16-PAGE RIDE MOREPULLOUT CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN 2018

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH MCN’S TRUSTED PARTNERS

l Essential events l 10 Amazing roads l 61 great destinations l Real-life stories www.motorcyclenews.com #MCNwednesday

02 # RIDE MILES TO JOIN, LOG ON TO facebook.com/groups/ride5000miles March 21 2018 03

5 GREAT RIDES CONTENTS PERFECT BIKING YEAR RIDE MORE, BE HAPPIER DESTINATION PLANNER 8 The best events, bike meets, tea stops and race #RIDE MILES meetings 12 4 Pullout It’s never too late to start planning brilliant planner to destinations and events for the biking year ahead Five incredible 5000 rides that’ll inspire you put on your to get out and about on your bike garage wall 10 GREAT RIDES TRIPS OF A LIFETIME SIGN UP NOW! R5K NUMBERS Meet new friends, find new #ride5000miles members nominate ten easy routes, broaden your horizons weekend routes to help you build your mileage 6 and have your best year yet 14

How just riding 13 sing your bike more is a but if you use the target to spend more the challenge in the last year and our 11 sure-fire route to happiness time with your biking mates, or head Facebook site has become a real com- miles a day will be – and that’s a fact. Boffins out on a trip you’ve always fancied, it’ll munity – a hub for route-sharing, tips enough to hit your in white coats have proven improve your life, too. and encouragement. It’s an inspiration 5000-mile target Calais to Kazakhstan? Don’t mind if I do. U 7 Plus tours of Europe and the Alps just spending time with bikes will re- Nearly 5000 MCN readers took up that can’t help but make you get out on lease feel-good hormones in your brain your bike. – and in this world of uncertainty and The world is a won- strife, that can only be a good thing. #ride5000 miles is derful place full of two- MCN’s #ride5000miles is all about wheeled adventures getting out on our bikes more. The real community – waiting to be enjoyed average rider does about 3000 miles – don’t miss out on the a year but having a target that pushes and thousands have experience. past that distance will enrich your life. already signed up to JOIN THE ADVENTURE At the very least, riding more will make Matt Wildee, HIGH QUALITY you more at-one with your machine, ride more in 2018 Senior Editor ITALIAN MADE ACCESSORIES K-Venture Aluminium Black Line

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04 # RIDE MILES TO JOIN, LOG ON TO facebook.com/groups/ride5000miles March 21 2018 05

