Carole Nash
Iron Butts Challenge Continues
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Friday, 5th March 2010, 10:55 GMTThe Iron Butts tour continues with Red Dwarf actor Danny “The Cat” John-Jules and Graham Hoskins well on course to take in 14 countries in 15 days to raise as much money as possible for Sport Relief. The journey, backed by leading bike insurance broker Carole Nash, has been described as “as tough as the Dakar Rally” by Dakar veteran Nick Plumb and already, the pair has been racing against the clock through the Alps in ski season, worrying over fuel in Mont Blanc, contenting with customs officials in Tunisia and trying to dodge the traffic in Tripoli. Still, the journey continues and you can still donate to the cause by clicking here. Graham’s Blog: Monday 1 March Today is our first with a true deadline. We had to be in Genoa for 3pm to catch the ferry to Tunis and our route, by necessity, took us through the Alps - which in the ski season is a significant concern! I had visions of attempting mountain roads which would turn out to be shut and we’d find ourselves with no easy route into Italy. However, we had more immediate concerns as the Transalps have a pretty limited fuel range with the full loads (only about 120 miles) and I had got lazy on the French auto routes where there were fuel stations every 40km. We were following the A roads up to 1250m for the Mont Blanc tunnel with the fuel gauge going crazy as we were on vapour only, but I took comfort from the Garmin which said we had fuel just on the other side of the tunnel. The tunnel itself started with a blast of warm air that was so humid it immediately steamed up my visor and wing mirrors. With my rose tinted glasses on I thought we might go through the tunnel into warmer air but we were not so lucky. I still haven’t worked out where that hot humid air could have come from as when we exited the tunnel as we were greeted by six foot snow drifts either side of the road and black ice across the entrance to the petrol station. Despite the snow all around us, the roads were completely clear and we made good progress out of the Alps into Italy, only to be met by an almost impenetrable wall of freezing fog. We actually found ourselves colder once we were away from the mountains and snow than we were in them. We slogged on through it and hit the outskirts of Genoa about 2.30pm, following the signs for the ferry port. Genoa ferry port. Now there is a navigation challenge. For anyone who has driven to Dover or Portsmouth ferry port with their lovely clear neon signs and helpful staff telling you clearly where to go to find your ferry, think of the complete opposite. A total spaghetti junction of roads with few clear signs, an Italian customs officer trying to explain in exasperated French where to go and security guys who just shrug their shoulders when you asked for the Tunis ferry. It’s all part of the great adventure travelling tapestry and as I told myself, this was the easy bit. The Red Sea ferry and North African border crossings would be far more challenging - no trepidation on my part at all then! It would seem that the local customs and police also assume everyone knows how the system works - only a helpful German helped us to understand that there was a police stamp required on our paperwork before we would be allowed to board the boat. The ferry itself was no different. All the announcements were in Arabic and French (Tunisia’s primary and secondary languages) but no English. Only Rached (our new Tunisian best friend) explained that there would be a small pile of paperwork to be filled out and stamped in the ferry. I got our first taste of what was to come from border guards as the Tunisian customs official looked at the Transalp V5s, which had the Keeper detailed as Honda Motor Europe, then at my passport, back and forth, back and forth. ‘Why different. Why different?’ the golden letter from Honda was duly produced explaining that the bikes were on loan and we were safely certified and stamped ready for disembarking on Tuesday. ‘Rached’? Who the hell is ‘Rached’. Our new best Tunisian friend is who. He came over and chatted to us whilst we were waiting at the port and we met again on board over some grub. An hour later and we had been invited to stay with his family in southern Tunisia and for us to follow him all the way down there. It almost sounded too good to be true and when he asked if could buy a bed in one our cabins it suddenly seemed like it was! To my eternal shame, my gut reaction was to distrust his motives. And yet, he was friendly and very helpful with other people on the ferry and staying with his family tomorrow evening will add a whole new aspect to the challenge. Danny’s Blog: Monday 1 March We woke up yesterday morning (on time) and got the bikes loaded up… It was freezing! Whilst having breakfast I noticed a portly gentleman listening to ‘The loud Brits’ talking shop. I looked over and he said, “No, carry on. I haven’t heard an English accent for a while”. He was a Scotsman who had been living in Switzerland for ten years. He worked for a lift company and had relocated due to his work. Married to an English girl, he took great pleasure in taking the Mick’ out of her whenever the two countries met at sports. “If we don’t beat them there are always plenty of countries who are willing to do the job for us”. And let’s face it, they generally do. We told him that after 540 miles we only met one other motorcyclist who was German, dressed like a Hells Angel and had his son with him in a side car. His reply was, “Well, he’s German and they wear uniforms”. He also said that it’s typical that they would spoil a motorbike by attaching a side car to it. He made his exit wishing us luck. Nice Guy, he was cutting with a pleasant attitude, but I couldn’t help wondering how he was going to described me and ‘The big guy’ to his mates in the bar which he was obviously going to visit that night. I guess we’ll never know. We hacked on our merry way to Genoa. The first leg was really fun. Then the Alps appeared in the distance… I could see snow… and lots of it. The sight was amazing. The only other experience I’d had of them was flying over them on the way to do a show with Nick Heyward, the pop star from back in the day. He hated flying and when we got over the Alps the most vicious turbulence was pitching the plane up and down about 1,000 feet at a time. Nick’s fingers of his right hand were imbedded firmly into the foam of the armrest and the fingers of his left hand firmly in my right arm. Needless to say, it made me a nervous wreck and now I was having flashbacks. Once up in the Alps I saw people descending with skis! This could only mean one thing. There was more snow than I had originally thought. Snow and bikes don’t mix. Add cold to that and you have my worst nightmare. Everything up there had about five feet of snow sitting on top of it. Cars, trees, petrol pumps, even people! We were low on fuel so took a slight detour to a little town to fill up. We took some photos where I did a little ‘soft shoe’ whilst Graham thought it would be funny to sit on a massive throne of ice that had formed on one of the pumps. When he tried to get up he fell backwards and filled his pants with snow. He then uttered the words, “Don’t worry it’s all downhill from here”… Bikes… snow… ice… downhill… actor… S***! Anyway we got down alive and my elation was only short lived. Every two minutes we would go from tunnel to daylight, tunnel to daylight, I was going stir crazy. Then at last we arrived at Mont Blanc which is called that for reasons I’ve just explained. The tunnel there blows warm air into your face that immediately steamed up my visor, mirrors and most importantly my body. We were like two kids in a cake shop. At last Mediterranean warm climate… NOT! As we proceeded we were greeted with FREEZING FOG! And now my bike had started spluttering! I told Graham to keep an eye on me as RAC at this critical moment only meant, ‘Runny A*** Climate’, to me. Every time I got to 90mph my ‘Tranny’ started doing a Salsa. We decided to stop at the next petrol station, fill up the bikes with fuel and our bodies with pasta. Half an hour later we had defrosted and the weather had brightened up. The next leg was quite enjoyable as my ‘Tranny’ had magically righted itself. I promised not to bring it up ever as to not tempt fate. We’ve got a desert to get through. We arrived in Genoa with three hours to spare. No one seemed to know what time or where our ferry was departing from and once we had found the place, all we could do was wait. We called home and generally chatted to the locals, well, a German kid (not in uniform) who was so prepared for his two week trip that It made Graham’s immaculate planning look shoddy. This guy had all his paperwork in a nice plastic folder, knew all the protocol, had his girlfriend doing the driving (in his pristine VW Transporter with luggage box on the back) his Cannon HD camcorder that went nicely with her Cannon stills camera with snazzy