RIDE MORECHANGE YOUR LIFE

16-PAGEPULLOUT

l Essential events l 10 Amazing roads l 61 great destinations l Real-life stories

IN ASSOCIATION WITH MCN’S TRUSTED PARTNERS

POWERED BY:

IN 2018

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

#MCNwednesdaywww.motorcyclenews.com

03 02

RIDE MORE, BE HAPPIER#RIDE MILES 8

Pullout planner to

put on your garage

wall

Five incredible 5000 rides that’ll inspire you to get out and about on your bike

Calais to Kazakhstan? Don’t mind if I do. Plus tours of Europe and the Alps

It’s never too late to start planning brilliant destinations and events for the biking year ahead

Meet new friends, find new routes, broaden your horizons and have your best year yet

How just riding 13 miles a day will be enough to hit your

5000-mile target

4

5 GREAT RIDES

R5K NUMBERSTRIPS OF A LIFETIME

SIGN UP NOW!

PERFECT BIKING YEAR

DESTINATION PLANNER

#ride5000miles members nominate ten easy weekend routes to help you build your mileage

The best events, bike meets, tea stops and race meetings

7

11

12

14

CONTENTS

10 GREAT RIDES

U sing your bike more is a sure-fire route to happiness – and that’s a fact. Boffins in white coats have proven

just spending time with bikes will re-lease feel-good hormones in your brain – and in this world of uncertainty and strife, that can only be a good thing.

MCN’s #ride5000miles is all about getting out on our bikes more. The average rider does about 3000 miles a year but having a target that pushes past that distance will enrich your life. At the very least, riding more will make you more at-one with your machine,

but if you use the target to spend more time with your biking mates, or head out on a trip you’ve always fancied, it’ll improve your life, too.

Nearly 5000 MCN readers took up

the challenge in the last year and our Facebook site has become a real com-munity – a hub for route-sharing, tips and encouragement. It’s an inspiration that can’t help but make you get out on your bike.

The world is a won-derful place full of two-wheeled adventures waiting to be enjoyed – don’t miss out on the experience.

#ride5000 miles is real community –

and thousands have already signed up to

ride more in 2018

6

Matt Wildee, Senior Editor

JOIN THE ADVENTURE

K-Venture Aluminium Black Line

HIGH QUALITY

ITALIAN MADE

ACCESSORIES

Dtitititititititititititixtititititivtitiy

titititihtitiUKtitiyti

NtititiDtitititititititititititititititititititititi

titititititititititititititititititititititititititi

tititititititititititititititititi

KVE58B 58 ltr top case

RRP £395.99

KVE42B 42 ltr top case

RRP £325.99

KVE48B 48 ltr top case

RRP £359.95

KVE37Bpack2 37 ltr pair of side cases

RRP £635.49

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

#MCNwednesdaywww.motorcyclenews.com

05 04

‘#ride5000miles makes you addicted to biking!’Five incredible things that our members achieved in 2017

T hese are just a selection of some of the incred-ible feats that members of the #ride5000miles

Facebook group got up to last year

GETTING INVOLVED IS EASY…Just do the following… Ride your bike more, then tell people about it

GREAT 5K RIDES

‘We headed east and into Russia,

which is where it got a bit exciting’

MIKE TAYLOR

Mike and his newly-retired dad hit the Nordkapp then delved into Russia

Who needs a five-star hotel when you can bunk down in a cosy shed?

You meet the nicest people on a Honda…

Vanessa took the plunge and it’s one of the best things she’s ever done

‘I did 5500 miles in a month with my retired dad!’

‘I passed my test and rode 16,000 miles in a year!’

‘I got back into biking after 25 years!’

SALLY WEIGHILL

Mike Taylor“My father has just retired. He had been to Norway years ago with mum and was keen on

returning, so he suggested a bike trip there. I wanted to go to Romania, but he talked me into Norway. When we looked at the map I said ‘if we are going to Lofoten, we may as well hit Nordkapp.’ A few more beers and

Russia was added to the itinerary… “We set off on our Africa Twins

from near Edinburgh and went down to Newcastle to get the ferry to Amsterdam and from there headed through Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden and into Norway. Once in Norway we headed up the middle towards the Arctic Circle and got a ferry over to Lofoten. The further north you go the more expensive Norway gets, and it’s bloody expensive to start with, but we managed to get some free accommodation in Lofoten through a shout-out on Facebook!

“Once we got to the Nordkapp we headed east and into Russia, which is where it got a bit exciting. We were riding through the middle of nowhere and the only people we saw were police and army guys – and tourists are

1

4

5

5VANESSA GRUNWALD

“After 25 years away from riding, 2017 saw me take the plunge and get back on two wheels! Inspired by going to watch BSB, WSB and MotoGP, I started off going pillion, but quickly decided I

1000 miles in 24 hours? It’s tough but 100% achievable and rewarding too

‘I rode 1000 miles in a day

and raised money for the Poppy Appeal’

3

GRAEME DAWSON

“I’m a member of a small group of volunteers who run the Royal British Legion Riders (RBLR) 1000-miler. We gather together between 120 and 200 riders and pillions if they want to come and ride a 1000-mile route in 24 hours.

