Fans of off-road bikes and sport will be flocking to Birmingham on 4th December for Dirt Day at Carole Nash Motorcycle Live with the news that more of the world’s top off-road racers will be appearing.

The Event has already announced the attendance of MX GP aces Sébastien Pourcel and Gautier Paulin and this has been bolstered by the news that Honda’s British MX1 champion Evgeny Bobryshev will also be at Carole Nash Motorcycle Live on 4 December.

The popular Russian will join other top level off-road racers heading for Birmingham, including Shaun Simpson, Zach Osborne, Martin Barr, Jake Nicholls, Nathan Parker and Paul Malin. But fans can do so much more than just look at new bikes and world-class riders.

Visitors from the age of five can have a go themselves on a variety of off-road riding activities, including Suzuki’s Off-road Experience which features a series of berms and straights with expert adv ice from qualified motocross experts.

Yamaha comes to Carole Nash Motorcycle Live with an indoor motocross school and an outdoor enduro experience and there’s even an opportunity for visitors to test their skill and balance in a free trials lesson in the ACU Trials Zone.

With more new off-road models on display under one roof than anywhere else in the UK, Carole Nash Motorcycle Live will also offer fans the opportunity to see the latest products up-close and personal from 27 November to 5 December, but with special attention paid to Dirt Day, when stars from the world of dirt drop in to meet fans and chat on the Black Horse stage in the Arai Entertainment Zone.

Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of Event organisers, MCI Exhibitions, said: “Naturally we're thrilled that all these top riders have chosen our Event to interact with their fans. We’re also delighted to have more new off-road product than at any other UK event. Off- road sport is incredibly important to the future of motorcycling, allowing kids to get onto two wheels at a very early stage.”

He added: “While it's fantastic to have all these great riders appearing and major manufacturers exhibiting their latest models, we're especially pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to get on and ride at the NEC, too. With several off-road experience features, you really can try motocross, trials and enduro all in one-day while taking in a freestyle MX show and getting the kids onto two-wheels for the first time.”

Carole Nash Motorcycle Live runs from 27 November – 5 December 2010. Tickets are £15 in advance for adults, £10 for Seniors, £5 for children aged 11-16 and kids under 10 go free. All riding experiences are free. The Ramp’d Up display is £5 per adult and £2.50 for children 5 - 16.

For Yamaha Off-Road and Enduro Experiences, participants must have s ome experience of having ridden a clutch-operated motorbike. For the ACU trials lessons, riders must have a valid DVLA motorcycle licence or current CBT certificate. Participation is subject to availability and can only be booked at the event. Age and height restrictions apply.

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

North west road safety initiative RideSafe BackSafe and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) are heralding their Rider Assessment Scheme a great success after nearly 150 motorcyclists  completed the courses.

The series of one day events were held monthly from April to October in Chorley, Lancashire and primarily appealed to full motorcycle licence holders wishing to improve their riding skills with help from advanced riding assessors. The format included an interactive theory session about the challenges that motorcyclists face as vulnerable road users and a one-to-one appraisal for every rider after an observed ride on local roads.

North west Regional Groups Co-ordinator for the IAM, Ian Marginson, explains; "Motorcyclists came to us from Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria and further afield and the feedback at the end of each day was always good. 90% of riders were men, although we are seeing the number of women who take part increase steadily each year. The cost of the scheme was just £20 per person and nearly half of participants also signed up for the IAM’s ‘Skills For Life’ course to improve their riding skills even further. RideSafe BackSafe has played an integral part by promoting the scheme and making an introductory presentation about how they aim to reduce casualties on the road. It has worked really well in 2010 and we are all keen to expand this next year“.

Nearly 20% of all fatal and serious injury casualties involved in road traffic collisions are motorcyclists and yet, they make up less than one percent of all road users.                                                                                                                  

RideSafe BackSafe Spokesperson, Karen Delaney, continues; “Other road users need to ‘think bike’ and ‘think biker’, but we can also help motorcyclists directly by giving them easy and affordable access to schemes such as this to develop their riding skills and improve their well-being on the roads. We would like to continue working with the IAM in 2011 and have a few new ideas that would increase the appeal and the reach of this scheme“.

More information can be viewed at either www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk or www.iam.org.uk

We are proud to announce the launch of AFGHAN HEROES CHARITY RIDERS.

We are overwhelmed by the support the Bikers have shown us and we want to work together to ensure that we create a National Framework of regions, operated under one National organisation.

Membership is priced at £35 per annum, as part of your initial membership you will receive a T-Shirt and Patch (pictured). Each region will have the freedom to organise events and runs, with the intention of all regions congregating annually at the Thunder Rally.

As a member you will also be entitled to a 10% discount on all Afghan Heroes events, including the Thunder Rally. Membership will run from 1st January - 31st December, and we are inviting membership now, to ensure that everybody has a chance to benefit for the Thunder Rally 2011, which will be held over the weekend 18/19/20th June 2011.

Afghan Heroes Charity Riders will have its own dedicated website. Within the website you will have access to Events, Calendar, Forum and a shop for purely biker merchandise of which you will be entitled to 10% DISCOUNT. We will be tying up with suppliers to get the best deals, for you.

You will also be entitled to 10% off all events which are organised by Afghan Heroes.

Afghan Heroes Charity Riders will also give back a percentage of your membership as a float to enable you to organise events and ride outs.

If you would like Stitch to attend with the Tour of Duty Bike, please get in touch with Stitch for his availability.

Regular Newsletters and updates will be emailed to keep you up to date with what is going on.

The official end of the summer is no longer an excuse for bikers to pack their bikes away for the winter, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association.

 The MCI's analysis of new Government taxation data shows that more and more UK bikers are committing to the benefits of biking all year round and 122,000 more bikes were kept taxed for road use than there were in 2005 .

 The MCI is marking the end of British Summer Time ( 31st October) by reminding all year round riders how to stay safer in the months ahead:

 Winter riding presents a number of extra hazards caused by darker nights and cold, wet weather. Slippery roads and reduced visibility are two important factors riders must take into account on their journey.

 Research has shown that cold weather reduces concentration and can impair mental function and make it more difficult to complete complex task, so it is essential that riders prepare for the reduced temperatures by ensuring they have the right kit for the weather conditions. (2)

 As winter officially starts the MCI is urging all road users , not just bike riders, to act responsibly. There are some simple safety tips that will benefit all during the British winter.

 . LIGHTS - Turn your lights on before it is fully dark - but don't dazzle on high beam

 . SPEED - Reduce speed in wintery weather conditions - fog, rain and ice

 . TYRES - Always ensure adequate tread depth and pattern and correct tyre inflation.

 . MIRRORS  - Check mirrors regularly

 . TAILGATING- Give each other extra space when road conditions are poor

 . VISIBILITY - Motorcyclists can increase their visibility by wearing clothing such as a reflective jacket

 . TEMPERATURE - Invest in some special winter kit which offers better protection from the elements and will help to keep you warm and dry in the colder months

 Steve Kenward MCI's CEO commented, "Winter riding brings its own unique challenges, but a change in seasons doesn't mean you have to put your bike away".

 "In the dark mornings ahead, riders and drivers alike need to be more vigilant for everyone's safety. Drivers in particular should not be complacent about their driving style and remember that even if they themselves are warm, comfortable and focused, other road users may be finding the conditions more challenging."

 1) DfT: Vehicle Licensing and Registration Statistics ?2009

 2) Variations in Mental Performance Under Moderate Cold Stress by Sharma in the International Journal of Biometerology (1987)