lens and of course, his confident (but not arrogant) Michael Schumacher smile that made me think, “What the f*** am I putting myself through all this s*** for?” Then I remembered… CHARITY! I rolled my dribbling tongue back into my extremely jealous head and decided against quitting our trip and asking him for a lift. Once we had loaded our stuff onto the ferry, we had a shower (which was the best I’d had thus far) and hung out with a Guy named Rashed who at the dock had told us that our Sat Nav route was longer and more boring than the preferred route chosen by the Germans and the Swiss when travelling from France to Italy. He has invited us to change out plans and come stay with him and his family on an island off the south coast of Tunisia. It meant us not having to camp that night so I was the first one to raise my hand like a little precocious school kid. It means a longer ride that night but a shorter ride to Libya. The receptionist on the boat called Donia said that I looked like a Tunisian friend of hers. I know, they all say that. Donia could only be described as what Jamaicans would say is a ‘Hot Gyal’. She showed us photos of her partying in Dubai with all her ‘Hot Gyal’ mates, mostly with their lils on show via very skimpy clothing. She somehow still remained professional whilst doing the Facebook thing, showing us photos and booking us in. Graham told her I was an actor and she wanted to take a photo with me, to which I gladly obliged. She is now my friend on Facebook. We had dinner and a couple of beers to loosen up the muscles. Danny and Graham’s Blog: Tuesday 2 March Tuesday morning found us eating breakfast with new Tunisian best pal Rashed and exchanging pleasantries with our waiter, Jalel, who thought he looked like Bruce Willis. Jalel thought Danny was a dead ringer for Will Smith and Graham his was worst nightmare as he was the only one who declared himself atheist - Jalel couldn’t understand why someone would have no religion. He tried the five minute conversion on Graham but we couldn’t understand why an Algerian born in Sicily took life so seriously. What a character - he’d have made a great stand up from the word go when he asked us why we were eating with the poor people in the ‘buffet’ section. We were expecting an easy path through customs as Tunisia is meant to be the most European of the all the North African countries. We should have been so lucky! As we rolled to a standstill at the customs point, there were obviously several different levels of official. The least official and most shifty looking was very helpful with getting our paperwork in order - then he asked for a bung. We refused and maybe that’s where the problems started? The next and far more official looking guy walked over and asked in very good English for any “radio walky talky” and GPS. Being a polite Englishman, I obliged and they were all carted off along with our passports. Ten minutes later he was back with a shorter, fatter version of himself in tow who seemed to be a higher level and he declared that the radios weren’t allowed and must be taken and left at another building. Meanwhile the suave young German had sailed through was only a cursory inspection. A two hour sweat filled circus of walking to and from the ‘other building’ ensued with me having to beg, in very poor French, to be allowed to keep the radios and GPS. I had to settle to keep the GPS and leave the radios from our intercoms there. I was given a very official receipt so the I could collect them on our way back - even when i explained that we were not coming back the helpful official just said “not my problem”. Beware all travellers to Tunisia of the officious customs men and their desire to keep your walky talky and GPS - ours will be on ebay soon I’m sure. They’ll probably be snapped up by the suave German! Finally we were through customs and on our way to Rached’s island, 450km away. It should have been a 4-5 hour journey. Leaving as we did at about 6pm, we should have been there about 11. Try 4am - bad traffic, worse roads, food stop at an authentic roadside shack and an island ferry meant we got to Rashed’s dad’s house just before the birds started singing. In fact, we did hear cockerels crowing as we were unloading the bikes. Only one bed was available which Danny took as the senior member of the duo. Graham’s bed was a row of settee cushions two foot wide. They were luxury. Danny and Graham’s Blog: Wednesday 3 March We were due to meet our Libyan guide this afternoon and were waiting on a call from