Solo round the world rider Steph Jeavons embarks from Ace Cafe on her METZELER Enduro 3 Sahara equipped machine

Adventure tyre specialist METZELER announces support of both Ace Cafe London’s ‘Overland and Adventure Day’ (Sunday 23rd March) and round the World biker Steph Jeavons who will set off during the event on an epic two year trip.

Jeavons will attempt to become the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe via six continents (42 countries) by motorcycle. Her attempt is all the more impressive in that she will be avoiding main roads and riding a small trail bike Honda CRF250L (equipped with METZELER Enduro 3 Sahara tyres).

Where better for Steph to set off than from Ace Cafe London’s ‘Overland and Adventure Day’ supported by METZELER which will not only see the intrepid explorer on her way but will feature other seasoned travellers such as Sam Manicom, Lois Pryce, Austin Vince, Dom Giles and Graham Field, together with stands and displays by KTM, Jack Lilley Triumph, Brubeck UK, Adventure Peru, Tours on Two Wheels and James Cargo Services.

The event marks another chapter in the strong partnership between the tyre manufacturer and the iconic London cafe; including regular supported nights plus the launch of the METZELER Calendar and the company’s road racing activities last year.

METZELER is renowned for its strong presence in the all important Adventure sector with tyres such as the Enduro 3 Sahara, the KAROO™ 3 (for true on and off road grip) and TOURANCE™ Next (for long distance road adventures).

METZELER Product & Marketing Manager Jim Worland commented, “We are really pleased to be supporting the Ace Cafe’s Overland and Adventure Day. For METZELER, motorcycling is all about the journey and the theme of the day epitomises this. We will be on hand to talk to riders about anything tyre related and with our vast experience in extreme ‘Overland’ events such as the Dakar Rally with our KAROO™ Extreme tyre, supporting seasoned globetrotters such as Miguel Silvestre with the KAROO™ 3 and with the introduction of the new TOURANCE™ Next in 2013, we can really help when it comes to giving the right advice.”

METZELER are also running a Free MOT Promotion on many of their most popular tyres including the TOURANCE™ Next, rewarding customers with a refund on their annual MOT.

To view the entire range of Adventure tyres and the full product portfolio visit: www.metzeler.co.ukand to follow Steph’s progress visit www.onestephbeyond.com

For more info about what's on at the Ace:
www.ace-cafe-london.com

SUPERBIKE legends Carl Fogarty and James Whitman are set to make a pit stop in Solihull on the latest lap of their UK chat show tour.

Foggy and Whit have been revving up audiences across the UK for the last four years with their popular stage show ‘Foggy and Whit: Givin It Gas’.

The old rivals and best of friends compete in a hilarious, highly charged race down memory lane. Neither holds back and fans are treated to an evening of candid banter – live and uncut. Fuelled by the success of their 2014 January Tour, the pair will hit the road again for three extra dates in May, including a show at the National Motorcycle Museum. "We've never been to the National Motorcycle Museum before. I can imagine they’re pretty chuffed to get a couple of old relics like us!" jokes Whit.

The lads kick start their engines at The National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on Tuesday May 13th.

And as an added bonus, any fans buying tickets for the show will also gain free entry to the museum, which contains the largest collection of British motorbikes in the world!

"It’s a win-win,” explains Foggy. “The National Motorcycle Museum is home to some of the most iconic racing bikes in the world so it’s the perfect venue for an event like this. The show itself is unscripted so even Whit and I never quite know what to expect, which is part of the fun! This is our fourth UK tour and we’ve never had one negative comment – bike fans seem to really love the format. It’s a chance to hear about some of the crazy stuff that happened off the track and never made the press.”

The show, featuring on-stage chat and questions from the audience, will last around two hours and feature a charity prize draw. Full bar & catering facilities are available at the Museum venue.

Tickets are priced at just £20 and for more details (including a great hotel offer) about how to purchase visit www.foggyandwhit.co.uk

Bikers from Shropshire and the wider Midlands area are invited to start the season off in style on Sunday 27th April 2014.

