Wakefield MAG June 2017 Newsletter

Dear Wakefield MAG Member,

Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. If you can't attend our Wednesday meetings regularly, it's the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.

CONTENTS

1) May Rideout (Humber Bridge & Hornsea) Report
2) Social Night (Clare's Nature Themed Quiz) Report
3) Yorkshire MAG Promo Videos
4) Farmyard Party - 16th to 18th of June
5) June Rideout (Trough of Bowland) - Sunday 25th June
6) June Social Night (Scalextric Racing) - Wednesday 28th June
7) Evening Rideout to Sheffield Speedway - Thursday 22nd June
8) MAG completes case against tunnel user-charges for riders
9) London MAG asks TfL and Mayor to take riders' lives seriously
10) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)

1) May Rideout (Humber Bridge & Hornsea) Report

Check out the rideout report Here.

2) Social Night (Clare's Nature Themed Quiz) Report

Check out the event report Here.

3) Yorkshire MAG Promo Videos

You may remember that Wakefield MAG, along with our very good friends in Leeds & Huddersfield MAG, were involved in the filming of a couple of short MAG promotional videos on Saturday 11th March 2017, at The Field Head in Huddersfield. The film-maker, Drew, is a relative of the London MAG Rep, Tim Fawthrop, and did all the filming, editing and prroducing the videos for FREE (we like free in Yorkshire !!!).

He filmed the bikes, people chatting while on bikes, people in the pub / beer garden, some of us parking, a few close ups of the revving of the engine, the exhaust, a short ride-out and interviews about the great work the 3 branches have been doing with the West yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

The results are now on YouTube for your enjoyment. The shorter one is about general biking in Yorkshire and intro to the MAG groups, whilst the longer one covers our campaign with the WYCA. Do have a watch (I'm sure you might recognise a few faces) and feel free to share the links as it's all good publicity and gets the message across about the great work that MAG is doing on behalf of the bikers of West Yorkshire.

Long Video (6 mins): https://youtu.be/N7xyC0_3sHE
Short Video (2 mins): https://youtu.be/QTM1zKwkI_A

Enjoy !!!!

4) Farmyard Party - 16th to 18th of June

The Farmyard Party 2017 is very nearly upon us and this must the biggest line-up we have ever put together for the Farmyard Party rally. If you thought last year's 30th anniversary was big then think again! Over 40 bands, comperes, DJs and comedians will be there in the glorious surrounds of Duncombe Park for Farmyard 2017.

The party starts early on Friday at 2pm with Mr Dangleberry in Crusty's Bar followed by a variety of fantastic jig-along bands through to 11pm. If you were at Into The Valley this year, you will know not to miss out on the afternoon's entertainment. Get yourself there early to join in the fun or purchase an additional Thursday ticket so you can wake up to fun and shenanigans.

Following last year's survey, we have made every effort to bring you what you asked for - more entertainment and activities to take your mind off the rigmarole of daily life. As you may have seen on the rally Facebook page, we have secured some of your favourite bands and comedians lined up for the main stage, Riders' Right tent, Crusty's and the Blues tent - Bad Dog, The Sex Pissed Dolls, AC DC UK, Ska Finger, Duncan Oakley, Jester, The Konks and Beckwater Bushwackers and Kit Curtis and the B3s to name but a few. If you don't know one of these bands, there's something wrong with you.

You may also have seen that we have booked the world famous and very skillful Purple Helmets, who will be hotfooting it from the Isle of Man TT, to provide us with some exciting motorcycle stunts and tricks. You're gonna be impressed. The custom bike show will be bigger and better than last year and there are a few additional prizes and free tickets for the 'Bull Dog Bash' and 'Rock and Bike' rallies thrown in for good measure.

Back by popular request, we have finally managed to source a DynoRod to test the performance (or lack thereof) of your motorcycle. Trophy available for the bike with the most BHP. And if your interested in power, we have also got a Griffon engine - you know, the one from the infamous Spitfire - on display to blow you socks off (and probably all of your clothes too). 37 litre and 12,000+ HP is something to be seen.

Full details of all Farmyard entertainment here for your perusal.

Tickets available until Sunday the 11th of June (on-line and from the branch) - remember, if you buy your tickets direct from us, you will save on the booking / postage fee !!! After that it's fullprice on the gate tickets.

Don't forget to get there early for what's set to be the BIGGEST Farmyard yet.

Yorkshire Pudding Rally

Whilst you are securing your FYP tickets, be sure to get your Yorkshire Pudding Rally tickets too (4th - 6th August). 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 ....

Sold out

.... Don't say you haven't been warned !!!

If you haven't done already .... Check out our new 2017 Rally Page Here .... and be sure to watch the video ... you might recognise a few faces ;-)

5) June Rideout (Trough of Bowland) - Sunday 25th June

The June Rideout is on Sunday 25th June, and will be led by Clare Ellam.

Trough of Bowland

As a teaser for the Rideout, we'll be following the pink route on the satellite image around the Trough of Bowland. Clocked from Huddersfield, so including the bimble across and back from Wakey it'll be around the 200 mile mark (not including extra for getting lost !!!). Learner friendly route, spectacular scenery guaranteed, as is 10,000 acres of clear blue sky (honest !!!) and all welcome.

Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. Hope to see you there.

