To view / order photo’s from the event click on the image above

Wow..... Scottish Mini Moto Championship at Karting North East,Warden Law on Sunday.

Alan McIntosh of Polini UK brought the championship south, over the border and allowed the BikeWise Mini Bike Club with support from the Durham Agency Against Crime, Durham Advanced Motorcyclists & HM Plant Ltd, to host Round 3 of the championship, giving our local riders from the BikeWise Mini Bike club the opportunity to compete against our friends from Scotland.

Approx forty riders signed on to compete in the various classes and the paddock area was packed with 'motorhomes' !! (Almost like a BSB paddock)

It was a great atmosphere with bikes being worked on and riders discussing gearing, the track, tactics etc....

Lots of friends and family members turned up to watch our young racers and quite a few motorcyclists came along to watch the racing and we were not let down.

The grid for Junior A was particularly impressive with about twenty riders lining up.

Racing was close and the weather initially was sunny and hot. A small shower delayed racing for about ten minutes and held out until late in the afternoon when with about three races to go the heavens opened without warning and we were hit by monsoon like rain.

Racing was abandoned on safety grounds although one or two took the opportunity to practice / ride their bikes on wet tyres for a few laps.

Trophies were awarded to first, second & third in classes and all riders who were riding in the championship received a medal and a framed John McGuinness photograph (John is a great supporter of the BWMBC)

A fantastic afternoons riding, well done to everyone who took part, you represented everything that's good about motorcycling.

Results etc can be viewed at : http://www.polini.co.uk/scottish_minimoto_championship/round3.htm

Warden Law 2012 ???

Photographs from the event are now uploaded into cyberspace......    There’s approx one thousand at the moment (1000) and more will be uploaded later this week, so it might take you a little while to look at them all and see your smiling faces (not half as long as it took us to put them on the internet !!)
So,  click on the this link to PHOTOBOX and you will be able to view all the pictures  - you can also order prints, direct from there and they will be delivered to your home usually within 24/48hours - so you could be ‘hung’, in a frame, on the wall of your house, on your pride and joy..... before you know it !

If you know of anybody who was at the meeting, then please send them a link to let them know where the photo’s are.
Once again THANKS to you all for making it a special ‘BikeWise’ day.. and making it 'special' to be part of the biking community here in the North East.

Many Thanks to all the photographers who took the photo's, recording the day's events and in particular all from the Durham Photographic Society : http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/

Two for a rainy day…

These might keep you amused for a few minutes on a rainy day :-)

Copy the link and send it to your friends

 

What NOT to do on a brow of a hill !!

 

At the Isle of Man TT Races local rider Dan Kneen – had the TT save of the century – and said he'd "Not done much wrong" to precipitate the near-catastrophe visited upon him in the 2011 Senior TT. The 23 year old's Kawasaki had been difficult all week on the handling front says Kneen.

"I didn’t square it up for the jump and it obviously didn’t like it" he concluded with the signature excitability of the true Manxman. "People keep asking me about that stupid moment."

Just listen to commentators Jamie Whitham & Steve Plater and watch what the cameraman does (run for cover me thinks !!)

Definitely one to reserve for racetracks..

Scottish Mini Moto Championship at Karting North East (Warden Law) Sunday 26th June

Well, it’s almost here, this Sunday from 2pm – 7pm.
Alan McIntosh the organizer of the Polini Scottish Mini Moto Championship is bringing Round 3, south of the border to Karting North East at Warden Law (Between Houghton le Spring and Seaham Harbour).
This event has also been kindly supported  by the Durham Agency Against Crime, the Durham Advanced Motorcyclists and HM Plant Ltd
Practice starts at 2pm, followed by qualifying and then racing through to approx 7pn.
Racing will be on the full circuit which is 1.2kms in length and there will be various classes of racing.
There is ample new tarmac parking for cars and motorcycles and great viewing around the circuit.
Both ends of the circuit have raised banking where you can get a good general overview of the circuit
Admission is free (although you might wish to drop some change into a bucket to help the club which is all run voluntary)
The main reception area has a cafe which will be open throughout the event and sells tea, coffee, soft drinks and also serves up chips, burgers, sandwiches etc if you’re feeling hungry.
The best bit is last – you’ll be able to see our local young riders competing against their Scottish counterparts and after watching this you’ll never want to watch Moto GP again :-)  (You may even want to get your son/daughter, grandson / granddaughter or nephew or niece's involved)
Please come along and support the riders – Karting North East has recently come under the ownership of World Rally Car driver Guy Wilks, who finished 3rd in this years 100th Monte Carlo Rally and he has made significant improvements to the centre already with more in the pipeline. There is a new fleet of thirty karts and some great packages that you might want to look at for a club session of four wheel fun.
 