“We raise money for the Poppy Appeal and although it’s a tough 24 hours, the smiles on the riders’ faces afterwards say it all – it’s a brilliant day out and a great way to tick off 1000 miles. This year we are starting from Squires Café on Saturday, June 16 and there will be a choice of six routes (we will provide satnav files to make things easier) and even a 500-miler if you don’t fancy the 1000. A minimum sponsorship of £50 is all that is required to enter, but hopefully you can raise a bit more! If you want to join us in 2018, visit www.rblr1000.co.uk.”

wanted to ride again. I was doubtful, even questioning if I would be able to remember how to ride after such a long time off two wheels, but I booked with a training school to get some confidence back and now I own a Ninja 650! I’ve done a small tour of Wales, joined with all the ladies for the world’s largest all-female parade around Silverstone at MotoGP and have already signed up for the Round Britain Rally. So far I’ve done 1700 miles on the Ninja and I can’t wait to do even more in 2018.”

What a year for returning rider Andrew

‘I covered over 5000 miles for

Blood Bikes’2

ANDREW HARRISON

“I returned to riding after a 27-year break so #ride5000miles has been an inspiration. On top of the 6000 miles that I covered on my Triumph Tiger 800, I did just over 5000 miles on various bikes for Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes. So in 2017 I got back into biking, rode over 11,000 miles, passed my IAM test and became a Bloodbike volunteer! Amazing year. What can I do to top that in 2018?”

banned from using some of the roads! It was quite an adventure and did get a bit daunting at times, especially as no one seemed to know if the roads we had planned to take were open or

not! After this we cut through Sweden, Denmark, Germany and then home.

“The whole trip was just over 5500 miles and took 25 days, which wasn’t as bad as it sounds, we had a couple of

long runs but also two or three days off the bikes. It was one of the best things I have ever done – made even the more special by the fact I did it with my old dad.”

“I only passed my test a few months before 2017 started and so it was my first full year of riding – but I made the most of it thanks to #ride5000miles! I got addicted to riding and after starting out on a Street Triple, then progressing to a Z900, I was doing so many miles I had to buy a Z1000SX as I wanted to go touring.

“I live in Lincolnshire and I just love going to the coast, so I racked up miles doing that, and I also spent a week touring Scotland with a friend who has also completed the #ride5000miles challenge.

Scotland is amazing, it was my first big tour on two wheels and after packing way too much I now know what to pack for the next trip. I’m planning on going back to Scotland this year, but I’d love to go to Cornwall as well and explore the south of England. And I’m also taking my IAM test – not bad going for just 16 months of riding experience and #ride5000miles has been a big part of it!”

New rider Sally has become hooked on

motorcycling

while hitting their target mileage. From raising money for charity to transporting blood and even riding to Russia, it was a busy year for MCN’s #ride5000miles brigade…

Your target is simple – to ride 5000 miles in 2018. But this is just really a number – the idea is just to ride more, to enjoy riding and to love biking more than ever. So, make a note of your odometer’s

Sounds obvious, but that’s all you need to do. These pages are full great roads to ride to and great events to attend, so go to some of them – and don’t let that awesome bike rot in the garage. This isn’t about jacking in work and heading around the world (though maybe

By signing up to our #ride5000miles movement, you’ll be joining a club of bikers who all have the same common aim – to ride more and get more out of biking.

People share their pictures, stories, routes experiences and arrange meet-ups on our #ride5000miles Facebook group. Our Facebook group is a wonderful, positive thing. It’s there for you to post regular

Each week in our new #ride5000miles section, we’ll be sharing your best pictures and

1 MAKE A NOTE OF YOUR MILEAGE

2 RIDE TO SOME PLACES

3 TELL PEOPLE ABOUT IT

4 READ ABOUT IT IN MCN

TO JOIN, LOG ON TOfacebook.com/groups/ride5000miles

figure at the start. Take a picture of it, write it down, or even put a sticker with the figure on your bike as a reminder. On modern machines with two trip meters, reset your second trip.

that’s not a bad idea too…). Instead, this about riding to work a bit more, going a bit further at weekends, doing that trip you’ve always wanted to do, or doing a tour with your partner. This is about making your life better through riding a bike more.

updates of your year, sharing how you’re totting up the miles. The group has riders of all experience levels so if you’re new to motorcycling don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice.

Don’t like Facebook? In that case, just send us your riding pictures and stories to ride5000miles@motorcyclenews.com.

Sign up to our newsletter. Just go to www.motorcyclenews.com/ride5000miles.

stories, so we’ll be with you every step of the way. Make 2018 your best biking year yet. Enjoy!

It was an experience like no other

GET THE NEWSLETTERmotorcyclenews.com/ride5000miles

miles is… laps of the

Nürburgring Nordschleife

of commuting 50 miles a day

to the South of France

escapes from Birmingham to Cornwall

laps of the North Coast 500 (it’s actually 516 miles long)

a day over the next year

387

9.68Scotland20 weeks 3

8

tours

weekend

13.7miles

For one wanting a better way to FranceWith the widest choice of routes from Portsmouth,

Plymouth and Poole, we’ve made it easy to get deep into

France and beyond, explore the stunning landscapes

and enjoy the open road.

And we know how much care you

take of your bike, and you can

trust us to do the same when

you’re on board. We provide

motorcycle straps on all of

our ships and the crew will

tie your bike down while you

are present. Knowing your

bike is safe and secure, you

can relax and enjoy excellent

accommodation and facilities,

including a choice of

restaurants and

even a cinema.

