Read all about

Show organisers Mortons have a canny knack for attracting top notch stars and this year is no exception.  Be sure to catch guest of honour Phil Read MBE as he regales with tales of an extraordinary racing career – 52 GP victories, eight world and TT titles each – and fires up his old championship winning Yamaha 125 and 250cc machines which his former mechanic Ferry Brouwer is bringing to the show. Phil will be appearing twice daily so there’s really no excuse not to see the great man in the flesh. Hot off the press! Three time BSB champ, John Reynolds will also make an appearance at the show on Sunday – so get yourself down there!

A particularly fine Vintage policy

The Stafford show is the official launch platform for three new vintage and classic motorcycle insurance policies through Carole Nash.  This is good news for owners of bikes as old as motorcycling itself as well those with relatively youthful models as young as ten. Here’s why. The new Vintage policy for bikes aged over 30 offers a zero excess, the welcome freedom of unlimited mileage, multi-bike and multi-rider cover, owners’ club discounts and free agreed value. It even includes breakdown, homestart and accident assistance worth a good £100. A new Classics policy, for bikes between 20-30 years old, offers the similar benefits but with a fixed excess of just £50 and low mileage discounts. Finally, for bikes between 10-20 years old the new Future Classics policy offers owners of more modern bikes access to typically more advantageous classic insurance rates and benefits like agreed value. That could see a  35 year-old 2003 Fireblade owner saving over 55% as the cost of his or her comprehensive insurance plummets to just £313.10^.^* The bottom line is that it’s well worth bobbing over to the Carole Nash marquee to see how the changes might affect you.

It’s hammer time

Sunday will see the hammer coming down on an estimated £1m worth of bikes. Naturally we are not talking literally but rather of the annual Bonham’s auction of classic and vintage motorcycles. The legendary auctioneers have some real treats in store with top billing going to a Vincent Black Shadow which set eight new records at Montlhéry in France back in ’52. Its owner for the past 40 years has fully restored this iconic machine which bears matching numbers. If it tickles your fancy then you will need to raid a sizeable piggy bank: Bonham’s pre-sale estimate values it at between £110-130,000. Other auction highlights include three Broughs – a 1931 SS80, 1926 SS80/100 and 1921 Model G – a 1914 Indian Model F once owned by Steve McQueen, 1957 Ariel Square Four 4G Mk2 and among many foreign marques on offer, a 1972 Laverda 750SFC production racer.

Cummins to get you

Saturday sees road race ace Conor Cummins hitting the show to check out the two Manx Nortons he’ll be riding in this year’s Classic TT. Douglas born ‘Conrod’  is more than familiar with those Isle of Man roads but wants to get up close and personal to Tony Dunnell’s 350cc and 500c machines before taking them on the Mountain course come August.

Bag a biking bounty

Another reason for visiting the Carole Nash team at Stafford is to get in with a chance to win a biking bounty worth up to £20,000. How? Well get a motorcycle insurance quote and you’ll be entered for The Ultimate Biking Giveaway, a free prize drawing offering an immense prize package. Up for grabs is a shiny new Suzuki GSR750, a GP or SBK holiday for two, helmets, leathers, tickets to the UK’s top bike shows,  Ace Cafe  goodies and Carole Nash’s pioneering Six Wheel insurance which allows you to cover both a bike and car on one handy, money-saving policy. Why the Six Wheel insurance? That’ll be because as well as that bevvy of biking brilliance the prize includes a nippy Suzuki Alto SZ for those odd occasions when you need four wheels!

Eye for an aye

Among the countless classic and vintage machines on display keep an eye out for TT winner Austin Munks’ 1951 Norton TT. Not only did Munks ride to victory in the 350 and 500c Manx Grand Prixs in 1934, ’35 and ’36, but he did so one-eyed having lost an ocular in a shooting accident.  The highly acclaimed rigid framed trials 500 is also thing of some beauty. Say show organiser Nick Mowbray: “Austin Munks is one of the great names from the  Isle of Man’s history and was a great character. His Norton 500T provides a link to those glory days which are gone but not forgotten.”  We say “aye” to that.

Death notice

OK, so Walls of Death have been around since time immemorial but, heck, they’re great aren’t they? We at Carole Nash never tire of seeing riders far braver than us defying Newton and his Law of Gravity. This year will see 1920s machines getting up speed to hit the 3Gs spot necessary to prevent an untimely plummet to earth. It’s full on family entertainment as this clip from the 2010 show demonstrates. Do you reckon the camera operator flinched at any point?

Social clubs

The great thing about events like the 33^rd Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show is how they bring together our great and varied classics community. Stafford is always a great social event as enthusiasts – over 33,000 of you last year! – swap banter and browse. More than 500 trade and autojumble stands will offer the chance to track down that elusive part whilst no fewer than 70 clubs are attending. What’s not to enjoy?

Talking dirty

Fans of classic dirt biking have of course not been forgotten. The Dirt Bike Hall is hosting demos by former European trials champ ‘Magic’ Mick Andrews (catch him in full 70s Yamaha glory here) whilst the Norton Owners Club is bringing Finnish legend Yrjo Vesterinen to its ever popular stand. Vesterinen notched up 11 consecutive championship titles in his native Finland as well as three World Trials titles between ’76-78. He was also the first foreign rider to triumph the Scottish Six Days Trial back in 1980.You can catch him in action, though not at his finest, alongside scores of other 70s international trials aces in this cracking archive footage of the “Superstar Trials” at Yorkshire’s Pateley Bridge. Also on the Norton stand will be 1953 Word Sidecar champ, Stan Dibben.

Because…..it’s Stafford!
Let’s cut to the chase. There are many classic events of all types and sizes – and we at Carole Nash pretty much love them all.  It’s unmissable n’est pas? If you don’t believe us – we’re not sure though why you wouldn’t! – check out these highlights from last year’s top notch event. It’s got it all right?

^Compared to £707.96 on our existing scheme.