‘I covered over GREAT 5K RIDES 2 5000 miles for 5 Blood Bikes’ ANDREW HARRISON GETTING “I returned to riding after a 27-year INVOLVED break so #ride5000miles has been an inspiration. On top of the 6000 IS EASY… ‘#ride5000miles makes miles that I covered on my Triumph Tiger 800, I did just over 5000 miles Just do the following… on various bikes for Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Ride your bike more, Bikes. So in 2017 I got back into biking, then tell people about it rode over 11,000 miles, passed my What a year for you addicted to biking!’ IAM test and became a Bloodbike returning rider volunteer! Amazing year. What can I do Andrew to top that in 2018?” MAKE A NOTE OF Five incredible things that our members achieved in 2017 1YOUR MILEAGE “We raise money for the Poppy hese are just a selection while hitting their target mileage. ‘I rode 1000 Appeal and although it’s a tough 24 Your target is simple – to ride figure at the start. Take a picture of some of the incred- From raising money for charity to 3 miles in a day hours, the smiles on the riders’ faces 5000 miles in 2018. But this is just of it, write it down, or even put ible feats that members transporting blood and even riding and raised money for afterwards say it all – it’s a brilliant day really a number – the idea is just a sticker with the figure on your of the #ride5000miles to Russia, it was a busy year for MCN’s out and a great way to tick off 1000 to ride more, to enjoy riding and bike as a reminder. On modern T the Poppy Appeal’ miles. This year we are starting from to love biking more than ever. So, machines with two trip meters, Facebook group got up to last year #ride5000miles brigade… GRAEME DAWSON Squires Café on Saturday, June 16 make a note of your odometer’s reset your second trip. and there will be a choice of six routes (we will provide satnav files to make Who needs a five-star hotel when you “I’m a member of a small group of things easier) and even a 500-miler if can bunk down in a cosy shed? volunteers who run the Royal British you don’t fancy the 1000. A minimum RIDE TO SOME Legion Riders (RBLR) 1000-miler. We sponsorship of £50 is all that is PLACES gather together between 120 and 200 required to enter, but hopefully you can 2 riders and pillions if they want to come raise a bit more! If you want to join us in 1000 miles in 24 hours? It’s tough but and ride a 1000-mile route in 24 hours. 2018, visit www.rblr1000.co.uk.” 100% achievable and rewarding too Sounds obvious, but that’s all you that’s not a bad idea too…). need to do. These pages are full Instead, this about riding to work great roads to ride to and great a bit more, going a bit further at events to attend, so go to some of weekends, doing that trip you’ve them – and don’t let that awesome always wanted to do, or doing ‘I passed my test and rode bike rot in the garage. This isn’t a tour with your partner. This is about jacking in work and heading about making your life better 4 16,000 miles in a year!’ around the world (though maybe through riding a bike more. SALLY WEIGHILL You meet the nicest people on a Honda… New rider Sally has “I only passed my test a few months become hooked on TELL PEOPLE before 2017 started and so it was my motorcycling 3 ABOUT IT first full year of riding – but I made the most of it thanks to #ride5000miles! I got addicted to riding and after starting By signing up to our updates of your year, sharing out on a Street Triple, then progressing #ride5000miles movement, you’ll how you’re totting up the miles. to a Z900, I was doing so many miles be joining a club of bikers who all The group has riders of all I had to buy a Z1000SX as I wanted to have the same common aim – to experience levels so if you’re new go touring. ride more and get more out of to motorcycling don’t be afraid to “I live in Lincolnshire and I just love biking. ask for help or advice. going to the coast, so I racked up miles doing that, and I also spent a week People share their pictures, Don’t like Facebook? In that case, touring Scotland with a friend who has stories, routes experiences just send us your riding pictures also completed the #ride5000miles and arrange meet-ups on our and stories to ride5000miles@ challenge. #ride5000miles Facebook group. motorcyclenews.com. ‘I did 5500 miles in a month with my retired dad!’ Scotland is amazing, it was my 1 first big tour on two wheels and after Our Facebook group is a Sign up to our newsletter. Just go packing way too much I now know wonderful, positive thing. It’s to www.motorcyclenews.com/ what to pack for the next trip. I’m there for you to post regular ride5000miles. Mike Taylor Russia was added to the itinerary… planning on going back to Scotland this “My father has just “We set off on our Africa Twins year, but I’d love to go to Cornwall as retired. He had been to from near Edinburgh and went down well and explore the south of England. Norway years ago with to Newcastle to get the ferry to And I’m also taking my IAM test – not mum and was keen on Amsterdam and from there headed bad going for just 16 months of riding READ ABOUT returning, so he suggested a bike through Holland, Germany, Denmark experience and #ride5000miles has 4 IT IN MCN trip there. I wanted to go to Romania, and Sweden and into Norway. Once been a big part of it!” but he talked me into Norway. When in Norway we headed up the middle we looked at the map I said ‘if we are towards the Arctic Circle and got a Each week in our new stories, so we’ll be with you every going to Lofoten, we may as well hit ferry over to Lofoten. The further north wanted to ride again. I was doubtful, #ride5000miles section, we’ll be step of the way. Make 2018 your Nordkapp.’ A few more beers and you go the more expensive Norway ‘I got back into even questioning if I would be able to sharing your best pictures and best biking year yet. Enjoy! gets, and it’s bloody expensive to start biking after remember how to ride after such a long with, but we managed to get some free 5 time off two wheels, but I booked with a It was an experience 25 years!’ accommodation in Lofoten through a training school to get some confidence Mike and his newly-retired dad hit the like no other TO JOIN, LOG ON TO ‘We headed east shout-out on Facebook! VANESSA GRUNWALD back and now I own a Ninja 650! I’ve Nordkapp then delved into Russia and into Russia, “Once we got to the Nordkapp we done a small tour of Wales, joined with facebook.com/groups/ride5000miles which is where it headed east and into Russia, which banned from using some of the roads! not! After this we cut through Sweden, long runs but also two or three days all the ladies for the world’s largest all- is where it got a bit exciting. We were It was quite an adventure and did get Denmark, Germany and then home. off the bikes. It was one of the best “After 25 years away from riding, 2017 female parade around Silverstone at GET THE NEWSLETTER got a bit exciting’ riding through the middle of nowhere a bit daunting at times, especially as “The whole trip was just over 5500 things I have ever done – made even saw me take the plunge and get back MotoGP and have already signed up for and the only people we saw were no one seemed to know if the roads miles and took 25 days, which wasn’t the more special by the fact I did it on two wheels! Inspired by going to the Round Britain Rally. So far I’ve done motorcyclenews.com/ride5000miles MIKE TAYLOR police and army guys – and tourists are we had planned to take were open or as bad as it sounds, we had a couple of with my old dad.” watch BSB, WSB and MotoGP, I started 1700 miles on the Ninja and I can’t wait Vanessa took the plunge and it’s one of off going pillion, but quickly decided I to do even more in 2018.” the best things she’s ever done www.motorcyclenews.com 06 # RIDE MILES

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Exclusive travel partner to #ride5000miles # RIDE MILES 61 GREAT PLACES TO RIDE TO IN 2018 Great meets, shows, events races and tea stops to explore this year

his guide highlights some great destina - tions and events that are happening Tthroughout 2018. But these are PUT ON just a small taste of what is hap- pening, for even more events, YOUR simply go to the #ride5000miles Facebook page. GARAGE WALL!