Find out more at

brittanyferries.com/biketouringor call 0330 159 6716

Exclusive travel partner to

#ride5000miles

RIDE MILES#www.motorcyclenews.com

06

Tr

ackd

ay S

nett

erto

n , N

orfo

lk, A

pril

9 Sh

ow C

arol

e N

ash

MC

N F

estiv

al o

f M

otor

cycl

ing,

Pet

erbo

roug

h, M

ay 1

9-20

Rac

e Br

itish

Sup

erbi

kes,

Sne

tter

ton,

June

15

-17

Tea

stop

Roa

d K

ill C

usto

ms

grill

, Cro

mer

Tea

stop

Kra

zy H

orse

Caf

e, B

ury

St

Edm

unds

Mee

t Hun

stan

ton,

Nor

folk

Th

is g

uid

e h

igh

ligh

ts

som

e gr

eat

de

stin

a-ti

on

s a

nd

ev

en

ts

that

are

ha

pp

en

ing

thro

ugh

ou

t 20

18. B

ut t

hes

e ar

e ju

st a

sm

all t

aste

of w

hat

is h

ap-

pen

ing,

for

even

mo

re e

ven

ts,

sim

ply

go

to th

e #r

ide5

00

0m

iles

Face

book

pag

e.

RA

CE Bri

tish

Spe

edw

ay G

P, C

ardi

ff, J

uly

21Sp

eedw

ay is

a b

rillia

nt s

pect

ator

spo

rt a

nd

whi

le th

ere

are

load

s of

clu

b ra

ces

happ

ing

all o

ver t

he U

K ev

ery

wee

k du

ring

the

seas

on, t

he G

P is

the

plac

e to

go

if yo

u w

ant t

o ge

t the

full

expe

rienc

e.

The

Prin

cipa

lity

Stad

ium

has

a 6

2,50

0-ca

paci

ty a

nd th

e at

mos

pher

e is

like

a m

assi

ve p

etro

l-fue

lled

part

y. A

n aw

esom

e ev

ent,

but t

icke

ts g

o fa

st –

boo

k no

w!

w

ww

.spe

edw

aygp

.com

SHO

W Man

ches

ter B

ike

Show

, M

arch

24-

25C

atch

up

with

all

the

late

st 2

018

mod

els

at th

e M

anch

este

r Bik

e Sh

ow. N

ow in

its

7th

yea

r, th

e sh

ow h

as o

ver 1

00 e

xhib

itors

an

d th

ere

will

be

mor

e th

an 7

50 m

otor

cycl

es

pack

ed in

to th

e ar

ena

as w

ell a

s ce

lebs

and

live

ac

tion

show

s! P

arki

ng is

free

and

adu

lt tic

kets

co

st £

14 in

adv

ance

with

chi

ldre

n £4

. w

ww

.man

ches

terb

ikes

how

.com

RA

CE

M

otoG

P, S

ilver

ston

e,

Aug

ust 2

4 -1

6Q

uite

sim

ply

the

bigg

est

biki

ng e

vent

of t

he y

ear.

The

Silv

erst

one

roun

d of

Mot

oGP

gets

ha

s gr

eat r

acin

g, S

ilver

ston

e ha

s gr

eat f

acili

ties

and

it is

a g

reat

op

port

unity

to b

ring

the

fam

ily

alon

g to

o. G

o su

ppor

t Cal

! w

ww

.silv

erst

one.

co.u

k

RA

CE

Th

e N

orth

Wes

t 200

, Col

erai

ne, M

ay 1

3-19

Unl

ike

the

TT,

the

NW

200

is a

full-

on ra

ce a

nd n

ot a

tim

e tr

ial,

whi

ch m

eans

the

actio

n is

hec

tic! A

ll th

e st

ars

use

the

NW

200

as a

war

m-u

p to

the

TT

and

you

can

get s

o cl

ose

to th

e ac

tion

it w

ill le

ave

you

awes

truc

k as

the

bike

s w

hiz

past

at o

ver 2

00m

ph! A

n am

azin

g ev

ent.