Bike4Life Fest is being held at RAF Museum Cosford in support for two local charities - the Midlands Air Ambulance and Royal Air Force Museum. The event is being run in collaboration with the Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police and this year is being supported by radio station Planet Rock and is set to be the biggest organised biker gathering in the Midlands this year.

The event will feature various trade stands, bike dealers, arena displays, live music at the Planet Rock stage and refreshments with plenty to entertain the non bikers of the family! The popular Bike4Life Ride Out will also be taking place on the same day, and is expected to attract over 2,000 bikers. Leaving from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, the 23 mile Ride Out will finish at the event at RAF Museum Cosford where all the bikers can enjoy the entertainment on offer at the Bike4Life Festival.

There will be the opportunity to speak to various local clubs and dealers, watch the activities on display in the arena and enjoy live music and food with fellow bikers. One of the main focuses of the event will be the opportunity to speak to The Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and other trainers to find out more about further training and additional courses that are out there to brush up on your biking skills.

Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership says: “It promises to be a great day out for riders. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking about buying a bike, just getting started, or have been riding for years and are an experienced biker there will be something there for everyone. Put the 27th April in your diary now so you don’t miss the event!”

With hundreds of bikers already signed up, organisers are expecting thousands will show their support on the day and join in the fun, so, if you’re a biker and you’re not already registered for the Ride Out or just want to find out more visit www.bike4lifefest.com or call the Bike4Life Festival team on 01902 376 252. Find us on Facebook by searching for Bike4Life Fest and follow us on Twitter @Bike4LifeFest.

The festival will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and visitors of all ages, not just bikers are encouraged to come along. Bikers wishing to participate in the ride out MUST have a full licence as the route to the Museum will travel along the M54 motorway.

Bikers can find out more information on the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org.

Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

Monster 1200 demonstrators now available in dealers throughout the country
• New Superbike derived 1198 Testastretta 11° DS engine
• Innovative adjustable seat
• Available from £129 per month on Ducati TriOptions finance

Ducati dealers throughout the UK have now taken delivery of their Monster 1200 demonstrators as this eagerly awaited icon arrives on UK shores.

Customers now have the opportunity to see for themselves a bike that that has been praised for the performance and fluidity of its engine, its neutral, yet agile handling and for the comfort that entices riders to come back for more.

It is twenty-one years on from the Monster’s first unveiling and Ducati now introduce the iconic model’s latest generation with the 2014 Monster 1200 and 1200 S powered by the formidable, Superbike-derived 1198 Testastretta 11° DS engine. The brand new flagship of the family presents an entirely new chassis and muscular styling designed with premium components fully integrated with Ducati’s latest technologies.

High-spec brakes, suspension, single-sided swingarm and lightweight wheels combine with Ducati’s best-yet ergonomics to offer the Italian manufacturer’s most attractive Monster ever. Super comfortable and introducing an innovative adjustable seat height, the model also combines 8-level traction control, 3-level ABS and 3-level Ride-by-Wire into Ducati’s user-friendly, press-button Riding Modes.

The standard 135hp Monster 1200 is available in red, priced at £10,695 or can be ridden away on a Ducati TriOptions finance scheme from £129 per month. The higher spec ‘S’ version is available in red and white liverie, priced at £12,995 or can be ridden away on a Ducati TriOptions finance scheme from £149 per month.

To discover the Monster 1200 and how Ducati TriOptions can make every Ducati more affordable, visit your local dealer now.

Entries for the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, closed at the end of February with a strong, high quality field confirmed for the 2014 meeting

The Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360° Superstock, Lightweight and Monster Energy Supersport categories were all over-subscribed and a star-studded group of riders will line-up at the end of May while the Formula Two Sidecar class will see over 60 outfits on the grid.

An impressive sixty-six of this year’s solo riders have already lapped at more than 120mph promising not only strong competition at the front of the field, with all the leading riders confirmed to take part, but also strength in depth. It also meant for any rider being awarded an entry they’d be in possession of a coveted and prized asset and gave organisers the tough decision of having to turn down a number of riders who may previously have received an entry in years gone by.

The entry contains eleven former solo race winners with a collective 57 wins between them whilst riders from all corners of the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Italy, USA, France, Hungary, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic and Argentina are represented.

