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Category: Other
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The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has called upon the new Chancellor Rishi Sunak to not only deliver on the Conservative election manifesto pledge of investing £2 billion to repair potholes but to also provide a mechanism for the long-term, assured investment in road maintenance. Mr Sunak, is due to present his budget on 11th March.
Mike Harper, RSTA Chief Executive said: “It costs on average £52m2 to repair a pothole against the mere £2.50m2 to surface dress and maintain a road. A provision of real levels of long-term assured investment would enable highway authorities to implement planned programmes of road maintenance. This would ensure the good condition or road surfaces and prevent defects and potholes from forming in the first place. Preventative maintenance would be a far more cost effective approach that expensive patch-and-mend.”
In addition to delivering the Conservative election manifesto pothole pledge, Harper called upon the Chancellor to commit to an injection of £1.5 billion a year to address the local road £9.7 billion maintenance backlog by investing just 2p a litre from the existing fuel duty, provide a funding settlement that enables planned five-year maintenance programmes and address the funding disparity between the strategic road network and the local road network. The strategic road network maintenance receives 53 times more funding per mile than local roads. Yet the vast majority of journeys are undertaken on the local road network.
Harper said: “The local road network is the UK’s greatest infrastructure asset and is worth some £400 billion. With every road journey starting and ending on a local road, a well-maintained local road network is essential to the national social well-being and economic prosperity. Furthermore, post-Brexit, and as part of levelling-up’ the regions, the government wants to prove that Britain is ready and open for business. The provision of a well-maintained local road network is fundamental to achieving that objective.”
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Welsh amateur enduro rider Simon Hewitt, fulfilled a lifelong dream earlier this year, by taking part in the renowned Dakar Rally. The 29-year-old novice crossed the finish line in Qiddiya on 17th January, after 13 long days of riding across Saudi Arabia’s vast and challenging landscape.
Chatting on the T.ur stand at the MCN London Motorcycle Show less than a month after completing his epic challenge, alongside his Dakar-finishing Yamaha WR450F and T.ur kit, Simon talked about his Dakar experience and how his kit performed along the way.
How was your Dakar experience, compared with your expectations?
“The sheer size of the whole operation was unexpected. The biggest race I’ve done before this was the Merzouga rally in Morocco – the Dakar qualifier. There, every team could fit into a football pitch easily, but with Dakar, it’s on a whole other level; the sheer vastness was the biggest thing for me, something that doesn’t really come across when you see it on TV and online.
“But from a riding perspective, I was surprised by how comfortable I felt with the terrain. To be completely honest, the terrain itself isn’t the hardest part, it’s the length of the days that got me. Starting at five every morning, then you’re on the bike for 10-14 hours a day – I’ve never done that before, and although I knew it would be long, I didn’t expect to find it so hard. Even in the liaison – the riding before we got to the timed stage – I was sitting there at 110km/h, on an enduro bike, on tarmac, for 130 miles; it was crazy and very tiring.”
Did you go into Dakar with a strategy?
“The strategy was to just tick every day off as it came, and not to worry about the later stages, just to focus on what I had to do to get to the finish line that day. I think if you go into each day with a complicated strategy, it can become too much to think about. I just rode the terrain, read the roadbook, ticked off the kilometres and it worked perfectly for me. Day one of Dakar was my third time on a bike since breaking my collarbone whilst training in Dubai, so I had barely any training in comparison to the other riders. I knew I couldn’t push too hard, so I just had to ease into it.”
How did you start your relationship with T.ur?
“I first came across T.ur on social media thanks to two riders that I follow that wear T.ur – Jacopo Cerutti and Alessandro Boturri. I saw that those guys started to wear T.ur kit, so I started following T.ur on Instagram. A year later when I was preparing to go to Dakar, Diego Sgorbati, CEO of Tucano Urbano, was introduced to me through a mutual friend at BMW Motorrad, and then one evening I received a random call from Diego – we were chatting for about 30-45 minutes, talking about rallies, bikes, BMW and Dakar, and after that, I was asked to get involved with T.ur, and I was absolutely stoked. I was looking for a kit supplier, so it was perfect timing, and I knew Cerutti and Botturi would only ride in the best clothing, so I knew T.ur would be top quality kit.”
