Inspired by the Red Bull X Fighters competition in London this weekend. I thought I’d take a quick look at some of the spectacular stunts these riders can get up to. Watch these videos and see what you think:
Three backflips – Maddison, Hoyer and Guetter
Red Bull X-Fighters 2006 highlights – huge air!
A freestyle motocross tribute
Best of Travis Pastrana
Big air motocross jumps
This week’s story on MCN’s top ten middleweight adventure bikes inspired me to have a look on YouTube to see what kind of action Honda Africa Twin riders have been up to on their number one rated bike.
Enjoy these clips… and don’t try this at home.
How to wash your bike:
Bush bashing on an Africa Twin:
Confident snow riding:
Tough river crossing:
Dune riding:
There are many stories of people traveling around the world on a motorcycle. It’s no wonder that more and more people are being inspired to take the first step. There is more information available, which gives everyone access to the mystery of travel.
So, where do you start? First you need to decide whether you are going to go solo or an organised tour. I would love to go on a solo ride, but haven’t quite got there yet. This option is the most inspiring to me as you get absorbed into the place or places of where you hope to go. It also requires a bit more planning than an organised tour. For more information go to : http://www.bigearth.co.uk/plan.html. Another great resource is www.horizonsunlimited.com.
On the other hand, if you are a little clouded by the thought of leaving your job, family, friends and home for a decent amount of time, then maybe an organised tour is your cup of tea.
Organised tours may sound a little more sterile than the go it alone option, but believe me they can have their own surprises. The beauty is that the route is planned out for you, so that you can guarantee that you will ride some of the best roads and trails you could wish for. Also, the headache of finding accommodation is taken care of. I can personally recommend Richard Harvey’s tours across Europe and Simon Pavey’s Pyrenees tour. Visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/worldofbmw for more information.
If you would like to try a more extreme tour, visit www.globebusters.com
Whatever you decided. Good luck and come back and share your stories with us.
Ok, I’ll confess. I think Valentino Rossi is awesome. But who doesn’t? He is a legend on a bike and he has proven it time and time again with his racing successes. Not only that. He is an extremely likeable fella. Colourful, down to earth and with a slightly quirky sense of humour.
But can you believe his latest news? Rossi who crashed and broke his leg only weeks ago is back on a bike. Here is what his team had to say….
Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi rode a motorcycle for the first time this week since breaking his right leg at Mugello on 5th June. He rode a total of 26 laps at Misano on a YZF-R1 WSB machine, provided by the Yamaha World Superbike Team, and recorded a best time of 1’38.200. Rossi did an initial run of 11 laps at 18.30 CET with a best time of 1’41.000, then a second run of 15 laps at 19.45 CET with a best time of 1’38.200 (unofficial times).
The reigning World Champion was able to ride well but he had some pain in his leg and his shoulder. He will now continue with an updated rehabilitation programme and make a decision within the next week as to whether he will ride at the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring, in ten days time.
“We made this test in order to understand how we must work from here and to see more or less how I can ride the bike,” said Rossi. “The test was positive, because I can at least ride, but there is a lot more to a MotoGP race than to a test like this one. I had some pain in the ankle, the knee and the shoulder, but above all I lacked strength in the shoulder and a bit of movement in the ankle. I would really like to come back at Sachsenring, but it is still too early to say. We still have twelve days and we must wait and see how much we can improve my condition in the next few days. The Superbike today was good and great fun to ride! I really would like to ride at Sachsenring, but we must wait another week before making a decision.”
The other day I was asked if I had ever ridden a motorcycle without a helmet. Well, the answer is yes. Not very far. I think it was up and down my street and that was as far as I went. That sense of freedom and vulnerability was exciting. That was a long time ago back in Oz. Where many motorcyclists would go out riding, just wearing a singlet, shorts and a pair of runners. I guess some still do.
Anyway, I know a lot of motorcyclists and some prefer little protection, and others require the whole hog. So what sets these riders apart? Confidence, skill, experience or maybe a factor or all three. And there is no right or wrong answer to what you do, but it has to be right for you and obviously legal.
I think the key is that you need to feel safe. But I also know that gear alone wont make you safe. You don’t become superhuman just because you are wearing it. Riding within your limits and always expect the unexpected on the road is vital. Knee down corner action should be saved for the race track, not the road.