All of the current road racing contenders have entered with strong teams including Honda Racing, Padgetts Motorcycles, BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing, Milwaukee Yamaha, Tyco Suzuki, Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki, SMT / Wilcock Racing, RC Express Racing by MSS Performance, Lincs Lifting Ltd, Wilson Craig Racing, Lloyd and Jones PR Kawasaki, Penz13.Com BMW Racing Team and Norton Motorcycles whilst new outfits on the entry include Tsingtao Racing, Team Traction Control and Riders Motorcycles BMW.

Familiar names including current Mountain Course maestro John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson, Michael Rutter, James Hillier, William Dunlop, Dean Harrison, Dan Stewart and David Johnson are all back for more with Steve Mercer, Dan Kneen, Ben Wylie and Ivan Lintin some of the leading privateers tackling the famous 37 and ¾ miles of tarmac in June.

Leading newcomers, and exciting talent, of recent years – Josh Brookes, Simon Andrews, Lee Johnson, Horst Saiger, Jamie Hamilton, Daniel Cooper, Karl Harris, Gavin Hunt and Jimmy Storrar – have reaffirmed their affinity with the TT, with impressive new names for 2014 set to include British Superbike Championship contenders Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman, former Moto 3 Grand Prix front runner Danny Webb, road race regulars Callum Laidlaw and Alan Bonner and overseas stars including Belgians Vick de Cooremeter and Laurent Hoffmann, Canadian Dan Kruger and Frenchman Franck Petricola.

A number of riders make welcome returns to the TT including former front-runners, and now team-mates, Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor. American ace Jimmy Moore, who lapped at close to 125mph in 2010, Stefano Bonetti, Michael Russell, Scott Wilson, James Edmeades and Roger Maher also return while a strong influx of talent from the Manx Grand Prix, most notably James Cowton, Michael Sweeney, Colin Stephenson, Stephen McKnight, Rab Davie, Connor Behan, Christopher Dixon and Alexander Pickett, have decided to make the step up to the TT.

The renaissance of the Formula Two Sidecar class on the Island continues with an entry again numbering over 60, nine of whom will be newcomers. Having missed out on victory last year 16-times winner Dave Molyneux, again with Patrick Farrance in the chair, will be eager to add to that tally.

Last year's first time race winners, former World Champions Tim Reeves and Ben Birchall, who will again be partnered by Dan Sayle and Tom Birchall respectively, will be looking to at least double their haul whilst John Holden and Andy Winkle will be hoping to add to their solitary success in 2011.

Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott, perennial bridesmaids, are back for another attempt following their podium last year, as are Gary Bryan/Jamie Winn, Karl Bennett/Lee Cain and Frank Lelias/Paul Knapton. Ian Bell, Nigel Connole, Carl Fenwick and Vince Biggs are four high quality drivers to make returns to the Mountain Course after a long absence, while the strong tally of 9 newcomers include Alan Founds/Tom Peters, John and Jake Lowther and the Australian father and son pairing of Dwight and Noel Beare.

The lightweight class, for Supertwin machines, has again seen an increase in entries with over 80 received, including former race winners Hillier and Farquhar, Harrison, Rutter, Michael Dunlop, Lintin, Hamilton, Johnston, Guy Martin and Amor. Gary and David Johnson and Dan Cooper should make stronger impressions on the Chinese WK machines while Cowton, Olie Linsdell, Wylie, Hunt and Rider Liaison Officer John Barton should also feature prominently as should Roy Richardson who makes his return to the TT after a two-year absence.

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, Isle of Man Government, believes that the entry list will see records tumbling again - "Not only do we have an increasingly impressive entry list at the front of the grid, with all the leading contenders competing and significant commitment from the leading manufacturers but we also have a incredible strength in depth throughout the field.”

He continued: "120mph plus laps are fast becoming the minimum benchmark at TT in the 1000cc classes with high calibre newcomers quickly demonstrating their ability on the roads. I expect this year's races not only to again have thrilling finishes with races decided by split seconds but to also see solid performances from a talented group of newcomers. It's also encouraging to see such strong entries for both the Sidecar and Lightweight Races.”