* The Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show is at Stafford County Show Ground on  Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th April.  Doors open 9am both days, closing at 6pm on Saturday and 5pm Sunday. Tickets on the gate cost £12 for adults, £11 for seniors and £4 for under-15s.

Amateur dramatics…

In the year of the London Olympics we must naturally celebrate the fantastic endeavours of the amateur. As with its illustrious predecessor, Built In Britain does just that. Ordinary bikers with extraordinary creativity and skills will once again take centre stage as their bikes are celebrated by fellow bikers, industry experts and celebrity motorcyclists.

…and Pro-mo-show

This year we’ve refreshed and revitalised the contest’s format to include a Professional Builder’s award. Not only does this mean Joe and Jo Biker need not compete against the engineering might of paid craftsmen and women, it ups the ante for the pro-builder brigade. After all, if you make your living from building biking beauties having the Great British Biking Public naming you top dog is hardly going to harm business now is it?

All inclusive

Unlike many niche bike contests, Built In Britain welcomes entries from across the biking spectrum. So pretty much whatever tickles your biking fancy, you can take part. There are six categories to choose from: Sports & sports modified; Streetfighters; Classics; Concours & restored; Choppers and customs and the new Professional Builder class. Inclusivity extends to deciding who the winners are. They’ll be no cosy chats behind the scenes, no favours swapped: this contest is ultimately determined by you, the biking public. OK, an expert panel will decide a  shortlist of 50 but you’ll get to not vote through a further 10 bikes via the Insidebikes Facebook page but it’ll be you that gets to pick a fave from each category and so decided the winners.

Prize draw

As ever the prizes are quite a draw, with this year’s contest boasting a total pool worth more than £5,000.

Both the top pro and amateur builders will trouser  £1,000 in cash plus an exceptionally tasty Draper Expert toolbox worth £1,100. The second placed amateur will pocket a £500 to spend at bike parts and accessory specialist, M&P and whilst the bronze medallist will become proud owner of a set of road-gripping Bridgestone tyres.  But it’s not just about the loot and booty, it’s the glory too.  Appearing at both Motorcycle Live and the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show puts the top bikes before the admiring gazes of the best of part of 150,000 bikers. Cool huh? But that’s not all….

Brum-brum

As ever the competition will  again off junction 6 of the M42. We speak, of course, of the NEC, host venue of Motorcycle Live, the UK’s biggest showcase of all things biking. The equivalent of nearly one in ten of all UK bikers attend so if you’ve got a tasty two-wheeler, this is the place to get it seen.  That’s why it’s such a privilege to make the finals as the top dozen bikes will be displayed on a special Carole Nash Built In Britain stand for the duration of the show. But there’s a twist this year, for it won’t be Brum where the ultimate winners are announced.

Bright bikes, big city

Unlike in previous years, the contest’s curtain doesn’t fall with the bowing out of Motorcycle Live. This time the Built In Britain juggernaut will roll on down the M6 to that there London. Here the 12 finalists will again see their bikes displayed for the delectation of the biking public, this time at February’s Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show. It will be there, at the mighty Excel Arena, where the final accolades will be acknowledged and the top prizes distributed to worthy winners.

The fame game

“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes” Andy Warhol, er, famously claimed. Well sorry Andy but that’s just sooo 1968. Reach the final of Built In Britain and you’ll enjoy 365 days of redoubtable renown.  That’s 525,600 minutes of fame.  “How come?” we hear you cry? Well the 12 finalists will feature in glorious technicolour within the Carole Nash 2013 calendar which is distributed to some thousands of bikers at bike shows and events across the UK and Ireland. Like motorcycle insurance and that vehicle excise duty, the calendar is an annual must-have, albeit one held in much greater affection – I mean if you’re at those shows it’s free for starters!

Pin up pearls

Of course if you make the final you don’t want just any old snap of your bike being used in that calendar. If we slip into fake reality show lingo for one minute, you want it to look ‘well buff’ so that your fellow bikers are ‘well jell.’ Or something.  Win through and your wish will be our command as your beauty gets the biking equivalent of the Page 3 treatment. By that we mean, not that we we’ll be, ahem, greasing your bike’s nipples but simply that we’ll get into a professional studio to be shot in all its naked glory by a top professional bike photographer, Adam Duckworth. As a former editor of MotorCycle News, Adam knows a thing or two about bikes. Talking of MCN….

Read all about it

Built In Britain is once again brought to you in association with our media partner, MotorCycle News, a title which, with some justification, proclaims itself the “world’s leading source of biking news.”  This means the contest is guaranteed some pretty high profile publicity, not just when it reaches its grand climax but as the entries flood in and competition hots up. MCN is also hosting and promoting our special Built In Britain website at www.mcnbuiltinbritain.co.uk upon which every entry will feature .

It’s easy, rider

Finally one of the great things about Built in Britain is it’s easier to enter than… OK, we’ll leave that metaphor just lying there on the grounds of decency. Look, all you need know is it’s simples. You just take a snap of your beloved bike and upload it in the relevant category with a few details on the aforementioned website. That’s it. Robert is then indeed your mother’s brother. Or your dad’s. With Bob being your uncle all you need then do is tell all your mates you’ve entered and get them to visit the site and vote. So, what are you waiting for………?!

Got any other suggestions? Then post your Bank Holiday tips on our Facebook page!

Seaside rock

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, not least when cruising along those curvy, coast-hugging roads. There are plenty of ace riding routes to explore such, as the Insidebikes recommended Minehead circular which swiftly takes you up a soaring one in four and, via some tempting twisters, through Exmoor and pretty coastal towns and villages such as Lynton. Head further south and east and this weekend you’ll also come across the annual Bikes Make A Difference Festival in Paignton (Fridayt 4^th – Sunday 6^th May). There’s a cracking line up of entertainment with some 15 live bands, motorcycle stuntery courtesy of international trials rider Steve Colley, loads of trade stands and a bike show featuring customs, chops, trikes, Streetfighters, classics and more.

