely to focus on cycling and walking. Councillors say that road safety is a priority so they must put up a stronger fight to protect road safety budgets.  It’s also clear that there is a need to set up smart new targets that will help everyone in road safety focus on the highest risk groups in society.”

It's being described as being 'worth waiting for' and this May sees the long awaited arrival of Britain's newest and most radically vibrant motorcycle association to hit the high street and net for many years.

The aptly named British Bikers Association (BBA) will launch their action and information packed website on the 1st of May 2013 where visitors will be able to browse exclusive content and get involved in the latest debates from the very moment they log on.

The BBA team is headed up by Chairman Colin Mahoney, who emphasises that Great Britain needs to more than meet the needs of the modern rider. Colin who is a multi brand biker of many years is confident that the BBA will mark a sea-change in the way that campaigning groups interact with their most important stakeholders - the people that make up the numbers, the members themselves.

Colin, who feels slightly embarrassed by the term 'Chairman', speaks his mind with regard to the lifestyle that has become dedicated to. "We all know that the world of motorcycling moves at an ever increasing pace, whether it's new bikes, safety equipment, technology, British bike conservation or unfair and ill prepared legislation that we have to abide by.

"The British Bikers Association has been specifically designed and built to reflect that rapid pace of change by providing up to the minute news, advice and for a refreshing change real 'sledge hammer' campaigning clout to its members. We want to set a rigid but fair agenda when it comes to securing better deals for all bikers in all aspects of our lives. I see bikers as individual amongst other motorists and that's something only another biker will understand. I've been out there campaigning and gathering opinions for some time now and I think that listening to our members and responding quickly to what they are saying to us is an important first step if this new organisation is to stand any chance of competing and living up to our reputation."

Colin has been actively involved with motorcycling activities for over 30 years. His attitude is that there are far too many shortcuts being taken with peoples' lives in today's Britain and it's only those that shout the loudest and gather the most support that survive; and he sees himself as a survivor.

He believes that it is nothing other than crass hypocrisy where local councils are effectively giving themselves their own permission to leave life threatening pot holes for unsuspecting riders under the petty excuse of 'having no money' whilst cluttering the landscape beyond recognition with unnecessary road and information signage. He feels some outrage as he watches 'broke and cash strapped' Councils painting our rural roads to look like urban puzzles by more expensive and even more unnecessary road markings that creep forever further and require expensive and extensive maintenance. This seems to serve no other purpose other than to give Council employees employment that offers no advantage to the road user. Signs increase whilst roads crumble; and that isn't justifiable no matter what your politics.

He speaks out about directives handed down from Europe that often have unintended consequences. He feels that the Association must realistically represent the biking community by using the best in modern technology that will offer its members the service that will keep them informed about the current issues that affect them every time they get on their bikes- wherever they are.

"As bikers ourselves we know what sort of action we want when we have a justifiable gripe against the unjustified, and that the BBA will be the organisation that precisely reflects the mood of our members. That's why our Biker's Voice app puts the power to build cohesive networks of riders right in the palm of their hands. Having a voice is being heard and being heard is persuasive power.

"They might be out and see one of the many yawning potholes in the road, or there may be a major road traffic incident or a 'cool - must go to' event they'd like to publicise by providing times and venue locations. Biker's Voice makes all this possible with just a few swipes of a Smartphone and means that wherever they are, our members feel like they are part of a responsive organisation that is there to campaign rigorously in their best interests."

Innovations for new and very welcome recruits do not end there.  With many publishers prepared to continue trying to exploit old publishing models, much of their content remains 'Advertisement driven', repetitive and static for months on end as you will all well know. The BBA's purely electronic mode of delivery means that the latest news from the world of motorcycling is sent straight to members' Smartphones and email inboxes as soon as it breaks to us.

It's an approach that Colin and the team believe is vital to maintaining the BBA as a progressive and developing organisation equipped to give its members the best deals possible: "£15 (or 4 pence a day) gets you a year's subscription, and that includes a free bi-monthly e-zine, full access to the Biker's Voice app and the fast-track to some of the most exciting motorcycling features around. It also means you'll become part of a genuine democratic and meaningful campaigning voice for bikers throughout the British Isles."

Colin concludes, "Like the United Kingdom that we are all proud to be a part of, it is made up from many fragmented communities. Sometimes when we exist apart we're just isolated single-interest groups; but together we're a force that can safeguard and promote motorcycling for the enjoyment of future generations. I want to be able to say 'I was there at the beginning'."

For more information on the BBA - including how to join and the benefits of membership.

Colin Mahoney  
British Bikers Association  
01772 452135  
www.BritishBikersAssociation.Org
[email protected]

...faster and more furious - New from Digital Speedos

Swift Chrono brand grew from a desire to fuse up-to-the-minute electronics with great UK style and design. The results are two stunning new products: the Chronometric Style speedometer and the smooth-revving RPM Gauge, with even more plans in the pipeline.

The Chronometric Style speedometer With a max speed of 150 mph, the Chronometric Style speedometer is a perfect fit for the classic café racer. Its tramline dial, easy to read white pointer, black metal case and chrome V bezel look great, while the unit slots neatly onto the standard mounts of 60s and 70s British bikes. A wide range of pick ups and speed senders are also available, including cable drive adapters, and both magnetic and non magnetic hall effect senders.

Swift Chrono RPM Gauge The new RPM Gauge revs smoothly up to 10.000 RPM. It’s designed to work on multiple cylinders, connecting via the coil or ECU. And, just like the Chronometric Style speedometer, the Swift Chrono RPM Gauge benefits from a classic tramline dial, easy to read white pointer, black metal case and chrome V bezel,  fits the classic and café racer style bikes of the 60s and 70s.

Not content to rest on our laurels, however, our plans for the future include a classic battery operated race gauge, and multifunction gauges. Find out more about Swift Chrono at www.swiftchrono.co.uk

www.digital-speedos.co.uk