Dear Wakefield MAG Member,
Welcome to the Wakefield MAG Newsletter. If you can't attend our Tuesday meetings regularly, it's the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.
CONTENTS
1) FYP Report
2) Pothole Campaign
3) Evening Rideout to Sheffield Speedway
4) YPR Rally Tickets
5) South Yorkshire and Huddersfield MAG present the Market Top Box Sale and Bike Show
6) Barton Bike Night
7) YPR Marshal Registration
8) Wakefield MAG 21st Birthday Bash
9) Bikers Needed
10) Forthcoming Events (for July and beyond)
Check out the event report Here
MAG's Resurface Our Roads campaign is being pushed to a new level with MAG promoting a co-ordinated strategy both locally and nationally, and has recently launched a new pothole campaign video. The video can be shared with parliamentarians and councillors, but also contains calls to action that can easily be followed by riders.
Watch here: Resurface Our Roads Campaign Video
The campaign video starts with an explanation of the serious implications of our poorly maintained road network for riders. The aim, without scaremongering, is to bring the gravity of the risks faced by riders to the fore in the campaign. MAG personalises the sterile statistics with the stories of riders who have suffered injury as a result of poor road surfaces and goes on to provide riders with two lines of attack.
Firstly, the campaign asks riders to sign a petition calling for increased funding, and then to write to their MP asking them to work with MAG to bring a formal parliamentary debate on funding to the table.
The video includes comments from Asphalt Industry Alliance Chair Rick Green and well-known pothole campaigner Mark 'Mr Pothole' Morrell. Combined with data from this year's ALARM report the case is very clearly made for increased central government funding.
The second line of attack that the video recommends is scrutiny of local authorities. Interviews with Ben Rawding, General Manager, Government & Municipalities at JCB, and James Harper from Stoke on Trent City Council cover some of the detail of best practice. It is clear that whilst pockets of best practice do exist, there is a need for far more investment in kit like JCB's Pothole Pro. Stoke City Council managed to clear a seven-year backlog of pothole repairs in just 12 months with the machine.
In the video, MAG examines the UK Roads Liaison Group guidelines for assessing road defects. But, as is discussed with Mr Pothole, the risk assessment inspectors often seem unable to fairly assess the risks to all road user groups.
MAG is therefore encouraging riders to ask their local authorities two questions:
MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: "We cover in the video how even MPs admit that potholes are considered a running joke, and how the press do not see the issue as much more than a lightweight story for election campaigns. For riders this issue can be one of life or death. We are demanding that it is treated with the gravity it deserves. Our aim is to raise this at both local and national level with a co-ordinated and consistent drum beat. Any rider can take part in the campaign by investing five minutes to sign a petition and write two letters. MAG will work with any and all MPs and Councillors genuinely interested in taking on the challenge of making our road network fit for purpose. I am sure that those who engage with us will be remembered when polling day comes, but the real work needs to be done outside of the political election circus. That means now."
CALL TO ACTION:
We need your support to make this campaign a success. We ask you to take five simple steps. They are all very easy, and could be the difference between a great ride or serious injury / death for you and your riding friends.
Full details of these five simple steps are on the MAG website: https://mag-uk.org/resurface-our-roads/
3) Evening Rideout to Sheffield Speedway
We are hosting another branch visit to Speedway racing, on Monday 10th July, at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield, home of the Sheffield Tigers Speedway Team, where they are facing the Ipswich Witches. It has to be said, Speedway Racing is pretty exciting stuff - Each race of 4 laps of the track lasts just over 60 seconds ... YES that's 15 seconds a lap!!! All this on fixed gear, 500cc single cylinder bikes which run on methanol and can accelerate from 0-60mph in under 2 seconds (faster than an F1 car) .... oh yes I nearly forgot .... they don't have ANY BRAKES!!!!! Four riders participate in each race (two from each team) with the winner taking 3 points, 2 for second, 1 for third and 0 for last, this is a team sport with the team accumulating most points over 15 races being declared the overall winners.
2023 ADMISSION PRICES
Adults £22
Concessions £20
Children (aged 17 and under) £1
Admission is now pay-on-the-day at the turnstile by cash or card (no pre-booked tickets available).
We are meeting at Woolley Edge services on the southbound M1 from 18:00, leaving at 18:15, to arrive at Owlerton in plenty of time, with the first race starting at 19:30. Come on the bike, or if the weather is inclement, come in the car. Meet at Woolley Edge or direct at Owlerton Stadium itself (Owlerton Sports Stadium, Penistone Rd, Sheffield, S6 2DE).
