BikeWise wins National Road Safety Award

BikeWise has won the Highways Magazine Excellence Award for 2008 in the category of Road Safety Scheme of the year.
Donald Waller & Paul Brown of Durham County Council submitted the nomination in respect of the joint work done by Durham County Council & Durham Police in relation to BikeWise...
This encompasses BikeWise Mini-Bike Club, BikeWise Training as well as BikeWise show.
BikeWise has grown since it's inception in 1995 and now caters, all year round, for all things 'motorcycling' in County Durham and for ages 6yrs to 76yrs.......

(Iain Rodgers, Mick Alder & Bob Brown recieving the award on behalf of the BikeWise team)

BikeWise Donations 2008

The BikeWise event this year proved to be huge success and that success has allowed us to give away a record breaking 10,500 pounds this year to a whole range of causes.

Recipients include the Great North Air Ambulance who will be presented a cheque for 2000 pounds by ex PC Piers Lawrence.

Piers was a matter of days from retirement when he was struck by a car when assisting at the scene of a traffic accident.

His injuries were serious and he was rushed by the Air Ambulance to hospital, there is no doubt it played a significant part in his recovery.

St Cuthbert's hospice in Durham City have been given 1300 pounds to assist with fitting out their new coffee shop for the benefit patients and visitors.

Medical charities associated with diseases such as Meningitis, Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis will receive over 2500 pounds in donations.

Other beneficiaries include amongst others Durham Advanced Motorcyclists, Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team, BikeWise mini bike club and three local children touched by serious illness.

In addition the first responders scheme in Weardale will be given 500 pounds which seemed fitting given that so many bikers pass through the Dale.

It's never easy deciding what causes should benefit however as you can see many are local.

We haven't allocated every last penny which means that we are still able to support local causes that crop up over the course of the year, particularly those associated with bikers.

So if you are involved or know somebody or a group that are in need of support please give us a shout and we'll see what we can do.

BikeWise Donations... Robbie Jones

Gary Ward presenting a cheque for £500 to Jill Graham and her 2 yr old son Robbie Jones, from BikeWise.

Robbie recently contracted Meningitis and as a result surgeons had to amputate both his legs to save his life, as septicaemia was spreading through his body. Robbie's left leg was taken from below the knee and his right leg was taken from above the knee. Surgeons also had to remove the ends of his fingers on his left hand.

Robbie is recovering well and is improving every day but is going to need as much help as possible. To read more about Robbie's story visit his website : www.robbie-jones.co.uk

To see the charities that BikeWise have supported over the years please visit : http://www.durham.police.uk/bikewise/charity/707/

FIM announce dates for World Superbikes 2009

The 2009 provisional calendar of the FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championships and Superstock 1000cc FIM Cup is the following:

March 1: Australia (Phillip Island) - SBK SSP

March 14: Qatar (Doha/Losail) - SBK SSP *

April 5: Spain (Valencia) - SBK SSP STK

April 26: Netherlands (Assen) - SBK SSP STK

May 10: Italy (Monza) - SBK SSP STK **

May 17: South Africa (Kyalami) - SBK SSP

May 31: United States (Salt Lake City) - SBK SSP

June 21: San Marino (Misano) - SBK SSP STK

June 28: Great-Britain (Donington Park) - SBK SSP STK

July 26: Czech Republic (Brno) - SBK SSP STK

September 6: Germany (Nürburgring) - SBK SSP STK

September 27: Italy (tba) - SBK SSP

October 4: France (Magny-Cours) - SBK SSP STK

October 25: Portugal (Portimão) - SBK SSP STK

* : Saturday

** : subject to contract

tba : to be announced

Warden Law - Monday 20th October...

Warden Law - Monday 20th October.....
The management at Karting North East have kindly agreed to allow us the use of the circuit even though they could earn more by allowing Karts to use it.... They are, after all, a commercial venue and need to generate income to pay wages etc, so the support of club members at the circuit is vital if we are to continue to be allowed to run there..
They appreciate that the dark nights are coming in and are in the process of arranging additional lighting on the mini-bike track - so, PLEASE be patient for a short time and we will have access all year round.
Please Note : The floodlights have not yet been installed and if you attend on Monday then only expect a short session as the light is starting to fail by 1830hrs.....

Carrville Park & Ride - Sunday 19th October

Sunday 19th October, 1000hrs for a 1030 start.......
Please check your email Sunday morning or ring Bob (07767 324896) if you have any doubts about the weather (Rain !!!)

GNAA Mystery Ride - Thanks to you all....