What aspects of the T.ur kit were most important to you?
“A big plus for me was having the option every day of vented or non-vented kit depending on the weather. I had two sets of kit; one made from a mesh that let all the air through, and another made with thicker, warmer material. The mesh kit was awesome for days where it was getting really warm on the dunes, but for some stages, I wore the thicker kit because some days were very cold. It was awesome to have the option and very handy. It was also great for me to be able to remove the sleeves – it’s down to personal preference but I like riding without the sleeves so being able to whip them off was great, and luckily it came with the design of the jacket.
“T.ur also gave me a set of the waterproof kit that you can buy –which I wore every day as a windbreaker when I needed it, and I wore the T.ur thermal base layers as well which were perfect – they kept me warm in the mornings and cool in the midday heat. My G-THREE gloves didn’t miss a beat the whole race – the ideal choice for Dakar.”
What did you enjoy most at Dakar?
“The feeling of being part of it. I’ve watched the race for so long on TV and online, so being there, seeing my heroes in the same race as me, and just being part of the whole event was the best feeling ever. The riding, for the most part, was also really fun. Two weeks of riding your bike in the desert – I can’t ask for more than that.”
What was the biggest lesson you learnt at Dakar?
“If I had to do it again, I would definitely not break my collarbone two months before Dakar. The lack of fitness was a killer for me, and I knew that if I had been at my usual bike fitness level, I wouldn’t have felt so tired at the end of each day. I also realised very quickly that managing time in the evenings is really important. The alarm goes off at 4am the next day whether you like it or not, so it’s up to you to be as prepared as possible for the best start the next day.”
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
My bike has just gone back to France for some work, and then I’ll have it back for the summer. I plan to do the Welsh 2 Day Enduro at the end of June on my Dakar bike, then Serres Rally in Greece this August on my Husqvarna 450 enduro bike. In between those, I plan to do as many local races as I can including some of the British National Enduro and Welsh Enduro Championship rounds – they’ll help me build up my bike fitness as well.”
Sum up your Dakar experience in one word.
“Adventure.”
… And the T.ur kit in one word.
“Bullet-proof.”
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Saturday 25th January 2020 saw the National ACU/FIM motorcycle awards take place at the National Motorcycle Museum at Solihull, West Midlands.
MADMAX Team Rider Zef Eisenberg raced in to the record books scooping an amazing 3 World Record FIM awards at the prestigious ceremony.
Racing the Notts uni IOM TT zero bike, Eisenberg’s MADMAX team re-engineered the electric drive chain, motor and battery pack to victoriously secure:
3 x International FIM WORLD RECORD awards for the fastest electric motorbike in the world. (naked - no fairing)
3 x British ACU awards for the FIM Flying Kilometre speed of 185.103mph with best one-way speed of 194.086mph and GPS peak speeds of 197mph for a 100% electric bike.
The records took place at the Prestigious ACU/FIM awards evening held at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum, on Saturday 25 January 2020.
These speed records are particularly poignant to Eisenberg, as it was the same bike that his MADMAX Team rider, Daley Mathison rode to his last three podium wins at the IOM TT before being tragically killed in the Superbike TT race, the day before the Zero TT race. Eisenberg promised his family and wife to take the bikes to world record glory to honour the racer and has dedicated them to him. That goal and those records were achieved subject to final FIM international ratification, and finally confirmed on the evening.
The self-proclaimed ‘Speed Freak’ now holds more than 58 British, World, ACU, FIM and Guinness speed records and has his hopes pinned on his most dangerous challenge yet… the fastest motorbike on ICE!
On the weekend of 28–29 February 2020 Eisenberg and the MADMAX Race Team return to Arsunda in Sweden for the famous Ice Speed Weekend. The annual two-day event sees the best and most experienced ice racers from around the world descend on Arsunda, the fifth largest lake in Sweden, with the very best seeking 200mph + on its 5mile frozen specially groomed frozen lake. The current World Motorcycle Ice Record is 197.5mph (315kmh).