One in the eye for boredom

Also coastal bound is the Ace Café’s Battle of Hastings run which departs the beloved bike-friendly North London hostelry at 8am on Sunday bound for the historic Sussex town. Charge the batteries with a monumental British Breakfast, straddle your bike, head for the A21 in the good company of fellow Ace Café fans. Alternatively if you’d prefer to do your own Sussex thing, then there’s always the infamous Box Hill and another Insidebikes recommended route to Beachy Head. We’d recommend an early start to avoid the crowds and fuelling up on a breakfast at Ryka’s Café.

Go the eggstra mile

The all-round general goodness of UK bikers is reaffirmed by a plethora of bank holiday charity fundraisers, including two cracking egg runs. Oxfordshire hosts the well-established and pun-tastic ‘Yolks on You’, organised by Caldarium Motorcycle Club and for which fancy dress is de rigeur. Don’t forget to bring an Easter egg, cuddly toy, CDs or plain old cash for distribution to local children’s hospices and special needs schools. The run departs at 12 from Millennium Hall in Horton Cum Studley, with riders also set to enjoy live bands, camping, a “cheap bar” and – the clincher – flushing toilets! Up North, the Fife Egg Run is in aid of the local Rachel’s House, Victoria Hospital Children’s Ward, Queen Margaret Hospital Children’s Ward and Leven Child Development Unit. Entry is a fiver with riders meeting at the town’s seafront car park at 10am on the May 6^th. Check the Facebook page for details.

Raise some blood money

Having just announced our very own support for North West Blood Bikes Manchester, this charity bash is close to our kindly beating heart. The Beadrock Blowout is organised by Bedworth’s Crossed Keys MCC in aid of Fire& Rescue and Blood Runners. Now in its second year,  this weekender (4-6^th May) offers bands, bikes, stunts and fun sounding stuff like a car to smash up (we’re a bit less sure of “bikes to blow up” – Sacrilege!). You get all that and a whole lot more for just fifteen quid – with free camping! Gates open at midday on Friday, the venue being Bedworth Rugby Club.

Help out some high flyers

Air ambulances provide vital, life-saving services and yet seem sadly dependent upon charity to keep themselves aloft. On the plus sides, events organised to support them invariably provide a good crack alongside a warm glow of satisfaction. This weekend sees three such events. Mildenhall’s three day BikerFest offers a bevvy of biking entertainment, including its own bike show and amusingly silly games such a slow drag race and loudest pipe contest.  Tickets on the gate from £5 to £7.00 daily, or advanced three dayer including camping for £17. Meanwhile, Saracens Rugby Club’s annual Motorbike Ride Out kicks off on Saturday May 5^th with breakfast at the training ground before the ride down to Vicarage Road where the team faces Exeter. Entry is just a tenner (£20 if you want catch the match too!) with proceeds to the Herts Air Ambulance and Saracens Sports Foundation. Finally in beautiful North Yorkshire, Bellerby’s Manor Café is hosting a rideout on Sunday to support the North Air ambulance and local road racers. It’s a 9.30 start with your £5 entry including tea or coffee.

Make for the Lakes

The Lake District offers masses of motorcycling fun. Stunning scenery houses stunning roads – it’s just a shame they let cars on them. But four-wheeled niggles aside there are few better places to twist the throttle, grip the tarmac and truly savour the road. Insidebikes recommends a magnificent Kendal circular route which takes you up to Shap, Penrith and the glorious Kirkstone Pass. A warm welcome will also be extended on Sunday at the latest Butties & Brews gathering at Kendal’s Barn Farm (postcode LA8 8JX). They have cake.

Americ-car-no

America, we don’t want your planet-eating, gas-guzzling Hummers and SUVs. No sirree. What we do want is your fabulous motorcycles because, you know guys, that’s some heritage you’ve got there. This weekend offers a couple of chances to celebrate biking beauties exported from the US of A. In Annalong. Co. Down,  the Harley-Davidson Riders Club Northern Ireland  is holding its annual International Rally. This year, celebrating its 21^st anniversary, the two-day event (4^th-5^th May) is hosted at the rather terrific looking Harbour Inn with tickets £10 per night or £15 for two, including camping. The surrounding area looks well worth an explore too. Meanwhile the American Motorcycle Owners Club (AMOC) is hosting its annual Custom Show at its Surrey base, Dorking’s Pilgrim Pub. Competition will be across six categories with all US marques welcome. Entry is £5 with attractions including a hog roast, tattooist, stalls and, well, a pub!

Get hooked on classics

Whilst it’s not 100% motorcycle themed the 33^rd Notts Classic Car, Bike and Mini Show might nonetheless capture the imagination if you’re a wider fan of engine-powered heritage. Set for Bank Holiday Monday and very reasonably priced at £7 (£3 for kids, under 7s free), it’s being hosted at the very spending Thoresby Hall, where you’ll find the usual enticing collection of autojumble and trade stalls, plus an all-day concours competition.

Rally round

Yorkshire MAG kick-starts the rally season with Into The Valley, a full weekend of bike and biker related shenanigans. The craic includes live bands, comedy tent, the season’s first ride in custom show, stalls, grub, ale, camping and a docking great big camp fire. “By bikers, for bikers and in aid of biking” says the blurb and it certainly seems to live up to the billing. Cars are banned from site which is set in the stunning East Yorkshire countryside at South Dalton. Pre-booking closed last week but tickets are offered on the gate subject to availability. More on the website or Facebook page

Get Cheshire set

This weekend sees round three of British Superbikes arriving in picturesque Cheshire as Padgett Honda’s Ian Lowry seeks to build on his early season lead at Oulton Park. Just two points behind him Aussie Josh Brooks will also be among those with eyes keenly on the prize. It’s a great and hospitable circuit boosted this weekend by the addition on Sunday of the postponed BSB Brands Hatch race. If you can (and it’s not too late), take a tent and do the weekend. There’s nothing better than waking up the morning to the roar of racing bikes and the crackle of Gaz cooked bacon! Ticket info here.

Take cover pt I.