ww

w.n

orth

wes

t200

.org

SHO

WS

Car

ole

Nas

h M

CN

Fes

tiva

l of

Mot

orcy

clin

g, M

ay 1

9-20

One

of t

he h

ighl

ight

s of

the

biki

ng y

ear,

the

MC

N

Fest

ival

is a

gre

at w

eeke

nd o

f bik

es a

nd h

igh-

octa

ne

thril

ls a

nd a

cel

ebra

tion

of e

arly

sum

mer

. Jus

t lik

e la

st

year

, the

re is

the

chan

ce to

test

ride

new

mod

els,

bril

liant

ra

cing

in th

e sp

eedw

ay a

rena

and

eno

ugh

side

-sho

ws

and

attr

actio

ns fo

r the

who

le fa

mily

.w

ww

.mcn

fest

ival

.com

GE

T O

UT

MO

RE

IN 2

018

Gre

at m

eets

, sh

ows,

eve

nts

race

s an

d te

a st

ops

to e

xplo

re th

is y

ear

NO

RT

H

SO

UT

H E

AST

MID

LA

ND

S

EA

ST

SO

UT

H &

SO

UT

H W

EST

SC

OT

LA

ND

IRE

LA

ND

ISL

E O

F M

AN

WA

LE

S

PU

T O

N

YO

UR

G

AR

AG

E

WA

LL

! LO

ND

ONM

IDL

AN

DS

NO

RT

H

SC

OT

LA

ND

IRE

LA

ND

UL

STE

R

ISL

E O

F M

AN

SOU

TH

EA

ST

SOU

TH

& S

OU

TH

WE

ST

EA

STW

AL

ES

SHO

WR

AC

EM

EE

TT

EA

ST

OP

TR

AC

KD

AY

TO

RID

E T

O IN

20

186

1 GR

EA

T P

LA

CE

S

SHO

W Gra

mpi

an M

otor

cycl

e C

onve

ntio

n,

Sept

embe

r 9N

ow in

its

36th

yea

r, th

e G

ram

pian

Mot

orcy

cle

Con

vent

ion

is h

eld

at th

e G

ram

pian

Tra

nspo

rt M

useu

m

and

is a

frie

ndly

mot

orcy

cle

fest

ival

with

load

s of

th

ings

to s

ee a

nd d

o. T

here

’s li

ve m

usic

, tra

de s

tand

s,

mot

orcy

clin

g de

mon

stra

tions

and

eve

n on

e or

two

biki

ng c

eleb

s in

the

crow

d. T

his

year

the

mus

eum

ev

en h

ouse

s a

colle

ctio

n of

Guy

Mar

tin m

emor

abili

a,

incl

udin

g hi

s Sa

ab 9

6 ca

r! E

ntra

nce

is £

10 fo

r adu

lts.

w

ww

.gtm

.org

.uk

Rac

e B

SB, D

onin

gton

Mar

ch 3

1-A

pril

2 R

ace

WSB

, Don

ingt

on, M

ay 2

5-27

Rac

e M

otoG

P, S

ilver

ston

e, A

ugus

t 24-

26R

ace

BSB

, Silv

erst

one,

Sep

tem

ber 7

-9R

ace

Plum

Pud

ding

, Mal

lory

Par

k, D

ec 2

6M

eet T

rium

ph F

acto

ry V

isito

r Exp

erie

nce

Show

Bra

ckle

y Fe

stiv

al o

f Mot

orcy

clin

g,

Aug

ust 1

2C

afé

Supe

r Sau

sage

Caf

é, T

owce

ster

M

eet V

ic B

iker

s Pu

b, C

oalv

ille,

Lei

cs

Trac

kday

, Bra

nds

Hat

ch G

P, J

une

4Sh

ow M

CN

Ally

Pal

ly S

how

and

Su

pers

prin

t, Lo

ndon

Sep

tem

ber 2

2-23

Rac

e B

SB S

how

dow

n fin

ale,

Oct

ober

12-

14M

eet B

ike

Shed

, Lon

don.

Wat

ch a

Mot

oGP

roun

d w

ith a

bee

r in

your

han

d M

eet R

yka’

s C

afé,

Box

Hill

Tea

stop

H’s

Caf

é, K

ent M

otor

cycl

es o

ff th

e A

2 ne

ar B

arha

mM

eet A

ce C

afé,

Sto

nebr

idge

. Eve

nts

happ

en e

very

nig

htTe

a St

op B

attl

esbr

idge

Mot

orcy

cle

Mus

eum

, Bat

tles

brid

ge. S

unda

y 11

am-4

pm

Rac

e B

SB, O

ulto

n Pa

rk. M

ay 5

-7 &

Se

ptem

ber 1

4-16

Sh

ow O

liver

s M

ount

Fes

tival

of S

peed

, Sc

arbo

roug

h. M

ay 5

-7

Rac

e O

liver

s M

ount

Gol

d C

up R

oad

Race

,

Scar

boro

ugh.

Sep

tem

ber 2

1-23

Rac

e B

SB, C

adw

ell P

ark.

Aug

ust 1

7-19

Tea

stop

Whi

stle

stop

Caf

é, W

hitb

yTe

a st

op H

arts

ide

Caf

é, A

lsto

n, C

umbr

iaM

eet C

rave

n C

olle

ctio

n of

Cla

ssic

Bik

es,

Stoc

kton

on

Fore

st, Y

ork

Mee

t Squ

ires

Caf

é B

ar, S

herb

urn

in E

lmet

Rac

e B

SB, T

hrux

ton.

Aug

ust 3

-5

Rac

e G

oodw

ood

Revi

val,

Goo

dwoo

d ci

rcui

t Se

ptem

ber 7

-9M

eet A

ce C

afé

Brig

hton

Bur

n-up

, Brig

hton

, Se

ptem

ber 9

Rac

e W

esto

n B

each

Rac

e, W

esto

n Su

per

Mar

e. O

ctob

er 1

9-21

Te

a st

op L

egen

ds C

afé,

GT

Mot

orcy

cles

, Pl

ymou

thTe

a st

op B

eaul

ieu

Mus

eum

, Ham

pshi

reM

eet P

ool Q

uay,

eve

ry T

uesd

ay, A

pril-

Sept

Tea

stop

Hay

nes

Mot

or M

useu

m, Y

eovi

l

Show

Car

ole

Nas

h M

CN

Sco

ttis

h M

otor

cycl

e Sh

ow, E

dinb

urgh

, Apr

il 7-

8R

ace

BSB

, Kno

ckhi

ll, J

uly

6-8

Show

Har

ley-

Dav

idso

n in

the

City

Fes

tival

, Br

echi

n, A

ngus

. Jul

y 14

-15

Show

MC

N S

cott

ish

Fest

ival

, Edi

nbur

gh,

July

21-

22M

eet G

ram

pian

Mot

orcy

cle

Con

vent

ion,

A

lford

, Abe

rdee

nshi

re, S

epte

mbe

r 9Te

a st

op T

he B

iker

’s C

ove,

Sou

th

Que

ensf

erry

, Edi

nbur

ghTe

a st

op T

he K

ing’