In 2019 Eisenberg made his debut at the event with the team’s 400hp supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa dubbed ‘the Green Monster’. Zef came 2nd in the motorbike event, not helped by 4 tyre failures and the last one exploding at 176mph!
At the time he said it was the craziest, maddest race event that he’d ever participated in but vowed to return armed with more knowledge and stronger tyres!
Eisenberg said “Since our attempt last year the Hayabusa has been adapted for the extreme ice-strip challenge with a new engine, upgraded electrics and we’ve focussed a lot of time and effort strengthening the tyres. We know it’s the biggest issue for all of the racers and hope that our new reinforced tyres can now withstand the extreme centrifugal forces of 200 Titanium spikes trying to rip themselves from the tyre.
He explains “Each of the tyres feature 200 hand cut titanium spikes weighing 8gms each, but the centrifugal force means that at 200mph they become the equivalent of 12 kgs each. And with 200 studs per tyre, that becomes 2.2 tonnes trying to rip the tyre apart, with forces as high as 1430 g. The maths are scary!”
Last year, racing came to a halt for the MADMAX Race Team when the tyre ripped apart at 283kmh/176mph. The steel banding around the front tyre snapped and sliced the radiator open, causing the engine to rapidly over heat and cause coolant to spray everywhere, followed by the rear tyre exploding and ripping the tail of the bike off.
Tyres and ice aren’t the only challenges the team will have to contend with – there’s the temperature too, as cold as -20 and a wind-chill factor making it feel like -30c!
Eisenberg races under the ‘MADMAX Race Team’, which is renowned for developing and racing the world’s most extreme machines using the best engineers in the industry.
About Zef Eisenberg and the MADMAX Race Team:
Zef ‘MAX’ Eisenberg is the presenter of ITV4 ‘Speed Freaks’, and holds now holds more than 58 British, World, ACU, FIM and Guinness speed records. In September 2016, he survived ‘Britain’s fastest-ever motorcycle crash’ at 230mph, on a 560bhp Rolls-Royce jet turbine-powered motorcycle. He broke 11 bones, was hospitalised for three months, spent a further three months in a wheelchair and had to learn to walk again. He defied doctors by racing exactly one year after the accident on the anniversary of the crash.
In May 2018, he achieved the world’s fastest motorbike record on sand and was challenged to repeat this success on four wheels. In May last year, in a highly modified Porsche, he became the world’s only person to exceed 200mph on sand with a bike and car, as well as hold the flying mile record for both and the only racer to hold world records for bike and car other than John Surtees.
About FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) Records:
FIM, (International Motorcycling Federation) is the global governing/sanctioning body of motorcycle racing.
FIM speed records are calculated by time elapsed over a distance, not trap speeds. A world record is based on two successful one way runs in each direction, within the hour. An FIM world record requires a full international scrutineer team, made up of expert track spotters and senior ACU personnel as part of the record attempts at Elvington.
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As a biker, you've experienced the enjoyment and freedom that comes with riding a motorbike. Thinking about giving life saving medical treatment to a fallen biker is probably not the first thing you think about when riding your bike. But having a plan on how to deal with a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) involving a motorcyclist could help to administer first aid or even save a life.
Let me introduce you to the 5 Point Plan (5PP).
 Point 1 - As a rider get trained in motorcycle first aid. Motorcycle first aid training, terminology and environment is different than the normal first aid at work. There are many organisations across the United Kingdom that cover this type of course. 
Point 2 - Carry a First Aid Kit. When you are dealing with a casualty that may have sustained a fracture or bleeding wound, not having a first aid kit at your disposal becomes very difficult when one has to improvise. There is no excuse by not having room on your bike as there are many different types and sizes available to cover all motorcycles.
Point 3 – Dealing with a Road Traffic Accident or Collision.
If you arrive on scene or witness an RTA involving a motorcyclist there is a set procedure to follow. This would be covered in a motorcycle first aid course however I will summarise the main points.
