More and more websites keep popping up that feature female bikers…..what is going on?? Check out Women ADV Riders which has an enviable selection of great stories from around the world – WIMA members please make 2017 a wonderful year by sending us your stories of adventure and daring do! Send please to our webmistress so that they can be put up on the WIMA site.
Member of the year for 2016 is Sue Barnes. Sue was presented with the trophy by WIMA GB president Val Newman at a recent outing to Squires Cafe Bar in Leeds.
Take a look at the new BMW Motorrad Zero Emission Engine concept bike – Glasses instead of a helmet, light clothing, full balance without a stand: just three of a great many aspects which could become standard in motorcycling and give that feeling of freedom a new dimension in an increasingly digital world. And the best thing about it: this vision vehicle is already here. Introducing the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100.The futuristic two-wheeler glides silently through the hall. In the curve in front of the stage, the frame bulges out and the BMW logo affixed on the size illuminates in blue and white. The rider, equipped with a black suit and stylish glasses, brings her vehicle to a stop and remains poised in that position without taking a foot off the frame. It’s like a scene from a sci-fi film. And although it does all happen in the motion picture capital Los Angeles, it is nevertheless absolutely real. The vision vehicle, which is celebrating its world premiere at the “Iconic Impulses. The BMW Group Future Experience” exhibition, catapults you into the 40s of the 21st century.
A time when mobility is yet more diverse and interconnected; a time when digitalization takes on a shape which we today perceive to be surreal; a time when motorcycling becomes an analogue and at the same time extraordinarily emotional experience. “The motorcycle provides my escape from everyday life. From the moment I climb on board, I experience nothing but absolute freedom – The Great Escape,” says Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad.
[kad_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/5ttEkFMwLbk” width=800 height=500 ]
Together with his design team, Edgar Heinrich drafted this future scenario and designed the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT vision vehicle based on that. “When we develop a motorcycle, we are usually thinking around five to ten years in the future. So taking a look further into the future was especially exciting for us and highly appealing,” Edgar Heinrich paints the picture. Designers are assuming that in 20 years, most vehicles will be driving around autonomously. Life will more often take place in urban environments and be organized by digital services. More and more digital, more and more interconnected, more and more automated. This thought made it clear what importance will be attached to analogue islands which give humans back that feeling of freedom.
Freedom means experiencing the environment with all your senses, and feeling centrifugal forces, acceleration and the wind. Ideally without a helmet or protective clothing. And with the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100, you don’t need this any more either. Because the “digital companion” – a functional unit consisting of motorcycle and our own version of rider’s equipment – ensures a high degree of safety. The digital companion acts imperceptibly in the background and always intervenes when required or desired. “It was important to us that the analogue riding experience would remain undisturbed. The display and operating concept acts so discreetly that it creates a natural and familiar movement,” explains Holger Hampf, head of design, customer experience, at the BMW Group.
All new – and yet the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 still captures elements from the BMW Motorrad timeline: black triangular frame, white lines, classical opposed-twin engine type. In the side-on view, the vision vehicle looks naked. Accordingly, ergonomics and seat position are set up like on a roadster. The design of the front is minimalistic and refined with high-quality detailing. Above the front wheel, a large metallic reflector is integrated in the frame. It serves as a wind guide and together with the integrated windscreen, ensures aerodynamically optimized airflow.
Body elements like the seat, the upper frame cover and the front-wheel cover are made of carbon. Two intricate red light fixtures beneath the seat serve as the tail light and turn indicators. The tyres have a damping function and actively adapt to the terrain. The red rocker arm on the right handlebar stands out. Designed as a consciously mechanical element, it blocks the throttle grip or releases it.
The frame follows the wheel.
The black triangular frame is visually reminiscent of the R 32 from 1923 – the first BMW motorcycle. However, the frame has functionally little to do with the original. The Flexframe is flexible and allows steering manoeuvres without the joints we are familiar with today. If the handlebars are moved, the entire frame changes shape and facilitates the change in direction. Depending on the traffic situation, the forces required for this vary: steering manoeuvres are especially easy at a standstill, while the frame firms up at high speeds. The surfaces are attached so that they offer the wind and weather protection of a fully enclosed motorcycle. The surface of the frame is made of matt black textile. The BMW Logo affixed to the frame lights up blue and white during the ride.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK’s leading voice for riders’rights, has raised major concerns about a ridiculous new ‘tax on biking’ in the county’s capital city.
An ‘Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ),’ will impose the same daily tax of £12.50 on riders of non-compliant PTWs as car drivers.
Dr Leon Mannings, MAG’s Policy and Campaigns Adviser, has been in extensive talks with the ULEZ team leaders in Transport for London (TfL). However, and despite explaining that all types of PTW are a vital element in solving London’s congestion and pollution problems, the current plan is to impose new taxes on motorcycles as if journeys by PTWs cause as much pollution as cars or vans that are often stationary in jammed traffic.
‘What the authorities fail to recognise,’ explains Leon, ‘is that taxing motorcycles is counterproductive and in MAG’s view is totally unjustified. As TfL’s own study of PTW emissions in 2011 clearly showed, trips by all types of motorcycle produce far less CO2 and NOx compared to cars when emissions from the same real-time journeys are compared. PTWs do not cause congestion whereas cars and vans do – no matter how energy-efficient they are claimed to be.’
Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org
Over recent days, many media stories have echoed MAG’s concerns regarding the emphasis on the construction of segregated cycle lanes. In a Daily Mail article by Tom Rawstorne (entitled ‘Cycle lanes lunacy! More and more are being built across Britain, causing gridlock and pollution. But the maddest thing of all? They’re often EMPTY’), he highlights the issues relating to the cycle lane agenda.
‘The trouble is that it is only now, with many of the changes finally being implemented, that other road users are starting to fully feel their impact’ writes Mr Rawstorne. ‘Gridlocked streets bordered by cycle lanes that seem virtually empty outside the rush-hour. Partly as a result, the capital is said to be the world’s most congested city, with the average driver spending 101 hours in traffic last year, according to transport experts INRIX.’ Rawstorne adds that ‘traffic delays are up, while average vehicle speeds in Central London have fallen to 7.4mph — slower than a horse-drawn carriage in the 18th century.’
‘We’ve been raising these issues for years because we saw this crisis coming,’ confirms MAG’s Chair, Selina Lavender. ‘The massive increase in cycle lanes is not based on any objective calculation of danger. The already limited London road space has been squeezed further by
dedicating swathes of it to cycle lanes which are under-used. Cycle lanes that have been built with huge amounts of taxpayers money for the benefit of a very few. Even many cyclists, it seems, never wanted them.’
MAG believes the negative reaction to cycle lanes is set to increase. ‘We’re working with authorities to bring some common sense to the debate. The current approach is based on fashion, not logic or any sense of proportionality regarding bikers and other road users who are suffering gridlock for the sake of the cycling agenda. That’s bad business, bad environment policy and a terrible way to treat the 97%+ road users who aren’t cyclists.’
John Abram and Michael W George have been active members of the VMCC (Vintage Motor Cycle Club) for many years now, both own several motorcycles and have a common interest in all things “motorcycle related” for bikes of all ages (not just solely those over 25 years of age).
They regularly attend, often organise, and help support motorcycle events, displaying race bikes and supporting charities and good causes. In doing so they meet some very hard working and interesting people and many well-known celebrities on the way to boot!
Over the last few years they found that there was a great need for regular information and news with the ever expanding interest in motorcycles, both Classic and Modern, and the related products and services required to keep them well maintained and safe. There is also a need for a novice (and even a hardened veteran) to know where they can obtain certain parts or services from a trusted recommended source.
To go someway towards satisfying these needs John developed a system of communication by text and emails sending them to those people who expressed an interest in becoming involved and Michael wrote and submitted many articles and photographs onto their local VMCC website and published several within the VMCC’s International monthly journals. They also actively support trusted traders and suppliers of whom they had dealt with, or had first hand knowledge of, and all of this has become extremely successful and popular, supported by many well-known celebrities and businesses.
John has a regular slot on BBC Radio Lancashire, on John Gilmore’s (Gilly) show to chat about all things motorcycle related and motorcycle events and Michael has also joined him as a guest speaker. This soon developed into many organised and extremely well attended “live” outside broadcasts at a variety of interesting venues.
With an ever increasing number of interested parties and demand, not only from fellow VMCC members, but also from non members, traders, friends and colleagues it seemed only natural to consider creating an informative website of their own.
Their aim was to produce a website of interest, of events and news and of reference, the “Ultimate Motorcyclists Directory” but they could never have envisaged just how successful it would become. Within months of launch the site became International with thousands of visits per week!
John and Michael sincerely hope that you find this website creative, interesting and informative and they wish you all safe and happy motorcycling.
As I write this I have been home from Hungary less than 48 hours, and I am still buzzing from the International Rally. What an awesome week! There were 12 from WIMA GB, including 2 guests, and we represented you in every aspect – on the bikes, in the pool, on the dance floor, in the bar, bull riding, tethered football, eating, on the parade ride, winning raffle prizes, raising money for MOR, and at the National Presidents’ meeting. It was a “full on” week, in temperatures around 30C each day, apart from Thursday, when we had some drizzle, and Saturday, when we returned the hire bikes, riding to Budapest in torrential rain. What a good job I practised for this riding home from Disserth!
On the adage that “pictures speak a 1000 words”, and that guest editor Jan Salihi is waiting for this, here is a pictorial report, click on an image and scroll through the selection to see the captions.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK’s leading voice for riders’ rights, is lobbying Harlow Council for a change in the terms of an injunction directed at preventing anti-social behaviour in the local area. MAG has already been in close communication with the Council, but the issue has yet to be fully resolved.
MAG’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik, has had two meeting arranged – both of which were postponed at short notice by the authority. A new date has been arranged – on16th August – but MAG is concerned this is some time away.
MAG’s Chair, Selina Lavender, has expressed worries that this delay could fuel unrest among the law abiding motorcycling community. Selina says, ‘so far, MAG has been able to secure the patience of riders, on the basis of discussions taking place between MAG and the authority. This is a key reason why Lembit is very keen to have the meeting as soon as humanly possible is to secure meaningful progress in regard to the injunction and its wording so that the matter can be put to rest.’
Selina has written to the authority, asking for the meeting to occur well before the 16th August – more specifically, in the week beginning the 25th July. Selina adds, ‘I am acutely aware of the level of unease the current situation is causing. I’d be very grateful for the local authority’s assistance with resolving the matter as soon as possible.’
