Thank you for a great day at the Classic Bike show

Amanda & Dave Beeson

As motorcyclists we all know the amount of fundraising events for good causes and charities that goes on each year that are organised and run by motorcyclists, clubs and motorcycle organisations. 

In Northern Ireland riders raise thousands of pounds each year for these various causes from Children’s Wards, Christmas Appeals, MRI Scanner Appeals, Dog Homes, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the NABD (National Association of Bikers with a Disability) and many more.      

These events are replicated across the UK, but this time, funding raising with a difference has reach our inbox from the Boundary 500 Motorcycle group based in England.      

The group has received the blessing of pre-eminent folk duo The Proclaimers and now look set to launch one of the year’s most unlikely attempts at making the pop charts.      

The Boundary 500 Motorcycle group has enlisted the help of North-East band The Happy Cats, fronted by ex-Lindisfarne vocalist Marty Craggs, in re-recording I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers’ signature song.  Sales of the song will raise money for two of the region’s best-loved charities, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.

The lyrics of the song have been changed to reflect the bikers’ dedication to the two causes, and the song itself has been given the new title I’m Gonna Ride 500 Miles.   Brian Laverick, leader of the Boundary 500 group, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work putting this together, but the end product is something I think we can be really proud of. We even got the thumbs up from The Proclaimers themselves. Song sales of about 3,000 in the week should see us enter the top 40 which would be a phenomenal achievement in itself, but would also raise lots of money for these two great charities.”  

Mark Guidery, chief executive at Zoë’s Place, said: “Brian and his group continue to amaze us with their fundraising efforts. We hope residents of the region get behind the group’s latest efforts and provide a real boost to our fundraising in the run up to Christmas.”  

Grahame Pickering, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “The charities get a donation for every single sold, so we are hoping all our supporters get behind this fantastic fundraiser.”   The Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group was formed in June 2006 and was established primarily to support GNAAS and later added to its nominated charities Zoë's Baby Hospice.  

The Group takes its name from the approximate distance around the boundary area of the air ambulance charity. Every year, bikers from the group ride the 500 mile journey to boost fundraising. It has raised more than £310,000 for GNAAS and £106,000 for Zoë’s Place since it began.  

In a statement, Charlie and Craig Reid, of the Proclaimers, said: “Our very best wishes to the Happy Cats’ and everyone in the Boundary 500”  

 The song is available for 79p via iTunes and in CD and DVD format for £3 at www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/shop

At Right To Ride we think that the Boundary 500 may be on to a hit with the recording of the Proclaimers 500 miles/bikes.

The Boundary 500 say, “Please help us make this a Christmas number 1.”   Information   The Groups next major event is on Saturday 8th December 2012 when they hold their annual 22 miles Motorcycle Santa Ride for Zoë's Baby Hospice.

Further details are on the Groups web site.   www.boundary500.co.uk

THE BIKER GUIDE® is pleased to announce as of the 16th November, 2012 the name and brand has been trademarked.

To secure THE BIKER GUIDE® name, brand and ethos we registered with the Trade Marks Registry on 15th June, 2012 and after a 3 month wait are delighted to announce that we can now officially use the ® sign and also avoid others from using our good name.

What is a brand?

A brand is a 'promise of an experience' and conveys to consumers a certain assurance as to the nature of the product or service they will receive. Intellectual property rights provide legal protection for some of the most important aspects of a brand.

Registered under Class 35:

Advertising; business management; business administration; advertising services provided via the Internet and printed publications; production of television and radio advertisements; trade fairs; opinion polling; data processing; provision of business information; compilation of directories for publishing on global computer networks or the internet.

Former works Yamaha mechanic Ferry Brouwer has confirmed his support for the inaugural Classic TT Races due to be held in August 2013 by entering his world renowned Yamaha Classic Racing Team.

The YCRT will contest the 250cc, Formula 1 and Formula 2 Classic classes. Classic racing veteran, Manxman Allan Brew will lead the team, contesting the 250cc and the Formula 2 Classic TT Races. Allan, one of the most respected riders on the Classic racing scene in the UK and Ireland, has already stood on the podium at the Manx Grand Prix, taking third place in the 2008 Senior Classic MGP Race.

Three modern day TT competitors join Allan in the YCRT line up, all contesting the new Formula 1 Classic TT Race. Steve Mercer, winner of the 2009 TT Newcomers award, will ride a YEC spec 750cc OW01 machine, whilst fastest ever American to lap the TT Course, Mark Miller, will ride a replica of fellow Californian Eddie Lawson’s 1986 Daytona 200 winning 0U45 works machine. Former British 125cc Champion and up and coming TT star Daniel Cooper completes the line up and will delight fans when he rides the superb 0W45 (TZ500) Yamaha two stroke machine.

The Yamaha Classic Racing Team is a permanent fixture on the international classic motorcycle scene, regularly taking part in prestigious parade events with Dutchman Brouwer’s unique collection of exotic Yamaha machinery. Regular riders on the YCRT bikes include World Champions such as Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Steve Baker, Dieter Braun, Kel Carruthers, and Carlos Lavado as well as GP racers Svend Andersson and Jos Schurgers. However the inaugural Classic TT in 2013 will be the team's first competitive racing outing.

As well as their racing efforts, the YCRT also plan on running a full line up of parade machines and riders at the Classic TT, details of which will be announced at the upcoming Motorcycle Live event at the Birmingham NEC.

Speaking about his teams racing debut, YCRT owner Ferry Brouwer said:

“It has been my dream for many years to see my bikes being raced and there is nowhere other than the Classic TT Races and the TT Mountain Course that I would do this. We believe the plans that are being developed for this event will capture the hearts and minds of classic racing fans all around the world, and become the world’s biggest event for classic racing motorcycles. We are therefore proud to be part of these exciting plans and can’t wait to get to the Island next August.”

“I am delighted with the line up of riders we have been able to secure and I am sure Allan, Steve, Mark and Dan will do an excellent job in representing our team in our competitive racing debut. 8 times World Champion Phil Read will be joining us as an advisor to the team and I am sure his unrivalled experience will be invaluable to all of our riders.”

Trevor Hussey, Head of Motorsport, Isle of Man Government, commented:

"It is a real coup for the Classic TT races to have the commitment from this world renown team. Their participation gives the event real credibility in its first year and promises to be a great experience for classic racing fans."

Compass Expeditions is very excited to announce that they will be sponsoring the privateer team of SimonPAVEY.com/Delta Kunststoffe Husqvarna UK for the 2013 Dakar Rally.

Compass Expeditions has signed up as a sponsor with the privateer team of SimonPAVEY.com/Delta Kunststoffe Husqvarna UK. Simon Pavey will participate in his 9th Dakar with co rider Canadian Don Hatton.

“Its is a great thrill to be involved with Simon and the team in this way” says Mick McDonald, Compass Expeditions Co-founder, “it enables us to be somewhat involved in this iconic rally, Simons 9th, and to see the Compass Expeditions logo on the graphics of the bike makes it even more exciting” continues Mick.

Simon and the team will be producing a web based documentary; “Making Dakar is something that I’m really excited about. People are always asking me about the preparation for Dakar, the training, bike building, scrutineering and all the bits that the TV isn’t able to cover. It’s our way of giving something to Dakar fans that I think is being missed at the moment.” Says Simon Pavey

Simon will also be in Australia August 2013 for some off road training in the Flinders Ranges in conjunction with Compass Expeditions.

 For more information contact 1300 887 327 (within Australia) or +61 3 5368 2113 (outside Australia) [email protected] 

or visit www.compassexpeditions.com