The Southend Shakedown has long been one of the UK’s most anticipated motorcycle events, attracting riders from all over the country. Known for its high-speed races, stunning stunts, and a sense of community that unites the biking world, the Shakedown’s return is a much-needed boost for both seasoned riders and newcomers alike. But with the event itself lasting only a few days, bikers are already thinking about what to do once the races are over. Fortunately, the UK is brimming with opportunities for motorcyclists to continue their adventure long after the Shakedown wraps up.  

After the final race and the last wheelie has been pulled, many riders are already looking for the next thrill. The UK is packed with beautiful roads, biker-friendly spots, and unique activities that cater to the adventurous spirit of any rider. But once the Shakedown is over, there are plenty of ways for bikers to keep the momentum going and explore new areas, meet fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy their bikes in new environments. 

Here’s a guide to some of the best post-shakedown adventures:

Explore Alternative Hobbies

For many bikers, the thrill of the ride doesn’t have to end after the Southend Shakedown. When you're back home and the leathers are hung up, there are plenty of ways to keep the adrenaline flowing and the mind sharp.

One popular option is getting stuck into a new project — like restoring an old motorcycle. Many bikers take pride in breathing new life into a classic ride, and there's no better way to stay connected to the road than by building a machine with your own hands.

Another great way to unwind is hitting up a biker-friendly pub quiz night or joining a local bike club for weekly rides and meet-ups. Staying social and connected to the community keeps the spirit of the Shakedown alive year-round.

And if you're after a bit of at-home excitement, online entertainment like non Gamstop betting sites UK offers plenty of ways to keep the thrill going. These platforms allow you to place bets on motorsport events, football matches, and more, giving you a taste of competition and risk from the comfort of your sofa. Whether you're rebuilding a bike, planning your next road trip, or playing against a live poker dealer, there are endless ways for bikers to stay busy after the final flag drops.

Hit the Scenic Roads

If you are looking for more outdoor adventure, there’s nothing better than hitting the open road and enjoying some of the UK’s most iconic motorcycling routes. The country offers some incredible rides that will leave you breathless. One place to consider is the Isle of Man, famous for the legendary TT races. Even if you're not racing, the winding roads and stunning views make it an unforgettable experience for any biker.

The Scottish Highlands are a fantastic choice, too! Known for its rugged beauty, the Highlands offer a peaceful yet thrilling ride. The roads twist through mountains and lochs and along dramatic coastal views, making it a dream for any biker looking for adventure.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, the Lake District is the place to be. With steep climbs, winding roads, and stunning views, it offers an excellent ride for those wanting to escape and experience nature up close.

Attend Other Biker Events

While the Shakedown is an amazing event, the UK hosts a wide range of biker rallies and festivals throughout the year. After the excitement of the Shakedown, you can keep the momentum going by attending one of these other must-see events. The Bulldog Bash, one of the UK’s largest motorcycle rallies, is a great choice. It has everything from live music to burnouts and stunts, making it a great follow-up to the Shakedown.

If you’re passionate about bikes, the London Motorcycle Show is a huge event where you can stay up to date with the latest bikes, gear, and trends. For those who prefer classic or custom motorcycles, the Custom & Classic Motorcycle Show is perfect, too. You can see some incredible bike builds and maybe even get inspiration for your next project.

The return of the Shakedown has certainly energized the UK’s motorcycling community, and it’s only the beginning of an exciting season of biking events and activities. Whether you’re hitting the open road on one of the UK’s scenic routes, attending another legendary biker event, or simply enjoying the company of fellow riders at a local pub, there’s no shortage of opportunities to keep the spirit of the Shakedown alive.

With the potential of more places in the UK introducing visitor levy increases, there is no better time than now to hit the open road. As bikers continue their journey after the event, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged with the community and enjoy new experiences, whether that means continuing to race, exploring new hobbies, or indulging in a bit of online fun. The Shakedown might be over, but the adventure is just beginning.