him to confirm a time to meet at the border. Meanwhile, Danny had got up and walked around the house in his t-shirt, base layer tights and motorbike boots to be greeted by the sight of 3 Tunisian builders and Rashed’s dad. Rashed’s dad gave us the tour of his house - the fresh rainwater well (yes we did try it and it was amazing), the new veranda, the olives, vegetable patch and so on. He even made us traditional Tunisian tea just as Rashed came back with breakfast. You could not want to meet nicer people - they were in complete contrast to the customs. What is it about short fat men in uniforms drunk with power? We were still waiting for our guide to call - his number was ringing unobtainable. He called around 10:30 and we confidently predicted our arrival at the border for 12:30. We arrived at the border at 2:00 with our guide sounding a little impatient. Border papers took a couple of hours with the support of our guide - next to impossible without his help for sure. By the time we had eaten on the Libyan side of the border, there was only an hour of daylight. We had 300km to ride which took us through Tripoli. Tripoli was an absolute nightmare. Driving in Libya is like swimming with hungry sharks. Some of these cars couldn’t pass for cars never mind an MOT. Everyone wanted to be in the same lane at the same time. The only problem was that they were all full but someone always came out of nowhere and just forced themselves into a non-existent gap, usually causing a major panic to all the foreigners, namely us! We were already half scared to death before we got there because everyone kept telling us it was dangerous, that we’ll be kidnapped and end up in one of the Colonel’s (Gaddafi) Chicken Party Buckets. People were driving, talking on their mobile phones whilst eating their evening meal with kids, not only with no kiddy seats and no seat belts but standing up in the car, looking out at the two Aliens riding through town on funny horses. Renaming films came to mind; “Wacky-Backy Races. Cannon and Ball Runs and Death Race 2010″. Some geezer would nearly kill you, wave, look you strait in the eye with that friendly smile that says, “Get the f*** out of the way Infidel”. One thing about the Libyans is that they wear their hearts on their sleeve (whilst ours were back in the UK). They have no road signs in English so you they have you right where they want you… LOST! We think they just enjoy ribbing us and couldn’t help but notice that a lot of the Mosques had twin towers. But we have had nothing but a warm welcome from everyone we have met. Apart from the life threatening hell ride through Tripoli, we had only one other drama on route the hotel. I (Graham) suddenly felt the bike tipping to one side and thought we’d need the tyre changing training from Honda. But as cars were beeping like mad, I checked the back of the bike ad felt something significant was amiss. I had lost a 20 litre jerry can off the top of pannier - and it was full! I was checking mirrors rapido for balls of fire and chasing cops but all I saw was Danny’s lights - obviously I’d not hit him with my improvised road depth charge. We stopped for check the rest of the luggage whilst our guide went back to search for the jerrycan. Almost immediately a car load of locals stopped and we thought we might become kidnapping statistics but as with everyone we met, all they wanted to do was offer help. The jerrycan was not recovered so something else will need to be acquired tomorrow. Read article
Bike show winner rides home Suzuki
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Thursday, 4th March 2010, 11:11 GMTBirmingham-based biker Mike Jeynes today took delivery of an amazing 2010 Suzuki GSXR 1000 which he won by entering a competition at the 2009 Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the NEC. The lucky winner picked up his bike from the Streetbike dealership in Halesowen on Monday March 1, just in time to take advantage of some very welcome and much needed spring weather. Mike was one of more than 110,000 visitors to the Carole Nash NEC Bike Show in November and December 2009, where visitors witnessed world and UK bike premieres and had the opportunity to take part in the host of interactive features on offer. Thousands entered the draw to win the 2010 Suzuki flagship model and Mike was unsurprisingly delighted with his prize. “Winning this Suzuki is a dream come true,” he claimed. “I used to drive past Streetbike every day and always said I wanted a new bike, now I have one! I never thought that I could possibly win something as awesome as this ever in my life!” Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of MCI Exhibitions added: “The whole Show is geared towards offering people unforgettable experiences and we look to engage our visitors by showcasing the very latest leading manufacturer bike models, inviting people to take part in our spectacular interactive features and also, offering the chance to win great prizes. We’re pleased to have worked with Suzuki in offering the GSXR 1000 - we wish Mike all the best and hope he enjoys riding his bike - we look forward to welcoming him back to the 2010 Show.” For more information visit www.motorcycleshow.co.uk. Read article
Iron Butts Challenge Begins
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Wednesday, 3rd March 2010, 16:16 GMTDanny John-Jules, better known as ‘The Cat’ from TV Sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, and co-rider Graham Hoskins began their adventure to take in 14 countries in 15 days in a motorcycle tour around the Mediterranean this weekend, attempting to raise money for Sport Relief. The pair, supported by motorcycle insurance broker Carole Nash, will be reporting on their journey as it progresses and as they continue to raise money for good causes in both the UK and overseas. It wasn’t the start that the pair had in mind on Saturday, with torrential rain affecting their departure from the Ace Cafe show at the Alexandra Palace in London, but you can read the full story behind the first two days of their adventure in their opening Iron Butts progress report: Danny’s Blog: Sat 27 Feb After waking up on Saturday morning to the sound of torrential rain, I was to meet Graham Hoskins at the Ace Cafe bike show at the Alexander palace before heading off on the 7,000 mile journey around the Med. We are taking in 14 countries in 15 days and I was not in any way enthusiastic about hacking down the North Circular Rd. But I did; and got soaked. My phone got waterlogged and stopped working, meaning that I missed the interview that I was meant to do with DJ Elaine at Colourful radio. My Mrs and kids were there, as were Graham’s and before we hit the road, we were introduced on stage by Mark Wilsmore from Ace Cafe. Then it was time for the big send off. After I sat on the most perfect bike ever for me, the Black Jaguar low rider, we set off…. to Victoria to get our passports. They were with the visa agent because the Algerian Consul didn’t sign the visa in time for the trip. So the first drama had reared its ugly head and now we had to bypass Algeria and get a ferry to Tunisia. Nevertheless, we were now on our way to the Channel tunnel and we arrived in Calais about 6 o’clock to get our heads down. Waking up was like the end of a nightmare. I got all my time back to front and what was meant to be a rendezvous at eleven where the bike was parked turned into near heart failure! I looked out of the window and one of the bikes was gone! It was also crapping it down. Thank the lord Graham had moved his bike out of the rain and under the canopy, whilst I was dribbling on my pillow dreaming of a Caribbean holiday. I went to rescue my bike and to my horror found my bank card lying in a big puddle in the car park. It was the shape of the things to come that day. Graham’s Blog: Sun 28 Feb Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day! Driving rain and strong winds: not the most auspicious start but then again, what can we expect starting the first European leg of our challenge in the depths of winter? The bad outlook was not helped by a phone/alarm/time zone confusion which had me outside packing up the bike thinking I was very clever and early when in truth, I was an hour late and Danny had been too polite to knock on my door. Still, we were away by a very reasonable first day time and off into the grey murk. However, within an hour, the temperature was bearable. There was a hint of sun and the music on the iPod was chasing the missing the family for two weeks blues away. Happy days were short lived though. I have ridden in some strong winds in the UK from time to time. I’d even say that some of them were a little scary. However, today brought a whole new meaning to the need for clean underwear. A solid 5 hours of barely controlled weaving and central reservation avoidance was the worst road wind knows either of us have ever encountered. It’ll be neck aches in the morning. We did come through the first 540 mile day however, even met a guy who knows Craig from his local! I’m writing this from our green and red Ibis in Geneva - lucky us! Read article