Click on the link below to go to Google Maps for directions to Warden Law :
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/myplaces?ll=54.848536,-1.424189&spn=0.00488,0.016512&sll=54.847711,-1.423668&sspn=0,0&ctz=-60&t=h&z=17

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Parking on Sunday
 
Competitors and members of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club should drive in through the normal entrance and head for the Junior Kart Track, then travel up the left side of the Junior Kart Track and park in the area outlined in red.
The Blue coloured car park is to be left for any visitors and motorcyclists who might come to watch the event

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To view all the info about Karting North East and to download a brochure please click on the image

TYMC – Durham Dales Classic Run

The Teesside Yesteryear Motor Club held their 17th Durham Dales Classic Motorcycle Run last weekend (12th June)
The event started at Shafto’s Inn, Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor and approximately 60 riders set off travelling the first part of the route (55miles) which eventually led to Mickleton Village Hall, where there was a compulsory one hour lunch stop, always a great opportunity to have a cup of tea and view some fantastic classic bikes.
After lunch the riders set off and travelled back to Spennymoor via a different route of approximately 35miles.
Once everyone was safely back, awards were handed out and then it rained !!
A fantastic day to view some great motorcycles of yesteryear being ridden in our Durham dales. What date is the ride next year ??
To view / order photo’s of the event please visit : http://www.photoboxgallery.com/bikewise

Watch  a video of the event below (some great sidecar footage)

Next meeting of the BWMBC and photo’s online from Warden Law

The next meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club will be held at Karting North East at Warden Law on Monday 20th June 2011 – 5pm – 8pm.

These events at Karting North East are open to all, not specifically BikeWise Mini Bike Club members.

Last chance to get a bit a of practice before the Scottish Championship event next Sunday (26th)

Great night at Warden Law last Monday, 13th June and a big turnout of bikes from the club.

Photos are now online on the website and if you want to order prints of yourself from the last two meetings at Warden Law please click on this link to view / order : http://www.photoboxgallery.com/bikewise

Prints can be ordered in various sizes and will be sent out direct from Photobox. Any commission we receive from Photobox will be put back into the club.

Drivers to be urged to look for bikers at junctions (again)

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning has today launched a new campaign aimed at getting drivers to think more about riders.

The message will be pushed through advertisements at petrol forecourts and on national radio.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says action is needed because 78% of serious bike accidents involve a crash with another vehicle and 67% of those collisions are at a junction, "often with the driver of the other vehicle failing to see the motorcycle".

Penning said: "As a biker I know how much fun motorcycling can be and what a practical way it is to get around, but it is unacceptable that so many motorcyclists are dying on our roads and I want to tackle this.

"While many drivers may take extra care at junctions, they often don't see bikers and this is a major factor in motorcycle casualties. That is why our THINK! campaign aims to remind drivers to think about the biker, not just the bike, so that we see fewer of these needless accidents."

The radio adverts will run from next Monday.

A DfT spokesman said: "This campaign will put motorcyclists centre stage in a bid to encourage drivers to look out for bikers by placing the focus on the person behind the helmet.

"There will also be Facebook activity aimed at motorcyclists and online adverts reminding drivers to look out for bikers.

"THINK! will also be working with partners to raise awareness of extra training for motorcyclists and the importance of wearing appropriate safety gear when riding."