Image - Southend Shakedown, photo by Ian Evans, Ace Cafe 

article supplied

Visitors and enthusiasts can see hundreds of these beloved British cars at the National Metro & Mini Show supported by Peter James Insurance, hosted by the British Motor Museum on Sunday 1 June. This ever popular show is regarded as a favourite in the event calendar for owners of Metros, classic Minis, and modern MINIs to celebrate these iconic small car marques.

The show will also feature Concours and Show ‘n’ Shine competitions, offering visitors the opportunity to see the judges assess the cars against their Concours criteria. The competition is free to enter for vehicle exhibitor ticket holders, and entry forms are available from the website. There will be classes for Classic Mini, Metro and Modern MINI. Previous categories have included Coolest Car, Best Car Badge/Emblem, Cleanest Car and Best Colour Scheme. Visitors can also enjoy an arena where clubs will be giving talks about their cars and what makes them special. What’s more, there will be a Retro Singing Group to entertain visitors with some 1960s, 70s and 80s hits. 

On the same day, the Ford Transit Van Club will also be hosting a celebration of 60 years of the Ford Transit at the Museum. Visitors can see a display of over 75 Transits from across the years including the earliest from 1965. This early Ford Transit appeared in the 1998 Avengers Film painted black, and has now been restored back to its original white colour.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated, “There really is something for everyone, whether you love everyday classics, weird and wonderful designs and special editions! Popular with enthusiasts, the National Metro & Mini Show, supported by Peter James Insurance, is also a great hit with families. If you, your parents or grandparents owned a Mini or Metro, the displays are sure to bring back nostalgic memories. If you love these little cars, this event is a must!”

Hot meals, sweet treats and refreshments are available at the Junction 12 Café, or ice creams and burgers are available outside. Tickets for the show include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre, giving visitors the chance to see over 400 cars from the collection, including the last Rover 100 produced, which is signed by 1200 people involved in the Metro production, along with the very first Mini ‘621 AOK', the very last classic Mini produced at Longbridge ‘X411 JOP' and the Monte Carlo Rally winning Minis of 1964, 1965 and 1967.

Anyone wishing to park their Metro or Mini as part of the show displays can do so online for just £12. This includes entry to the show for the driver and one passenger for the weekend. Additional tickets are available to purchase if extra passengers are required. Advance ticket prices are £17 per adult, £9 per child (5-16 years), Under 5 free, £15 per concession and £46 for a family.

Camping is also available on Saturday 31 May for those that want to make a weekend of it. Advance camping tickets cost just £26 per pitch (max. 4 people per pitch). Camping tickets can be booked with your show entry tickets.

To find out more information about the show, please call 01926 895300, or visit the website at: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/national-metro-and-mini-show

If there’s one thing that every biker can agree on, it's the fact that the feeling of freedom when driving down an open road is unmatched and can’t be replicated. This is why most bikers stick to motorcycles.

However, if you are a biker in the market for a car, all hope is not lost. You can get a car whose satisfaction and adventure when driving are not too far from the experience when riding. Here are the top 6 cars you can consider getting as a biker.  

Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco is a favorite SUV for lovers of outdoor adventures. It has numerous features that make it an ideal option for a biker looking to get a car — from the removable rooftop and the availability of various terrain modes to the rugged retro styling paired with the most modern technology. The terrain modes include rock crawl mud/ruts, eco, slippery and sand, baja, sport, and normal, meaning that wherever the adventure takes you, navigation will not be a challenge.

The base option for the Ford Bronco comes with a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the options of either a 7-speed manual transmission with ultra-low "crawler” gear or a 10-speed automatic. The uplevel option, on the other hand, has a 330-horsepower 2.7-litre V6 that is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Subaru Outback

Regarding off-road capabilities, the Subaru Outback does not perform as well as most of the cars on this list. However, it is the perfect combination for light off-roading as an all-wheel drive with maximum interior comfort. The Outback has a spacious cargo area of 32.5 cubic feet with the rear seats upright and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

When it comes to driving power, you can opt for a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine option that delivers 182 horsepower or the 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine option that produces 260 horsepower. Whichever you go for, you can explore dirty roads, light trails, and even snow to keep your biker's adventurous spirit alive.