Two great bike insurance offers
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Wednesday, 3rd March 2010, 11:18 GMTCarole Nash is offering two fantastic deals on your bike insurance which will not only save you money but also help you to enjoy your pride and joy even more in 2010. As Britain’s favourite motorcycle insurance broker, Carole Nash is pledging not to be beaten on price or service, promising to beat any genuine, like-for-like bike insurance quote*. To take advantage of this offer, simply call 0800 804 7952 and quote code CNL4L. Carole Nash is also throwing in extra benefits in 2010, making your bike insurance work harder for you. As well as including free UK & European breakdown and accident recovery as well as £50,000 legal protection as standard, all new and renewed Carole Nash motorcycle insurance policies will receive a voucher booklet packed with up to £500 worth of exclusive discounts and benefits. The discounts, which are exclusive to Carole Nash customers, include: - 25% off an Acumen Cat 1 alarm and Acutrac locater - 25% off Draggin’ Jeans and a hit-air jacket - £200 off an MCi Tours flydrive holiday for two or £100 off for one - 20% off R&G crash protectors and engine case covers - 20% off a Scottoiler automatic chain lubrication V and E systems So to see how Carole Nash could save you money and make your motorcycle insurance work harder for you, call 0800 804 7952 today, quoting offer code CNL4L. * Terms and Conditions apply. See www.carolenash.com for details. Read article
Get £500 of deals with Carole Nash
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Monday, 1st March 2010, 10:25 GMTCarole Nash is offering motorcycle insurance policy holders the chance to earn back up to £500 in some fantastic offers, reserved exclusively for customers of Britain’s favourite bike insurance broker. From today (Monday March 1), anybody renewing or taking out a new bike insurance policy with Carole Nash between now and October 31 2010 will receive a book of vouchers worth up to £500 in discounts and special offers, including the chance to claim up to £200 of an MCi Tours Flydrive holiday. Other great deals include up to 25% of products from some of the biggest and more respected names in the biking industry, including R&G, Scottoiler and Acumen.* Every booklet includes the following offers: 25% off an Acumen Cat 1 alarm and Acutrac locater 25% off Draggin’ Jeans and a hit-air jacket £200 off an MCi Tours flydrive holiday for two or £100 off for one 20% off R&G crash protectors and engine case covers 20% off a Scottoiler automatic chain lubrication V and E systems The move follows a highly acclaimed initiative by the company last year which saw it offer free R&G crash protectors to its policyholders. “We’ve always tried to support bikers whether through sponsorship of clubs and events or through promotions like ‘Earn Back’ and last year’s R&G offer,” explained Carole Nash’s head of marketing, Rebecca Donohue. “This scheme allows bikers to subsidise their passion by getting great deals on things which can protect them and their bike or simply let them escape for some motorcycle-oriented respite from the UK.” To get a free, no obligation bike insurance quote, which still includes great features such as free UK & European breakdown cover and £50,000 worth of legal protection cover, call 0800 804 7952 or get a quote online at www.carolenash.com. * Offers are based on RRPs and redemption is through the respective suppliers. Vouchers must be used by 31.10.10, excepting MCiTours who will accept discounted bookings until 31.01.11. Read article
Ask Carole Nash to beat your quote
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Friday, 26th February 2010, 9:13 GMTCarole Nash has stepped up a gear to further strengthen its position as UK bikers’ favourite bike insurance company by announcing a new pledge to always beat the market. The UK’s biggest motorcycle insurance specialist has launched Carole Nash Like for Like which will see it guarantee to beat any like-for-like quote under the terms of the promotion. “We’ve always offered the best quality of cover, service and policy benefits and are determined to make sure, when comparing like for like, we’re always best on price,” commented Carole Nash’s head of marketing, Rebecca Donohue. “Carole Nash Like-for-Like is just the latest in a long line of initiatives designed to ensure that Carole Nash always provides the very best value