Thanks to all who took part in the Great North Air Ambulance Mystery Ride out on Sunday from Police HQ.
Two hundred bikes took part and the weather (for once this year) was sunny..
THe ride took participants up to the Durham Dales and back to Headquarters where the air ambulance was waiting for people to look around. The main event poster which had been signed by top riders from the Hanspree Ten Kate Honda WSB team was raffled off and in total approx £1500 was raised on the day for the air ambulance.
Pictures from the event will be posted on the BikeWise website (as soon as we can get rid of some technical gremlins.......)

'Brogie' wins the championship.....

Congratulations from all the BikeWise team, to HM Plant Honda's Steve Brogan, for winning the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship (despite suffering from the two broken bones in his right foot due to a crash at Croft.)
Steve has been a supporter of BikeWise for a couple of years and has been to Police HQ with HM Plant Honda for BikeWise 2007 & 2008 where he met many of you..
http://www.stevebrogan.co.uk/

BikeWise Competition Winner...

BikeWise Training competition winner Andrew Bradford - who was one of the three winners of our online competition prior to BikeWise 2008.
Andrew is seen here whilst out on his training day

'Brogie' wins the championship.....

Congratulations from all at the BikeWise Mini-Bike Club to HM Plant Honda's Steve Brogan for winning the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship, despite suffering from the two broken bones in his right foot due to a crash at Croft.
Steve has been a supporter of BikeWise for a couple of years and met members of the club at BikeWise 2008 and also at the BSB round at Croft......
http://www.stevebrogan.co.uk/

Picture's online from the meeting at Police HQ

Many Thanks to all who turned up and supported our latest event at the Police HQ last weekend.
Special THANKS to all who helped with marshaling the event.. With Mick being on holiday and me being involved with the Air Ambulance / BikeWise Training event, your help was really appreciated.
Look forward to seeing you at Warden Law on Monday (6th Oct)
Bob

Bike Wise Mini-Bike Club Aykley Heads Sept 2008

Warden Law - Monday 6th October.....

Warden Law - Monday 6th October.....
The management at Karting North East have kindly agreed to allow us the use of the circuit even though they could earn more by allowing Karts to use it.... They are, after all, a commercial venue and need to generate income to pay wages etc, so the support of club members at the circuit is vital if we are to continue to be allowed to run there..
They appreciate that the dark nights are coming in and are in the process of arranging additional lighting on the mini-bike track - so, PLEASE be patient for a short time and we will have access all year round.

THANKS.... To HM Plant Honda Racing

Oh What a Night......."
Many Thanks to HM Plant Honda Racing for inviting us down to Croft on a very busy BSB weekend.
John & Kath Jones (HM Plant), Harvey Beltran (Race Team Manager) & riders Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow & Steve Brogan (and also John McGuinnesss) provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to meet and see what racing is all about.
Photo's, autographs, questions and a visit to the pits... Even the torrential rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of the team...
Many Thanks for allowing us to 'Live the Dream'......

Warden Law - Monday 22nd September

Warden Law - Monday 22nd September.....
The management at Karting North East have kindly agreed to allow us the use of the circuit even though they could earn more by allowing Karts to use it.... They are, after all, a commercial venue and need to generate income to pay wages etc, so the support of club members at the circuit is vital if we are to continue to be allowed to run there..
First opportunity to get on two wheels after all that watching at Croft !!!

BikeWise Competition Winner...

BikeWise Training competition winner Allen Aldworth - who was one of the three winners of our online competition prior to BikeWise 2008.
Allen is seen here whilst out on his training day

Sunday 7th Sepember - Carrville - CANCELLED due to Rain

Hi everybody. We are going to have to cancel the meeting at Carrville tomorrow.... The weather forecast is for more rain.
Apologies but there is always Monday night at Warden Law & the forecast at the moment is a little better for then.
Bob

Warden Law - Monday 8th September..

Warden Law - Monday 8th September.....
The management at Karting North East have kindly agreed to allow us the use of the circuit even though they could earn more by allowing Karts to use it.... They are, after all, a commercial venue and need to generate income to pay wages etc, so the support of club members at the circuit is vital if we are to continue to be allowed to run there..
I know it's the day after Carrville (weather permitting !!) but please try and attend or else we could lose this venue...

Carrville, Sunday 7th September

Sunday 7th September, 1000hrs for a 1030 start.......
Please check your email Sunday morning or ring Bob (07767 324896) if you have any doubts about the weather (Rain !!!)

BikeWise Competition Winner...

BikeWise Training competition winner Malcolm Cutter - who was one of the three winners of our online competition prior to BikeWise 2008.
Malcolm is seen here whilst out on his training day and you can read what Malcolm thought of his training at the BikeWise Training website

Thanks to all who entered the competition.....

Congratulations.....

CONGRATULATIONS...........
To Laura Gemmil & Peter Finnigan who have both now become members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists after becoming members of Durham Advanced Motorcyclists.....

Laura & Peter are the first from BikeWise Training to pass the IAM Test and more are in training, so watch this space....