MAG will keep the riding community updated on developments as they happen. Lembit says ‘this is a key priority for me, and I’m acutely aware that we simply have to separate the content of the injunction and what the authority is trying to do in terms of dealing with antisocial behavior. The problem isn’t bikers, it’s hooligans who just happen to be using bikes. It’s unfortunate that the injunction appears to discriminate against powered two wheelers, which I know wasn’t the intention. We’ll get this fixed amicably. But it does need to be fixed.’
Update November 2016: MAG has increased the pressure on Harlow Council for a resolution to the on-going dispute about an injunction which bans groups of riders from travelling through the borough at certain times of day.
‘The problem is that while the Council have a real anti-social behaviour problem to deal with in the area, they’ve taken the wrong path to address it,’ says MAG’s Essex representative, John Metcalf. ‘What the injunction actually does is prevent law-abiding riders from going through the town in the daytime, even if there are only two of them. The Council says it won’t enforce the injunction against those who are riding sensibly, but no law which technically illegalises reasonable behaviour is a good law.’
MAG is making another effort to make progress with the officer of Harlow Council, and specifically the legal team there. However, if these talks fail to materialise, then the campaign may move towards more direct action. ‘MAG always prefers to achieve a negotiated solution,’ adds John. ‘But if we continue to find resistance from the local authority in terms of even talking about the options, then the next step is to create a series of events to test the stupidity of these rules. That’s a lot of hassle and potentially embarrassing for the Council, but since this injunction is being repeatedly introduced around the UK, we have to make a stand and put a stop to regulations which outlaw honest biking.’
MAG has been in contact with Kent police following the appearance of a worrying film clip on YouTube suggesting that police might be using a stinger device to stop motorcyclists indulging in anti-social behaviour outside the Oakdene Café in Kent.
MAG Chair Selina Lavender explained “The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is very clear that our mission is to defend riders’ rights, not anti-social behaviour. It is regrettable that some who choose to ride motorcycles and scooters choose to behave in manner that MAG and the general biking community find unacceptable as do the general public. We do not condone this behaviour and support the police in protecting the safety of the public whilst bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
Kent police have responded immediately to MAG’s enquiry explaining that the stinger that appeared in the film clip would not be used in anything but the most extreme circumstances.
The police have agreed to meet MAG representatives and a meeting is expected within days.
MAG will publicise the results of this meeting.
Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org
Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) Press Release
Blanket ban on pre-1999 bikes in Paris ‘makes no logical sense:’ MAG
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has hit out against Paris authorities which have announced plans to outlaw all motorcycles manufactured before June 1 1999 between 8am and 8pm from the city. The measure, scheduled to begin on July 1 2016, will be enforced with a €35 fine from 1st October. The ban was agreed by the Minister of Environment, the City of Paris, and the transport authorities.
The new policy contains some glaring contradictions, and the level of pollution generated by vehicles does not seem to be the key consideration. Vehicles in Paris already require a coloured badge to show the emissions group they belong to. Yet pre-1999 bikes will be banned regardless of the colour of the badge. That means that, even if a bike is ‘clean,’ it will be excluded from the city solely on the basis of age.
MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, has strongly rejected what she regards as an unfair and counter-productive scheme. ‘Whatever problems Paris has with air quality aren’t going to be fixed by a blanket ban on older bikes. For one thing, even an aging scooter has a tiny environmental footprint compared to most new cars. So what’s the logic of banning a ‘good’ form of transport on the basis of what looks like political dogma? Also, the total amount of road traffic made up of older bikes and pre-1997 cars – which will also be banned – is less than 10%. Of that, a miniscule proportion is bikes and scooters. So it makes no logical sense to ban this two-wheeled section of road traffic – as there’s going to be no measurable difference to air quality. It’s a discriminatory, badly thought out move which will make Paris hugely unattractive to thousands of owners of older and classic bikes.’
London is considering an ‘ultra-low emissions zone’ by 2020, which would introduce heavy charges for vehicles that do not meet stringent emissions standards. MAG has repeatedly raised the same concerns about this move as it is about the Paris ban. ‘MAG is happy to work with the authorities to find sensible solutions to common concerns,’ adds Selina. ‘What we won’t tolerate is the systematic exclusion of one of the most eco-friendly forms of powered vehicles ever invented, just because the decision-makers haven’t bothered to take a strategic – and sane – look at the consequences of what they’re doing.’
New Pictures from the 2016 WIMA Rally that took place on the 12th-13th of June in Diserth, Wales have been uploaded to our gallery. Take a look and come back soon for the written account of the WIMA exploits which will be posted soon along with more pictures.
As a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who have had a great deal of pleasure from bikes and the biking community over the years we try to give a bit back by supporting our local bike charity.
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We don’t just want to buy your motorcycle, we want you to sell us your motorcycle and tell all your friends how easy and straight forward it was.
With this goal in mind we try to make the process of selling your motorcycle as quick and pain free as possible. You get a free, accurate & instant on-line valuation (we are the only bike buying website that does this) which gives you the best price for your motorcycle on any particular day. For more information please do visit our website.
We just learned that one rider a month does not survive the twisty, mountainous road from Ronda to San Pedro. Just as well we didn’t know that a few days earlier when Liz and I rode that exact road….in the wet! However that day, we’d had our ‘sensible heads’ on and, however much the temptation was to twist the throttle and look up at the amazing views, we went gingerly and carefully on the slippery roads. We also rode a bit and then stopped properly, at viewing points, to take in the full, sweeping vistas over the coast
of Malaga and looked at the sparkling sea, hundreds of metres below.