Hope to see you there.
Check the Sheffield Speedway website: www.sheffield-speedway.com
Now the FYP is out of the way for another year, we have the splendid Yorkshire Pudding Rally to look forward to, held at Estrick Estate, Estrick, nr Selby/York, on 4th - 6th August.
The Most Chilled Rally on the Calendar:
The Yorkshire Pudding offers a friendly chilled atmosphere with great weather (usually !!!). It has two marquees for entertainment, one hosting a big stage with bands playing both nights and a comedy show during the day on Saturday. The other smaller marquee is a more chilled real ale marquee with a small stage with artists playing both evenings. A great selection of traders selling bike related stuff and food vans selling top notch food from pizza, fish and chips, burgers and curry, to donuts. As with all our rallies we make sure the best toilet providers work twenty four hours a day to keep everything clean and fresh for you. All our rallies have twenty four hour litter pickers so none of our sites have a litter build up.
Wakefield MAG still have tickets for sale but these will sell out shortly. Remember, the Yorkshire Pudding Rally is a Pre-Book only event, with no 'On the Gate' ticket sales, therefore, if you want to go to this most splendid rally, you have no option other than to get your tickets in advance (and don't leave it until the last minute as this event always sells out once the dust has settled from the FYP .... Don't say you haven't been warned !!!
Tickets (which are actually barcoded wristbands this year) for the YPR are £35 (or a Saturday Ticket Option of £25) and available at our Tuesday meetings (for the time being anyway) ... Be quick if you want some.
Remember, if you buy your tickets directly from us, you save on the on-line booking fee and postage (£2.50 per ticket !!!) .... more money in your pocket = more beer money .... what more of an incentive could you possibly want !!!
See the Yorkshire MAG Events site for more details of the fantastic Yorkshire MAG rallies: www.mapevents.co.uk
5) South Yorkshire and Huddersfield MAG present the Market Top Box Sale and Bike Show
South Yorkshire MAG are hosting a 50th birthday bash for MAG at the Market on Saturday 22nd of July. The renowned Huddersfield MAG Top Box sale will be there so lots of opportunities to pick up bargain bike gear. Top MAG band The Interiorz are playing and there will be a bike show (with prizes awarded between the sets). In addition there will be burgers and hot dogs available.
Wakefield MAG are planning to attend this event, either a rideout, or by train (or car with a designated driver) so foaming goblets of ale can be quaffed - we'll post details on the Wakefield MAG Facebook Group
Hope to see you there.
Wakefield MAG are planning to attend Barton Bike Night, one of the Largest and most popular motorcycle gatherings in the UK. This years event is being held from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday the 8th July in Barton Upon Humber Town centre ,North Lincolnshire.
If you would like to attend then post your confirmation of attendance on the Wakefield MAG Facebook Group, and we'll organise a rideout set off point and time and post this on the Facebook Group.
Here's what you can expect at Barton Bike Night: www.bartonbikenight.com
Marshal Registration is now open for Yorkshire Pudding 2023. Please click on this link: www.magmarshals.co.uk to access the forms. If you have already registered your personal details, then please go to the tab 'Marshal at Event' where you will find the forms to register for YPR marshalling. If you cannot remember what the email address you last used was, then you can email us at marshals@mapevents.co.uk and we should be able to tell you your email username. If you have changed your email address since last using the registration forms and you wish to use the new email, you can Re-Register with your new email before registering to Marshal at an Event. If you cannot remember your password, then go to the Get Help section to reset it.
If you wish to register to marshal at an event for the first time, please complete the Registration page, then go to the Marshal at Event Section to sign up for Yorkshire Pudding 2023. It is helpful if you can state which is your local MAG group when you register and you can tell us a bit about any relevant skills and experience on the special requirements section, such as an SIA badge holder or marshalling at other events. Someone may contact you to find out a bit more about what would be a suitable role for you, whilst we will try to accommodate everyone's request to marshal, it is always at the Event Manager's discretion. Please also ensure to let us know under special requirements if you have any disability or health condition that limits what you can do, we need to know to ensure everyone's health and safety.
Also, you should receive a confirmation email for every form you fill in and submit. Should you not receive the confirmation email, again, please email us at marshals@mapevents.co.uk so we can get you fully registered on our system.
