Sunday 7th August from 10.30am at Coventry Transport Museum

Trophies to be won - Best Cafe Racer, Oldest Machine & Furthest Travelled Bike

Special guests include Mick Duckworth - Author of "Ace Times" and David Davies from the VMCC This summer, the Rockers return to Coventry Transport Museum and Ace Cafe London, two world famous transport attractions, showcase an exhibition "Coming of Age at the Ace Cafe" that will take you on a journey through the history of the iconic cafe, its customers and what it meant to be a British teenager in the 1950s and 60s - the story of fashion, the bikes and the music that defined a generation.

Every rider and pillion that attends the day will receive a reduced ticket admission into the exhibition. 

To find out more about the Classic Ride In & Ton Up Day on Sunday 7th August, contact: Clive Skelhon at Coventry Transport Museum

tel:024 7623 4295 

e-mail: [email protected]

Alan & Sharon, two enthusiastic Yorkshire bikers, have spent the past few years working on their venture in Portugal aimed at Bikers, to provide a dedicated touristic motorcycle centre in a wonderful area, surrounded by some fantastic roads and historical towns.

After previously running Bikersbase in Scotland, they purchased property and land with the sole purpose to create another succesful destination for touring Motorcyclists. With various issues with local contractors, Alan & Sharon have been steadily working and can now provide en-suite rooms, camping spaces, fully equipped workshops, very secure motorcycle storage and an essential bar!

Also planned are self contained cottages, dorm and more en-suite rooms.

Accessed just off the main IP2 highway, south of Portalegre, centrally placed and idea as a base to explore this fantastic biking area.

www.bikersbase.com

...RETURN TO THE ISLE OF MAN FOR THE SOUTHERN 100 MEETING

2010 Southern 100 Solo and Sidecar Champions Ryan Farquhar, Klaus Klaffenböck and Dan Sayle head an impressive list of competitors entered for the 2011 Steam Packet Southern ‘100’ International Road Races, which commence on Monday 11th July on the Billown Circuit on the outskirts of Castletown, Isle of Man. Billed as ‘the Friendly Meetings’, the 4.25 mile circuit in the South of the Island features mass start road racing at its finest.

The current champions certainly won’t have their own way with no less than four former champions in contention to prevent them from retaining their much coveted titles won 12-months previously!

Leading TT Races riders Guy Martin, Solo Champion in 2009, Cameron Donald (2006) and Ian Lougher a five time champion (2002/04/05/07/08) will provide serious opposition to current champion Ryan Farquhar, as will Michael Dunlop, fresh from his Royal London 360 SuperstockTT Race win and Manx Telecom Post TT victory less than a month ago on the same Billown circuit. Include William Dunlop, along with other course specialists, Roy Richardson, Mark Buckley, John Burrows and ‘Spirit of the TT Winner’Conor Cummins and the prospect of some close exciting racing is mouth-watering!

Equally exciting is the Sidecar line-up, with current champions and Sure Race 1 TT winners Klaffenböck and Sayleresuming their battle with Sure Sidecar Race 2 winners John Holden and Andy Winkle. Three-time Southern 100 champions Ian Bell, with son Carl in the chair, will also be throwing the gauntlet down.

Four-time Sidecar Champion Nick Crowe, will be willing his crew of Simon Neary and passenger to the top step of the podium. Add in Greg Lambert, Gary Bryan and the ever-young Roy Hanks and the racing will be dramatic to say the least!

In the smaller capacity classes, rivalry will be renewed between Chris Palmer, William Dunlop, Ian Lougher, Dan Sayle, Barry Davidson, Roy Richardson, Phil Harvey, Lee Vernon, Nigel Moore and Chris McGahan to name but a few.

The 2011 Steam Packet Southern 100 International Road Races get underway on Monday evening 11th July, with Roads Closing at 6.05pm until no later than 9.40pm. Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th will be at the same times. The meeting reaches a climax with ‘Championship Day’ on Thursday 14th July between 9.50am and 12.15pm then 1.00pm until 5.45pm at the latest.The event culminates with the unique Prize Presentation in picturesque Castletown Square on the evening of Thursday 14th July from 7.00pm to Midnight

www.southern100.com

Monday 27th June 2011 sees a change not only to the practical riding test for learner motorcyclists but also for the practical driving test for car, large goods vehicle (LGV), passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) tests and the approved driving instructor (ADI) driving ability (sometimes called 'part two').

The changes see the introduction of “Independent Driving”, where the test candidate has to take responsibility for route finding by either following:

·         traffic signs

·         a series of directions

·         a combination of both

The idea behind “Independent Driving” is to help make the driving test more representative of real driving to allow test candidates to demonstrate their ability to drive safely in realistic driving situations, rather than memorising a particular test route. The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) will no longer publish details of test routes.

At present the test for motorcyclists is conducted by an examiner following the rider on a bike giving turn by turn directions via radio.

With the introduction of “Independent Driving” at certain sections of the test route, you will be stopped and told that you are going to ride independently, without step-by-step instructions from the examiner, for 10 minutes.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said, “Independent driving assessment will encourage a sense of responsibility, awareness and individual decision-making amongst learner drivers, in order to prepare them when driving on their own.”

Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird says, ”Riders who are riding on a provisional licence or who have completed CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) already have a sense of independence and individual decision-making. However at Right To Ride we welcome the introduction of “Independent Driving” if only to check that motorcycle test candidates have confidence in their own capabilities.”

We also welcome the Driver & Vehicle Agency’s (DVA) comment that “Independent Driving” is not a test of how test candidates follow directions. The DVA have said that it doesn't matter if a test candidate doesn’t remember every direction or if they go the wrong way, it won't affect the result of the test, unless a driving fault is committed. Also, if a test candidate does not have detailed knowledge of the test area or there are poor or obscured traffic signs, directions will be given by the examiner.

Last but not least there has been no increase in test fees or in the time taken to complete the test. If you are a learner rider your AMI (Approved Motorcycle Instructor) should have details of the changes regarding “Independent Driving”.

Information

NIDirect - Independent driving.

NIDirect - Motorcycle practical test explained.

List of AMI (Approved Motorcycle Instructor) DVA website.

Approved Motorcycle Instructors Association (N.I.).

You can leave comments to this article on Right To Ride.

Hastings - Sunday 18th September 2011 - The UK’s first National Lesbian and Gay Biker Rally

Are you a gay man or lesbian with a motorbike? Do you enjoy sharing your passion for bikes and bikers? Want to make some new mates for future biking trips?

On September 18th the UK’s first National Gay and Lesbian Biker Rally takes place in the great seaside town of Hastings - home to one of the UK’s largest biker meets. It’s all happening around the Marina Pavilion situated right on Hastings seafront with dedicated parking and enough space for hundreds of bikers.

A big afternoon barbecue will be available and a few surprises are planned to keep you all entertained! Why not plan a lovely ride down and make a day of it.
It’s going to be a really great day and lots of biker fun.

www.gaybikerrally.co.uk