Today, however, the sky was blue and the roads dry. I’m riding a BMW 650GS and Liz is riding a BMW F800 R, hired from BMWMotohire.com. The bike tyres were warm, as we’d just blasted forty minutes or so, from our mountain base in Teba, to the mountains of Parque Natural, just west of Ronda. Turning off the A374 main road, we started on the gentle twists and turns, through cherry trees about to blossom and cork trees stripped of their bark, towards the pretty little mountain village of Grazelema where we stopped for coffee. We probably sat warming ourselves in the spring sun a little too long, because gradually, quite few tourist buses spilled their passengers out into the square of this quaint little town, disturbing our peace and quiet enjoyment.
Climbing higher, to over 1200 meters, we wound our way, twisting and turning, mostly in second gear, up to the top of Mount Prieto. From there, we looked down from our lofty perch, for miles and miles over the turquoise reservoir known as the Embalse de Zahara. It was really, really, turquoise, as if painted by a child, exaggerating the deepness of the colour. Somehow, it just didn’t quite look real!
There were few cars, but several super fit cyclists, puffing their way to the top. So we had to be careful not to cut blind corners and to keep to the correct side of the narrow D road we now found ourselves on. The road down to the lake was steep, first gear steep in places, so we carefully used a lot of engine braking and rear brake to complement the squeeze on the front brake. At one point, we caught up with a nervous car driver, also in first gear, jumping on and off the brakes in full panic mode. It took a bit of careful
negotiation, not to scare them even further, by getting too close to make an overtake, without them feeling pressured into going faster and making a serious mistake. The metal Armco barrier on the steep bends, had mostly given way to solid blocks of two-foot high, white painted concrete, castellating the side of the road. I wondered if they would be more effective (or not) than the Armco, in trying to prevent anyone from going over the vertiginous drop over the side of the mountain? Either way, I didn’t want to put them to the
test! I concentrated hard, looking for the vanishing point at each bend , watching for it to move away, close up, or just stay still, before making my decision to slow down or speed up. I worked the throttle, brakes and clutch briskly and carefully, knowing my life probably depended on each tiny little decision.
The road from Grazelema to Zahara is spectacular if you have a head for heights and you know what you’re doing on a motorbike. It was described by a journalist of a famous biking magazine as ‘a road so perfect, yet so challenging, that riding it is as close as he has come to having a transcendent experience’.
After the intense concentration of the tight mountains bends, it was a joyful relief when we reached the lake and started on the flat, wide-open, sweeping bends of the road that followed along beside the water. Liz now took the lead and spurred us both on with a fast change of pace. At last, we found the sixth gear that had eluded us in the mountains and thoroughly enjoyed tipping the bikes over from side to side, riding fast into and out of each curve. It was thrilling to ride fast with such an experienced and safe rider, who closely matched my own riding ability. Adding to the thrill, I hurried and cajoled on the small underpowered 650cc bike, in an attempt to catch up Liz on the 800cc…..Not a chance!
Liz and I had come to Andalucia to ride some of the most beautiful mountain roads in Europe. We both also wanted to achieve a longhand ambition to see the Alhambra in Grenada. It took us about two hours, in the early cold morning, zapping fast along the motorway to get to Grenada from Teba, but the journey was well worth the effort. If you’re ever in this area of Spain, you just have to put the Alhambra on your ‘must see’ list. The ancient walled city and palace is one of the most important architectural structures of the Middle Ages and the finest example of Islamic art in the Western world. It also contains the most elaborate gardens, with ponds, waterways and beautiful fountains. There are shady, hidden courtyards, balconies and ingenious methods of catching the cool breezes definitely needed in the heat of an Andalucian summer, but not at this time of the year!
Liz is extremely knowledgeable about plants and could correct my poor memory and names for plants and flora and was therefore an excellent trip buddy not just for the motorcycling, but also for the visit to the Alhambra. It really is a rather special place!
For anyone who fancies a few days away biking in the Spanish mountains, all that’s needed is a low cost return flight to Malaga and a booking with www.bmwmotohire.com. They can provide accommodation in Teba, a range of different motorcycles to hire and transport to and from Malaga airport. There are plenty of little restaurants within 15 mins walk from the accommodation and for those travelling in the summer, the accommodation includes a lovely swimming pool and the most stunning views over the mountains, that I have ever seen anywhere in Spain.
I understand that Liz might be in the process of making a short video clip of our adventures for anyone that might be interested.
Meanwhile, if you fancy giving a ‘mini adventure’ like this a go and would like further information about how to do it, please do drop me a line at suebarnes@ntlworld.com
MAG has announced that one of the leading campaigners for motorcyclists’ rights, Neil Liversidge, is resigning as Director of the organisation. Neil, who was one of the key leaders as MAG restructured itself into a proactive, politically energetic movement, said ‘I wish MAG, the staff and all of you personally all the well in the world, and I exhort you to support your Board and in particular the National Chair who is doing a great job which I admire very much. MAG has never in my experience had a better team than it has today. You are doing a great job and can be proud of yourselves.’
MAG’s Chair Selina Lavender has praised Neil’s contribution to the riders’ rights agenda across many years. ‘Neil is MAG through and through. He’s tirelessly contributed to our work at the cost of his health, his work and his family. No-one could have done more than Neil to help the organisation become the foremost voice for bikers in the UK and also in Europe. The Board and the National Committee wish to take this opportunity to formally thank Neil and acknowledge his dedication to the organisation. We all wish Neil well and look forward to seeing him at our events in the future.’
