BikeWise 2019
SORN Rules have changed
December 16th, 2013 was the date that the rules regarding SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) changed to make life simpler
In the past, those of us with long-term ‘projects’ had to re-apply for SORN every year to prove that the bike didn't need taxing and, more recently, isn’t subject to compulsory insurance rules.
From the 16th December, however, a SORN will remain active indefinitely – tell the DVLA once and you only have to get back in touch with then when the bike is finally going back on the road.
SORN doesn’t pass with ownership, so if you sell or buy a project, the new owner will need his own SORN on it, and the same applies to things like changes of address, but otherwise it’s one little annual job that’s no longer needed.
As part of the same changes, it won’t be necessary to provide proof of insurance when you re-tax your bike after December 16. That’s because a while ago it became illegal to own an uninsured vehicle (that isn’t SORNed), and insurance is automatically checked by computers on a rolling basis, eliminating the need to produce paper ‘proof’ when applying for VED.
Next Meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club : Sunday 12th January
Signing on from 1000hrs, with safety brief/start at 1030hrs.
If existing members haven't yet renewed their ACU licence, then please bring the paperwork with you as it was due for renewal on the 1st January !!
If you have any doubts about the weather in the morning then please check the website : www.bikewiseminibikeclub.org.uk as we will post any cancellation notice by no later than 0915hrs
Scottish Mini Moto Championship 2013
The Final round of the championship has now been run and below are the names of the winners of the respective championship classes
Junior A : 1 – Ross Maguire, 2 – Declan Connell, 3 – Adon Davie
Junior B : 1 - Rishon Hickey (BWMBC), 2 – Jack Hoy (BWMBC), 3 – James McLaren
Junior C : 1 - James Alderson (BWMBC), 2 – Andrew Thornton (BWMBC), 3 – Sam Graham
Feathers : 1 - Rishon Hickey (BWMBC), 2 - Jack Hoy (BWMBC), 3 - Ross Maguire
Lights : 1 – James Alderson (BWMBC), 2 – Lewis Rollo, 3 – Steve Paterson
Middle : 1 – Andrew Thornton (BWMBC), 2 - James Turner, 3 – Sam Munro
Heavy : 1 – Stuart Anderson, 2 – James Williamson, 3 – Gary Dick
Open : 1 – Declan McGilvery, 2 - James Alderson (BWMBC), 3 – Andrew Thornton (BWMBC),
Some fantastic results for all our BikeWise Mini Bike Club Riders, who have won five of the eight championship classes, including the BikeWise sponsored Junior B class.
‘Many Thanks’ to the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC) for their continued support, together with Alan McIntosh (Polini UK), who sponsored Round 6 of the Championship, which was held at Karting North East, our local track where most of our club members were able to participate in the championship.
Thanks also to Ron Hogg, the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, who attended the event and showed great support and enthusiasm for the club & its riders & also to the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) who provide the framework and background support to enable us to run the club.
Final standings in the championships are shown below and it is really good to see so many names of riders from the BWMBC.
We can’t wait for the 2014 season to begin 
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Photos & Videos online from Sundays meeting of the BWMBC
Many Thanks to all the riders and their families who turned up on Sunday at Police HQ, Durham.Although it was cold & damp we had a brilliant meeting and we all had smiles on our faces when we finally packed up.
Some great riding by all our riders on a tight, twisty & damp course
Many Thanks to John Attle for coming along and taking photos on the day which are now online via the gallery page :
http://www.bikewiseminibikeclub.org.uk/p/gallery.html
Videos were taken on the day via our Go Pro camera by the Cummings brothers, Scott & Ewan.
Five new videos on our You Tube Channel :
http://www.youtube.com/user/DurhamBikeWise
2013 has been a brilliant year once again for the BikeWise Mini Bike Club.
It’s great to see our riders growing up and getting so much pleasure out of their motorcycles.
We can’t wait to get the 2014 season started…
Next Meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club
Sunday, 8th December at Police HQ, Aykley Heads,Durham.
Usual start time of 1030hrs with signing on from 1000hrs.
We have had no replies from the landowners of the properties we were looking at for indoor venues so we are going to try and run an outdoor event on the skidpan at Police HQ (same place as BikeWise Show)
The forecast for the weekend is looking good but please check the website or Facebook/Twitter on Sunday before traveling if you have any doubts.
If we need to cancel due to adverse weather we will post on the above and also send out an email to members.
Wrap up warm, bring some hot drinks with you and hopefully we’ll all be smiling on Sunday night….
DAM Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 26th November.
