Category: Random

1. We have this lovely email today from Angela @ The Empire Diner

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 11th Oct 2016

   "Just a quick message to say thank you for your advert. 

   We have received great feedback from your listing of The Empire Diner and speaking to the Bikers that have come in lately, it is because they have looked on your site and seen that we are Biker friendly and wanted to check us out, which is brilliant. 

   Thought you may appreciate the feedback too, although I'm sure you already know how great you are anyway!"

   See more on The Empire Diner here

   www.theempirediner.co.uk

   www.facebook.com/theempiredineressex/

   

2. Vikki van Someren – the woman behind The Bike Shed

   Posted on 8:00am Tuesday 11th Oct 2016

   Vikki van Someren is married to Anthony ‘Dutch’ van Someren, the founder of the hugely successful Bike Shed Motorcycle Club (BSMC) in 2011. Since that date, The Bike Shed has not only run annual custom motorcycle shows in London and Paris, it has also branched out and set-up a 12,000 square foot venue in Shoreditch that features a 100 seat café and restaurant, retail space and even a barber shop.  
   
   As well as this venue hosting regular events, Bike Shed’s facebook page currently has over 650,000 followers, 100,000 follow it on Instagram and BSMC is a major player in the custom bike scene with manufacturers such as Triumph, Yamaha and Harley-Davidson keen to be associated with it. And it’s fair to say that without the driving force of Vikki behind it, much of this success simply would not have happened.
   
   Q: What is your role within The Bike Shed?
   VS: “I am listed as a co-founder of The Bike Shed and Events Director. When Dutch started it as a blog many years ago I supported him and let him spend hours writing stories and editing pictures of bikes rather than entertaining his wife! Nowadays I execute his vision for the events that we put on. I never really get involved with the website side of things, I just take Dutch’s vision for events and make it happen.”
   
   Q: Why that role?
   VS: “I have a media and events background and so I use this to co-ordinate all our global events and also everything at the Shoreditch venue. It is a natural role for me.”
   
   Q: What drives your passion for custom bikes?
   VS: “I’ve been riding bikes since I was five years old and was brought up with Royal Enfield, Matchless and BSAs in the garden waiting to be fixed. My mother’s partner was a big biker and I’ve always had a keen interest in bikes. I’ve always been a petrol head, whether it be cars or bikes.”
   
   Q: What do you ride yourself?
   VS: “I have two bikes at the moment, a beautiful Ducati SportClassic in cream and a Honda Dominator that has been customised to a flat tracker style that is my daily commuter. It’s very loud and causes havoc on the streets!”
   
   Q: Can you handle a set of spanners?
   VS: “I have done a basic bike mechanic’s course, but I don’t get that involved nowadays. I just don’t have the time to fettle bikes myself, but I have very strong ideas and generally think I know it all so I stand over someone and direct proceedings! When I have time I will build my own bike – but I think retirement will have to come first as I’m so busy at the moment!”
   
   Q: What would you say to another woman who might be thinking about getting into the custom bike movement?
   VS: “I’d say ‘absolutely, go for it!’ But I’d say that to a man or woman who wanted to get into the scene. Take your test and just do it! It doesn’t matter what sex you are, it’s the freedom and enjoyment of riding a bike that matters. I often speak to people who come here about getting into bikes and I always encourage them to try two-wheels.”
   
   Q: What would you recommend as a good first bike?
   VS: “I’d say don’t go too big as a first bike, get something you are comfortable with to build up your confidence. If you want something customised then a Yamaha SR250 or Down and Out are doing cool bikes. If the rider is small like me, I’m only five foot two, then I’d say get a small, light, bike. At the end of the day, just get onto two wheels, it doesn’t matter what you ride as long as you are comfortable.”
   
   Q: And what about riding kit?
   VS: “I ride in jeans, gloves and boots with a leather jacket if I’m just going home. I never ride without a jacket; my skin is precious to me. I’ll properly suit up if I’m going for a long ride – you need to wear the right gear. In the past I’ve struggled with women’s bike gear as it wasn’t to my style – I don’t like pink stripes – but this is changing and there is now some really cool kit out there! I want functionality but also to look good.”
   
   Q: Does it annoy you when you see kit manufacturers making ‘girly’ riding kit with pink colours?
   VS: “Not really, it’s just not for me. Some women like pink riding kit. I don’t define myself as a ‘woman rider’, I’m just ‘a rider.’ I don’t distinguish between male and female, I just want good looking kit that is functional and safe.”
   
   Q: Is the custom scene helping to encourage more women to ride bikes as it has quite a few strong women figures like yourself?
   VS: “The custom scene is a little less cliquey than other scenes, for men and women. It can be just as daunting for a man turning up at a bike venue as a woman. The custom scene is very open to like minded, creative, people and that makes it quite friendly. I think women are also feeling more confident in themselves lately. It’s all about creating an open and welcoming environment for all.”
   