SHOWS Carole Nash MCN Festival of Motorcycling, May 19-20 One of the highlights of the biking year, the MCN SCOTLAND Festival is a great weekend of bikes and high-octane thrills and a celebration of early summer. Just like last year, there is the chance to test ride new models, brilliant racing in the speedway arena and enough side-shows and attractions for the whole family. SHOW www.mcnfestival.com Grampian Motorcycle Convention, September 9 Now in its 36th year, the Grampian Motorcycle SHOW Convention is held at the Grampian Transport Museum Manchester Bike Show, and is a friendly motorcycle festival with loads of March 24-25 things to see and do. There’s live music, trade stands, Catch up with all the latest 2018 motorcycling demonstrations and even one or two models at the Manchester Bike Show. Now in biking celebs in the crowd. This year the museum its 7th year, the show has over 100 exhibitors even houses a collection of Guy Martin memorabilia, and there will be more than 750 motorcycles including his Saab 96 car! Entrance is £10 for adults. packed into the arena as well as celebs and live www.gtm.org.uk action shows! Parking is free and adult tickets cost £14 in advance with children £4. www.manchesterbikeshow.com

NORTH ULSTER

ISLE OF MAN

RACE IRELAND MotoGP, Silverstone, August 24 -16 Quite simply the biggest biking event of the year. The Silverstone round of MotoGP gets has great racing, Silverstone has MIDLANDS great facilities and it is a great WALES opportunity to bring the family along too. Go support Cal! EAST www.silverstone.co.uk

LONDON

SOUTH EAST SOUTH & SOUTH WEST RACE British Speedway GP, Cardiff, July 21 Speedway is a brilliant spectator sport and RACE while there are loads of club races happing all over the UK every week during the season, the GP The North West 200, Coleraine, May 13-19 is the place to go if you want to get the full experience. Unlike the TT, the NW200 is a full-on race and not a The Principality Stadium has a 62,500-capacity and the time trial, which means the action is hectic! All the atmosphere is like a massive petrol-fuelled party. An stars use the NW200 as a warm-up to the TT and you can get so awesome event, but tickets go fast – book now! close to the action it will leave you awestruck as the bikes whiz past at over 200mph! An amazing event. www.speedwaygp.com www.northwest200.org