Ø Safety – You are in a high risk environment look after yourself, your casualties and any bystanders. Call for help 999 on landline, 999/112 on mobile.
Ø Check for immediate danger and protect the scene by using other motorbikes, cars or bystanders wearing hi visibility clothing.
Ø Check for casualties who need first aid assistance. Follow current first aid protocols which is Danger, Airway, Breathing, Bleeding or CPR, Defibrillation, Evacuation) on all casualties. Evacuation means being moved to hospital via ambulance to Emergency Medical Care (EMS). Some casualties may have hidden or multiple injuries, prioritise and treat.
Ø If you suspect major injury ie: Neck, Spinal, Fracture – Do not move them but treat in the position found. 
Point 4 – This is a contentious issue involving helmet removal.
Ø A motorcyclist who is breathing leave motorcycle helmet on and treat accordingly.
Ø A motorcyclist who is not breathing, you may need to remove his helmet. However, it takes 2 people to remove a helmet and only carryout this procedure if you have had suitable training in helmet removal.
Ø If your casualty is not breathing normally and you feel that you do not have the confidence to remove the helmet then “CPR Only” may be the only option. I would rather do something than nothing.
There are many schemes in the UK which advises not to remove the helmet ie: the crash card that inserts inside the helmet which carries vital medical information for the ambulance personnel. Some riders have a sticker on the helmet which states “Only to be removed by medical professionals”. Whatever system you use, this goes back to having some training in motorcycle first aid.
Point 5 – Don’t forget to “Reassure” the casualty or casualties. This sometimes is forgotten and to be honest, reassuring the casualty is all that is needed prior to the arrival of EMS.
Remember the 5 Point Plan. “Training, First aid kit, Get help, Don’t remove the helmet unless absolutely necessary, Reassure”
Article was written by KJ Training Solutions
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When I lived in Greece, working lots of hours, a bit stressed and without a tan, a Greek friend told me this story...
An American tourist is staying on a small Greek island and goes into a small taverna one evening. Takes a table outside and after a while orders a carafe of local wine and some plates of Greek mezes. The order is taken by a middle aged Greek man, who after a short time brings him his order and leaves the American to enjoy. During the evening a few locals and tourist come into the taverna, either to drink, enjoy the delicious Greek dishes from the small menu and/or see Kosta their friend, the owner of the taverna. The American leaves around midnight.
The next morning the tourist passes by the taverna and notices it is closed and so he finds another place to take morning coffee. Whilst he sits, watching the world go by, a little later he sees the Greek man from the taverna leaving the harbour in a small boat. 
The American sees Kosta return a few hours later, with a small catch of fish. He is surprised to see him back so soon as he presumes that the catch of fish is his food supply for the taverna for the evening. He passes by and asks if he had a good fishing trip. The Greek man says he had a great morning and was just going home to have lunch with his family, play with his children, take a siesta and see some of his friends before he opened the taverna for the evening.
The American ponders what he has seen and is a little confused by what he thinks is the Greek man’s lacking of business opportunities, so he returns to the taverna that evening to give the Greek some ‘free advice’.
He waits for Kosta to arrive at the taverna, thinking he will give his valuable advice, before the evening rush… He boasts "I run a very successful business in the USA and I could help you. This is what you should do - You should open your taverna for more hours and with the increase in profits after a while you could buy a bigger taverna and employ more staff. Then after a few more years you could buy a bigger boat, takes on some crew, fish more and increase your profit margins more. Then you could open another taverna, employ more staff and then you would be able to purchase another boat, more crew and increase your profits even more. In fact you could buy several boats and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of just using your catch in just your taverna with these extra boats you could sell to other tavernas and restaurants, you could even export.”
The Greek man smiles and says “Then what would I do?”
“Well with all this extra income, you could leave this small island and move to Athens, and run a distribution centre for your expanding enterprise."
The Greek man smiles and says “Then what would I do?”
The American replies “Well with all this hard work, you would have people working for you who could run your successful business, so giving you more free time for you to enjoy life”.