As a result the Board now has two Director vacancies, one of which is a financial role. Anyone interested in these positions should contact the Board via central-office@mag-uk.org
Contact MAG at central-office@mag-uk.org and 01926 844 064
Link to Neil’s statement https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/f/f4/Liversidge_statement_official_2016_06_14.pdf
Ride to Work Week 2016 is on between Monday 20th and Sunday 26th June.
The campaign aims to raise the profile of commuting by motorcycle or scooter and to highlight the main benefits which include:
. Time saved – less time in traffic means more time in bed!
. Money saved – save on petrol spend more on you
. Easy parking – motorcyclists get into the smallest spaces
. Road skills improve riders who drive are better car drivers too
. It’s just more fun – you’ll turn up to work with a smile on your face
Special content will be shared during the week via social media, using the hashtag #commutehappy and Facebook page
. Riders can share their own pictures and Ride to Work Week content via the Facebook page and Twitter in order to show the rest of the UK why their mode of transport is so enjoyable.
. Events will be held across the UK for the public and for employees at motorcycle friendly businesses. These range from ‘bikers breakfasts’ to VIP parking and free CBTs for non-riding staff.
. The Ride to Work Week team will also put on a programme of events and Get On free ride opportunities in Northamptonshire, where the County Council is the first in the UK to actively encourage a modal shift towards motorcycling.
. Special offers, promotions and giveaways will be available throughout the week. Watch the Facebook page for details. These usually include free commuter cover from insurers, and offers on top brands for clothing and accessories as well as prizes!
Dear Women’s International Motorcycle Association GB, It is our pleasure to cordially request the honor of your presence at the first Queen’s Cavalcade 2016. It is the very first time in the history of Canary Islands to hold the international motorcycle campaign and it would be an honour to have you and your club to join us.
On our website (www.queenscavalcade.com) or in the file attached, you will find the characteristic, regulation, route, program and all the requirements for registration.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have further query about this event.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Here is the latest pics and video from the Off-Road week end organised by WIMA’s Liz Robinson and the Black Desert Training School. Another weekend will be organised soon.
We are delighted that Steph Jeavons will be joining us on Thursday 7th July at 7pm to discuss her trip (so far) around the world on a Honda CRF250L. Many of our customers will already know Steph as she worked at Colwyn Bay Motorcycles for several years, so we are thrilled that she would like to share her adventures with us. As a solo female rider she is attempting to become the first Brit to ride to all 7 continents, whilst doing the longest journey on a 250cc motorcycle. Steph has already been riding for 26 months and has covered 52,000 miles across 40 countries and 6 continents.
Steph doesn’t have a big inheritance, a fat trust fund or even corporate sponsorship. What she does have, however, is an authentic curiosity and genuine sense of wonder that characterizes not just this particular adventure, but her life in general. Steph lives with open hands and an open heart and while she cheerfully admits that she’s no stranger to fear, she’s determined to let her imagination and her dreams”determine her reality. Throughout, Steph has been committed to connecting with people who are passionate about riding, or eating, or drinking, or music, or cars, or dreams”indeed, people who are passionate about living. These consequently find themselves connected not by language or politics; but by a thread of hope attached to a Honda CRF 250 that left the Ace Cafe in London on March 23, 2014.
A dedicated supporter of Rally 4 Life, Steph has spoken internationally at a wide variety of events and venues. Join us and Steph on the final half of her journey around the world, do not miss this unique opportunity to be inspired to remember your dreams. You can follow Steph at One Steph Beyond and meet her at Colwyn Bay Motorcycles on Thursday July 7th.
Call For Papers: 6th INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOTORCYCLE STUDIES CONFERENCE
Chelsea College of Arts (University of the Arts London) will be hosting the 6th International Journal of Motorcycle Studies (IJMS) conference in London. IJMS is the only online, peer reviewed journal dedicated to motorcycle culture. IJMS is dedicated to the study and discussion of motorcycling culture in all its forms—from the experience of riding and racing to the history of the machine, the riders and design to the images of motorcycling and motorcyclists in film, advertising and literature. 
We welcome submissions on all areas related to the cultural phenomenon of motorcycling worldwide and in particular art, design and visual culture. Suggested topics include:
• The motorcycle or riding in film, photography, literature, art and music
• The motorcycle as a design object or explored through art
• Motorcycle clothing/fashion/textiles and materials
• Advertising/marketing of motorcycles, gear and motorcycle culture
• Media representations of motorcycling
• Motorcycle technology/design/engineering
• Motorcycling and sustainability
• Motorcycling, craftsmanship, collection and customisation
• Motorcycle racing
• Motorcycle history in relation to design and visual culture
• The role of place/environment in motorcycling
• Motorcycling and issues of safety and risk
• Motorcycling and race, class, ethnicity, sexuality or gender
• The psychology of the motorcycle, the motorcyclist and the ride
• Motorcycle travel/tourism
• Motorcycle rights and politics
• The commodification of motorcycles, motorcycling and/or motorcyclists
• Other philosophical, literary, anthropological, geographical, historical, sociological, political,
economic/business or psychological perspectives of motorcycling culture.