If you haven't already done so then why not consider a day out with our own BikeWise Training, click on this link to read what other local motorcyclists thought of it and either book through the Road Safety Department at County Hall or speak to Bob & Mick who will be at BikeWise 2011

Next Meetings of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club

The next meetings of the club will be as follows :

Monday 13th June - Karting North East at Warden Law.  1700hrs - 2000hrs
Hopefully we'll get on the big track as well as the small one

Monday 20th June - Karting North East at Warden Law.  1700hrs - 2000hrs
For this meeting we will be restricted to the small track as there is a corporate karting meeting on the evening on the large track

Sunday 26th June - Come rain, hail or shine this meeting WILL go ahead

Spread the word to your friends and relatives and let's make this one a really special day for the club and it's members

Warden Law will then continue to run every two weeks after the 20th June - so the next Warden Law will be the 4th July

We don't have a date set yet for a Carrville meeting but will let you know as soon as possible

A689 Nenthead, heading west towards Alston – Beware of Road Surface

Shows approach to Miners Arms when descending	Shows missing tarmac

Location of Nenthead – Click Here for Google Maps

If you're planning on travelling on the A689rd, through the Durham Dales towards Alston/ Hartside then please be aware once you reach the County boundary at Killhope Cross and travel downhill into Cumbria and the village of Nenthead. 

When you get to the bottom of the long descent and reach the Miners Arms on your right, you are travelling around a left hand bend as as you can see from the photo’s above the road surface has broken up and there are large area’s of tarmac missing. Please slow down and take your time as you negotiate this section of road.

What's Happening in the ‘BikeWise World’ – June 2011

The weather has not been the best recently but hopefully it will brighten up over the next few weeks and we can enjoy the events we have locally :

BikeWise Events :

Sunday 26th June  - Scottish Mini Moto Championship at Karting North East (Warden Law)

Round 3 of the Scottish Mini Moto Championship will travel south of the border, crossing over into England for the first time, so that other members of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club can take part in the championship and race against our Scottish mini moto friends.
Signing on / scrutineering will start at 12noon, followed by practice, qualifying and racing from 2pm - 7pm
Please, put this one in your diary and come along to Karting North East at :
Warden Law Motorsports Centre, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR3 2PR
to watch our young local riders having fun on their motorcycles - these young people are the future of motorcycling in the North East and need your support
There is plenty of good tarmac parking at the site and it may be that you might want to organize a karting session with a few of your friends with the new fleet of karts that have just been purchased.

For further details, please click here

Sunday 26th July – BikeWise 2011

Approaching quickly and once again there’ll be a full programme for you.

Keep checking the website and click on BikeWise 2011

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This weekend :

Saturday 11th June:

The Boundary 500 Motorcycle challenge : the ‘Event Control’ will open at 6.30am at Kirkleatham Hall, Redcar. TS10 5NW.

Sunday 12th June :

The Boundary 500 Classic Challenge : the ‘Event Control’ will open at 9.30am at Kirkleatham Hall, Redcar. TS10 5NW.

Visit the website at : Boundary 500 website

TYMC – 17th Durham Dales Classic Run : starts at Shafto’s Inn, Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor – bikes leaving at 1000hrs – eventually heading to Mickleton Village Hall for lunch and then returning to Whitworth Hall

Some great opportunities to see some of yesterdays bikes being proudly ridden by their owners in our area.

Full details of the route can be obtained by visiting the TYMC website at : CLICK HERE

Monday 13th June : BikeWise Mini Bike Club at Karting North East (Warden Law) – 1700hrs – 2000hrs

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th June :

BSB at Knockhill in Scotland

MAG Farmyard Rally at Helmsley

Monday 20th June :

Ride to Work Day - For more info please click here

BikeWise Mini Bike Club at Karting North East (Warden Law) – 1700hrs – 2000hrs

Sunday 26th June : Scottish Mini Moto Championship at Karting North East (Warden Law)

Tuesday 28th June :