GET OUT MORE IN 2018 SHOW RACE MEET TEA STOP TRACKDAY

EAST SOUTH EAST Scarborough. September 21-23 SCOTLAND Race Skerries 100, Co Dublin. July 7–8 Race BSB, Cadwell Park. August 17-19 Trackday Snetterton , Norfolk, April 9 Show Carole Nash MCN Scottish Tea stop Whistlestop Café, Whitby Show Carole Nash MCN Festival of Trackday, Brands Hatch GP, June 4 Motorcycle Show, Edinburgh, April 7-8 Tea stop Hartside Café, Alston, Cumbria ISLE OF MAN Motorcycling, Peterborough, May 19-20 Show MCN Ally Pally Show and Race BSB, Knockhill, July 6-8 Meet Craven Collection of Classic Bikes, Race Isle of Man TT, May 26–Jun 8 Race British Superbikes, Snetterton, Supersprint, London September 22-23 Show Harley-Davidson in the City Festival, Stockton on Forest, York Race Southern 100, July 9–12 June 15 -17 Race BSB Showdown finale, October 12-14 Brechin, Angus. July 14-15 Meet Squires Café Bar, Sherburn in Elmet Race Classic TT, August 20–27 Tea stop Road Kill Customs grill, Cromer Meet Bike Shed, London. Watch a MotoGP Show MCN Scottish Festival, Edinburgh, Tea stop Krazy Horse Cafe, Bury St round with a beer in your hand July 21-22 Edmunds Meet Ryka’s Café, Box Hill Meet Grampian Motorcycle Convention, Meet Hunstanton, Norfolk Tea stop H’s Café, Kent Motorcycles off the SOUTH & SOUTH WEST Alford, Aberdeenshire, September 9 WALES A2 near Barham Tea stop The Biker’s Cove, South Meet Ace Café, Stonebridge. Events Race BSB, Thruxton. August 3-5 Queensferry, Edinburgh Race Aberdare road races, Aberdare, MIDLANDS happen every night Race Goodwood Revival, Goodwood circuit Tea stop The King’s Arms, Castle Douglas July 21-22 Tea Stop Battlesbridge Motorcycle September 7-9 Meet Kingdom Bike Night, Cowdenbeath, Show Llanbikefest, Llangollen. Race BSB, Donington March 31-April 2 Museum, Battlesbridge. Sunday 11am-4pm Race WSB, Donington, May 25-27 Meet Ace Café Brighton Burn-up, Brighton, Fife. Monthly meets from April to Sept August 4-5 Race MotoGP, Silverstone, August 24-26 September 9 Tea stop Oasis Bikers Cafe, Abergavenny Race BSB, Silverstone, September 7-9 NORTH Race Weston Beach Race, Weston Super Tea stop West End Café, Llandovery Race Plum Pudding, Mallory Park, Dec 26 Mare. October 19-21 IRELAND Meet The Doof Café, Ruthin, Wednesdays Meet Triumph Factory Visitor Experience Race BSB, Oulton Park. May 5-7 & Tea stop Legends Café, GT Motorcycles, Meet Whistlestop Café, Rhuddlan, Thurs Show Dublin Classic Show, May 6 Show Brackley Festival of Motorcycling, September 14-16 Plymouth Show Ireland BikeFest, Killarney, August 12 Show Olivers Mount Festival of Speed, Tea stop Beaulieu Museum, Hampshire June 1-4 Café Super Sausage Café, Towcester Scarborough. May 5-7 Meet Pool Quay, every Tuesday, April-Sept SIGN UP TO THE NEWSLETTER Tea stop Joey’s Bar, Ballymoney Meet Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics Race Olivers Mount Gold Cup Road Race, Tea stop Haynes Motor Museum, Yeovil For news of great MCN-endorsed events Tea stop The Pondersoa, Dungiven see motorcyclenews.com/ride5000miles www.motorcyclenews.com #MCNwednesday #RIDE5000MILES MEMBERS # RIDE MILES AS NOMINATED BY PUT ON YOUR GARAGE TEN GREAT RIDES TO GET YOU STARTED WALL! Kickstart your biking year with some of the best routes in the country, as suggested by MCN’s #ride5000miles members

THE MOORLAND ONE TICK WHEN THE MOORLAND ONE TICK WHEN THE MID-WALES ONE TICK WHEN THE SCOTTISH ONE TICK WHEN THE VALLEYS ONE TICK WHEN COMPLETE COMPLETE COMPLETE COMPLETE COMPLETE 1 North York Moors – Beverley to Whitby 2 North York Moors – Beverley to Whitby 3 Lake Vyrnwy loop 4 Borders to Kielder 5 Elan Valley to Devil’s Bridge ‘You can ‘One of my ‘The views ‘A really enjoyable ride’ ‘Always worth a visit’ As recommended by Alex Morrison As recommended by Andrew Jones lose yourself favourite days out’ are stunning’ Length 142 miles National Park using whichever route Length 70 miles Aberystwyth. Before you reach As recommended by Jon Ashley As recommended by Tom Watson What makes it great Instead of tickles your fancy. A great day out and a What makes it great We have chosen this seaside town, drop south at for hours’ WHITBY Length 110 miles Squires Café in Length 117 miles B4393 that encircles following the dull A1, take the A697 at perfect way to blow off a few cobwebs Builth Wells as a good starting point, Ponterwyd and stop at the stunning As recommended by What makes it great Being based in Sherburn-in-Elmet. What makes it great Wales is a Lake Vyrnwy. There Morpeth towards Coldstream and then – whatever the weather! And being but as Andrew says, you can’t go Devil’s Bridge. Loop back to Builth Chris Hood Manchester, this route recommended From here you wonderful place to ride around and the is no need to rush as the roads are often pick up the A698, which are both fun this close to Scotland, waterproofs are wrong anywhere in the Elan Valley. on some smaller roads that lead to by Jon is his escape from the big city skirt York and aim towards Driffield views don’t get much better than at covered in gravel, and once you have had roads to ride. From here, go towards often required… Picking up the A470 you pass through Rhayader across the Elan Valley for a Length 68 miles and although we have only highlighted where a wonderful lunch stop awaits. Lake Vyrnwy – even if you visit it in the your fill of the views, aim towards Bala Jedburgh and then into the Kielder Stop for a break at Carter Bar on Rhayader before swapping to the great morning’s riding. What makes it a small section, there is plenty more From here you can either explore the middle of January as Tom did! Starting and take A494 to Dolgellau. A really Forest before winding your way back to the A68 – simply A44 enjoying some wonderful roads Stop for a break at Mid Wales Inn, great The North to see and do! Starting in Manchester, Yorkshire coast or loop back through at Machynlleth, take the A489 and then wonderful way to spend a morning. Morpeth through the Northumberland wonderful views. and scenery as you head towards Pant-y-dwr, Rhayader. York Moors are a you cross the northern tip of the Peak the Moors to complete a great day. A458 towards Welshpool before looping Stop for a break at The Old Barn Café, fantastic place to District on your way to Penistone Stop for a break at Seaways café, back on yourself and picking up the tiny Lake Vyrnwy. head towards for a on the A628 before cutting north to Driffield. COLDSTREAM ride because there are so many little roads heading off into the wilderness that you can easily spend all day exploring. Starting at Beverley, take the B1248 towards the wonderfully named DOLGELLAU LAKE VYRNWY Wetwang and then on towards DEVIL’S BRIDGE Malton. From here you enter the DRIFFIELD Moors. Either go to Whitby for some WETWANG MORPETH fantastic seafood, cut towards Scarborough, or explorie the Moors. Stop for a break at Goathland. Just MANCHESTER SQUIRES CAFÉ off the A169, this is where Heartbeat MACHYNLLETH was filmed and also the scene of BUILTH WELLS the Hogwarts Express stop in Harry BEVERLEY Potter. KIELDER FOREST