In addition to traditional academic paper presentations, we encourage submissions using alternate forms, such as photographic works, art and design objects or multimedia presentations. Please respond to Lisa Garber (garberwwr@earthlink.net) Information about IJMS and the conferences can be found at:www.motorcyclestudies.org. If you are interested in finding out more about the conference, please contact the organiser (and WIMA member) Caryn Simonson email: c.simonson@chelsea.arts.ac.uk
Key London Mayor Candidates Share Motorbike Views with MAG
Britain’s leading riders’ rights movement, the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), has secured statements from the two front running candidates in the race to become Mayor of London. Sadiq Khan MP (Labour) and Zac Goldsmith MP (Conservative) shared with the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) their thoughts and plans for the capital’s hundreds of thousands of qualified motorcycle and scooter riders – and both have expressed their appreciation of the importance of powered two wheelers as part of the London transport mix, promising to work to ensure their needs are taken into account. MAG is including links to their original text. Sadiq Khan’s statement link: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/a/a6/Sadiq_Khan_MP_2016_03_26.docx has appeared in the organisation’s magazine, The Road. Zac Goldsmith’s statement, link: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/index.php/File:Zac_Goldsmith_MP_2016_04_18.docx which arrived after publication of the magazine.
MAG’s Chair, Selina Lavender, is very encouraged by their responses. ‘MAG is not party political, we engage with members of all parties with a view to assisting riders in making an informed decision between leading candidates. As either Zac or Sadiq are tipped to win this election, we invited them to outline how they see motorcycles in the context of London Transport policy (as neither had done so prior to our involvement). We’re sharing their statements to enable motorcyclists and scooter riders to make an informed decision about who they’d like as Mayor.’
Selina claims riders haven’t always felt they’ve enjoyed a level playing field with other road users. ‘Hundreds of millions of Pounds have been spent on making cycling safer. All we’re asking for is consideration for our needs too – and recognition of the importance of motorbikes and scooters in our ever more congested city. I’m heartened by the responses of both these front-running candidates. MAG can and will work with the winner. We leave it to the motorcycle and scooter riders of London to vote to decide who that should be.’
For more information contact 01926 844064 and central-office@mag-uk.org
Dorchester and West Dorset Advanced Motorcyclists (DWDAM) has another Women Bikers’ Skills Day planned for next year following the success of the one it staged in 2015. It will again be for women and run by women to encourage those who might otherwise have thought advanced riding skills were not for them, and it makes for a fantastic atmosphere. It will take place on Saturday 21 May at Weymouth College and be supported by the Road Traffic Team at Dorset County Council.
This day is aimed at all female bikers, at any level, from pre CBT through to those who might even be wanting to become an advanced rider or observer. The event will be packed with talks, workshops and assessed rides. If you are interested in participating or helping please contact Linda Ashmore at events@dwdam.org.uk (Eds: Email Linda or the newsletter if you would like a pdf copy of the article about the 2015 event.)
Jessie Normaschild and Sue Barnes, amongst others, went to the MCN Bike Show at ExCel recently and sat on a lot of bikes. Jessie says: I currently ride a 2007 Kawasaki ER-6 which is 790 mm. The balls of my feet reach the ground, but now I want something lower. Not fussy about engine size, anything from 250-800cc would be fine. However, engine size is unrelated to frame size, as far as manufacturers are concerned, so smaller doesn’t necessarily mean lower. However, this year at the Show, there was actually not just one low bike to look at, but a choice!! All the bikes are in the £7000+ range.
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Kawasaki Vulcan Cruiser. 701mm. The delights of being able to get your feet flat on the floor! However, it is a cruiser…..[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]
Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer. Not as low as it looks, but not bad, 775 mm. More my style than a cruiser, though[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]
Amazingly this BMW GS700 is low! First time in 35 years of riding I can genuinely consider a BMW! 790 mm but it must be a slim waisted saddle as it felt fine. Liz Robinson added that the GS is definitely a continent crosser, and that I should get the hard luggage thrown in as part of the deal! Might need her for the nose to nose negotiation to get that!![/ezcol_1third_end]
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Ducati Scrambler- Very light so a contender in that respect. However, needs lower sculpted seat etc. so … This one was 790 m[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]
Triumph Street Twin felt lower than this photo looks. Seat height is 750 mm. Definite contender. Sculpting between the tank, saddle and knee not as good as Jap bikes but bearable. (Pillion assistance provided by Sue Barnes!)[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]
In my quest to help a less long legged lass, (From Sue Barnes) I’ve been carrying out a bit of research at the bike shops.
The following are the measured heights of bikes from the floor, up and over the seat and back down to the floor the other side. All 2016 models.
Kawasaki ER6n 178 cms, Suzuki Inazuma 250 cc 179 cms, Suzuki Gladius 178 cms, Yamaha MT07 182 cms, Kawasaki WR800 178 cms, Ducati scrambler 800 178 cms, Kawasaki Vulcan 165 cms[/ezcol_1third_end]
Disserth, Wales 10th – 12th June 2016
This year’s National is at Disserth Caravan and Camping Park, Howey, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 6NL. Arrival is from noon on Friday 10 June, where you will be welcomed by Rally Officer Ann Weir, and collect your name badge and goody bag.
Tucked away under the watchful eye of St Cewydd’s on the one side and bordered by the babbling river Ithon, lies Disserth Caravan and Camping Park. Set amidst natural tranquillity, this compact sheltered level park has been accommodating travellers for centuries. Once it was an overnight stop for drovers heading for the Midlands and today it is an idyllic location for your caravan, motorhome or tent for a relaxing rest from the hustle and bustle of modern living or a base from which to explore the natural beauty of the Heart of Wales.
