Honest, I'm doing it for charity!

Now you know you've been thinking about that special motorcycle trip of a lifetime for years and you're not getting any younger.  There have been times when you've planned it in your head but then placed the arguments of your husband, wife, partner, lover, etc., against it without actually discussing it with them for fear of failure. 

Well think no more and start to act!  Here I've listed some great adventure rides which not only give you the excitement of the ride but also the benefit of knowing that you are doing something for other people who need your help.  It also gives you a great reason to put to your husband, wife, partner, lover, etc., as if you need one in your relationship .

1. Enduro India
2. Enduro Africa
3. Barry Sheene Memorial Motorcycle Challenge 2008
4. Alaska Bike Run
5. India: Rajasthan Motorcycle Challenge

If you know of any more events add them in comments ........

TUMOTOWEB February Events

February Events on TUMOTOWEB

Swamp Thang

This 350cc swamp monster is from IZHEVSK MOTORCYCLES, who've been building bikes in Russia since 1929, and is called the ATV SAMSON IZH 6.621-01. 

As IZH say on their web, "If you are a hunter, fisherman, military man or oilman, you will appreciate our recent development SAMSON at its true value. SAMSON is the cross-country vehicle that will get over whatever - swamps, snow and mud. So you don't need to choose the road , you just do the road where you want!"

Sounds about right to me!

First Bikes

Here's my list of bikes, or at least the ones that my fallible memory can recall.  What were your first bikes?

		This is the first bike with an engine that I ever rode.  It's a Phillips Panda and you can read it's history in The Moped Archive.  I must have been about 11 or 12 years old when a gang of lads used to go "over the dumps", which were the slag heaps around South Bank near Middlesbrough, to go trial riding with plenty of trial falling. Thanks to for the picture.
		This was my first road 'bike' the Lambretta SX 200.  My brother Ray owned it first and I seem to remember lots more chrome racks and mirrors on the one I rode.  I also seem to remember it had a sizeable re-bore 225 or 250 and an Amal carb sticking out through the side.  Is that possible? Thanks to the   for the photo.
		A Cossack Motorcycle should go in here but I'm not sure which one.  It was my dad's bike but he lent it to me for journeys to work.  I remember the tyres were like plastic and I dropped the Cossack on a roundabout, at a really low speed, and lots of bits just snapped off!  It was still rideable but only just.
		The Honda 550 Fork (Four K) was my first bike after I passed my test and I thought it was enormous when I rode it from the shop.  It looks tiny now although naked's are in demand again.  I fitted a half fairing for those cold winter runs from Merseyside to Teesside via the Penines! Thanks to Bikes From Scrap for the photo.
		My CBR 600 took me and Liz down from Merseyside, through France into Spain and Portugal and back again.  It was a month to remember and Liz did it with no backrest! The bike was bought new in 1983.  The registration number was EKC 216Y - is it still on the road?  If you are the owner let me know.
		When we moved to Spain a good neighbour lent me his moped to use for work while my bike was being re-registered.  I've got no idea what moped is is but surely some anorak out there does?
		I also got the loan of a trials bike from a friend at work, Chatto, but I can't remember it at all apart from the hours of fun I had on it.  I used it to and from work on the back tracks. One morning I did 4 hours riding through the mountains around Castalla guided by Juande, another friend from work.  He was fit and I wasn't and he took me to some fantastic areas where he goes rock climbing, not this time though.  After a really enjoyable morning out featuring a picnic and a great tapas bar, with delicious snails, I went home for a couple of hours sleep - absolutely knackered.
		The ST1100 my current bike and still performing like new.  My daughter, sitting on the tank of the bike, is now 15 so you can have a guess at the age of my Pan. Note the TARTAN Converse All*Stars!  Can't find the shoes but I'm sure I saw that T-shirt lurking about somewhere. I bought the Pan new in 1990 so it's celebrating its' 18th year.

15 Track Day Organisers 2008

Here is a fairly comprehensive list of track day organisers that have some or all of their events in Spain. If you know of any more just add them in comments.

Aquí es una lista bastante comprensiva de organizadores de día de circuito que tienen algunos o todos sus eventos en España. Si usted sabe de más simplemente agregúelos en los comentarios.

1. MAC 2008 Calendar
2. UK Trackdays 2008 Calendar
3. Rodadas 2008 Calendar
4. Track Sense 2008 Calendar
5. California Superbike Schoool 2008 Calendar
6. SBK Racing 2008 Calendar
7. Neugrip 2008 Calendar
8. Racedays 2008 Calendar
9. No Limits 2008 Calendar
10. Moto ZK 2008 Calendar
11. Hottrax 2008 Calendar
12. Art Motor 2008 Calendar
13. Rehm Racedays 2008 Calendar
14. Go Promotions
15. BQR School

The list just keeps getting bigger. Thanks to all those who've sent in information. If you know of any track day organisers or you are an organiser then send the details to lol@tourandtrack.com.