Just to remind everyone the DAM AGM will be held at The Bowburn Hall Hotel, Bowburn. DH6 5NH on Tuesday 26th. November. Start 7.30 pm prompt.
This is an opportunity for members to have their say in running the club as well as voting for officials and committee members.
Look forward to seeing members old and new as well as associates.
Regards, Bill McCready group Sec.
MCN/BikeWise Fantasy Road Race 2013 - season ends
Second was Colin Davison with 1999 points and third was Brad Weller with 1994 points.
The seasons end was highlighted by Marc Marquez becoming the youngest ever Moto GP world champion at 20yrs of age, beating Freddie Spencers long standing record.
In World Superbikes Tom Sykes rode superbly to give us a British World Champion and World Supersport was won by Sam Lowes.
British Superbikes left us ‘biting our nails’ right down to the last race where Alex Lowes took the title from Shane ‘shakey’ Byrne
We’ll soon have our photo galleries updated with some pictures from this years racing.
Many Thanks to the 70 participants in the league this year, remember to tell your friends so that we can break the 100 barrier next year.
Paws Up Calendars
 | The ‘must have ‘accessory’ for 2014 has now arrived - the ‘Paws Up’ 2014 Calendar. The calendar has been produced to raise funds for the Durham Retired Police Dogs Benevolent Fund These limited edition calendars are A3 in size and feature pictures of twelve of our four legged friends for you to view over the next year. |
 | A calendar can be yours for only £8 including P & P If you would like to order please click on this link : http://www.pawsup.org.uk/p/merchandise.html There’s lots of other Paws Up ‘goodies’ on this page and it’s the right time of year to be buying a present for your friends and spreading the word about Paws Up |
A Moment To Reflect
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander's fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander's fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
Appeal for Witnesses
The crash happened at 7.45pm on Sunday, 6th October on the B1283 at its junction with Thorpe Road.
Two vehicles were involved, a beige coloured Nissan Micra driven by an 84-year-old woman from Peterlee and a black Suzuki GSXR 600 motorbike.
The car was heading east along the section of the B1283 which is Rosemary Lane, intending to turn right onto Thorpe Road. The bike was heading in the opposite direction along Seaside Lane approaching the junction when the car turned right and the two collided.
The motorcyclist, 41-year-old Ronald JOHNSON of Holmhill Gardens, Easington Colliery suffered fatal injuries as a result and he was certified dead at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough a short time later. The driver of the Micra was also treated at the same hospital, for shock and a minor injury to her knee before being released home.
As a result of the crash the road was closed to traffic until half-past midnight.
Police are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone else who may have been on the roads in that area and saw either the car or the motorbike to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 375 2159
Todays meeting CANCELLED
Heavy rain fell overnight leaving the car park very wet & early morning fog together with a forecast of rain coming from the south has left us no alternative than to cancel on safety grounds.
We are actively looking for an indoor premises with the winter rapidly approaching.
Karting NE are still scheduled to run tomorrow, Mon 21st and also Mon 4th Nov
BikeSafe Durham – Last workshop of 2013
Almost forty riders have now been on a BikeSafe workshop with us this year. Feedback from participants on the days we have held so far has been very positive and several riders have gone on to join Durham Advanced Motorcyclists and pass their Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Test.
The latest to do this is Shaun Doyle from Craghead.
Shaun truly has “Bridged The Gap” with BikeSafe, having attended the National BikeSafe show in Doncaster earlier on in the year.
At the show he had an assessed ride with Pc Jim Gratton who signed him up for the first Bikesafe Workshop in Durham in June. During the day Shaun took full advantage of our offer to join Durham Advanced Motorcyclists, and has taken part in their Skills for Life riding package, recently passing his IAM Test.
Shaun came along to our latest workshop and was presented with his IAM Test Certificate, together with a £75 refund from the Durham Road Safety Partnership, as a contribution towards his further training.
This offer is available to all those riders who have been on a 2013 Bikesafe workshop with us.
Full details about further BikeSafe workshops planned for 2014 will be placed here on the BikeWise website in due course.
For further details about BikeSafe Durham, please contact PC Jim Gratton on : 0191 3752136 or email james.gratton@durham.pnn.police.uk
Next Meeting of the BWMBC
Sunday, 20th October at Carrville Park & Ride.
Usual start time of 1030hrs with signing on from 1000hrs.
The forecast for the weekend is not particularly good so please check the website or Facebook/Twitter on Sunday before traveling. If we need to cancel due to adverse weather we will post on the above and also send out an email to members’
Karting NE will be hosting there Mini Moto night on Monday 21st October and the final evening meeting will be on 4th November..