Don’t just bung your bike in a shed or garage and hope for the best. Cover it with a breathable sheet or, better still, a specially designed vacuum storage system. These are well worth the small investment as they’ll protect your beloved bike with an airtight seal which inhibits moisture and so prevents rust and corrosion.

Take cover pt II

Don’t think that because your bike is tucked up off road that it’s safe from thieves. A few years back we examined our claims records and found that some 45 percent of thefts occurred between November and April. As we insure fewer bikes over winter this suggests that you are more or less at the same risk of suffering a theft in winter as you are in summer.  Now you can take the risk but we believe, as well we might, that it’s important to have motorcycle insurance in place all year round. You may mutter “well you would say that wouldn’t you?” but you’ll be muttering far worse if you open the door to an empty garage where your uninsured bike used to be.

Fuel’s gold

It might seem counterintuitive but when sticking your bike away for a few months, fill the tank. Why? Because otherwise condensation can form in the tank. Whilst often this may not be a problem sometimes it can be, with water in your fuel preventing your engine turning over and, in the worst cases, cause your engine to seize.

Clean up

Make sure you give your bike a good clean and finish by using a solvent spray such as WD-40. This will shift moisture and layer your bike with an oily sheen to prevent corrosion.  It’s one of those decidedly simple but well worthwhile jobs.

Salt……

If you encounter a relatively mild spell which means the roads have not been salted, try and get out for a quick ride. Turning over your engine and giving it a quick winter work out will help keep it healthy.

…..and battery

It’s important to remove the battery because even when laid up your bike may still use a small charge. If the battery drains it may no longer be able to hold a charge, meaning a costly replacement. So whip it off and plug it into a charger which will help keep it in tip-top condition.

Pressure points

Don’t forget to inflate your tyres to the maximum pressure listed in the manufacturer’s manual. As the temperature drops so will the pressure, as the air condenses. Poorly inflate tyres can therefore suffer winter damage. Another tip is to ensure your tyres are not in direct contact with a cold concrete floor. Shove an old bit of carpet or cardboard underneath to minimise the risk of rubber damage.

SORN in

If you’ve decided not to tax your bike over winter it’s now vital you declare your bike is off road by completing a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN). That’s because in 2010 the DVLA launched its latest war on the estimated 1.5 million uninsured drivers and riders on UK roads. This takes the form of the Continuous Insurance Scheme launched with the Motor Insurers Database. If you don’t SORN your bike and fail to act on DVLA warnings you could face a hefty fine or even have your bike seized and destroyed. For more details click here.

Carb free

If your bike has a carburettor it’s advisable to isolate and run it dry so that fuel is only stored in the tank. It’s a two minute job, which will prevent a film being left as  petrol evaporates. Just switch fuel off and run your bike

Location, location, location

Don’t just bung your bike wherever there’s an available space.  Don’t let it bathe in direct sunlight which can cause paintwork to fade and try and make sure your storage area isn’t damp or humid. If you can as well as locking it, fix your motorcycle to a ground anchor as a deterrent to those winter thieves.  Then sit back and wait for the sun and the glorious biking season to return! Maybe you might sit back and muse on what would make your dream bike? Better still, you could be  in with a chance to win it. Get a motorcycle insurance quote from Carole Nash now and we’ll automatically enter your for our £25,000 free prize draw. Win and you can pick any bike you like worth up to £15,000 and we’ll then give you a further £10,000 to customise it. Click here for T&Cs.

Something new…

A number of new models and custom creations will be making their UK and even worldwide exhibition debuts. These include Ducati’s much anticipated 1199 Panigale sports twin, Harley-Davidson’s Dyna FLD Switchback tourer cum cruiser and Honda’s Crosstourer. On the custom front look out for the worldwide debut of Shaw Speed & Custom‘s stunning Heritage Softail Flatliner and, fresh from Milan and making its first UK appearance, Slim Racing. Both appear on the Carole Nash stand, with the AMD podium placed Bell Ross Nascafe Racer – Unmissable!

Something old…

Whilst renowned for new bike launches the NEC show is also a great champion of our motorcycling heritage. This year’s Classic Zone is certainly no exception with a fantastic array of vintage and classic bikes on display. Among them is a wonderful  1913 Fabrique Nationale de Herstal FN 500 3 ½ horsepower inline Four, a 1951 Vincent Rapide and, among racers, a Rudge 500 Speedway Special  from 1928. There are more modern classics too with late models on show including a 1980 RD250E and an ’83 Harris Honda Endurance.

Make Your Mark pt. 1

Ever fancied creating your own custom paint job? Well now’s your chance, but without the need for spray booths or, indeed, that mucky paint stuff. Using technology made famous by the BBC Dragon’s Den programme, you can arm yourself with an infra-red spray and customise a motorcycle template featured on a huge digital wall. It’s very, very cool. If you fancy a play then head to Hall 3 where Carole Nash is promoting its free Carole Nash DNA+  forensic coding security system offer with Make Your Mark themed shenanigans. Geddit? No? Well you make your mark by applying DNA+ to your bike, thereby creating a unique identity for it which provides irrefutable proof of your ownership.

Make Your Mark pt2

The theme continues with a fab prize draw which offers as a prize not just up to £15k to spend on a bike of your choice, but to make your mark with a further £10k budget for customisation.  You can pimp your ride any way you want, be it with Brembo brakes, Ohlin’s shocks or, if it bizarrely takes your fancy, a Dukes of Hazzard horn. Whatever. To be in to win all you need do is get a motorcycle insurance quote from the ever generous Carole Nash and you’ll automatically be entered. What have you got to lose?

Strange customs

The NEC is once again proving a haven for custom crazies. The Custom Extreme zone is playing host to some fantastically imaginative creations such as Weird Fish, a seriously elongated XJR1300. The work of one Paul Milbourn, Back Street Heroes rightly described it as “home-grown, home-built and utterly mad.” Larry Houghton is returning too having previously wowed NEC crowds with the likes of Lamb Chop II and the delightful Cafe Rouge Norton 850. This year he’s bringing his Custom Chrome winning Sun of a Gun, a stunning, skinny beast born somewhere down the line of a BSA Gold Star. It’s genius.

