Editor's View
Where has this year gone? Seems like only last week we were browsing maps and checking calendars for all the ambitious tours and various shows on offer this year.
I know that as you get older time seems to go faster than an R1 on nitrous… But even so, we’re into the final months of 2009 and so many biking ideas are still just that, ideas. Is it too early to make New Year’s resolutions? Probably not if it involves making that trip of a lifetime you’ve always promised yourself. Or maybe if you’re organising a club activity, they always get left to the last minute so why not start planning now? If you have anything special or unusual in mind for next year – and it’s bike related, get in touch, we’d like to help and report it in future issues of the magazine.
One such endeavour is being planned by ex Marine Bill Allen, who intends to ride from the UK to Iraq on his aging TDM to raise much needed funds and increase awareness of the great work done by the Army Benevolent Fund. Bill will be leaving on May 29th to cover the 6500 mile round trip without any film crews, “fixers” or Toyota Landcruisers fitted with jacuzzis. He’ll be doing it as cheaply as possible, often camping by the roadside to save money and promoting his cause along the way. We’ll be supporting him in this challenge, and an escort is being planned to ride with him as far as the Nurburgring in Germany. If you want to join us on this part of the route, please get in touch so we can arrange crossings and accommodation where needed.
Another cause we will be tackling next year is the contentious issue of being treated like thieves or terrorists whenever we fill up at certain petrol stations. I’m hearing a growing number of complaints from riders being refused petrol until they remove their helmets so they can be filmed before the pump is turned on. The lamest excuse I’ve heard so far was a rider being ordered to remove his helmet to “check if he was old enough to buy petrol!” Is this just petty prejudice at a few isolated forecourts, or a deliberate policy of discrimination? In the next issue we’ll be reporting on the replies from our petrol suppliers, so if you have any specific cases you would like us to investigate, please get in touch and we will put the questions to the oil giants on your behalf.
Okay, Crusader’s tin lid off and battered old Shoei back on, I’m off to make the most of the remaining sunshine before the frosty mornings and freezing rain settle in for the winter. Try to stay safe, warm and dry over the festive period and here’s hoping for a great biking year in 2010!
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