To visit the BikeWise Mini Bike Club site, please CLICK HERE

BikeWise 2019

BikeWise 2019

Search BikeWise News

Four more for the album

'Dunkin Donuts' - Great picture from Florida :-)
Dunkin Donuts in Florida !!
Chattanooga PD
Chattanooga PD - Harley D…
'Many Thanks' to Ian Squire who took these pictures whilst on Holiday in Crete in 2013
Two pictures from Crete in 2013 – Thanks to Ian Squire
'Many Thanks' to Ian Squire who took these pictures whilst on Holiday in Crete in 2013

Four more pictures in our album : ‘World Police’ which contains pictures of Police Motorcycles from all over the world.

To view these and other albums please CLICK HERE

If you’re out and about and take any pictures of Police Motorcycles please send us a copy to durham.bikewise@gmail.com and we’ll publish them in our albums

SORN Rules have changed

SORN-LNOT everything about motorcycling is about riding – there’s a huge number who get just as much from tinkering in the garage and as a result proportionally more motorcycles are off-the-road than cars.

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

fred-flintstone-motorcycleYabba Dabba Do..... Sunday weather forecast is looking (cold but) good so we are planning to run our first meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club at Carrville Park & Ride tomorrow morning.

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 Smile

SMMC Junior A SMMC-Junior-B
SMMC Junior C SMMC Production F L
SMMC Production M H SMMC Open

Photos & Videos online from Sundays meeting of the BWMBC

0812Many 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 Smile

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

MBCThe next meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club will be on  :


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

DAM Logo 6x4gc2c2c2

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

0418_P07_Sykes_actionThe MCN Fantasy racing season has now ended and its congratulations to Philip Waddell, who finished top of the league with 2021 points

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.

MCN League

Paws Up Calendars

Calendar picture 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.
Calendar 2 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

poppy_1512923c

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

Witness AppealA motorcyclist has sadly died after his machine was in collision with a car in Easington village.

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

Cancel-BWMBCToday’s meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club has had to be cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions.

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

DAM Bikesafe Presentation Aykley Heads-1-2The last BikeSafe Durham workshop for 2013 was held at BikeWise HQ,  on Saturday 5th October, with another eight riders taking part. 

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

MBCThe next meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club will be on  :

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

MBCThe next meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club will be on  :

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)

Scottish-2013The next 'meeting' of the BikeWise Mini Bike club is this Sunday, 22nd September when we ‘host’ a round of the Scottish 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

MBC

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

 

bikesafeWe will be running two BikeSafe Training days at Police HQ on the following dates :

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

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