THE COMPACT ONE TICK WHEN THE CHALLENGING ONE TICK WHEN THE EASTERN ONE TICK WHEN THE LANCASHIRE ONE TICK WHEN THE COFFEE-FUELLED TICK WHEN 6 Grantham-Uppingham-Harborough COMPLETE 7 B660 – Kimbolton to Ramsey COMPLETE 8 East Coast - Hunstanton to Grimsby COMPLETE 9 West coast – Skipton to COMPLETE 10 Ryka’s Café to Loomies COMPLETE ‘Mainly B-roads and great views’ ‘Built with bikes in mind’ ‘Part of the ‘A superb rideout’ ‘A run between two cafés’ As recommended by Tony Hubbard As recommended by David Smith As recommended by Daniel Tetley As recommended by Robin Doughty IronButt’s GRIMSBY Length 90 miles Length 43 miles plenty of ups and Length 143 miles head southward Length 64 miles down the A24 to What makes it What makes it great The B660 is one downs as well photo tour…’ What makes it great Starting at avoiding the M6 What makes it great This great Horsham, but there great Rutland GRANTHAM of those roads that seems to have been as challenging As recommended by Skipton, you cut through the gap by picking up the A588 to Blackpool idea of a ride between two of the are several back may be the UK’s built with motorcyclists in mind. There corners. Occasionally the surface can Gordon Sears between the Yorkshire Dales and where rock, ballroom dancing and UK’s most popular biker cafés came roads you can take smallest county, are faster ways to cover the relatively be a little suspect, and farmers do like Forest of Bowland. If you want more, donkeys await. Take the A59 back from #ride5000miles member Robin instead. Once on the A272, head west but it gives big in short distance between Kimbolton and to spread mud on it during the winter Length 95 miles just turn off the A65 and head into to Skipton, or add more miles by Doughty. Starting at the famous Ryka’s through Petworth and Petersfield. terms of riding Ramsey, but none are as exciting as months, but overall, it’s a great route What makes it either, but we recommend you go turning left at Sawley to explore the at Box Hill in Dorking, after a warming Just before you reach Winchester enjoyment. the B660. While some think this area to ride. great Starting with CADWELL PARK towards Morecambe and see if you Forest of Bowland. drink you head south to pick up the you’ll see Loomies where the A32 Starting at of the UK is all flat and featureless, the Stop for a break at Extend your ride a belly full of fish can spot John McGuinness sunning Stop for a break at Blackpool – the excellent A272 as its runs across crosses the A272. Uppingham, the B664 is a wild B660 proves doubters wrong and has and stop at Old Warden. and chips from one himself on the seafront! Then, UK’s answer to Cannes! the UK. The quickest way is to head Stop for a break at Either café! rollercoaster of road towards Market of Hunstanton’s Harborough that is fantastic to ride. many cafés, work MORECAMBE Picking up the B6047 you head to off the grease with the home of the pork pie, Melton a gentle ride through King’s Lynn RYKA’S CAFÉ Mowbray, before cutting through before picking up the A17 towards some lovely back roads as you head Grimsby. It’s a pleasant road that HUNSTANTON towards Colsterworth and Grantham. RAMSEY winds through small villages (watch At this point you can pick up the A1 out for speed cameras) before south, but it is much more fun to use dipping into the Lincolnshire Wolds. the smaller roads to visit Stamford This route is best avoided when there LOOMIES and finally return to Uppingham. A UPPINGHAM is a major race at Cadwell Park as it great route for a sunny Sunday ride goes right past the circuit entrance SKIPTON and Chris Walker Kawasaki is on the and on busy weekends the police are route, so why not pop in and fairly active. BLACKPOOL say hello? Stop for a break at Mablethorpe Stop for a break at the Two Flags MARKET HARBOROUGH KIMBOLTON beach, there may be some beach Café on the A47, near Morcott. race action. #MCNwednesday

