Thunder Thursday @ The Leadburn Inn 
Bike Night @ Jacks Hill Cafe
You've Been Nabbed 26
Touratech Travel Event 2017 
International Female Ride Day
Jeff Mountjoys Big Ride Out
Motorcycle Sprint - Hoghton Tower
Haynes Breakfast Club
Despatch Rally
North West 200

See more details on the main WHAT'S ON section for May here

Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart and Auto Express, the UK’s biggest-selling car magazine, teamed up to find out which are the deadliest behind-the-wheel distractions with programming a sat-nav found to be the worst.

Auto Express consumer editor Joe Finnerty was put to the test alongside British Formula 3 hopeful Jamie Chadwick in a professional racing simulator at Base Performance Simulators in Banbury. They were both assessed to see how they coped with the most common distracting tasks on UK roads, while completing timed laps and braking at a specific point. On hand was IAM RoadSmart’s head of technical policy, Tim Shallcross, to monitor the findings.

The results proved shocking, with a massive difference in performance between distractions. Entering a postcode into a sat-nav app proved to be the worst, followed by sending a text message. Other tasks carried out included eating, drinking, making a phone call and talking to a passenger.

Tim Shallcross said: “There was still a significant speed reduction for Joe when using a sat-nav, and even the ultra-focused Jamie completely missed the stop line. The moral? Those warning screens about not entering details on the move are there for a reason – don’t ignore them.”

On texting Tim said: “Joe would have been a menace to other road users; the car was more or less out of control. Jamie’s caution reduced the distraction in critical zones, but a sudden incident would have left her unable to take avoiding action.”

The least distracting task for lap time was talking to a passenger, but it still ranked very poorly for the braking test. Tim said: “It was the least distracting of all in terms of lap times, but interestingly, both drivers failed to brake accurately at the target line. Their ability to drive normally confirms the difference between the extra distraction of a phone conversation and the natural act of talking to a passenger, but still shows that any distraction reduces attention, and in an emergency, it might be critical.”

Steve Fowler, Auto Express editor-in-chief, said: “These results highlight just how important it is that drivers give their full attention to the road ahead. We’ve seen the staggering numbers of people who are still using phones at the wheel and these tests show how dangerous they can be – whether it’s texting, calling or programming the sat-nav. More work needs to be done to target those who still think it’s acceptable to use a phone while driving.”

If not, there is still time...
Tickets will be available if you order by phone 0844 415 4849 up to 3pm Friday 28th April.
Or if you go online www.nabd.org.uk up to midnight Saturday 29th April.

New venue for 2017 - You've Been Nabbed 26 will be held at The Royal Cheshire Showground, Flittogate Lane, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HJ on 5th - 7th May 2017.

The new rally site has hard-standing on two sides so it should not be as vulnerable to being churned-up in wet weather as the old Astle Park site was on two recent occasions.

There are three separate marquees, each boasting live on-stage entertainment, disco and licenced bar. Unlike many other events the marquees are liberally furnished with tables and chairs (because creature-comforts are important though wide clearways are maintained to allow easy access for wheelchair users.

The hardest things to describe about this event are the marvellous party atmosphere and the wonderful level of camaraderie amongst the 3,000+ people in attendance. To understand these things you just have to attend!

The NABD is a registered charity, established in 1991, that helps and supports disabled motorcyclists.

The You’ve Been Nabbed rally is the main annual showcase/fundraising event of The National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD).

www.nabd.org.uk

On Saturday June 3rd, the UEFA Champions League Final will be held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the Welsh capital city and two-time European Capital of Sport. For bikers around the UK and beyond this means only one thing: it's road trip time! 

If ever we needed an excuse to get on our motorcycles, then this is it. The Champions League is a football match of the highest calibre, an international sporting event held right on our doorstep. It would be rude not to get involved.

And here's the way to get involved, whether you are a fan of the beautiful game or not. Get on the blower to your friends, get on your motorcycle, and take a planned route down to Cardiff to see what the fuss is all about.

If you are riding from London, the fastest and most direct route is to take the M4 through Reading and Swindon, and carry on straight through to newport and Cardiff. This ride is about 150 miles and won't take long if you put your foot down.