The next time I’m out on the road I’ll be all comfortably suited and booted. The choice is yours…
This week I found a website that I never knew existed. It’s www.pomsinoz.com. A website dedicated to ex pats who are living Down Under and covers a whole load of topics about travel, work, visas etc. But if you are a motorcyclist, it can also be part of your social network.
If you are heading to Oz, this site will connect you with motorcyclists in Australia. People who are willing to give up their time to show you around on a bike. You will find fellow riders who will show you their favourite roads and places and you can enjoy the banter of another motorcyclist for a day or so.
The site also has people looking for other motorcyclists to travel with and also gives you some hot spots of where to ride if you are planning a trip. It also has information on shipping, warnings about the local police (they are hot in Oz) and much more.
If you are heading to the Southern Hemisphere for a biking holiday, I suggest you give this site a quick look. It may give you a little encounter that you will never forget.
All adventure motorcycles must of heard of Che Guevara brought alive in the movie The Motorcycle Diaries. Officials in Argentina, Bolivia and Cuba are collaborating on a tourist trail following in the footsteps of the Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara.
According to Bolivia’s vice minister of tourism, Marco Antonio Peredo, The Caminos del Che trail will include the sites where Guevara was born, fought and died. “We aren’t looking to commodify him – he’s not a product that’s for sale,” said Diego Conca, who co-ordinates Argentina’s portion of the Che trail, although we understand that souvenir T-shirts may be available.
Living in idyllic south-west Scotland, I’m lucky on most accounts that I’m a stones throw away from a nice beach and a short drive from the mountains. The roads nearby are generally quiet and around almost every corner there is opportunity to take a scenic photo.
Although, if I’d planned to go to the TT this coming week, it would be a major feat. On a clear day I can see the Isle of Man from our local beach, but that doesn’t mean I can get there in a direct route. Apparently it is only 17 miles from the Mull of Galloway – Scotland’s most southerly point.
I could travel to Heysham for the ferry, but that’s four hours just to get to the ferry port. Or I could fly from Glasgow to the Isle. That just seems like a waste of time… going backwards to go forwards.
Over a pint in the local pub we have contemplated ways of getting there. Maybe bribing the owners of the local fishing boats, or getting a jet ski and just flying across.
The frustration is that I can see the Isle of Man, but it just sits there teasing me with its presence. I’m sorry TT. Until this mystery is solved. It will need to be another year.
With people all over the world taking to two wheels and hitting the road, isn’t it great how we can all keep in touch or up-to-date with their adventures online?
Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Word Press, Horizons Unlimited, GSer.com and all of the other outlets that allow our friendly travellers let us know what they are up to.
So if you are planning a trip, don’t forget to get online and share your journey with the rest of the world. You will find access to the internet in places you would never dream. It’s not hard. Give it a try.
Here are a few examples of what some motorcycle adventurers are up to right now:
This weekend will mark the 50th Anniversary of the BMF Show – Europe’s largest outdoor motorcycle event. It has something for everyone. There will be live entertainment, stunt shows, manufacturer displays, ride outs, great shopping, motorcycle clubs and plenty of food and drink. Basically if you enjoy watching, talking or shopping for anything motorcycle-related, this is the place for you.
The annual event is held in Peterborough and it attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over the UK and Europe. With hundreds of trade stalls to explore, most visitors take home at least one souvenir from the show. And if you are like me, your hands will be full of great buys on your way out of the gate.
This year the entertainment will included stunt rider Jason Smyth from The Adrenaline tour, who will be soaring through the air on his collection of various quad and dirt bikes. There will also be the Stannage International Stunt Team and the great annual moped race. Unfortunately no Purple Helmets this year.
BMW Motorrad will be offering test rides on its GS range, RT and the fantastic new S 1000 RR. Various clothing stands will offer amazing discounts, where you are sure to grab a bargain. The annual Best in Show competition will see many “works of art” on display.
There will be over 65 motorcycle club stands, which means plenty of like-minded people at every nook and cranny of the Show.
If you’ve never been and have nothing planned for the weekend. Then get your biking kit on and make it a date.
During the evening there will be live music from Stingray, Trash Monkey, Hooker and headline acts, Boot Led-Zeppelin and Killer Queen.
The BMF Show is held at the East of England Showground in Peterborough on 15-16 May from 9am-5pm. Tickets are available on the gate.