   Q: Do you have any role models?
   VS: “That’s a big question! I take influences from lots of different people, male and female. I have my favourite racers – Valentino Rossi for one – but I think people are people and I like different elements of people for different reasons.”
   
   Q: What advice can you share with women thinking of running or being involved in a business such as The Bike Shed or within the motorcycle world?
   VS: “Just do it! Don’t over think it, don’t think ‘I’m a woman I need to act differently’, just get out there and give it a go. Bring your gifts because as a woman you have a different set of skills to a man, use these valuable skills. Women make shit happen!”
   
   Q: Do you have a mantra or philosophy on how to live your life?
   VS: “Ride it like you stole it! Ha, I’d say ‘treat people how you would like to be treated.’”
   
   Q: So what really annoys you?
   VS: “The stereotypical vision of women in the motorcycle scene annoys me. I love the fact women are beautiful, sexy, creatures but I want to move away from the stereotypical scene of a beautiful women draped over a bike in order to sell it. If you ride a bike, you ride a bike, it’s not about what’s between your legs. It’s all about who you are as an individual.”
   
   As Vikki’s story proves, the motorcycle world may on the outside appear to be a male dominated industry, but in reality this is far from the case. Just like any business, success doesn’t depend on what sex you are, more if you have the drive and determination to get the job done. And Vikki certainly has this drive, not only in her passion for The Bike Shed’s success, but also her love of motorcycling.
   
   So if you are inspired to take up two wheels by Vikki’s story, what’s stopping you? There are hundreds of motorcycle training centers located throughout the UK and taking to two wheels is much easier and costs far less than you would expect. If you are interested, check out the UK motorcycle industry’s Get On website which has loads of information aimed at those looking at taking their first steps into the motorcycle world.
   
   Finally, and on a slightly less sexy, but practical – not to mention legally important - note, if you are looking to buy a bespoke bike or customise your own machine, you’ll need to think about the security and insurance implications. Specialist providers like Bikesure.co.uk can usually offer you a bespoke policy to suit your bike’s modifications.
   
   You don’t want to spend a lot of money on a customised machine only to have it stolen a week later or find out you’re not covered and can’t ride it. So make sure you can keep it somewhere safe and secure and check with your insurer how any changes to your bike will affect your policy.

3. Africa's 1st Ladies Motorcycle Maintenance Workshop needs your help!

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 10th Oct 2016

   3 years ago, Claire Elsdon arrived into Capetown, having left London a year earlier alone on her Suzuki DRZ 400s to ride the length of Africa. Along the way, her understanding of how high quality motorcycle maintenance can play a major part in reducing the soaring road traffic death toll in Africa was born, along with her appreciation for the importance of giving opportunities to women to learn practical skills, which they can earn a sustainable living from for their families. As a result, earlier this year she moved to Tanzania to set up Africa's first motorcycle maintenance workshop staffed by female apprentices, called Pikilily.

   The good news is that Pikilily now has a workshop space near Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Tanzania, just a stone's throw from town. This workshop will provide a place for women apprentices to learn their very first motorcycle maintenance skills and before too long, open the gates to paying customers, enabling them to earn an income. 

   Many of Pikilily's customers will come from the 4,000 motorcycle taxi drivers in Mwanza, who are in great need of a reliable, safe & good value motorcycle maintenance service - impossible to find at present. Consequently right now, poor maintenance is costing riders precious time and take-home pay, but also sadly too often, their own lives and that of their paying passengers.

   Claire and the team can't wait to help and get started in our workshop but first, they need to raise some money to make it possible!

   They need to raise £500 to complete the refurb of the workshop. This would pay for watertight roof on entire premises, secure door and metal grill window to store room plus gates to main entrance, levelling and concrete the floor smooth in apprentice working area, fitting seating and working space in training room/office area and painting the Pikilily mural.

   In addition, they need to raise the funds to pay the next 12 months worth of rent - its £50 a month.

   They need tools, materials and equipment to equip each of the 5 workbenches in the apprentice area. The list is long but to give you an idea, a spanner would cost roughly £5, pliers £10, brake bleeding kit £30, set of torque wrenches £50.

   Ideally they would also like 2 small motorcycles on which to train the ladies in motorcycle maintenance. Such motorcycles retail at around $1000 each.

   To say thank you, a "Wall of Thanks" will form the backdrop to their work area. Names, countries and messages of support of those donating to this campaign will be written on there, nestled around the Pikilily logo mural, reminding apprentices each day of their friends across the globe who helped make this community project possible. The wall will appear in the regular workshop vlogs that Claire has been putting out since the start of the campaign.

   If you would like to donate, here is the link - www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pikilily

   www.pikilily.com 

4. Enjoy a ‘Biker’s Special’ meal @ Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 7th Oct 2016

   Enjoy a ‘Biker’s Special’ meal for just £6, 1st - 31st October @ Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire...

   Valid in the restaurant throughout October 2016 when you visit on two wheels!