on the market and helped make us the UK’s favourite biking broker.” Carole Nash, which has over 300,000 modern, classic, vintage, custom, sports, supersports and many other motorcycles on its books, includes a range of benefits as standard with all its bike insurance policies. These include extensive UK and European breakdown cover, up to £50,000 motorcycle legal protection to help recover uninsured losses and European travel entitlement. All claims are also handled by a specialist in-house team based at its UK headquarters in Altrincham. In addition, from the 1st March all customers taking out a motorcycle insurance policy will also receive around £500 worth of vouchers in their Carole Nash ‘Earn back’ pack. Securing partnerships with key brands such as R&G and Draggin’ jeans, has opened up a host of discount offers for Carole Nash customers. To challenge Carole Nash to beat your bike insurance quote, visit www.carolenash.com or call 0800 804 7952 and quote CNL4L. Read article
Carole Nash saves charity ride
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Thursday, 25th February 2010, 16:08 GMTMotorcycle insurance specialist Carole Nash has saved the “Iron Butt” of actor Danny John-Jules’ “Iron Butt” so he can tackle a 7,000 mile challenge in aid of Sports Relief. Danny, who is best known for playing the Cat in the BBC sci-fi comedy hit , hit a last minute hitch when insurance for him and co-rider Graham Hoskins fell through. Management consultant Graham then sent a desperate last minute plea for help to Carole Nash boss David Newman who agreed to provide free cover for the duo and their Honda XL700V ABS Transalps bikes on the European leg of their fundraising adventure. The expedition has been dubbed the “Iron Butts” as after Danny and Graham set off this weekend they will spend 16 days in the saddle as they circumnavigate the Mediterranean. The gruelling itinerary will see them ride through 14 countries across Europe, Asia the Middle East and Africa. But the brakes were nearly put on the whole expedition after their insurance plans fell through. A grateful Danny joked: “When we heard that our insurance had fallen through we had quite the opposite of iron butts! But seriously Carole Nash really saved the day, or the 15 days, because without insurance this trip would have been dead in the water and with it the money Graham and I are set to raise for Sports Relief. We’re both immensely grateful.” David Newman said Carole Nash was happy to help. “It’s not every day you get to rescue the Cat! We’re delighted to have been in a position to support such a testing biking challenge and, of course, Sports Relief which does such amazing work supporting disadvantaged people here in the UK and across the world.” The two riders will kick-start the challenge with a celebrity send-off at noon on Saturday (February 27th) from The Ace Cafe London Motorcycle and Custom Show at Alexandra Palace. From there they’ll tackle the first 250 mile leg to the Channel Tunnel where they’ll pick up a train to Reims before riding on to Marseille and beyond. They will return to the UK on Sunday March 14th. To raise as much money as they can Danny and Graham are looking not just for people to sponsor the ride but to bid one bay for biking gear donated by the motorcycle industry. For details of how to support the Iron Butts Sports Relief challenge visit: www.ironbutts.co.uk Read article
Mamola to make British racing debut in 2010
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Friday, 19th February 2010, 14:06 GMTDakota Mamola, the 15-year old son of multiple Grand Prix race winner Randy will make his debut in the British 125GP Championship this season. Dakota has joined the KRP team this season as he begins his journey to replicate his father’s achievements, which saw 13 Grand Prix victories and 57 podiums. The Grand Prix championship eluded him however, with many believing the Californian to be the best rider never to have won the rider’s championship. Dakota will be surrounded by Grand Prix pedigree in 2010, with his team mate Taylor Mackenzie the son of another former factory GP rider and 3-times BSB Champion Niall. The team is also supported by last year’s 125cc World Championship runner-up Bradley Smith. “It is fantastic news for the Championship and racing as a whole that Dakota joins us this season,” claimed Team Manager Mark Keen. “He has a famous family name, but he brings with him his own talent, focus and passion. He’s just a good kid.” “Dakota Mamola joining the KRP team means a lot to me,” added Smith. “I am nervous because we have become good friends, but more than anything I am excited because Dakota has great talent and now we’re part of the Mamola history. How exciting is that?” Both Dakota and Randy will be making an appearance at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show at the ExCeL this week. Read article
