Category: Other

1. Belfast Bikers Bike Forum

   Posted on 12:00am Saturday 12th Mar 2011

    

   Probably the second most important thing for a motorcyclist these days after their bike is, their computer!

    

   For those who disagree, form a disorderly queue and start typing on your keyboard in response.

    

   For those that agree and cannot do with a daily fixed of motorcycling internet surfing, head over to www.belfastbikers.co.uk. and register and introduce yourself to the recently launched local “Belfast Bikers” forum dedicated to local bikers in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

    

   Already with a core of dedicated posters, Belfast Bikers aim is to provide a platform for bike enthusiasts to talk about bikes, share advice on buying, selling or fixing bikes.

    

   Belfast bikers has also teamed up with a number of sponsors allowing you to get special discounts on a range of bike products as well as all the latest news about upcoming bike events.

    

   The original concept behind the site was to create a central point in order to produce a simple yet effective link between all bikers and bike services in the area.

    

   The "bolted on" forum is the backbone of the site enabling the area’s two-wheeled community to share experiences and make friends with people who share the same passion.

    

   The forum has a dedicated section aptly named "Biker Watchdog" which Belfast Bikers says, “Is there to identify just who is giving great service and of course, who isn't!”

    

   Apart from General Bike Talk and Chit Chat topics there are, real write ups by Belfast’s own riders, tips on servicing and repairs, Ride Outs, Events, Meets dates and information and a whole lot more.

    

   Belfast Bikers are always looking for new members, so hopefully this point in their direction will see the forum grow and we wish Belfast Bikers all the success for the future.

    

   www.belfastbikers.co.uk

    

2. Manor Motorcycle Cafe - New Motorcycle Cafe in North Yorkshire

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 11th Mar 2011

   At the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this is North Yorkshire’s 1st purpose built Motorcycle Cafe. Located in the converted Manor Farm Courtyard in Bellerby, near Leyburn.

   Surrounded by beautiful unspoilt scenery, on what are also some of the best roads in the UK. With ample off street parking in our converted farm courtyard, comfortable warm indoor seating and plenty of outdoor seating, the Manor is the ideal place for bikers to ‘meet and eat’. The menu will be a good mix of traditional British and Continental food, all cooked fresh on the premises with locally sourced ingredients.
    
   The Manor Motorcycle Cafe will be opening Easter 2011. Owned and operated by motorcycle owners and enthusiasts.

   www.manor-cafe.co.uk

3. Oz on a Triumph Book Launch

   Posted on 10:52am Monday 22nd Nov 2010

   Geoff Hill and Collin O'Carroll are celebrating the publication of their inspiring and hilarious travelogue, Oz: Around Australia on a Triumph.

   The celebration takes place on Wednesday 24 November, during an Oz themed launch at Adelaide Insurance Services, 4-6 Boucher Road, Belfast. The pair circumnavigated Australia on Tiger 1050s, taking 10-12 weeks to cover the 15,000 miles of the legendary Highway One before the road is decommissioned in 2010.

   Geoff, who's already ridden from Delhi to Belfast on an Enfield and Chile to Alaska on a Triumph for the best-selling books Way to Go and The Road to Gobblers Knob, faced his mightiest challenge: the wombats of Oz. To give you a flavour of their adventure we have lifted this from their website blog, The Adelaide To Adelaide Adventure:

   “Since Geoff has only been to Perth before, and since Colin was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in Australia wrestling sharks, snogging kangaroos and riding dirt bikes, the series and book will be written from two contrasting and equally entertaining viewpoints: Geoff as a relative first-timer and Colin revisiting the land of his lost youth, which is the subject of his own book, Belfast Boomerang, to be published by Blackstaff Press in 2011. It’s the wombats that worry me most,” said Geoff. “Apparently they go to sleep in the middle of the road because it’s nice and warm, so if you’re stupid enough to ride at night, you hit this furry speed bump. They’re saved by a layer of cartilage on their back which protects them from dingo attacks, but you end up down the road in a heap of wreckage.”

   Come along from 4.30 pm and crack open a tinny with Geoff and Colin as they discuss their adventure around Oz on a Triumph.

   Exclusive film footage recorded during their trip will be shown, a live band will play and, refreshments will be available.

   www.blackstaffpress.com

   www.adelaideadventures.com

4. Bike parking in Aberystwyth

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 8th Nov 2010

   Medwyn Parry, Chairman of Aberystwyth & District MAG has been corresponding with Councillor Alec Dauncey over his stance
   regarding bikes on the prom.

    

   The area is within his ward, and he is in favour of keeping things as they are, rather than bring in a no parking for Bikes on the prom rule.

   
   He has a blog site where you can vote, so get ticking...

5. Motorcycle Industry Provides Positive Employment Opportunities for the UK

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 21st Oct 2010

   The motorcycle industry is a vital employer in the UK providing thousands of jobs in a broad range of sectors across the country.
   
   Currently, the industry directly employs 65,000 people in more that 6,000 businesses, which is a greater level of employment that those employed in UK call centres, the market research sector, as taxi drivers and throughout libraries, museums and other cultural activities. (1)
   
   In 2008, the industry paid out more than £1.2 billion in wages and made total tax contributions of more than £1 billion.
   
   There is a wide range of opportunities for people to take employment in the motorcycle industry.  Distribution and retail is the largest single field of employment (20,380) and the sport and leisure sector employs around 10,000 people contributing a gross added value to the UK economy of £238 million per annum. 
   
   Other sectors offering work opportunities include; manufacturing, repairs , servicing and maintenance and other support services such as finance, marketing, publishing, training and couriers. Between them they employ almost 30,000 people, paying over £600 million in wages.
   
   Although there is a concentration of retail and distribution jobs (31% of the total), average wages are £18,800 across the whole industry and are significantly higher in the support services (£21,600) and manufacturing (£28,600) sectors
   
   Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented. " The motorcycle industry provides a significant financial contribution to the UK 's economy, generating added value of more than £2billion,  as well as acting as an important employer.
   
   "There are many fields of employment within the industry offering work opportunities for people from all walks of life whether they want to work in a practical, hands-on role or take a more customer service based job there is something for everyone."
   
   For more information about the motorcycle industry go to the website www.mcia.co.uk
   

   1) All statistics are from the survey - The Economic Significance of the UK Motorcycle Industry by GHK - February 2010