6) June Social Night (Scalextric Racing) - Wednesday 28th June

Our next social night is on Wednesday 28th June, and as we have had a few different variations of quizzes these past 3 months, we are upping the tempo somewhat with a planned night of Scalextric racing !!!!

Scalectrix racing

Multiple qualifying heats and a final to decide who will be the 2017 Wakefield MAG Scalextric Champion !!! The evening will be hosted by Sam Allen (and it's her Scalextric set, so we had better let her win I suppose ;-)

The action packed fun kicks off at 20:30, in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield ..... Be in it to win it !!!!

7) Evening Rideout to Sheffield Speedway - Thursday 22nd June

Our evening Rideout for June is on Thursday 22nd June, to the Speedway Racing at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield, home of the Sheffield Tigers Speedway Team, where they are facing the Redcar Bears.

Speedway Racing at Owlerton

We enjoyed it so much last year, we are going again !!! Read all about last years visit here: June 2016 visit to Sheffield Speedway.

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.

Entrance costs £15 and we will be leaving at 18:15 prompt from Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. The racing starts at 19:30, and will finish at 21:30. As it's the destination we are most interested in on this occassion, rather than the journey, feel free to come in the car if the weather is less than favourable ;-) Also, if you can't quite make Redbeck for 18:15, meet us directly at Owlerton Stadium instead.

Hope to see you there. Check the Sheffield Speedway website for further details: www.sheffieldspeedway.co

8) MAG completes case against tunnel user-charges for riders

MAG has put in its final submissions to the Silvertown Tunnel consultation to make the case against charging riders for using the proposed new crossing. The consultation on the proposed new Thames Crossing in Central London is now over. The independent panel in charge of the whole process is now considering the information that they have received, which includes a substantial and detailed submission from MAG.

Lembit Öpik, MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, has been representing riders' interests across the many months of the public consultation process. "We've made our views clear about the need for an exemption for motorcycles and scooters regarding user-charging. Put simply, the applicants want to charge bikes and we think they're wrong. I feel we have made the strongest possible case regarding the need for this exemption. Motorcycles contribute positively to the project's environmental, congestion and social objectives. To charge us for using the tunnel is entirely counter to what the project is intended to achieve. We'd effectively be punished for helping Transport for London deliver the goals which they themselves have set."

The Panel is expected to report on its recommendations - including those relating to user-charging - in the Summer. After that the Secretary of State for Transport will make the final call around October 2017. "I honestly feel we couldn't have done more to made our case strongly, clearly and professionally," adds Lembit. "We now have to wait and see what the Panel concludes."

9) London MAG asks TfL and Mayor to take riders' lives seriously

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK's leading voice for riders, has questioned why motorcyclists' lives are being treated as worth less than those of pedestrians and cyclists by Transport for London (TfL).

Tim Fawthrop, MAG's London Rep, said "we held a ride in memory of the 36 motorcyclists who died on London roads in 2015. This was organised by London Motorcycle Action Group, because TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan are ignoring the fact that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users, just like cyclists. They have budgeted a billion pounds on cycling safety - but almost nothing on motorcycling, even though four times more riders lost their lives in 2015 than did cyclists. Nor have they taken advantage of the simplest, most cost-effective measure available: to urge local councils to allow motorcycles, scooters and mopeds to use all bus lanes."

"Our respectful demonstration should be seen by TfL as a wake-up call. London MAG appeals to Sadiq Khan to help. Since elected, he has yet to honour his pre-election promises to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Motorcycle Action Group. He needs to hear what riders already know: that London needs motorcycle riders. We cut pollution, congestion for cars and the evidence proves we cut the cycle accident rate too."

Tim is urging the Mayor and TfL to support the #bikelivesmatter campaign. "TfL is improving 73 junctions for cyclists and pedestrians, but has ignored bikers. There is no budget to make the roads safer for motorcyclists even though four times more bikers than cyclists died on London's roads. Riders have had enough: with 300% more deaths than the cycling community, all we ask is to be included in the plans for roads in London. It's a reasonable request and ignoring it is literally fatal to fellow riders."

10) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)

Friday 16th June - Sunday 18th June 2017 - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally

See Above

www.farmyardparty.co.uk

Thursday 22nd June - Wakefield MAG Evening Rideout (Destination: Sheffield Speedway)

See Above. Meet 18:00 (leaving at 18:15) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT

Sunday 25th June - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Trough of Bowland)

See Above. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT

Wednesday 28th June - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: Scalextric Racing

See Above. 20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Friday 7th July - Fleur de Lys Classic Vehicle Show

4pm-8pm, Clarence Park, Wakefield. Free for spectators. More details at: fleurdelyscvs.org/

Saturday 15th July - Wakefield MAG Sea Fishing Trip (Sunderland Coast on the Sapphire Charter Boat)

£55 each, which includes hire of all the gear and the bait, and 8 hours out on the boat. Party of 10 max. More details in the : Feb 2017 Newsletter. Still a couple of places available so if you want to go, let us know asap.

Sunday 23rd July - Wakefield MAG Memorial Rideout (Destination: East Coast)

Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT

Wednesday 26th July - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBC

20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Friday 4th August - Sunday 6th August 2017 - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)

www.yorkshirepuddingrally.co.uk

See the events page for further details and more !!!

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 Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Wednesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.