But we're not always about the most direct route. As you all know, the pleasure is in the ride itself, not just in arriving at the destination. Consider heading towards Oxford, either using the M40 or by taking smaller roads if you prefer, and then jump on the A40 to enjoy the AONB the Cotswolds. Take a further detour and go around the River Seven at Gloucester. From here, you can drive through the stunning Wye Valley before arriving in Cardiff.

A road trip from the North of the UK also offers equally promising opportunities for scenery and the freedom of the road. The most direct route is to take the M6 to Birmingham and then the M5 to Ross on Wye before joining the M4 to Cardiff, but this is not the route that we recommend. There are much more attractive options.   

Instead, take the A55 at Chester along the north coast of Wales towards Bangor. This is great road for thrills and ocean views. From Bangor, you can either continue around the whole of the Welsh coastline until you hit Cardiff in the south, or you can cut through Snowdonia National Park to take to the lonely mountain roads and then head on through Brecon Beacons. Both are stunning options. 

Once you reach Cardiff you will need somewhere to stay, and even if you plan on staying at a campsite or a B&B that is far out of the city you should consider booking long in advance to secure accommodation. There are plenty of options available both indoors and outdoors. If you prefer a quieter location away from the football crowds (to get the best of both worlds), then consider a stay at nearby Newport, or venture further into the countryside and stay at the Afan Forest Park or Brecon Beacons.

Tickets for the Champions League Final are no longer available through UEFA, but some will be available to the public and sold by the semi-final winners.

You don't have to have a ticket to enjoy the final. The atmosphere around Cardiff is set to be electric, and there will be plenty of pubs and venues to enjoy the game. You could also consider taking a bet on the outcome to increase the adrenaline. Real Madrid and Juventus are currently joint favorites to win the competition, though Atletico Madrid and Monaco are both worthy competitors.

There are four excellent teams left in the competition this year, and a great UK city to host the game. Motorcycle enthusiasts – it's time to start planning the road to the Cardiff Champions League Final! 

You've Been Nabbed 26 (5th – 7th May 2017)
The Cheshire Showground, Tabley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0HJ

The entrance to the Showground is on Pickmere Lane adjacent to the end of Flittogate Lane. (Not far from Junction 19, M6). Please note that the postcode above will take you to the wrong end of Flittogate Lane.

For several very valid reasons we have been asked by the Police and the Highways people at Cheshire East Council not to use the Windmill Pub junction of the A556 and Pickmere Lane for event traffic coming from the M6 junction 19 roundabout.

If you are coming from the direction of the J19 M6 roundabout you should follow the ‘NABD’ signs along the A556 then fork right onto the A559 into Lostock Gralam for a 3/4mile, then turn right onto Hall Lane. At the first crossroad turn right onto Pickmere Lane the Showground Entrance is on the right two-miles along Pickmere Lane.

Please Note: There is no right turn permitted into Flittogate Lane off the A556.

If you are travelling on the A556 from the direction of Davenham & Chester you can turn left into Flittogate Lane then follow it to the T-junction at the other end and the entrance is 20 yards to your left.

These routes will be signed with “NABD” directional signs.

Be Aware- There are quite a few speed cameras on the A556 in both the Manchester and Chester directions.

The site will be open for Traders and Marshals only from 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 4th.

The rally will officially open to the public at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 5th.

Please remember that NO ALCOHOL OR GLASS BOTTLES will be permitted through the gate (don’t panic the bar prices will be cheap). Please respect this – anyone found with alcohol NOT purchased at the rally will have the items confiscated or be asked to leave the rally.

The enclosed tickets must be handed over for entry to the event. No refunds will be made before, at or after the event for any reason.

Please remember no dogs will be permitted on site (except licensed disability assistance dogs, by prior arrangement only).

If you wish to leave the site at any time please ensure you collect a pass-out from the gate or you will be charged for re-entry.

Car passes can be purchased at the gate (previous restrictions have been lifted). Caravans/mobile homes still need to purchase passes via the NABD office or website. Blue badge holders do not need a car pass, however, they do need their blue badge with them when entering with their vehicle.

We reserve the right to check vehicles for alcohol and/or dogs when you enter the site.

See www.nabd.org.uk for tickets and other info:

Ride Safe, Arrive Safe, And Party With A Purpose!

Rick Hulse
NABD Chairman