MotoGP Sepang Final Day Times

1. Nicky Hayden - Repsol Hrc 2:00.326
2. Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro 2:00.660
3. Jorge Lorenzo - Fiat Yamaha Team 2:00.766
4. Colin Edwards - Yamaha Tech3 2:01.179
5. John Hopkins - Kawasaki Racing 2:01.198
6. Valentino Rossi - Fiat Yamaha Team 2:01.425
7. Andrea Dovizioso - Jir Team Scot 2:01.447
8. James Toseland - Yamaha Tech3 2:01.745
9. Chris Vermeulen - Rizla Suzuki 2:01.748
10. Loris Capirossi - Rizla Suzuki 2:01.778
11. Randy De Puniet - Honda Lcr 2:01.873
12. Shinya Nakano - Honda Gresini 2:02.032
13. Alex De Angelis - Honda Gresini 2:02.198
14. Marco Melandri - Ducati Marlboro 2:02.725
15. Anthony West - Kawasaki Racing 2:02.978
16. Toni Elias - Alice Team 2:02.995
17 Olivier Jacque - Kawasaki Racing 2:03.030
18 Sylvain Guintoli - Alice Team 2:03.628
19 Niccolò Canepa - Ducati Test 2:03.703
20 Tamaki Serizawa - Kawasaki Racing 2:04.354

Touring Peru

I've just been contacted by Joselo from Peru Moto Tours to set up a link for them on the Tour and Track website.  If you are looking for a motorcycling or quad adventure in Peru then get in touch with them at www.perumototours.com it looks great.

From Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca what a dream!

Guzzi Rally - Navarra 08

Click on Poster for link

Yamaha Tesseract

 

Yamaha Tesseract

Superbike School

Latest availability...latest availability...latest

 

Date	Circuit	Cost
20th/21st Mar	Almeria	1399*
24th/25th Mar	Almeria	1399*

Newsletter

Dakar Rally Cancelled

09-01-2008 - Message from Etienne Lavigne

Groggy but still standing, I confirm today that the adventure is not over. We believed in the 2008 Dakar. We wanted a demanding, tough and intense thirtieth edition. You had chosen to register for it, to spend time, energy and money. Our common challenge was wrecked at the precise moment when it was shaping up. The shock was brutal for all of us and the consequences heavy for most.

After measuring the disappointment of everyone, a certainty remains: the decision to cancel the 2008 Euromilhoes Dakar was the only reasonable alternative based on the information that we had. The terrorist threats that weighed on the security of the rally failed to leave the slightest choice for responsible organisers. There was no hesitation and there is now no regret.

Shaken by what happened, we were mainly touched by the dignity that the competitors showed in Lisbon. This mature attitude looks like the image that we have of you. We interpret it as a sign of confidence that we will in no way betray.

It is now our turn to deliver a message of hope because we have taken the habit of looking to the future. That is where our energy will be useful. For the teams of the rally, enthusiasm and readiness to fight have already beaten the greyness. We now want to plan a meeting with you in the weeks to come. The next rally that we will offer you in 2009 will be your challenge. It is already ours.

Etienne Lavigne
Director of the Dakar Rallye

Cuna de Campeones - Champions Cradle

Si tienes entre 7 y 17 años y llevas el mundo del motociclismo dentro, ven y demuéstralo compitiendo en la "Cuna de Campeones Bancaja", un Campeonato Nacional que consta de 7 pruebas a lo largo de circuitos de toda España, donde puedes optar a estar becado por el Circuit de la Comunidad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo con un único objetivo: formar y promocionar a los futuros campeones de motociclismo. Una increíble oportunidad para convertirte en piloto de carreras. ¡Prepárate, tu sueño de ser piloto está en juego!

If you are between 7 and 17 years old and motorcycling is in your blood then come and demonstrate it by competing in the "Bancaja Cradle of Champions", a National Championship that consists of 7 tests in various Spanish circuits, where you can compete to be granted a scholarship by the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in the Valencian Community with one objective: to form and to promote the future champions of motorcycling. This is an incredible opportunity to become a racing champion. Get ready, your dream of being a racer is in sight!

