Me and my good lady going over the Humber Bridge - Adrian Spragg 

There are few things more iconic than getting on your bike and hitting the open road, your hair blowing in the wind as your engine roars like a pack of wildcats.

That incomparable feeling has been the subject of many songs throughout history, each one trying to capture just what makes riding your hog such a spiritual and overall badass experience, and to intimate the lifestyle of those that have chosen to live life in the fast lane.

While not every song that has attempted to reproduce this world has managed to be successful at it, there are many songs that manage to perfectly capture what the life of a biker is like, and give true insight into what it’s like to hit the road with a feeling of total freedom and a devil may care attitude.

So strap on your motorcycle boots and rev your engine as we explore the best biker songs of all time!

Saxon - 'Motorcycle Man'

Album: ‘Wheels of Steel’ (1980)

“If you see me riding by

Do not stop me do not try

Cause I’m a motorcycle man

I get my kicks just when I can…”

British Heavy Metal legends Saxon start off our list with the first track to their seminal album ‘Wheels of Steel’, ‘Motorcycle Man’.

Perfectly describing that feeling of being unstoppable when you are on your bike, this song’s protagonist warns the world not to try and get in his way, as he’s ready to get his kicks on whenever he can. It’s practically impossible to play this song without wanting to go for a ride.

Motörhead - "Iron Horse / Born to Lose"

Album: Motörhead (1977)

“On Iron Horse he flies

On Iron Horse he gladly dies

Iron Horse his wife

Iron Horse his life”

One of the most iconic heavy metal bands of all time, Motörhead inspired a whole generation of bikers and rockers alike.

In their first album, the iconic Lemmy Kilmister decided to dedicate this rollicking love story between a man and his bike to the infamous motorcycle gang Hells Angels, who were personal friends and unofficial bodyguards to the band at the time. 

While Lemmy’s death put an end to the bands storied career, their music and their legend live on -not to mention a line of Motörhead Whiskey, Motörhead motorcycle boots, a Motörhead slot machine at NinjaCasino and even Motörhead vibrators!

Judas Priest - "Desert Plains"

Album: Point of Entry (

“The road is straight cast

Wind's in my eyes

The engine roars between my thighs

From desert plains I bring you love”

Perhaps the go to band for the best odes to being a biker, Judas Priest has many songs that perfectly encapsulate what biker life is all about. From ‘Heading Out To The Highway’ to ‘Freewheel Burning’ and ‘Hell Bent For Leather’, they have churned out one biker anthem after another, but perhaps none better than their ultimate biker ballad ‘Desert Plains”

‘Plains’ tells the story of a lone biker tearing through the mountains and desert, as he makes his way to his lover’s arms. With its highly emotive music, funky bass line and elegant lyrics, this fan favorite makes us want to ride all night to our lover’s embrace as well.

Jimi Hendrix - 'Ezy Ryder'

Album: ‘The Cry of Love’ (1971)

“There goes ezy

Ezy ryder

Ridin’ down the highway of desire”

Inspired by 1969’s Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper’s film about counterculture bikers, this Jimi Hendrix classic wasn’t released until years after Jimi’s untimely death. First heard on 1971’s ‘Cry of Love’ collection, it tells the story of a tragic rider who lives his life riding high but is dying to be loved, as Jimi’s virtuoso guitar takes us on a journey of its own.

Twisted Sister - 'Live to Ride, Ride to Live'

Album: ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll’ (1983)

“Hard roads and endless lines

Flow through his veins

Cold steel and hot fuel injected

Is the dream that fills his brain”

Coming from Twisted Sister‘s highly underrated sophomore album, ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll’, 'Live to Ride, Ride to Live' is another heavy metal stomper to get your blood pumping. Lead singer Dee Snider might choose to wear makeup when strutting his stuff onstage, but as an avid biker he sure knows how to snarl a mean tune about answering the call of the open road.

Steppenwolf - 'Born to Be Wild'

Album: ‘Steppenwolf’ (1968)

 

“Get your motor runnin’

Head out on the highway

Looking for adventure

In whatever comes our way…”

A song that needs no introduction, Steppenwolf’s classic is by far the most emblematic biker tune that ever was, and most possibly ever will be.

Released in 1968 in their debut album, 'Born to Be Wild' became a biker anthem after its inclusion in the aforementioned ‘Easy Rider’. Originally written by Mars Bonfire as a ballad, Steppenwolf’s decision to speed up the tempo infused the song with what can only be described as pure gasoline, and the perfect song for tearing up the asphalt. 

From shed to show!

In a few weeks time we'll be able to see what's been going on in sheds and workshops around the UK. 

Bike builders of all ages and experience are putting the finishing touches to their masterpieces; they're getting ready to enter the definitive competition - which celebrates and embraces young, experienced, non-pro, professional, shed, home, garage and showroom based customisers.

We have received over 80 applications to date, with over 50 custom builders qualifying for the finals of the National Championships which will be staged at Stoneleigh Park this coming April.

Enter your custom / modified masterpiece, simply send a couple of good photos to [email protected] and they will let you know if you've qualified for the finals of the 2018 National Champs at KICKBACK.

Best Modified Triumph is sponsored by Bonnefication.com and Best Cafe Racer is sponsored by Antigravity Batteries. 

Each finalist will receive two free weekend passes for the event and one free Shed Jumble space for the purpose of selling motorbike parts, engines, accessories and spares.

More information can be found at TheCustomShow.com

In recent years, motorcyclist deaths have decreased, but serious injuries have increased. However, in 2017 motorcyclist deaths in South Yorkshire have increased. Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists (SAM) is a charity that trains motorcyclists in advanced riding skills, thus making motorcyclists safer on UK roads. When a biker does have an accident emergency services need relevant health information immediately. So, SAM has developed the Biker I.C.E. Card and are giving it away free to any biker who wants it. They will then know that, in the event of an accident, essential health information is in their wallet/purse/pocket readily available to emergency services staff at the scene.

Accidents to motorcyclists result in much more serious injuries than other road users. All methods of carrying personal 'in-case-of-emergency' (I.C.E) information have real flaws. There is often very limited information to hand, or it can only be accessed remotely when the biker is taken to hospital. It can be difficult to keep personal and health information up to date.  SAM recognised the problems and designed an easy method, the Biker I.C.E.Card, of giving every biker the ability to carry information that will help emergency services staff at the scene of an accident and/or staff at a hospital.

The Biker I.C.E. Card has all the information about a biker's identity, emergency contact, medication, ongoing illnesses and disabilities, etc. Such information is vital to emergency services staff to help in safeguarding the health and welfare of a biker casualty.

The Biker I.C.E. Card is a FREE, downloadable, editable pdf file - Go Click 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists (SAM), a charity of volunteer bikers, provides the full range of IAM RoadSmart advanced riding courses. We recognised that existing methods of carrying 'in-case-of-emergency' information have flaws. Such information may have very limited content, only be accessible remotely by a limited number of people and/or may be contained in electronic devices that may be either locked or damaged in an accident. In addition, the user may not have an easy, readily available method of changing or replacing their information to keep it relevant to their current health and welfare. The 'Biker I.C.E. Card' is printed onto A5 card/paper from any desktop printer. We recommend that the printing is protected by a spray fixative or it can be put into a small plastic pouch. A helmet sticker alerts the emergency services staff to the location of the 'Biker I.C.E. Card'. The card can be folded down to half the size of a credit card for easy storing in a biker's pocket/wallet/purse.

 

Ashley Day, Stacey Bailey, Jade Hinchliffe and Mike Wells-Burr at the top of the Cime de la Bonette, French Alps.