# RIDE MILES March 21 2018 11

NORTH COAST 500 1 4 days “I’m planning a big 500 trip to the North miles Coast 500 this year. I love the Scottish Highlands for its stunning scenery and amazing roads and the NC500 has all that and more. I live in flat, congested Cambridgeshire and thoughts of perfect roads cutting through stunning valleys and mountains get me through the misery of winter commuting. “They say it’s Scotland’s answer to Route 66, but this looks better. There’s some amazing beaches (I’m going to go surfing at Thurso) superb castles (Advreck on Loch Assynt for one) and not a dull second of the 516-mile circuit. I’ve been using www.northcoast500.com for inspiration.” Matt Wildee

It’s the thought of roads like these that GET PLANNING gets us through winter Trips of a lifetime Looking for inspiration for this year’s big trip? Here are five suggestions 2 AN ALPINE TOUR 3 CALAIS TO KAZAKHSTAN Twists, turns, “Four of us are ridden on a tour into Europe before, “My dream roadtrip more twists and planning to take the having only toured Scotland and length of the E40, Calais more turns… ferry from Hull to parts of the NC500, but after to Ridder, Kazakhstan; Rotterdam, ride to reading the posts and been and Transnistria via the Germany then take inspired by a lot of the comments Transfagarasan – one in the Alps, including on MCN’s #ride5000miles FB site, of the most stunning, Switzerland Austria, Italy and we feel ready for the challenge.” twistiest roads in the world, built by France. Two of us have never Paul Wade the communist regime in Romania. I’m doing the former because I’ve Just remember to been trying to do it for ten bring us back some years, it traverses the Silk Toblerone Road and has a bit of desert 40 days 7 days in the middle. I’m doing the 8000 1500 latter because it sounds miles miles like fun.” Phil Harris

Few more bends then 5 SWISS BEAUTY it’s on to Monaco 10 days “Four of us rode to 2500 Monaco last year, miles returning via Lake Garda and Bormio, 10 days through to the Stelvio 4 SPAIN & FRANCE 2500 pass and Switzerland miles then onwards through Germany “Twenty-four of us are and paying our respects at heading to the Pyrenees Passchendaele. Hoping to do in September. Ferry to Switzerland again this year, it’s such Santander, then on the a beautiful country.” N260 with two nights Michael Timmins at Roses. Then up into France, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Are you planning a big trip this Tourmalet, Col de Port etc, and looping year? Don’t forget to post your tip to the Picos to ride one of the best pictures on the #ride5000miles roads in the world, the N621 Riano to Hot weather, hot tarmac and tapas of an Facebook site when you get back Potes.” Nick James evening. We think we’ll join you there to Blighty. www.motorcyclenews.com #MCNwednesday

12 # RIDE MILES SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER motorcyclenews.com/ride5000miles March 21 2018 13