Friday evening: in the bar, meeting new and old friends and generally catching up.
Saturday: a Treasure Hunt around the local area, with a lunch stop planned, or of course, you can “do your own thing”. Evening will be back in the bar, with a quiz to kick the evening off.
Sunday: AGM in the meeting area, promptly at 10 am, followed by our usual raffle. Please bring a prize – NB small enough to be carried on a bike!
The Boardroom Bar is available from 11am to 11pm daily when the touring park is open and other customers are present. The bar is situated on the ground floor of the stone barn attached to the house. Access is through the conservatory and reception area. On offer is a wide range of drinks from Welsh beers, lager and cider through to a wide range of spirits, including a collection of over seventy malt whiskies from around the world, to soft drinks and tea and coffee. You are welcome to just come and sit and read a book in comfort or enjoy a chat and a drink or plan your next adventure in the Heart of Wales.
Well behaved children are more than welcome if accompanied by an adult. Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome. Owners must poop scoop. Upstairs there are tables and chairs and further seating if the bar is busy. The space is ideal for rallies and get togethers.
There is also a television upstairs where you are welcome to watch live sports events being broadcast on the freeview channels.
Evening meals and breakfast are available if ordered and paid for with your booking form.
There is no restaurant/café on site.
There is no accommodation available on site, but local B and B’s will make you very welcome.
Please mention the WIMA Rally when booking. You need to make your own reservations.
B&B Accommodation can be found 1.5 miles up the road, onto the main A483 towards Llandrindod. First place you come to is Holly Farm, under the railway bridge. A very neat cottage which has a twin room plus a double at £35 pp per night. Here there is also a cottage adjoining , normally self-catering but Mrs Jones says she will run that all in with breakfast provided at same price if people don’t want to cater themselves. NB the cottage has a steep staircase. Evening meal upon request. Mrs Jones, tel: 01597 822402.
2nd B&B 1/2 mile further on main road and fully recommended: Highland Moors, Sue & Jeff tel: 01597825151. Space13 rooms/30 spaces. A lot of hard standing for bikes. Large rooms price £70 per twin room, some have private bathroom for £78. Evening meal upon request.
Any questions, please contact Ann Weir rally@wimagb.co.uk
Horizons Unlimited will be presenting HUBB UK, June 16-19. What do Sherlock Holmes and Horizons Unlimited have in common? They solved a baffling mystery in the UK! For over a year, we have been searching high and low, sniffing out potential leads only for the trails to go cold. We’d like to say our quest brought us intrigue in the moors, but we found something even better: a new venue for HUBB UK 2016! 
Thanks to the generosity of so many people in sending us suggestions and helping with venue scouting over the past year, we’ve secured Baskerville Hall for June 16-19, 2016.
We’re excited that the venue supports fantastic rider training including off-road courses plus lots of bush for ride-outs, and we have plans to use it… Coach Ramey Stroud will be back! Online registration is open now with early bird rates!
This year the 10th International Female Ride Day will be on the 7th of May 2016.
Visit the www.motroress.com website for more information.
Veteran Vintage, Classic, Modern, British, Japanese, American, European, Sidecars, Scooters, Custom, Off Road, Race and Trikes.
Including a Display of military motorcycles from WW1 onwards.
Entrance is free, but contributions welcome – all proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Haven and Midlands Air Ambulance.
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Raffle
Tea, Coffee, Chocolate and Cakes
Hot Dogs and Bratwurst
Held in conjunction with the Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club
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WIMA Hungary is pleased to invite all WIMA members from all around the world to the WIMA International Rally 2016, to be held in Esztergom, Gran Camping from Monday 11th of July 2016 – Saturday 16th of July 2016.
The camping is located about 50 km North West from Budapest.
We have reserved the whole camping ground, so we have exclusivity for WIMA. In this camping there is enough space even up to 500 people. Accommodation is in shared bunk-rooms which will be allocated by the rally committee and will mix members from different countries wherever possible. The rally is open to all WIMA members with the option of bringing a guest. Husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, male and female friends / partners are also welcome.
Registration will be through your National President only. Emails will be sent out shortly to all members with further information.
The price includes: 5 Nights’ accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 2 dinners, a full day barbecue – ox roasting with wine tasting and entertainment, Rally bag and Tshirt, use of swimming pool.
We have also arranged a coach tour to Budapest.
We have planned a week of fun and activities to show you some of the unique aspects of Hungary and it’s traditions. Please note that WIMA Hungary cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or injury sustained by persons whilst participating in this event and before and after the event.
25th – 26th April 2016 – Off roading in Wales – Check out the Black Desert website for more details. They have specific days for ladies and you must mention WIMA to get a discount.
1st May 2016: Weekend in Wales – Details TBC
21st May 2016: WIMA Women Bikers Skills Day in Weymouth, Dorset.
10th – 12th June 2016: the National Rally will be held in Dyserth, Wales
August Holiday week-end in Hayling Island – More info soon.
1st May 2016 10: 30am – 4:00pm Motorcycle show at Withington Village Hall, Hereford HR1 3PP FREE entry, all proceeds from the raffle and sale of refreshments in aid of Breast Cancer Haven Hereford and Midlands Air Ambulance.
17th June – 4th July 2016: Ladies in Ladakh with Tiffany Coates. look at the HC Travel website for more information.