Big screen adventures

Fresh from breaking yet another world record, crazy haired biking adventurer Nick Sanders is back in town, bringing with him more cinematic treats. After the success of last year’s film tent he’s upped the ante with an open plan big screen experience. Among films showing will be highlights of The Incredible Ride which documents his latest expedition that saw him twice traverse the Americas in just 46 days. For perspective, that’s 50,000km, visiting 13 countries – twice. He says it’s his last official world record ride so make the most of it.

A visit to the GP

After the climax of another exciting Moto GP championship, albeit one greatly overshadowed by the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli, Yamaha is looking back at its 50 years of Grand Prix racing. To mark its half century the Japanese manufacturer is hosting a special exhibition (previewed here). This traces a racing history which takes in no fewer than 36 world titles and champs from Phil Read to Jorge Lorenzo. Exhibits include a rather tasty Swan Racing YZF R1 which proves that Yamaha and the Vesta maker are a perfect match! Before we get our coats and head for Poor Pun Prison, let us tell you that the exhibition will, of course, feature tasty bikes drawn from each decade  of Yamaha’s GP career.

Star Gazing

The NEC show has a knack of attracting a host of two-wheel fanatics from the celebrity world. That world is so often rarefied but biking is a great leveller and it’s not uncommon to see the likes of Carole Nash ambassador Charley Boorman or the Hairy Bikers nattering away to us ordinary folks.  So which famous faces could you spot this year? Word is that Charley Boorman will again show his well travelled face, with cricket legend and Get On campaign face, Darren Gough rumoured to be dropping in. Serial charity fundraiser and all round good guy, Danny John-Jules, is also set to jump from BBC prime time’s  Death in Paradise to the NEC’s Biking Paradise.  The whole shebang will also be kick-started in a rather literal fashion as Moto GP’s Cal Crutchlow firing up his M1 signals the show’s opening.

Dig the dirt

It’s not all about road bikes you know. This year the T+MX DBR Off Road Zone with provide daily dirt fun with the Yamaha Off-Road Experience offering expert tuition on an indoor track and Suzuki’s team teaching youngsters (aged six and over) the chance to master basic riding and off-road skills. There’s good news for spectators too as this year they can catch some jaw-dropping stunt riding absolutely free in the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena. Saturday November 26^th has also been designated Dirt Day which looks set to see the appearance of  top motox riders – including Jack Burnicle, Rui Gonçalves, Paul Malin  and Jake Nicholls – plus Jamie Whittam hosting a special MX Q&A.

* Motorcycle Live 2011 opens on Saturday November 19^th and runs until Sunday November 27^th . Advance tickets can be booked up to 5pm on November 18^th and cost just £16.00 for adults, £10 for seniors, £6 for children aged between 6-16 and free for the under-6s. Adult tickets on the door cost £19.00. Click here to book.

Making A Saw Point

OK another answer to the question above is “because we’re a publicity seeking chainsaw manufacturer” but when you create something so amusingly mad as the Dolmette who cares? So you take a Harley transmission, harness it to two dozen 5.2kW chainsaw motors and what have you got? Well apart from something that’s a tad tricky and arm-wrenching to start, an ingenious 1.9 litre machine of PR inspired eccentricity. The motors are fixed in two rows of six across both sides of the chassis, linked in sets of three by double-sided drive belts with a centrifugal clutch enabling delivery of 130BNm of torque. It’s a sight for saw eyes.

Toe Nails Tall Tale

Given it is 2.3m. (7.5 feet) high, some 5m. (16 feet) long and equipped with a beastly 5.3 litre E-Type Jag V12 engine, it’s safe to say Big Toe is a genuine monster of a machine. Indeed it’s the monster’s monster being certified by Guinness as the world’s tallest motorcycle. The Frankensteinian brainchild of Swedish boffin Tom Wiberg the £50,000 bike churns out 300bhp which is quite necessary to get its tractor tyres shifting its 1654kg and deliver a top speed of 60mph. But it’s not just size that matters. With the exception of that Jaguar motor, this mammoth motorcycle was all but hand-built by Wiberg. That’s quite an achievement albeit one whose purpose you might wonder at given that, understandably, it’s not road legal. The lack of brakes would no doubt raise VOSA eyes. As renowned biking journalist Roland Brown put Big Toe is “spectacularly useless but enormously entertaining.”

Psy-cho Killer

No discussion of custom bikes can ever avoid touching upon Norwich’s masters of motorcycle jiggery-bespokery, Hawg Haven. Among the many jaw-dropping machines created by the internationally renowned outfit was the Carole Nash bobber, built live before bikers eyes at the NEC bike show. But it was the extraordinary Psy-Bawg that is arguably their greatest achievement. Winner of 2006′s Carole Nash Custom Extreme Award Psy-Bawg is a stunning combination of engineering ingenuity and creative imagination. Low-slung and curvaceous this beauty is powered by a 1650cc Revtech engine turned by Hawg Haven’s late, great and much missed Terry ‘Nobby’ Clarke. The startling solid billet aluminium frame is tubeless and among many innovative features designed and created by the HH maestros. Sadly the bike, with all its unique, easily identifiable features rendering it worthless for illicit re-sale, was stolen from services on the A1 in 2008.

Van-tastic

So what do you get when you combine an iconic Italian scooter with a similarly iconic German camper van? The answer is the Resto Tec 4, an inspired marriage of a Lambretta scooter and a Volkswagen Kombi sidecar. The inspired work of London’s Jason Dyer this amazing head-turner was unsurprisingly a Scooter magazine cover star and a swift breeze through what is often a bitter mire of hate – the internet – reveals it’s captured the hearts of both two and four-wheeled petrol heads. One imagines that VW camper nostalgists are rather pleased with the spread of love and peace which Jason’s gorgeous bronze machine has achieved!