Grab a Guinness, sit on the grass and prepare to have your mind blown AUGUST SEPTEMBER Don’t let winter put you off! Explore Scotland October Why it’s a must Scotland is one Watch the carnage! of the best spots in the UK when it Weston Beach Race, Weston- comes to a touring holiday and if you Super-Mare October 19-21 have never been, make this the year Why it’s a must For this one you pack a tent and venture into the weekend in October, Weston’s beach highlands. Others head inland to is devoid of donkeys and instead visit the various lochs for a spot of plays host to a bonkers off-road race This thing is no gentle pre-TT monster watching. A few prefer to that attracts two and four-wheeled amble on the roads Guys like Michael Dunlop don’t take simply get their head down and make nutters. It’s crazy to watch, let alone Don’t forget to give the tyres a it easy just because it’s a classic a date with John o’Groats to say they take part in, but riders love it and the have been there. The choice is yours. fans just love to drink cider and cheer friendly kick. It’s part of the ritual APRIL While you’re there The A838 the carnage as it unfolds. Like the TT and A836 coastal roads are mind- Why go to the Alps when we While you’re there Take a detour on 5000 miles ticked off. Tickets go on blowing. have our own biking heaven? your way and ride through Cheddar sale from August 1, book early for Sample Irish but chilled Gorge on the B3371 and B3135. discounts. Festival of Motorcycling, Strap a tent on the back (or While you’re there Pop in for a cup road racing Isle of Man August 18-31 book into some B&Bs) November of tea at the National Motorcycle Cookstown 100, See all the new bikes Museum’s café. Co Tyrone April 27-28 Why it’s a must Comprising the Motorcycle Live, NEC Classic TT, Manx Grand Prix, Vintage Birmingham November 17 - 25 December Why it’s a must If you want to Motor Cycle Club Rally and the Classic Why it’s a must The first chance Watch madcap racing experience the sheer insanity of Weekend Trial, not to mention the Manx for UK riders to see and sit on all the Plum Pudding Races, Mallory grassroots Irish road racing, take Ramsey Sprint, Jurby Drag Racing new metal from every manufacturer. Park December 26 a trip over to the Cookstown 100. and Festival of Jurby, there is more Alongside the new bikes there’s loads Why it’s a must Now in its 44th Situated on the Orritor Road just than enough to keep you amused at to see and do with celebrities from year, the Plum Pudding is a lovely GET GOING outside Cookstown in Co Tyrone, the the Festival of Motorcycling. While BSB, WSB and MotoGP popping in bit of two-wheeled light relief from 100 is essentially a square 2.1-mile the track action is every bit as hectic and out, TT stars and more kit to buy arguing with the relatives and eating circuit with loads of amazing viewing and fast as the TT, the atmosphere than you can shake an empty kit bag turkey over the festive period. places and even a few grandstands. for spectators is far, far more relaxed at. Add to this live stunt shows, on- While you’re there Park your bike If the weather is dry, you can sit on and the weather’s better. A simply stage interviews, test rides and it all next to the Mallory Park entrance, the grass with a Guinness in your wonderful event that keeps on getting adds up to the perfect day out and a prove to other #ride5000miles hand and watch the action. And bigger and better every single year. great way to whet your appetite for members you got out on two wheels consider this, the fastest lap saw While you’re there A18 Ramsey to the 2019 biking season and another over Christmas! Michael Dunlop lap at an average Douglas. It’s the best road in the world! A perfect of over 91mph and top speeds are nudging 200mph, so it’s no gentle pre-TT ride out! While you’re there Pop to Joey’s Bar in Ballymoney, it’s only a 35-mile biking year ride and the perfect pilgrimage. Stuck for somewhere to go? Here are ten must-do ideas to get you started PACEMAKER PRESS INTL PRESS PACEMAKER

MAY JULY Have a great Camp at British Superbikes weekend away BSB Brands Hatch, Kent July 20-22

Carole Nash MCN Reckon you’re fast? Now’s Why it’s a must The BSB circus (or WSB or MotoGP for that matter) Festival of Motorcycling, the time to prove it visits Brand Hatch three times in is a great laugh as the campsite Peterborough May 19 - 20 2018, but do you really want to is always lively as fans lubricate camp there in April or October? Of themselves with lots of beer. Why it’s a must A superb event JUNE course not, so make a date for the While you’re there Make sure you and well worth a weekend away – July round when (hopefully) the sun head out into the woods of the GP even if we say it ourselves – as there will be out and BSB fans will be in circuit. The action is fast and you can Camp for the weekend, grab a beer is loads to see and do. A weekend Challenge the mood to party. Camping at BSB get close. and check out the live music camping ticket costs just £35 in advance and gives you access to a mate! Mate, you’ve left the a charming array of two-wheeled Run What Ya Brung, Santa lights on and it’ll never delights. From live flat-track Pod, Northants June 2 start in the morning action to trade stands to classic bike displays and even the chance Why it’s a must Santa Pod holds to test ride loads of brand new loads of Run What Ya Brung events on 2018 models, you certainly won’t its drag strip and entrance is just £35 if find yourself bored. It’s a fantastic you want to challenge a mate, or £10 to way to welcome in summer and is watch. Just be careful when you drop rapidly becoming a must-visit date that clutch as there is always someone in thousands of biker’s diaries. who gets a bit carried away and gives While you’re there Stop at the crowds a good laugh… Rutland Water for a coffee and While you’re there Visit the the chance to see ospreys in fish- There’s full-on flat-track action, Super Sausage café on the A5 near catching action. Hooligan classes and more Towcester for a slap-up breakfast. www.motorcyclenews.com #MCNwednesday

14 # RIDE MILES TO JOIN, LOG ON TO facebook.com/groups/ride5000miles March 21 2018 15

