Month: March 2016

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.

[ezcol_1third]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]

[ezcol_1third]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.