Clock This

Ecosse Moto Works’ Titanium Series RR clocks in at an eye-watering $275,000 (circa £170,000) so even if you could afford it you’d be unlikely to push its supercharged 2,100cc dual-cam turbo engine to the max on a track day. The smallest of small offs would cost you several pretty pennies given its carbon-fibre bodywork features a painstaking pinstriped paint job and that’s before you start thinking how much a titanium chassis might cost to repair. The combination of supercharged V-twin power and that lightweight titanium – the bike weighs in at a paltry 440lb – is pretty powerful, unleashing some 200bhp. Each bike also comes with a matching BRM titanium watch (or chronograph if you will). It’s bling that packs some zing.

Jet Packed

Ted McIntrye is a cunning genius. Of course, as it so often is, that genius is tinged with a fair old slab of eccentricity. You see the boss of America’s Marine Turbo Technology spotted there were a lot of aero engines in the second-hand marketplace, courtesy of stringent air worthiness regulations. What to do with these surplus yet perfectly serviceable turbos? Why build a bike around them naturally. Hence the Rolls Royce Y2K, a 320bhp, 220+mph tarmac eating monster. Did we mention it’s a diesel? To be fair Ted reports the Rolls-Royce Allison 250 helicopter jet engine could run on petrol – or perfume. Built from scratch by MTT’s bike team it is, surprisingly enough, road legal (well, perhaps not everywhere!).  Indeed the company’s blurb boasts it’s not just the “first turbine-powered street legal motorcycle, but also the most powerful production bike in the world.” Production maybe but few have been produced – chat show guru Jay Leno has one – so we’re counting it as a custom.

Run of the Millyard

Blighty’s own Allen Millyard is another cunning and eccentric genius – and one who claims to have created the world’s fastest production bike. The Millyard Viper V10 has Department of Transport Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (and therefore UK street legal) which paves the way for production. Powered by a mighty eight litre Dodger Viper V10 engine producing a fearsome 500 bhp and 525ftlb of torque, Millyard’s bike made its public debut on the Carole Nash stand at the 2009 NEC show. Unsurprisingly it caused a storm. Outside the rarefied exhibition arena Millyard has notched up over 1,000 road miles whilst an MCN tester hit a G-force inducing 207mph. Astonishingly the Berkshire engineer designed the nine-foot long bike in his head, without drawings or CAD jiggery-pokery. Then hand-built, says Allen, “from what I had around and could afford.”

Rotary Club

There are few members of the elite rotary engine motorcycle club despite the innovation stretching back to at least the early 1900s and Charles Redrup’s Barry Engine. Suzuki’s short-lived 1974 RE5 was another famous Rotarian but by golly it looked nothing like JRL Cycles’ Radial Chopper. It looks bonkers with the 32″ Rotec 2,800cc engine sitting inline on the thick-tubed chassis, as if a turbo-propped light aircraft has hit it side on. Technically that was one hell of a headache and thus achievement. But why do it?  Co-designer John Levey states baldly that “It started out just to be different.” But he soon realised the design was more than esoteric. “It ended up being a real sweet motorcycle motor. There’s virtually no vibration. Loads of torque. Sounds great, too,” he reported. Want one? A snip at $78,000(around £50k) from what is claimed to be the US’s only radial motorcycle manufacturer.

48 Crash

Sometimes people can, you know, go a bit, well, over the top. Kiwi customiser Simon Whitlock is one such, unless, of course, you think a 48 cylinder, 4,200cc Kawasaki sits in the realm of the everyday.  It requires a 75cc ‘starter motor’ and half a dozen E-type distributors to turn over the series of six eight inline Kawasaki S1/KH250′s triples. Practicality is not this monster’s strong point: it weighs in at over a ton, looks as controllable as a teen at a JLS concert and as comfortable as a BP boss at a US senate hearing. But it is apparently rideable. Possibly not for long though!

Have a Dodge ball

The Dodge Tomahawk V10 is so stupidly powerful and ridiculously heavy that two wheel ssimply ain’t enough. Thus this 8.2 litre beast is  equipped with a specially designed four wheel independent suspension which you’d be grateful of if testing either its claimed acceleration of 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds or top speed of 400mph. If you’re enticed b y the spec, just bear a couple of things in mind. Firstly it may not surprise you to hear that the Dodge falls foul of road traffic regulations. Tsk, elf ‘n’ safety eh? Secondly the price tag is a little – ahem – prohibitive. Business Week cited it among 2010′s most expensive stuff on account of its $700,000(£440,000) ticket. Confirming that the commodities of money and sense are unrelated, Dodge sold two of these gloriously impractical and defiantly not street legal machines at that jaw dropping price.

With the season very much in full swing, the team at Insidebikes has picked narrowed down their selections and come up with forty roads and routes to experience. In future posts we’ll look at roads in Europe, North America and the rest of the world but we’ll start closer to home. Here is the Insidebikes top ten for biking roads in the British Isles.

The Cat & Fiddle, Macclesfield – Buxton

Our run-down of Britain’s greatest driving roads, unsurprisingly, starts with one of the biking communities most popular trails. Stretching across the western section of the peak district from Burton into Macclesfield, the Cat & Fiddle pass is firmly established as a leading route for bikers across the North, thanks to its challenging bends and stunning scenery. The Cat & Fiddle Inn at the road’s summit also plays a part in attracting bikers to the region.

That popularity has earned the road a notorious reputation however. In June 2010, the road was branded the UK’s most dangerous after 34 deaths on the road between 2006 and 2008. As a result, the local police speed patrols maintain a strong presence on the route.
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Snake Pass, Glossop – Sheffield

If you are sampling the Cat & Fiddle road, it’s also possible to enjoy double the thrill by taking in another great road across the Peak District; the A57 Snake Pass.

After taking in the Cat & Fiddle, head north to Glossop on the outskirts of Manchester and head eastwards to take in the stunning scenery of the National Trust’s High Peak Estate. The name Snake Pass refers mainly to the section between Glossop and the Ladybower reservoir, although many riders continue their journey into Sheffield. The Snake Pass is a popular calling point along the route.