It’ll help Alex and Sandra pay their respects to Tommy at Get in MCN… Your whole you pile on Seaham in Co Durham family can get the miles… IAN SPEIGHT involved too… ALEX MORRISON “It has been a great initiative made all the more successful by the Facebook SAM WICKS “My wife Sandra and I both members taking it on board and reached the 5000 miles. We had sharing their experiences and posting “I did over 5000 miles between picking some superb days out and this is their photos. With MCN publishing up my Street Triple S mid-August and a memory from just one of them, regular articles, people get to see Ian’s become a New Year’s Eve 2017 and have already visiting ‘Tommy’ the war memorial themselves in print which is really regular on the site clocked up over 1000 this year. Getting at Seaham, County Durham.” exciting. It has been ace! Roll on 2018.” and in print too out on the bike is a good enough reason to go anywhere. Even my sister has been inspired to get involved, here we are before a trip to the Silverstone Sam and his sister about to set off for Peter’s been touring MotoGP – she bought the tickets!” MotoGP at Silverstone last summer You’ll broaden all over Scotland your horizons It will help PETER JOHNSON you pass your

“I’ve been going to Scotland for years full licence… and thanks to #ride5000miles I finally made it to the Outer Hebrides, Harris ROB PRESTON and Lewis. I was really lucky with the weather and all I can say is OMG.” “#ride5000miles gave me the motivation to get my full licence. After six months on a 125, I passed first time in July 2017. I bought a CBR600F as my first big bike but after a few months decided it wasn’t entirely ‘me’ so bought an Africa Twin as my Christmas present to myself and made it to 5000 miles on December 30! I’m looking Rob got this CBR600F as his first bike forward to reaching the 5k goal again in IT’S LIFE-CHANGING then swapped it for an Africa Twin 2018 – I’m already on 800 miles!” It’ll find you new destinations…

PAUL NICHOLSON Paul tapped into the online community for “I’d never really ventured very great riding routes far from home before, mainly Why you because I didn’t know where to go. I knew there were good roads out there, I just didn’t It will take you to know where to find them. Joining #ride5000miles gave amazing places… me the inspiration, and more importantly some route ideas, ANDREAS RUHRMANN to get out more. There are so many amazing routes out should join “After two weeks riding across Iceland there and I can’t wait to find and the Faroe Islands, I hit the 5000 more places to go.” miles in just one trip. I rode for hours Andreas hit 5000 miles in without seeing another person. An single trip (and barely saw Inspirational stories from riders who’ve already signed-up amazing experience that was only another person) possible thanks to my motorcycle.” You will make glorious biking memories… TRACY ATKINSON

You’ll make new biking friends… It’ll get you out and about… Riding more opens up “I wanted to finally reach my 5000 memories, fabulous riding and even miles, so organised a jaunt to Isle of the weather was good. Best of all – I SANDRA MORRISON WAYNE MARRISON whole new freedoms… Man in September with my husband, cracked the 5k target! The campaign son and his girlfriend too. Wonderful is great to get you out riding” “This is one of my favourite photos “I’ve loved being part of the COLIN ROWLAND from last year’s #ride5000miles #ride5000miles – it has encouraged experience. I rode for five hours and 45 me to do the things I would not “There’s a few of us in the crossed the boarder the heavens minutes (lots of cake and cuppa stops) normally do on a bike, on a bike! #ride5000miles group who opened and the temperature covering 213 miles from Newcastle The fact that I had a free T-shirt have come to it as new riders fell but we weren’t going to upon Tyne to attend the Motorbike made me feel I ‘owed’ something who perhaps don’t understand be put off. Fortunately the Women’s record-breaking attempt at back to the #ride5000miles group how you keep the mileage down weather improved and travelling Ellesmere, Shropshire in July. Well – so I now take that shirt with me on to 3k each year! Motorcycling anticlockwise on the route from over 1000 of us turned up and we my bigger adventures. Here’s the has opened up a new freedom Inverness meant the scenery just officially broke the record! The ladies biggest adventure I’ve done so far – for me. Last year I took the GS got better and better. My first in the photo started out as strangers approximately 2600 mile round trip to from the South Coast up to year of riding has been fantastic, but became firm friends thanks to Brno in Czech last year to watch the Scotland to complete the North clocking up over 9000 miles #ride5000miles – it’s one of the things MotoGP. Note the T-shirt (but try to Wayne proudly sporting his MCN Coast 500. I travelled up with with the help of #ride5000miles. Ready to join more than 1000 women riders for a record attempt that makes the group so special.” ignore the belly and the legs)!” #ride5000miles T-shirt. Nice legs matey! my mate Phil and as soon as we Here’s to more in 2018.” adRocket

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