EAST DEVON BIKER

£20 off winter riding gear

Fancy £20 off some winter riding gear? Head over to the Devon County Council website (following the link in the last post) and see what discounts are available.
Also the advanced motorcycling course with Devon Advanced Motorcyclists (DAM) is being reduced by £24 for riders who have a DCC postcode.

Winter is here - Time to Hibernate?

It's getting cold out and the bike is sat in the garage looking a little forlorn. Needs a bit of work...ho hum time to hibernate?
Not according to Devon County Council. The authority has set up a project to encourage riders to ride during the Winter months to keep their riding skills up to date.

The DCC statement support the project acknowledge the fact that it's not always possible to ride in winter conditions, but feel it is beneficial for rider skills retention if bikers are out and about when the weather permits.

For more information take a look at the DCC website http://www.devon.gov.uk/bikers/winterriding.htm

Kill the Diesel Spills

The KillSpills campaign, set up to counter the menace of diesel spillage and particularly, the danger it presents to motorcyclists, will hold its final ride on Saturday 20th September .

The final ‘617 Ride’ (so called because it represents the total number of killed and seriously injured diesel accidents for all road users between 2000 and 2005), is by invitation only and will be limited to 100 bikes, including marshals.

Although the BMF are continuing to sponsor the KillSpills campaign, the Institute of Advanced Motorists have also agreed to sponsor KillSpills for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009, something the BMF welcomes as recognition of the valuable work KillSpills has done over the past four years.

The ride assembles at the Ace Café at 10:30, leaves for Number 10 Downing Street at 11:00 to hand in the KS Annual Report then rides to Peterborough via the Ace Café, arriving at the Showground at 15:30 hrs.

The campaign has made significant progress over the past five years, most recently being responsible for revisions to the Highway Code highlighting the dangers of diesel spills. KillSpills has also obtained funding from the DfT for 200,000 anti diesel spill leaflets and saw the Highways Agency launch their own anti diesel spill message for which they received the BMF/KillSpills award 2007 for ‘Achievement in Reducing Diesel Spills.’

Check out the BMF website for more info: www.bmf.co.uk

Scooters Galore in Exmouth

Scooter clubs from across the South West headed for Exmouth last weekend for their annual summer rally. Taking over the seafront and the Pavilion, the riders enjoyed sunshine, music and each others company. OK I'm not so into scooters as much as bikes, but I couldn't help appreciate the site of hundreds of two wheel travellers enjoying themselves by the sea.
Good luck to 'em I say.
For pics etc look in the local paper.

Air Show Bikers

Having travelled out of county to the Yeovilton Air Day last weekend, my search for all things bike related was put on hold with my own machine laid up and little else biker related happening locally.

Air Day? Sounded like it was bound to be a day dominated by flying objects of various types. But me being me, and liking motorbikes of all shapes and sizes I thought the vintage vehicles display would have a few military bikes on show.

I spent the first 30 minutes staring skyward at the seriously silly antics of a couple of wing walkers on two biplanes doing loop-the-loops - impressive, mad, but impressive.

I then headed for the vintage motor show. Sadly only three of the blighters on show:
From left to right
1940 Royal Enfield 350 OHV Restored in 2006
1942 Norton 490cc Side Valve Restored in 2007
1941 Ariel 350 OHV Despatch Riders Bike Restored 1998

Disappointed by the lack of bikes, and wet through by rain, I headed back to the car. That'll teach me. Next time I think I should head for a bike show.

Annual Bike Show returns to Sandford

The annual Rose and Crown Motorcycle Show, situated at the pub of the same name in Sandford, is taking place on the 19th July. The show, which has been running for 8 years, aims to raise money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Starting back in 2001 the event has grown to be a popular event year for Devon's biking community. The Rose & Crown pub, which is well known for its biker friendly outlook, holds the event in the car park and on land behind the main building.

The event features bands, shows, music and food. For more information contact the Rose and Crown on 01363 772056

Estuary Bikers Group launch

Some of Exmouth's bikers have formed a new riding group for bikers in the area. The Estuary Bikers Riding Club will gather at the The Bath House on the Esplanade, Exmouth. The gatherings will take place on the last Thursday of the month.
The group is open to anyone, riding any type of bike. For anyone interested in joining them you can either turn up on the night or email the group
estuarybikersrc@yahoo.co.uk