26th – 29th August 2016 The Overland Event Oxford, tickets on sale January 2016
11th – 15th July 2016: Hungary, Estezgan, (near Budapest)
17th – 22nd July 2017: Estonia
30th July – 3rd August 2018: Finland in Moominland
2019: Curaçao and UK
2020: Germany
Check the WIMA World Website for more information on international rallies.
Regular UK Regional meetings are also held in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Sussex and Dorset – see below. If there is no meeting in your area, you are welcome to set up your own with help from the regional liaison or contact the President: president(at)wimagb.co.uk
The Northern Liaison covers North Wales, Midlands, Northern England & Scotland.
The Southern Liaison covers South West; South East; South Wales; London & Home Counties and Anglia.
| Region | Time and Date | Details |
| W. Mids: Birmingham | 10:00 am. 1st Sun of the month (except January) | Meet for a ride out, weather permitting, at Manor House Tea Rooms, Earlswood Craft Centre, Wood Lane, Earlswood B94 5JH. If you want to eat prior to the ride they serve breakfast from 9.00am with prices starting from £3.00. Contact: Julie Walpole. |
| E.Mids, Lincolnshire North Lincs | 8:00pm on the 4th Thursday of the month | Contact Paula Clayforth for the venue. Also Ride Out on the first Sunday in the month: contact Paula. |
| London & South East | 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start on the 2nd Wednesday of the month | Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD Contact: Denise Gilvear Monthly ride outs/ins on Sundays in summer months. |
| North West: Cheshire, Merseyside, Manchester | 7:30pm on the 1st Monday (or 2nd Monday if Bank holiday falls on the 1st.) | The Bear’s Paw, Main Street, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 7AF. Contact: Jane Wright |
| North East: Yorkshire | 8:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month | Barge & Barrel, Park Rd, Elland, Halifax HX5 9HP, including short ride out when nights are light. Monthly ride, 2nd Sunday each month, meeting same place at 11:00am Contact Ann Dower Tel: 07810 683787 |
| Southern: Sussex | 10:00 for 10:30 start on the 2nd Sunday of the month. | Mayberry Garden Centre, 717 Old Shoreham Rd (A270), Portslade, Sussex BN41 1SP Contact Sue Barnes in advance. |
| Scotland | Contact Katy O’Rourke (Glasgow) | Contact Katy O’Rourke (Glasgow) |
| Lancs | Contact Jan Fell | 2nd & last Thursday each month, at 7-7.30pm Alison Arms, Preston Road, Coppull. PR75DU |
| Wales, North | Contact Jane Wright | 1st Monday, 7.30 pm [or 2nd Monday if Bank Holiday]: The Bear’s Paw, Main Street. Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 7AF. |
Just as there are many motorcycle events on any given Sunday, so there are a range of meetings on Sundays – even Saturdays!
Each area where members gather, rideouts, ride-ins or just riding together happens and we rely on members giving us information about where and when they happen. Of course there are many opportunities to see details of these on our Facebook page, but there is more information available to members in our regular newsletter. An example appears below just ot give you an idea of the spread of meeting places:
The list below are just ideas so, if any members are interested, they can suggest dates check the Members’ newsletter for more details, or get in touch with Denise Gilvear
Rhayader to Aberystwyth A44
Elan Valley There are super places to stop including the Red Kite Feeding Station where you can see up to 35 birds being fed at the same time!
Piece Hall – Halifax. Home to craft and independant shops
Sowerby Bridge – A58
Sammy Miller Museum – between Southampton and Bournemouth
The Emmaus, Portslade Garden and Cafe, Very Peaceful!
Glastonbury, Somerset
What, when and where:
We are going to run the Leiden marathon in The Netherlands on the 22nd of May 2016. There are different options and we invite WIMA members and friends to join us, the choices are full – or half marathon, alternatively 10k. All expenses are paid by the individual runner, all money collected will go to MoR. 
Therefore, we invite all WIMA members and all our friends all over the world to contribute with money to our cause. More information regarding how to contribute with money will be posted shortly on our Facebook page and website.
What’s in it for you as a runner:
A weekend with friends in a beautiful part of the world. We plan to eat and drink, see some tulips, do some running and have a jolly good time. And hopefully we have raised a whole lot of money by then!
More information:
About the Motorcycle Outreach Organisation
About our fundraising event, on Facebook
And the website – more details here soon
About the region click here
About the marathon and how to enter click here
Bike EXIF is one of the coolest bike websites around – featuring great custom builds, information for tinkerers and practical reviews of new gear. It is a bit specialised – and is designed primarily for boy racers but, looking at some of the custom built bikes is a treat – This three-wheeler is a great one:
It’s this incredible go-anywhere Moto Guzzi built in the early 1960s.
Designed for the Italian army, it’s sporting full-time 3WD, a six-speed transmission and a reverse gear.
It’s called the Autoveicolo Da Montagna (‘mountain car’) and it’s one of the most sophisticated military vehicles ever made. The design brief was simple: build a vehicle that could replace the mules used by Alpini troops for traversing steep mountain roads.
This example lives in a Russian museum called ‘The Motorworld by V. Sheyanov.’ Based near Samara in the southeastern part of European Russia, the museum is rammed with immaculately restored military motorcycles. But we’d take the Guzzi over anything else.
The restoration was carried out in Italy, though. It’s the work of maestro Costantino Frontalini, who runs his own museum for sidecars.
Click on the logo to go the the Bike EXIF site and see more bikes.