Again, as with the Cat & Fiddle, the road has earned notoriety for accidents in recent years and is particularly treacherous in wet weather.
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The Lang Whang, Edinburgh – Ayr

Translated as “Long Way” in Scottish, the Lang Whang runs more than 74 miles across the breadth of Scotland from Edinburgh to Ayr via Lanark. Much of the road takes you over desolate moorland, ascending to more than 1000 feet above sea level several times over its length.

The tricky, intricate parts of the road tend to come in groups on the Lang Whang, with the road mainly known for its stunning scenery and hill climbs along the straights.
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Cheddar Gorge, B3135 Chewton Mendip – Cheddar

If you are hitting the road in search of some fantastic natural beauty as well as a great driving road, then head out to Cheddar Gorge in Somerset.

Starting from the village of Axbridge, nestled between junctions 21 and 22 of the M5, head east on the A371 before bearing left at the Cross Road services, onto the B3135 towards Cheddar. After passing through the village, you’ll head out towards a series of challenging bends and turns that take you down into the gorge, voted in a 2005 poll by Radio Times as second greatest natural wonder in Britain. The road continues to take various twists and turns well after you have left the gorge, all the way into the tiny village of Green Ore.

Morning runs are recommended on this, meaning that you’ll avoid the tourist traffic.
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Keswick – Cockermouth, B5289

There are few places in the world than can beat the Lake District for natural beauty and outstanding roads. Some 14million tourists visit the lakes every year, many of whom take to two wheels for their trip.

The road that we’re focusing on in Cumbria is the route from Keswick to Cockermouth but instead of taking the direct route across the A66, we’re heading along the edge of Derwent Water, through the village of Seatoller, around the southern tip of Dale Head and along the banks of Lake Buttermere and Crummock Water before heading north to Cockermouth.

As you head into the ridge between the rolling hillsides of the Lake District, you’ll really get a sense of what a motorcycle can really do on a genuinely rewarding road. The backdrop simply adds to the thrill of this extremely enjoyable route.
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Wicklow Mountains National Park, Wicklow, Ireland

This route has been part of our “Routes to Ride” section for a while and we’re going to revisit it as Ireland’s representative in our latest run-down of the best driving roads in the British Isles.

One of the more varied routes in our top ten, this is a circuit of the area around the Wicklow National Park takes in main roads and some of Ireland’s more challenging and more scenic country roads.

Starting in Roundwood, we head south on the R755 before joining the R756 as it twists and turns through the heart of the national park. After leaving the park, we bear right at Lockstown Upper onto the R758 before a short burst on the N81 northbound towards Dublin. Around 9km later, take a right onto the R759 and you’re back onto the twisting roads of the Irish countryside.
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B1257, Stokesley – Helmsley

The B1257 cuts straight through the heart of the North Yorks Moors and is another road that has long been a favourite with local riders, earning it the unofficial name of the ‘North Yorks TT’ amongst locals.

Some challenging bends take you through the Moors between two picturesque villages but like many popular country roads, the route is known as something of an accident black spot. As a result, locals have reported an increased police presence on the route in recent years, particularly in the summer months.

For those looking to extend the route, the A170 into Thirsk is a popular option.
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B1057, Finchingfield – Great Dumlow

The B1057 runs largely parallel to the M11 in Essex, around 14 miles North East of Stansted Airport, but has much more to offer than the three-lane car park that brings people in and out of East London.

The route out of Haverhill doesn’t have the intricate hairpins that you might find elsewhere but it is equally challenging, with a series of short fast stretches with very sharp right-angle turns and elevation changes. Pass Finchingfield however and a handful of tricky turns around Duck End certainly make up for it.
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Sherborne – Shaftesbury

There is an easy way from Sherborne to Shatesbury in Dorset; simply take the A30 eastbound and less than half an hour later, you’ll be finished. There is however, a much more inspiring way of doing things and simply by taking a detour along the meandering A357, via Lydlinch Common, towards Blandford Forum, you can enjoy some immensely enjoyable bends along the A350, some fast flowing and some slow and technical.

The route does cut through a number of villages so expect speed restrictions but nevertheless, this is certainly a route to enjoy.
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Pass of Cross, Dinas Mawddwy – Llanuwchllyn

The Bwch-y-Groes (Pass of the Cross) has long been popular with motorcycle enthusiasts, with the highest public road in North Wales frequently being used as a test route by a number of manufacturers, including Triumph, as a test route for their hillclimbing machines.

Taking you 1,788 feet above sea level, the road from Dinas Mawddwy, via Llanymawddwy, through to Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnwy gets its name from the cross, just below the summit at the junction of the roads from Vyrnwy and from Dinas Mawddwy, commemorating the place of the pass on a pilgrim route from north Wales.

Today, the climb is well within the capabilities of modern motorcycles, with the mostly single track road featuring a double hairpin at the foot of the hill.
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If you are planning a last-minute bank holiday getaway this weekend, make sure that check out these ten rest-stops, dotted all around the coast of the UK, to be sure of a warm and bike-friendly welcome.

Amblecliff, Brighton, East Sussex
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Brighton’s bohemian whiff is heavily fragranced with engine oil. Madeira Drive hosts many motorcycling and motoring events, including free fest, Brightona  – the South’s biggest bike show – and  September’s weekend double-header of the National Speed Trials and Ace Cafe Reunion which attracts some 40,000 bikers. Then there’s the annual London-Brighton Pioneer Run and, if it takes your fancy, various classic car runs. Oh, and Goodwood’s up the road. Whichever you choose, do it in style in one of this boutique hotels 13 rooms which include everything from simple singles through four posters and a sumptuous suite. Locked parking.

The bottom line: Singles from £35, doubles £55, suite from £120, per room, per night. Parking permits £5 daily.