s A

rms,

Cas

tle

Dou

glas

Mee

t Kin

gdom

Bik

e N

ight

, Cow

denb

eath

, Fi

fe. M

onth

ly m

eets

from

Apr

il to

Sep

t

Show

Dub

lin C

lass

ic S

how

, May

6Sh

ow Ir

elan

d Bi

keFe

st, K

illar

ney,

June

1-4

Tea

stop

Joe

y’s

Bar

, Bal

lym

oney

Tea

stop

The

Pon

ders

oa, D

ungi

ven

Rac

e Sk

errie

s 10

0, C

o D

ublin

. Jul

y 7–

8

Rac

e Is

le o

f Man

TT,

May

26–

Jun

8R

ace

Sout

hern

100

, Jul

y 9–

12

Rac

e C

lass

ic T

T, A

ugus

t 20–

27

Rac

e A

berd

are

road

race

s, A

berd

are,

Ju

ly 2

1-22

Sh

ow L

lanb

ikef

est,

Llan

golle

n.

Aug

ust 4

-5

Tea

stop

Oas

is B

iker

s C

afe,

Abe

rgav

enny

Tea

stop

Wes

t End

Caf

é, L

land

over

yM

eet T

he D

oof C

afé,

Rut

hin,

Wed

nesd

ays

Mee

t Whi

stle

stop

Caf

é, R

hudd

lan,

Thu

rs

SIG

N U

P T

O T

HE

NE

WS

LE

TT

ER

For n

ews

of g

reat

MC

N-e

ndor

sed

even

ts

see

mot

orcy

clen

ews.

com

/rid

e500

0mile

s

RIDE

MIL

ES#

RIDE MILES##MCNwednesdaywww.motorcyclenews.com

TEN GREAT RIDES TO GET YOU STARTEDAS NOMINATED BY #RIDE5000MILES MEMBERS

‘A really enjoyable ride’As recommended by Alex Morrison

Length 142 milesWhat makes it great Instead of following the dull A1, take the A697 at Morpeth towards Coldstream and then pick up the A698, which are both fun roads to ride. From here, go towards Jedburgh and then into the Kielder Forest before winding your way back to Morpeth through the Northumberland

National Park using whichever route tickles your fancy. A great day out and a perfect way to blow off a few cobwebs – whatever the weather! And being this close to Scotland, waterproofs are often required…Stop for a break at Carter Bar on the A68 – simply wonderful views.

THE SCOTTISH ONE

THE LANCASHIRE ONE

Borders to Kielder

West coast – Skipton to

‘A superb rideout’As recommended by Daniel Tetley

Length 143 milesWhat makes it great Starting at Skipton, you cut through the gap between the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland. If you want more, just turn off the A65 and head into either, but we recommend you go towards Morecambe and see if you can spot John McGuinness sunning himself on the seafront! Then,

head southward avoiding the M6 by picking up the A588 to Blackpool where rock, ballroom dancing and donkeys await. Take the A59 back to Skipton, or add more miles by turning left at Sawley to explore the Forest of Bowland.Stop for a break at Blackpool – the UK’s answer to Cannes!

‘One of my favourite days out’As recommended by Jon Ashley As recommended by Tom WatsonLength 110 milesWhat makes it great Being based in Manchester, this route recommended by Jon is his escape from the big city and although we have only highlighted a small section, there is plenty more to see and do! Starting in Manchester, you cross the northern tip of the Peak District on your way to Penistone on the A628 before cutting north to

Squires Café in Sherburn-in-Elmet. From here you skirt York and aim towards Driffield where a wonderful lunch stop awaits. From here you can either explore the Yorkshire coast or loop back through the Moors to complete a great day.Stop for a break at Seaways café, Driffield.

Length 117 milesWhat makes it great Wales is a wonderful place to ride around and the views don’t get much better than at Lake Vyrnwy – even if you visit it in the middle of January as Tom did! Starting at Machynlleth, take the A489 and then A458 towards Welshpool before looping back on yourself and picking up the tiny

B4393 that encircles Lake Vyrnwy. There is no need to rush as the roads are often covered in gravel, and once you have had your fill of the views, aim towards Bala and take A494 to Dolgellau. A really wonderful way to spend a morning.Stop for a break at The Old Barn Café, Lake Vyrnwy.

‘Built with bikes in mind’As recommended by David Smith

Length 43 milesWhat makes it great The B660 is one of those roads that seems to have been built with motorcyclists in mind. There are faster ways to cover the relatively short distance between Kimbolton and Ramsey, but none are as exciting as the B660. While some think this area of the UK is all flat and featureless, the B660 proves doubters wrong and has

plenty of ups and downs as well as challenging corners. Occasionally the surface can be a little suspect, and farmers do like to spread mud on it during the winter months, but overall, it’s a great route to ride.Stop for a break at Extend your ride and stop at Old Warden.

‘The views are stunning’

THE MID-WALES ONE

THE EASTERN ONE

Lake Vyrnwy loop

East Coast - Hunstanton to Grimsby

‘Part of the IronButt’s photo tour…’As recommended by Gordon Sears

Length 95 milesWhat makes it great Starting with a belly full of fish and chips from one of Hunstanton’s many cafés, work off the grease with

a gentle ride through King’s Lynn before picking up the A17 towards Grimsby. It’s a pleasant road that winds through small villages (watch out for speed cameras) before dipping into the Lincolnshire Wolds. This route is best avoided when there is a major race at Cadwell Park as it goes right past the circuit entrance and on busy weekends the police are fairly active.Stop for a break at Mablethorpe beach, there may be some beach race action.