DAM rideout from Bowburn Hall. Meet at 1900hrs. Further details from the website

NYRRSC – Alan Carter & Geoff Fowler - See the website: www.nyrrsc.net

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In addition our regular places, Cafe 1618 on Tuesday nights, Wetlands on Wednesday and Sundays and Hein Gericke have an offer on now if you spend £160 in store you get £40 off – click here for more details

And then, there’s also Moto GP from Silverstone on the 19th and  Assen on the 25th and WSB from Spain on the 19th

£40 off at Hein Gericke, Darlington when you spend £160 in store

From the 6th  - 19th June you can bag yourself a bargain down at Hein Gericke down at Darlington when you spend £160… you’ll get £40 off..
All you have to do is print off this image and take it with you to give to Alison, Tim, Sue & Craig when you make your purchase
So make your way down to :

Hein Gericke - Darlington

Northgate 171-179
Darlington, DL1 1UB

Tel: 01325 464664
Mail: darlington@hg-shop.com

Opening Times

Monday - Friday

9am - 6pm

Saturday

9am - 5pm

Sunday

10am – 4pm

 

Click HERE for map/directions

John McGuinness take’s ‘Sweet Sixteenth’ TT victory

TT Legend John McGuinness has won the first race of the 2011 TT Races, the Superbike Race, onboard his Honda TT Legends Fireblade.

This is John’s Sixteenth (16th)  TT victory and came after an early ‘fight’ with Bruce Anstey who retired on the second lap.

Mcguiness won the race in a time of 1hr 46mins 13.40secs, at an average speed of 127.870mph

Fastest lap was set by Bruce Anstey at a speed of 131.378mph

2nd in the race was Australian Cameron Donald on the Wilson Craig Honda Fireblade and 3rd was Gary Johnson on the Lincs Lifting Honda Fireblade.

Congratulations to John from all the BikeWise ‘team’. John has attended BikeWise regularly over the years due to his close association with HM Plant Ltd and he is a big supporter of the Mini Bike Club, last year he made a personal donation to the club which has helped to purchase a second hand Polini 910 for club members to use.

Photo’s now online from Warden Law – Next Meeting : Carrville 5th June

Great nights practice up at Karting North East (Warden Law) on Monday. Photo’s are now online on the website :
http://www.bikewiseminibikeclub.org.uk/p/gallery.html
Next meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club is this Sunday, 5th June at Carrville
1000hrs sign on for a 1030hrs start

Ride to Work day

With petrol prices and train fares rising,  riding a motorbike or scooter to work has never looked like a better option.

So on June 20, every motorcyclist in Britain should be out on two wheels, showing what makes it such a great way to commute.

As well as showing the benefits of riding to the individual commuter, the MCI will be using Ride to Work Day to demonstrate how much better everybody’s lives would be if more people rode to work more often.

 

Steve Kenward, MCI CEO said “More motorcycles on the road would benefit everyone, with less congestion, less pollution and less crowding on public transport.

"The more riders who sign up and take part in Ride to Work Day, the more we get the message across, about the benefits of commuting by motorcycle or scooter.  This makes the case all the stronger for motorcycling as a central part of the transport mix.”

The Motorcycle Industry’s Get On campaign will also be using the day to encourage new riders to make motorcycling part of their daily routine, and to show non-riders what they’re missing.

To find out more go to www.ridetoworkday.co.uk.

Dragonslayer MCC – ‘Sober Up The Dragon 12’ Rally

Dragonslayer MCC are hosting their ‘Sober Up The Dragon 12’ Rally on the 15th –17th July 2011

The Rally Site is just outside of Lanchester / up past the dairies to 5 lane ends.Turn right up Longedge lane towards Rowley and the site is a couple of miles up on the right

Full details can be found on the clubs website at : http://dragonslayermcc.com/

 

Dragonslayer Club meetings are held on Sundays at 7:30pm at the

Red Lion
Plawsworth
Chester Le Street
County Durham
DH2 3NL
Tel: 08721 077 077

maps available here and here

check if the meetings are on by calling June on 01207 239177