Web: www.amblecliff.co.uk

Roskhill House, Roskhill By Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
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A welcoming stone-walled, wood-beamed lounge with log fire and steaming breakfast porridge are among the charms of this 120 year old former croft house. AA 4* accommodation comprises five simply and tastefully decorated bedrooms with fridges and iPod docks complementing the standard tea/coffee offering, plus there’s free wi-fi and secure parking. Skye itself is fabulous to explore with some great roads with the sky-puncturing Cuillin mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Alongside natural beauty you’ll find man-made charms such as the Talisker malt whisky distillery and plentiful Gaelic history and culture.

The bottom line: Doubles/twins from £34 pppn; single occupancy £45pppn. Note £2 single night supplement.

Web: www.roskhillhouse.co.uk

Richmond House, Dale, Pembrokshire
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After biking the Brecons or the byways of the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park there can be few better places to rest your head than this splendid seafront property. OK you might think the nautical naming of the rooms a touch naff, but there’s no jolly Rogered styling of the four 4* twin/double and family rooms, which are uncluttered and elegant. There’s free secure parking, drying facilities and wi-fi and if needs your hosts will not just whip up breakfast but a packed lunch. Neighbouring watering hole the Griffin Inn offers excellent real ales and food.

The bottom line: Twins/doubles £65 per room, £45 for single occupancy. Family room (3 adults, 2 children) £110.

Web: www.richmond-house.com

Famous Schooner Inn, Alnmouth, Northumberland
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This 17^th century coaching inn is reputedly home to 60 ghosts, no doubt attracted by its tidy location some 100 yards from the beach in this small, pleasing Northumbrian resort. Just a short ride away lie Alnwick, Warkworth, Bamburgh, Holy Island – all boasting castles of varying magnificence – and the Northumberland National Park, with the bright lights and boozers of Newcastle further south. Some 32 single, double, triple and family rooms – all en suite – are complemented by two bars, conservatory and beer garden, in all of which food is served. Secure parking, drying facilities and wi-fi.

The bottom line: POA

Web: www.theschoonerhotel.co.uk

Bryn Derwen, Llandudno, Conwy
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Enjoying a touch of the-land-that-time-forgot, Llandudno’s Victorian dignity is well preserved with the pastel shaded seafront – neon is banned – blessed with a traditional pier and cable car which hoiks up the Great Orme. The peak can also be reached via the Marine Drive toll road and affords superb views of the coast and Welsh biking pleasure zone, Snowdonia, which lies pleasingly close. Bryn Derwen is similarly well preserved, offering nine enticing, well equipped rooms. amenities include drying facilities, private parking, bar, lounge with open fire and even a beauty salon!

The bottom line: Doubles/twins £45 pppn or Superior £50 pppn – reduced for multiple nights. Single £49-55;

www.bryn-derwen.co.uk

Bay View Guest House, Beer, Devon
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This recently refurbished eight room guest house overlooks the beach at the heart of this lovely village on East Devon’s world Heritage Coast which genuinely earns its ‘remarkably unspoilt’ tag. Bay View offers are six recently refurbished, comfy and individually furnished rooms, plus two brand new additions in the neighbouring cottage, including a generous suite.  There’s free secure parking for two bikes. Perfect as a touring stop off or base from which to explore the neighbouring coast and Dartmoor National Park.

The bottom line: Doubles from £30pppn, £182 pppw; singles £40pppn, £182pppn

Web: www.bayviewbeer.com

Sandrock Hotel, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
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Whilst perhaps having seen better times, Clacton’s not without its charms and, of course, “mods and rockers” bike and scooter history.  The latter roll into town for September’s Mersea Rally held down the coast, which pulls in scooter nuts from across the continent, and the St. George’s Weekender. England’s oldest town, Colchester, is also a quick scoot up the road. Sandrock is a pleasant, affordable 4* Victorian guest house with nine simply furnished rooms, set a few strides from the sandy beach and handy for the seaside rides on the pier. Drying facilities, free wi-gfi and secure parking.

The bottom line: doubles/twins from £60 per room, singles from £39.

Web: www.sandrockhotel.com

The Windmill, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
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Most of this Grade II listed hotel’s rooms are set around a cobbled courtyard but push the boat out for a suite and you’ll enjoy the novelty of stopping over in an actual windmill, right in the heart of this gem of a resort’s town centre.  It’s a little pricier than some but still good value given its central location and quality.   It’s almost as tempting as North Yorkshire’s roads, motorcycle magnets which have put place like Helmsley firmly on the biking map. The Magpie Cafe in nearby Whitby, also serves arguably the nation’s finest fish and chips. Secure parking and drying facilities.

The bottom line: Twin/doubles from £75 per room, family (2 adults, 2 children) from £115, suites from £115. Single night supplements apply.

Web: www.scarborough-windmill.co.uk

Underwood Country Guest House, Millom, Cumbria
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This restored Victorian vicarage sits amidst eight acres of gardens in the south west Lake District, in an enviable wooded setting overseeing the oft overlooked but nonetheless beautiful Duddon estuary. All ways but, naturally enough, west, lead to the Lakes’ many and varied delights with more gloriously enticing, twisting, undulating roads than the touring motorcyclist can shake a dipstick at. Make Underwood base camp and you’ll enjoy not just well appointed rooms with Sky telly but also a pool, steam room, bar, restaurant and if you so desire, croquet! Secure parking, drying facilities and wi-fi.

The bottom line: £130 per night, per room although at least 20% off on advanced booking (see website).

Web:  www.underwoodhouse.co.uk

Thistle House Guest House, Cairndow, Argyll
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A mild cheat as this gem sits beside Loch Fyne rather than the briny itself although this famous stretch of water reaches out to the Atlantic. A fantastic location justifies. We’re talking marvellous views across the loch and to pretty Inverary and a great base from which to explore Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Glen Coe, Fort William and the west coast. Having hung up your leathers you can enjoy a dram by the open fire whilst the seven king size, double/twin and family en suite rooms offer generous comfort. Drying facilities, secure parking and free wi-fi.

The bottom line: From £40 per person, per night. £20 single supplement.

Web: www.thistlehouseguesthouse.com