‘You can lose yourself for hours’As recommended by Chris Hood

Length 68 milesWhat makes it great The North York Moors are a fantastic place to head towards for a 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 Wetwang and then on towards Malton. From here you enter the Moors. Either go to Whitby for some fantastic seafood, cut towards Scarborough, or explorie the Moors. Stop for a break at Goathland. Just off the A169, this is where Heartbeat was filmed and also the scene of the Hogwarts Express stop in Harry Potter.

THE MOORLAND ONE THE MOORLAND ONE

THE CHALLENGING ONE THE COMPACT ONE

North York Moors – Beverley to Whitby North York Moors – Beverley to Whitby

B660 – Kimbolton to RamseyGrantham-Uppingham-Harborough

‘A run between two cafés’As recommended by Robin Doughty

Length 64 milesWhat makes it great This great idea of a ride between two of the UK’s most popular biker cafés came from #ride5000miles member Robin Doughty. Starting at the famous Ryka’s at Box Hill in Dorking, after a warming drink you head south to pick up the excellent A272 as its runs across the UK. The quickest way is to head

down the A24 to Horsham, but there are several back roads you can take instead. Once on the A272, head west through Petworth and Petersfield. Just before you reach Winchester you’ll see Loomies where the A32 crosses the A272. Stop for a break at Either café!

‘Always worth a visit’As recommended by Andrew Jones

Length 70 milesWhat makes it great We have chosen Builth Wells as a good starting point, but as Andrew says, you can’t go wrong anywhere in the Elan Valley. Picking up the A470 you pass through Rhayader before swapping to the A44 enjoying some wonderful roads and scenery as you head towards

Aberystwyth. Before you reach this seaside town, drop south at Ponterwyd and stop at the stunning Devil’s Bridge. Loop back to Builth on some smaller roads that lead to Rhayader across the Elan Valley for a great morning’s riding. Stop for a break at Mid Wales Inn, Pant-y-dwr, Rhayader.

THE VALLEYS ONEElan Valley to Devil’s Bridge

‘Mainly B-roads and great views’As recommended by Tony Hubbard

Length 90 milesWhat makes it great Rutland may be the UK’s smallest county, but it gives big in terms of riding enjoyment. Starting at

Uppingham, the B664 is a wild rollercoaster of road towards Market Harborough that is fantastic to ride. Picking up the B6047 you head to the home of the pork pie, Melton Mowbray, before cutting through some lovely back roads as you head towards Colsterworth and Grantham. At this point you can pick up the A1 south, but it is much more fun to use the smaller roads to visit Stamford and finally return to Uppingham. A great route for a sunny Sunday ride and Chris Walker Kawasaki is on the route, so why not pop in and say hello?Stop for a break at the Two Flags Café on the A47, near Morcott.

THE COFFEE-FUELLED Ryka’s Café to Loomies

Kickstart your biking year with some of the best routes in the country, as suggested by MCN’s #ride5000miles members

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

TICK WHEN COMPLETE

DRIFFIELDDOLGELLAU LAKE VYRNWY

COLDSTREAM

KIELDER FOREST

MORPETHDEVIL’S BRIDGE

BUILTH WELLSMACHYNLLETH

SQUIRES CAFÉMANCHESTER

BEVERLEY

WETWANG

WHITBY

LOOMIESSKIPTON

BLACKPOOL

MORECAMBE

CADWELL PARK

RAMSEY

GRANTHAM

UPPINGHAM

MARKET HARBOROUGH KIMBOLTON

GRIMSBY

HUNSTANTONRYKA’S CAFÉ

PUT ON YOUR GARAGE WALL!

1 2

7

3

8

4

9 10

5

6

March 21 2018

#MCNwednesday

11 RIDE MILES#

Trips of a lifetimeLooking for inspiration for this year’s big trip? Here are five suggestions

GET PLANNING

Twists, turns, more twists and

more turns…

Few more bends then it’s on to Monaco

Just remember to bring us back some

Toblerone

It’s the thought of roads like these that

gets us through winter

Hot weather, hot tarmac and tapas of an evening. We think we’ll join you there

4 days 500

miles

7 days 1500 miles

“Four of us are planning to take the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, ride to Germany then take in the Alps, including

Switzerland Austria, Italy and France. Two of us have never

“Twenty-four of us are heading to the Pyrenees in September. Ferry to Santander, then on the N260 with two nights at Roses. Then up

into France, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col de Port etc, and looping to the Picos to ride one of the best roads in the world, the N621 Riano to Potes.” Nick James

AN ALPINE TOUR2

SPAIN & FRANCE4

SWISS BEAUTY5

CALAIS TO KAZAKHSTAN3ridden on a tour into Europe before, having only toured Scotland and parts of the NC500, but after reading the posts and been inspired by a lot of the comments on MCN’s #ride5000miles FB site, we feel ready for the challenge.”Paul Wade

“My dream roadtrip length of the E40, Calais to Ridder, Kazakhstan; and Transnistria via the Transfagarasan – one of the most stunning,

twistiest roads in the world, built by the communist regime in Romania. I’m doing the former because I’ve been trying to do it for ten years, it traverses the Silk Road and has a bit of desert in the middle. I’m doing the latter because it sounds like fun.” Phil Harris

“Four of us rode to Monaco last year, returning via Lake Garda and Bormio, through to the Stelvio pass and Switzerland

then onwards through Germany and paying our respects at Passchendaele. Hoping to do Switzerland again this year, it’s such a beautiful country.” Michael Timmins

Are you planning a big trip this year? Don’t forget to post your tip pictures on the #ride5000miles Facebook site when you get back to Blighty.