Mas Informacion -- More Information

Vicious Cycles

Record attendance at Pingüinos 2008

Pingüinos 2008 was a complete success. The town of Simancas near Valladolid hosted edition number XXVII of this popular meet, an event that beat all previous attendance records – 29 812 people attended, that is two thousand more than last year. And what is more the organisers expressed their satisfaction.  Read more on the Repsol-YPF web

Pingüinos 2008 ha sido todo un éxito. La localidad vallisoletana de Simancas ha acogido este fin de semana la edición número 27 de la popular concentración motorista, un certamen que ha batido récord de participación con la asistencia de 29.812 personas, dos mil más que el año pasado. Además, la organización se ha mostrado muy satisfecha con la nueva ubicación que se estrenaba este año.  Leer mas en Repsol-YPF web

Book - Jupiters Travels by Ted Simon

If you haven't heard of Ted Simon join the club.  Liz, my wife, bought me Jupiters Travels by Ted Simon for Christmas as she had read that it was one of the books that inspired Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor to get on the road to adventure.  I'm glad she did because I couldn't put it down.

If you long for that motorcycle adventure but haven't got the nerve or the cash then read Ted's epic journey which started in 1973 and lasted 4 years.  His budget was less that 3,000 pounds!

As the book cover says Ted Simon, "63,000 miles .... through fifty four countries in a journey that took him around the world.  Through breakdowns, prison, war, revolutions, disasters and a Californian commune, he travelled in to the depths of fear and reached the heights of euphoria."

This geezer either had some bottle or was completely barking and his book is fascinating.  Buy it and read it.

Cartagena Track Days - Tandas

M.T.R.X

ORGANIZA LOS DIAS 16 Y 17 DE FEBRERO TANDAS EN EL CIRCUITO DE CARTAGENA 100€ UN DIA 180€ + SEGURO LOS DOS DIAS DESCUENTO A GRUPOS DE MAS DE 15 MOTOS CONTACTAR JAVIER 647 603 411.

16 and 17th February 2008 at the Cartagena Circuit.  100 € for one day or 180 € for two days.  Discount for groups of 15 or more.  Ring Javier on 647 603 411.

How to Buy Your Future Motorcycle

OK, so you're looking to buy a bike in Spain and you're not sure how to get started.  Don't worry here are a few tips from our experienced bikers in the Tour and Track Club.

1. Do your research.  Think carefully what type of bike you want and how you are going to use it.  You might fall in love with a bike for its' looks, that's why designers are paid zillions, but it might disappoint you when you start to use it.
2. Always take a test Ride.  Always, always test ride the bike that you plan to buy.  You can read reviews in all the bike magazines and they may give glowing reports but it is your personal decision that counts and the best way to know a bike is to ride it and not just around the block.
3. Haggle for a better price.  They dealers make sizeable profits from each bike and it is always worth haggling.  New bikes should have the most room for reducing costs or for adding accessories for the same price.
4. Take a friend or trusted mechanic.  If you are not sure about what to look for on a second hand bike then take along someone who knows.
5. Buy Second Hand First.  Let's face facts, everybody does some damage to their first bikes and it is better to learn how to handle smaller and more expendable bikes than that brand new Ducati.  Gain riding experience and then decide which new bike you want, if indeed you want a new bike.

What do you think?  Add to the list and let others know your important tips on buying that future motorcycle.

TuMotoWeb January Events

A comprehensive list of motorcycle events for January 2008

I wonder .......

Thanks to King Pig for these:

Can you cry under water?

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How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

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Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'.. But it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?

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Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

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Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

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What disease did cured ham actually have?

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How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

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Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?

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If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

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Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

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Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

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Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

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Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?

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Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

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If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

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Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

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If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

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Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

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If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

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If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

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Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

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Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

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Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

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3ª Concentración Motera FENICIOS 2008

  Estimad@s Amig@s:

El Motoclub Fenicios tiene el placer de invitaros a que les acompañéis los

Días 14, 15 y 16 de Marzo de 2008

Junto a las Gredas de Bolnuevo en el Puerto de Mazarrón (Murcia)

3ª Concentración Motera FENICIOS 2008

Precio 30 Euros por persona todo el Fin de semana. 15 solo el Domingo

Incluye:

Zona de Acampada disponible desde el Viernes 14, Recinto vigilado con servicios, Área de tiendas, Bolsa de bienvenida, pin, regalos, juegos, rutas, striptease, destrozaterapias y alguna sorpresa que otra.

Cena del Sábado, desayuno almuerzo y comida del Domingo + tickets de Cerveza o refrescos

Conciertos ya confirmados de:

Pornografitti (Grupo de versiones de rock… Boston, AC/DC, Led zeppelín) y Muerdago

Por confirmar

La diligencia