Good luck to all our members who are competing in the Scottish Championship at Kirkcaldy this Sunday
Next Meeting of the BWMBC
Sunday, 29th September at Carrville Park & Ride.
Usual start time of 1030hrs with signing on from 1000hrs.
If you have any doubts about the weather on Sunday morning then please ring 0191 375 2136 (and speak to John Bowman) before travelling. There will be no cancellation notice put on the website this time
Scottish Minibike Championship at Karting NE (Warden Law)
The event is run by Alan McIntosh of Polini UK, signing on will be from 11.30 to 12.30 with riders briefing to start right after, qualifying / racing at 1300hrs.
Please try and support the event – there is plenty of good tarmac parking if you wish to come along and spectate.
Entry is free and their is a good cafe on site, the racing is really close and more exciting at times than Moto GP or WSB/BSB.
There are a good number of riders from the BWMBC who will be taking part & some are leading their classes in the championship, so any support you can give will give our local riders a huge ‘lift’ – so please come along and support the event.
In the event of rain the event will be cancelled as the circuit has low grip tarmac (for go-karts) and is unsafe to ride on two wheels so any cancellation will be posted via the websites and our Facebook & Twitter feeds,
Running order for the afternoon is as follows (starting at 1300hrs) :
1/ Open Class, 8mins Free Practice 1.
2/ Junior B and C, 8mins Qualifying 1.
3/ Junior A, 8mins Qualifying 1.
4/ Light, Middle and Heavy, 8mins Qualifying 1.
5/ Feathers, 8 mins Qualifying 1.
6/ Open Class, 8mins Free Practice 2.
7/ Junior B and C, 8mins Qualifying 2.
8/ Junior A, 8mins Qualifying 2.
9/ Light, Middle and Heavy, 8mins Qualifying 2.
10/ Feathers, 8mins Qualifying 2.
Format for RACES will be:
Race 1,6,11,16 - Open Class, 4 x 6 lap races rotating grid.
Race 2,7,12 - Junior B and C, 3 x 6 lap races.
Race 3,8,13, - Junior A, 3 x 6 lap races.
Race 4,9,14, - Light, Middle and Heavy, 3 x 6 lap races.
Race 5,10,15, - Feathers, 3 x 6 lap races.
Next Meeting of the BWMBC
The next meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club will be on :
Sunday, 8th September at Carrville Park & Ride.
Usual start time of 1030hrs with signing on from 1000hrs.
Weather forecast for the weekend is unsettled, Sunday looks the best day so fingers crossed.
If you have any doubts about the weather on Sunday morning then please check the website before travelling as we will post any cancellation by 0900hrs.
Our normal Monday night session at Karting NE is on Monday 9th September (5pm-8pm)
BikeSafe Durham : limited spaces available
Saturday 21st September & Saturday 5th October 2013.
The day(s) will be run from 9am –5pm and will consist of classroom work on the morning followed by an assessed (2:1) ride in the afternoon.
Cost for the BikeSafe day is £20 and this will include your lunch & tea/coffee.
BikeSafe Durham Training days are designed to help you ‘Bridge The Gap’ to further Advanced Training.
If you subsequently join Durham Advanced Motorcyclists and work through their Skills for Life package to Test standard then you will receive a £75 refund from the Durham Road Safety Partnership.
Chris Allison of Chester le Street took part in the first BikeSafe Durham training day, earlier this year, subsequently joined the Durham Advanced Motorcyclists and has ‘Bridged The Gap’ by passing his Institute of Advance Motorists (IAM) Test
Places on these training days are limited and priority will be given to riders who have not undertaken any further advanced training.
For further details please contact PC Ali Bonar on : 0191 3752136
or email : ali.bonar@durham.pnn.police.uk
August a DAM good month
A great month for Durham Advanced Motorcyclists (DAM) with nine associates being tested by retired motorcycle Sgt and IAM Examiner, Bob Brown and passing their test to become members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
Bob said “ I have been testing riders from this group since we formed it in 1995 (to coincide with our first BikeWise show) and the standard of riding remains really high.
It is a pleasure to go and test these riders, watching them putting Police system riding into practice. A lot of thanks must go to the observers & senior observers within DAM who put in hours & hours of their own time to bring these riders to the required standard for them to pass their IAM test”
For further info on how to join Durham Advance Motorcyclists please contact the Secretary :
Bill McCready : 01325-311426
Email : enquiries@durhamadvancedmotorcyclists.org.uk
 Chris Allison |  Philip Roberts |  Ray Blighe |
 John Bamber |  Michaela Lawson |  Scott Anderson |
 David Johnson |  Stephen Hodgson |  Dave Walker |