40 days

8000

miles

10 days

2500

miles

10 days

2500

miles

“I’m planning a big trip to the North 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

NORTH COAST 5001

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

#MCNwednesdaywww.motorcyclenews.com

13 12

A perfect biking yearStuck for somewhere to go? Here are ten must-do ideas to get you started

GET GOING

Camp for the weekend, grab a beer and check out the live music

There’s full-on flat-track action, Hooligan classes and more

Grab a Guinness, sit on the grass and prepare to have your mind blown

Mate, you’ve left the lights on and it’ll never

start in the morning

This thing is no gentle pre-TT amble on the roads

Strap a tent on the back (or book into some B&Bs)

Guys like Michael Dunlop don’t take it easy just because it’s a classic

Why go to the Alps when we have our own biking heaven?

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

AUGUST SEPTEMBER

JULY

Sample Irish road racing

Have a great weekend away

Challenge a mate!

Like the TT but chilled

Camp at British Superbikes

Cookstown 100, Co Tyrone April 27-28

Carole Nash MCN Festival of Motorcycling, Peterborough May 19 - 20

Run What Ya Brung, Santa Pod, Northants June 2

Festival of Motorcycling, Isle of Man August 18-31

BSB Brands Hatch, Kent July 20-22

Why it’s a must If you want to experience the sheer insanity of grassroots Irish road racing, take a trip over to the Cookstown 100. Situated on the Orritor Road just outside Cookstown in Co Tyrone, the 100 is essentially a square 2.1-mile circuit with loads of amazing viewing places and even a few grandstands. If the weather is dry, you can sit on the grass with a Guinness in your hand and watch the action. And consider this, the fastest lap saw Michael Dunlop lap at an average 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 ride and the perfect pilgrimage.

Why it’s a must A superb event and well worth a weekend away – even if we say it ourselves – as there is loads to see and do. A weekend camping ticket costs just £35 in advance and gives you access to a charming array of two-wheeled delights. From live flat-track action to trade stands to classic bike displays and even the chance to test ride loads of brand new 2018 models, you certainly won’t find yourself bored. It’s a fantastic way to welcome in summer and is rapidly becoming a must-visit date in thousands of biker’s diaries. While you’re there Stop at Rutland Water for a coffee and the chance to see ospreys in fish-catching action.

Why it’s a must Santa Pod holds loads of Run What Ya Brung events on its drag strip and entrance is just £35 if you want to challenge a mate, or £10 to watch. Just be careful when you drop that clutch as there is always someone who gets a bit carried away and gives the crowds a good laugh… While you’re there Visit the Super Sausage café on the A5 near Towcester for a slap-up breakfast.

Why it’s a must Comprising the Classic TT, Manx Grand Prix, Vintage Motor Cycle Club Rally and the Classic Weekend Trial, not to mention the Manx Ramsey Sprint, Jurby Drag Racing and Festival of Jurby, there is more than enough to keep you amused at the Festival of Motorcycling. While the track action is every bit as hectic and fast as the TT, the atmosphere for spectators is far, far more relaxed and the weather’s better. A simply wonderful event that keeps on getting bigger and better every single year. While you’re there A18 Ramsey to Douglas. It’s the best road in the world!

Why it’s a must The BSB circus visits Brand Hatch three times in 2018, but do you really want to camp there in April or October? Of course not, so make a date for the July round when (hopefully) the sun will be out and BSB fans will be in the mood to party. Camping at BSB

(or WSB or MotoGP for that matter) is a great laugh as the campsite is always lively as fans lubricate themselves with lots of beer. While you’re there Make sure you head out into the woods of the GP circuit. The action is fast and you can get close.

October Watch the carnage!Weston Beach Race, Weston-Super-Mare October 19-21Why it’s a must For this one weekend in October, Weston’s beach is devoid of donkeys and instead plays host to a bonkers off-road race that attracts two and four-wheeled nutters. It’s crazy to watch, let alone take part in, but riders love it and the fans just love to drink cider and cheer the carnage as it unfolds. While you’re there Take a detour on your way and ride through Cheddar Gorge on the B3371 and B3135.

November See all the new bikesMotorcycle Live, NEC Birmingham November 17 - 25Why it’s a must The first chance for UK riders to see and sit on all the new metal from every manufacturer. Alongside the new bikes there’s loads to see and do with celebrities from BSB, WSB and MotoGP popping in and out, TT stars and more kit to buy than you can shake an empty kit bag at. Add to this live stunt shows, on-stage interviews, test rides and it all adds up to the perfect day out and a great way to whet your appetite for the 2019 biking season and another

5000 miles ticked off. Tickets go on sale from August 1, book early for discounts. While you’re there Pop in for a cup of tea at the National Motorcycle Museum’s café.

December Watch madcap racingPlum Pudding Races, Mallory Park December 26Why it’s a must Now in its 44th year, the Plum Pudding is a lovely bit of two-wheeled light relief from arguing with the relatives and eating turkey over the festive period. While you’re there Park your bike next to the Mallory Park entrance, prove to other #ride5000miles members you got out on two wheels over Christmas!