   Breakfast, Brunch, Burgers, hand battered fish, chips and peas, main meal of the day, including a roast on Sunday.

   Open seven days a week, turn up on the day or pre-book (recommended for groups/clubs).

   www.shuttleworth.org/bikers-special

    

   

    

   The Shuttleworth Collection - an unique flying collection showcasing the first one hundred years of flight. Also featuring vehicles and motorcycles dating back to 1900.

5. Museum LIVE 2016

   Posted on 11:00am Tuesday 4th Oct 2016

   Saturday 05/11/16 will see the museum host the 3rd annual free open day when everyone will be invited to visit the museum collection free of charge. There will also be a host of other free attractions including our amazing “stars on stage” feature which is presented in association with wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd.

   Meet The Experts: In attendance will be some of the museum’s specialist suppliers, craftsmen, and related personalities (including our own restoration team) who will be available to chat and answer questions. Also unveiled at the event will is an exciting new permanent display “the history of wheel building” presented by wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd.

   Meet the following -

   The Museum Restoration Team.

   Brian Crighton & Dave Hickman (Rotary Norton Race Machines).

   Ivan Rhodes (Velocette Guru).

   Fred Walmsley (2016 Goodwood Revival Winning Classic Race Tuner).

   Les Williams, John Woodward, Arthur Jakeman & Norman Hyde (Triumph Race Shop).

   Ken Sprayson (“The Frame Man”).

   Central Wheel Components Ltd (Wheel Builders To The Museum).

   Calibre Customs (Machine Painters To The Museum).

   Redditch Shot Blasting (Machine Component Preparation & Coatings To The Museum).

   Stars on Stage In Association With Central Wheel Components Ltd: Racing legends CARL FOGARTY MBE & JAMIE WHITHAM will again host two special FREE TO ENTER “stars on stage” features at 11am & 2pm

   Held on the stage in the museum’s magnificent Britannia suite these free 1 hour chat shows will feature Carl & Jamie as well as other motorcycling personalities. Appearing courtesy of Phil Morris Racing two very special guests will include TT superstar IAN HUTCHINSON and Moto GP star & British Superbike front runner JAMES ELLISON. All our guest stars will also be making personal appearances to sign your favourite memorabilia. Motorcycle journalist and author Frank Melling will also be giving a talk on his life in bikes and his two recent autobiographies.

   Our star riders will be “riding” & posting their fastest times our new Manx TT arcade machine! Can you beat them?

   Full Star Rider line up now confirmed

   Carl Fogarty, Jamie Whitham, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness, James Ellison, Maria Costello, John Cooper & Chris Vincent.

   NEW FOR 2016!

   Museum Live “Start Up” Feature: See & HEAR some of the most famous race machines in the world started up in our special LIVE START UP area. Bikes old and new will include the Hislop “White Charger” Rotary Norton, NVT Cosworth Challenge, Vincent “Super Nero” sprinter, the Phil Morris Racing owned 2012 ART GP12 Moto GP bike (ex-James Ellison), plus many others including genuine Moto GP Ducati’s and WSB/WSS machinery-not to be missed! See attached images.

   Just some of the guest machines that will be on display with a number being fired upas part of our new “Start Up” feature-

   2012 ART GP12 Moto GP (ex-James Ellison),1972 TZ700 Yamaha, 2003 Honda 1000 TT Superbike (ex- Ian Lougher), 1975 MV Agusta 500cc Triple,1969 Paton 500cc (ex-factory), 2012 Moto2 FTR (ex Ratthapark Wilairot), 2011 Moto2 FTR (ex- Karol Abrahams), 2008 Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP (ex-Casey Stoner Silverstone GP Winner), 2003 Ducati Desmosedici 990cc (ex- Troy Bayliss), 1963  Bianchi 498cc Twin(ex-factory) , 1996 Ducati 916 Old Spice BSB, 1996 Castrol Honda WSS (ex-James Toseland) , 2000 Vimto Honda SP1, 1969 Benelli 4Cyl. 

   Museum Bikes That You Can Hear “Fired Up”-

   Senior TT winning “White Charger” rotary Norton (ex-Steve Hislop) , NVT Cosworth Challenge, Vincent “Super Nero” sprinter.

   Catering & entertainment: The Museum shop and restaurant will be open throughout the event. A wide variety of catering will be on offer including breakfast, lunch, a range of hot meals & snacks.

   In addition to the museum restaurant, this year’s event will feature

   The Bracebridge Suite- Licensed bar with entertainment from jazz band “The Moonlight Trio”.

   The Ballacraine Suite- New Food Hall with lots of great dishes freshly prepared by our chefs including our famous Katsu curry!   

   BBQ-There will also be a BBQ with lots of delicious favourites prepared by our own chefs.

   To assist visitors, everyone arriving on site will be given a free timetable with a full list & timings of all the day’s exciting, free, events.

   This timetable will also be available to view on the event webpage