You can go back into your form and update it at any time until the closing date, which is Friday 21st July 2023 at 1.30pm. Please ensure you press the submit button at the bottom of the form if you do this.
The shift confirmation email will be sent to you within the week starting Monday 24th July.
If you could, please fill your form in, in good time. This helps to give us a good idea of how many people we are working with and helps us plan in advance for any shortages.
N.B. Just so you are all aware there has been some spam emails, looking like they have been sent by Marshals Admin. These often contain links that claim to contain pictures or video. Please be on your guard when receiving emails. If you are not sure, you can always contact us at marshals@mapevents.co.uk.
Marshals Thank You Package
All marshals have the use of showers, a secure marshals camping area and free tea / coffee.
1st 4 hour shift: A food voucher and drinks voucher.
2nd 4 hour shift: A food voucher, a beer token and an event t-shirt or products voucher.
3rd 4 hour shift: A food voucher, a beer token and free entry to the event.
Any further shifts: A food voucher and a beer token for each shift.
8) Wakefield MAG 21st Birthday Bash
2023 is quite significant for Wakefield MAG for we are 21 years old !!!; Significant also for MAG nationally as MAG is 50 years old this year !!!
To help celebrate this monumental anniversary, we are hosting a Saturday Bike Day on Saturday 9th September (12:00 - 17:00) at the Thatched House, with a bike display / show in the car park, Steve the Landlord will be laying on a BBQ, we'll have our Wakefield MAG stand and the legendary Huddersfield MAG Top Box Sale (on tour) will be joining us so lots of opportunities to bag some bargain bike gear. We'll also have a tombola and prize raffle. We are also hoping to feature live music but if we fail in that endevour, we'll have recorded music playing.
Hopefully you'll be able to join us in September, to help celebrate MAG's 50th and Wakefield MAG's 21st birthdays.
An appeal for Bikers from Wrawby Hall Care Home in Brigg, North Lincs. We have a wish a tree here at Wrawby Hall Care Home. We like to grant as many wishes as possible and Peter's wish is to see many different bikes. So we would love for as many bikers as possible from far and wide to ride over to Wrawby Hall on Sunday 16th July for 2pm to make Peters wish come true. We will provide tea and cakes and would be forever grateful. Peter used to ride professionally an off road trails bike and also had a 1959 Matchless 650 sports twin motorbike.
The event is being organised by Paul Quigs and Biker Escorts East Yorkshire. Paul says: "After speaking with Wrawby Care home we have decided it is best if all the bikes can arrive together as one. This will be more of a spectacle for Peter and also the Look North TV cameras who may be there too. So rather than small groups turning up anytime, which will firstly spoil the impact for Peter and would also be a nightmare for the care home staff for parking, we will arrive as one convoy. There are people coming from North, South, East and West so we have chosen a central point for us all to gather half an hour before (or earlier there is a Costa on site). So can ALL bikes from ALL groups meet at 1-15pm sharp at Tesco Barnard Ave, Brigg, DN208AT with a view to engines started 13-40 setting off in convoy at 13-45 sharp to ride the final 2 miles to Wrawby care home as one. Thank you for giving your time and making it a special day for Peter."
More details here for anyone who fancies attending this: www.facebook.com/events/597990562317612
10) Forthcoming Events (for July and beyond)
Saturday 8th July - Barton Bike Night
See Above.
Monday 10th July - Evening Rideout to Sheffield Speedway
See Above.
Sunday 16th July - Biker gathering at Wrawby Hall Care Home, Brigg
See Above.
Saturday 22nd July - South Yorkshire and Huddersfield MAG present the Market Top Box Sale and Bike Show
See Above.
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)
See Above. www.mapevents.co.uk
Wednesday 6th September - Yorkshire Region Annual General Meeting
Squires Cafe Bar, Newthorpe Lane, Newthorpe, Leeds LS25 5LX at 19:00. Current MAG membership card required to vote. www.squires-cafe.co.uk
Saturday 9th September - Wakefield MAG 21st Birthday Bash
See Above
Saturday 23rd September - MAG Annual General Conference
Tone Vale Rally site in Devon (Nearest postcode TA9 3RH)
TBC - Fight Motorcycle Theft 2023 LEEDS
That's all for this month, hope to see you all soon.
Ride Safe .. Ride Free
Steve Travis
Chairman
Wakefield MAG
0772 078 4734
Wakefield MAG meet at the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield at 8:00pm every Tuesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.