Explore ScotlandDon’t let winter put you off!

Why it’s a must Scotland is one of the best spots in the UK when it comes to a touring holiday and if you have never been, make this the year you pack a tent and venture into the highlands. Others head inland to visit the various lochs for a spot of monster watching. A few prefer to simply get their head down and make a date with John o’Groats to say they have been there. The choice is yours.While you’re there The A838 and A836 coastal roads are mind-blowing.

Don’t forget to give the tyres a friendly kick. It’s part of the ritual

Reckon you’re fast? Now’s the time to prove it

PACE

MAK

ER P

RESS

INTL

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

#MCNwednesdaywww.motorcyclenews.com

15 14

Why you should joinInspirational stories from riders who’ve already signed-up

IT’S LIFE-CHANGING

Ready to join more than 1000 women riders for a record attemptWayne proudly sporting his MCN #ride5000miles T-shirt. Nice legs matey!

Ian’s become a regular on the site

and in print too

Sam and his sister about to set off for MotoGP at Silverstone last summer

Rob got this CBR600F as his first bike then swapped it for an Africa Twin

Paul tapped into the online community for great riding routes

Peter’s been touring all over Scotland

Andreas hit 5000 miles in single trip (and barely saw

another person)

Alex and Sandra pay their respects to Tommy at Seaham in Co Durham

“There’s a few of us in the #ride5000miles group who have come to it as new riders who perhaps don’t understand how you keep the mileage down to 3k each year! Motorcycling has opened up a new freedom for me. Last year I took the GS from the South Coast up to Scotland to complete the North Coast 500. I travelled up with my mate Phil and as soon as we

crossed the boarder the heavens opened and the temperature fell but we weren’t going to be put off. Fortunately the weather improved and travelling anticlockwise on the route from Inverness meant the scenery just got better and better. My first year of riding has been fantastic, clocking up over 9000 miles with the help of #ride5000miles. Here’s to more in 2018.”

Riding more opens up whole new freedoms…

COLIN ROWLAND

SANDRA MORRISON WAYNE MARRISON

IAN SPEIGHT

TRACY ATKINSON

ALEX MORRISONSAM WICKS

ROB PRESTON

PAUL NICHOLSON

ANDREAS RUHRMANN

PETER JOHNSON

You’ll make new biking friends… It’ll get you out and about…

Get in MCN…

You will make glorious biking memories…

It’ll help you pile on the miles…

Your whole family can get involved too…

It will help you pass your full licence…

It’ll find you new destinations…

It will take you to amazing places…

You’ll broaden your horizons

“This is one of my favourite photos from last year’s #ride5000miles experience. I rode for five hours and 45 minutes (lots of cake and cuppa stops) covering 213 miles from Newcastle upon Tyne to attend the Motorbike Women’s record-breaking attempt at Ellesmere, Shropshire in July. Well over 1000 of us turned up and we officially broke the record! The ladies in the photo started out as strangers but became firm friends thanks to #ride5000miles – it’s one of the things that makes the group so special.”

“I’ve loved being part of the #ride5000miles – it has encouraged me to do the things I would not normally do on a bike, on a bike! The fact that I had a free T-shirt made me feel I ‘owed’ something back to the #ride5000miles group – so I now take that shirt with me on my bigger adventures. Here’s the biggest adventure I’ve done so far – approximately 2600 mile round trip to Brno in Czech last year to watch the MotoGP. Note the T-shirt (but try to ignore the belly and the legs)!”

“It has been a great initiative made all the more successful by the Facebook members taking it on board and sharing their experiences and posting their photos. With MCN publishing regular articles, people get to see themselves in print which is really exciting. It has been ace! Roll on 2018.”

“I wanted to finally reach my 5000 miles, so organised a jaunt to Isle of Man in September with my husband, son and his girlfriend too. Wonderful

memories, fabulous riding and even the weather was good. Best of all – I cracked the 5k target! The campaign is great to get you out riding”

“My wife Sandra and I both reached the 5000 miles. We had some superb days out and this is a memory from just one of them, visiting ‘Tommy’ the war memorial at Seaham, County Durham.”

“I did over 5000 miles between picking up my Street Triple S mid-August and New Year’s Eve 2017 and have already clocked up over 1000 this year. Getting 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 MotoGP – she bought the tickets!”

“#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 forward to reaching the 5k goal again in 2018 – I’m already on 800 miles!”

“I’d never really ventured very far from home before, mainly because I didn’t know where to go. I knew there were good roads out there, I just didn’t know where to find them. Joining #ride5000miles gave me the inspiration, and more importantly some route ideas, to get out more. There are so many amazing routes out there and I can’t wait to find more places to go.”

“After two weeks riding across Iceland and the Faroe Islands, I hit the 5000 miles in just one trip. I rode for hours without seeing another person. An amazing experience that was only possible thanks to my motorcycle.”

“I’ve been going to Scotland for years and thanks to #ride5000miles I finally made it to the Outer Hebrides, Harris and Lewis. I was really lucky with the weather and all I can say is OMG.”

AWARD YOURSELF

FIND OUT MORE AT METZELER.COM

2016MCN Sports Touring

Tyre Winner

2017MCN Sports Touring

Tyre Winner

2018Ride Sports Touring

Wet Tyre Winner

2018Ride Sports Touring

Wet Tyre Winner

adRocket

FP_MCNSUP_367529id3411990.pdf 16.03.2018 14:49