Get £5 off tickets for Boorman Show
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Monday, 15th February 2010, 13:30 GMTCharley Boorman, star of ‘Long Way Round’, ‘Long Way Down’, ‘Race To Dakar’ and ‘By Any Means’ is taking his live tour to a theatre near you and as a Carole Nash customer, you can claim an exclusive discount on tickets for his UK & Ireland tour. Charley will be showcasing exclusive videos - some of which have never been seen on TV, and giving frank accounts of his motorcycling adventures on his tour across the UK and Ireland this year, this night with Charley is going to be one to remember! Fans will also get the opportunity to ask questions and chat to Charley - as well as get their books or DVD autographed at the end of the night. Simon Pavey, the BMW Dakar Legend and director of the BMW Off Road School, will also be on stage discussing his own amazing life together with his experiences in Charley’s TV shows. Carole Nash customers can claim their discount simply by visiting www.ticketmaster.co.uk/charleyspecial and selecting their tickets for any one of the 30 shows, which starts on February 22 in Milton Keynes. The full tour schedule is: February 22 - Milton Keynes: The Stables 23 - Buxton: Opera House 24 - Glasgow: Pavilion 25 - Middlesbrough: Town Hall 26 - Newcastle: Journal Tyne 27 - Warrington: Parr Hall March 2 - St Albans: Alban Arena 3 - Cambridge: Corn Exchange 4 - Bournemouth: Pavilion 5 - Wolverhampton: Civic Theatre 6 - Birmingham: Alexandra 8 - York: Grand Opera House 9 - Leicester: Athena 10 - Sheffield: Memorial Hall 11 - Brighton: Dome 12 - Nottingham: Concert Hall 13 - Blackburn: King George’s Hall 15 - Tunbridge Wells: Assembly Hall 16 - Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre 17 - Peterborough: The Cresset 18 - Bradford: St George’s Hall 19 - Aylesbury: Civic Theatre 20 - Manchester: Palace Theatre 21 - Blackpool: Grand 23 - Derby: Assembly Rooms 24 - Cardiff: St David’s Hall 25 - Basingstoke: The Anvil 26 - Southampton: Guildhall 27 - Grimsby: Auditorium 28 - Dublin: Vicar Street Read article
Bike helps College support War Heros
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Saturday, 13th February 2010, 5:14 GMTA bike fit for a hero boosted Wirral Metropolitan College’s efforts to help wounded soldiers. The specially customised Triumph Rocket 3 roared into the college’s Twelve Quays Campus as part of a national fundraising campaign for the Help for Heroes charity. The bike - complete with a special paint job, laser lights and a fuel cap made from an Afghan campaign medal - was constructed and customised by Bill Harris and his team at Custom Bill’s shop in Ellesmere Port. Its visit to the college, where a collection was made for the appeal, was part of the bike’s UK tour to raise £1m for Help for Heroes. College principal, Mike Potter CBE, said: “This was a very special and privileged day for Wirral Met because of the close links we have here with the armed forces via our Army Preparation course. “With our pedigree in high quality motorcycle engineering, it was fitting that Wirral Met was one of the bike’s points of call on its national journey and we are delighted to be supporting Help for Heroes in any way we can.” Matthew Falcon-Scott, one of the six-strong team at Custom Bill’s, said when Help for Heroes asked them for assistance with the fundraising initiative, they just couldn’t say no. He said: “It took 10 days alone to strip the paint from the bike and 49 days to do the paint job. “People have given so much, even people who don’t have much.” The Help for Heroes bike, whose sponsors include motorcycle insurance broker Carole Nash, is being transported on its fundraising trip by a van donated by Vauxhall. Also attending the event were Anthony and Margaret Boote, whose son Corporal Steven Boote, from Birkenhead, was killed in Afghanistan in November while serving there in the Territorial Army, as well as the college’s Uniformed Services students and members of the Cheshire Regiment. Mr Potter added: “Sadly, Steven made the ultimate sacrifice and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends in supporting this worthwhile cause.” Read article