The Greek man asks, "My friend, how long will this all take?" To which the American businessman replies, "15-20 years."
"But what then?" The businessman laughs and says, "That is the best part! When the time is right you would sell your company and become very rich. You would make millions."
Kosta smiles and says “Millions! And then what would I do?”
The American joyfully announces "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your children, take a daily siesta, stroll into the village and see your friends”.
The Greek man still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now? I am already rich”.
My thoughts…
We live in a world in which to some being successful is everything – but what is success? Too many it is measured by your job title, the car you drive, the control you have on others, the plush offices you work from, rather than how happy and healthy you are.
Is having more material things really a successful life? I know that some of the happiest times in my life (and the most lessons learnt) have been when I had a low income job and lived very basically; however I had a happy and healthy life, surrounded by friends, family and life.
In the story above, the businessman measures success by his own expectations, wealth, materialistic life and status. It is a thought process of many in this day and age that "The person with the most new and shiny toys wins”. I myself was once crititzed for have a very out of date phone (it only made calls and sent texts – shame on me) by someone who had hand-made boots, expensive suits, the latest mobile phone and dined in fine restaurants, smoozing to get business, however was in lots of debt to have this lifestyle and had not had a holiday in years. He was not happy when I pointed out that even though my brick of a phone was embarrassing for him, it did not bother the locals when I was on my last holiday a few weeks previously.
In the past few years I have seen a few people who have a great business, which is run on a very basic budget and idea. These include a chap on a beach in Cuba who drives up and down a beach in a little truck, selling Pino Coladas to all-inclusive guests for £6. At first you would think - How can he sell those to people who are on All-inclusive? Then he pulls up and you watch him make what was 'the' best Pino I have 'ever' had. Made in front of you from fresh pineapples, laced with quality rum, sprinkled with fresh coconut and served to you while you lounge on a white sandy beach. I think he made an average days wage for a Cuban in 2 hours one day. Was he happy? What do you think? Not only was he happy but his job involved meeting people who were happy and pleased to see him.
I also read recently of a business which had two very nice shops in affluent areas of Cheshire selling hade-made chocolates, with high rents, wages, vat, etc., who was closing (on the verge of bankruptcy) who had wished he had stayed in the small factory outlet he started from, selling to others, rather than run his own shops, which he had done as he felt it was the way forward and would make his business more successful. On the surface this man was rich and successful, however the reality is the man on the beach is Cuba is richer.
I have in the last few months had conversations with a couple of people in business which I find interesting to compare. One told me he was shutting his business for a few weeks as he did not want to go over the level for which he would pay vat, mainly for the extra work involved so he was jetting off to Australia for a couple of months. Another who was just starting and wanted to be known as a 'Director' of a business, so rather than start small and grow (making sure his business idea would work) he was going into lots of debt to start, taking legal advice, getting plush offices, getting suits hand-made and dangerously presuming that he was already a brand to compete with Coca-Cola! I did want to share some words of wisdom with Mr Director, however remained tight-lipped and wished him well, just as I wished 'Mr I am off to Oz for the winter' a great trip AND I meant it.
There is a danger in waiting to live the life that you really want to live, when you could actually do it now, by making a few sacrifices or by not just succumbing to the pressures of today’s sociality of materialistic possessions and job titles.
As Christmas draws nearer I am reminded of the best Christmas present I had as a child, (as an adult only Mr S's pressie of a Lonely Planet book of Thailand with a plane ticket inside comes anyway close) which probably gave me a lot of my thought processes and not be materialistic... I wanted a new red and gold bicycle and so my father bought a 2nd hand one, stripped it of the colour, rubbed it down and then spray painted it in the colours I wanted, bought new wheels, saddle bag and a brand new shiny bell. I loved that bike - and did not even think that it was not new, I was just so happy that my father had made that much of an effort.
So do what makes you happy, trust your instincts and never presume that your own expectations of life and possessions are what will work for others.
Right, I’m off to the pound shop…
SJ R-S written circa 2015
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