Chevrolet Corvette

When it comes to sports cars, the appellation for bikers has nothing to do with transporting bikes or the ability to go on adventures on rough terrain. It is all about the speed. The Chevrolet Corvette stands out with its sleek design and low stance. It exudes power when driving and offers a thrilling experience. The standard model is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine that delivers 495 horsepower.

Driving fast with the windows down is the closest you will get to feeling like you are riding a motorcycle while driving. If you are also into placing wagers, driving a Chevrolet Corvette is as exciting as finding a casino website offering maximum bonuses.

Ford Mustang  

This is another sports car that appeals to bikers purely for its performance and the thrilling driving experience it offers. This muscle car features a powerful 5.0L V8 engine that delivers  450 horsepower.

If you are a lover of cruiser motorcycles, then the iconic style of the Ford Mustang is right up your alley. The Ford Mustang offers great handling and high-performance driving, similar to the experience of riding a motorcycle.

Jeep Gladiator 

This is the truck version of the Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Gladiator is an unlimited sport utility vehicle that features high clearance and great suspension. The five-link suspension in the front and rear, as well as electronic locking differentials, speak to its off-roading prowess.

The truck comes with a versatile cargo box, making it an ideal car for transporting your bike. The base engine for the Gladiator is a 3.6-litre V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower. However, you also have the option of a 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6 engine that delivers 260 horsepower. You can enjoy driving the manual option with the standard 6-speed manual transmission or go for the automatic 8-speed option.

Toyota Tacoma 

For almost two decades, the Toyota Tacoma has held the record as the bestselling midsize pickup in the US. This is no surprise, as it has off-road capabilities, is a reliable pickup, and delivers a great driving experience. It is perfect for navigating tough terrain and remote areas while offering plenty of space to haul your bike and gear.

The Toyota Tacoma pickup is available in two models, the extended Access Cab and the four-door Double Cab. You can also choose between the rear-drive or part-time four-wheel drive option. When it comes to power, two great options are available: the 2.7-litre, 159-horsepower four-cylinder engine that has an eight-speed automatic transmission or the 3.5-litre V6 that produces 278 horsepower.

If your main priorities for getting a car as a biker are the capacity to carry bikes, the ability to navigate through rough terrain for adventures, and the same rugged appeal as motorcycles, then any SUV or pickup listed above would be perfect for you. However, if you are seeking speed and high performance to replicate the feeling of riding, then one of the two best sports cars mentioned above is what you should be looking into getting.  

article supplied

ALEX MARQUEZ #73
“If they had ask me where I would have wanted my first MotoGP race win to take place, the answer would have been “Jerez”. We managed to do it and we were aware that it was possible already from Friday. I trusted the team and when I saw Marc crashing I thought it was my best chance of the season. It was fantastic, now we try to skip tomorrow’s test.”

FERMIN ALDEGUER #54
“I must admit I’m angry and frustrated with this mistake. We could have done well, if not really well, we had the pace to be with the frontrunners. Unfortunately I paid a big price for a small mistake, but we keep learning and growing. I’d like to give my biggest congratulations to Alex, he deserves this win.”

RACE - SpanishGP 
1^st - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 
NC - FERMIN ALDEGUER #54 

World Standings 
1^st - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 – 140 points
14^th - FERMIN ALDEGUER #54 - 25 points

ALEX MARQUEZ #73
“Second again, but today it has a sweeter taste than usual. I started without too many expectations and without being fully prepared to this afternoon’s heat. Yesterday I basically didn’t lap at all, and I was a bit nervous heading into the race. Everyone else had improved compared to yesterday, while I was in a bit of a standstill because of my mistake in Practice. We’ll try to make up some ground ahead of tomorrow, in a race that is shaping up to be a complex one.”

FERMIN ALDEGUER #54
“It was an excellent sprint race; I felt comfortable on the bike already from yesterday despite Jerez being a very different track to the first four of the season and despite that, we were quick and had a good pace. We still lack plenty of experience, but to continue fighting for the top 5 would be the dream. The real goal for tomorrow is the top ten, but we like to think big.”