Hartside & TYMC at Mickleton

A great day up at Hartside cafe.... The weather held out most of the day and a large turnout of bikers (including quite a few from BikeWise Training).....


Mick & I had a ride down to Mickleton at lunchtime to catch up with some friends from the Teeside Yesteryear Motor Club who were hosting their 15th Rally :

Police and Super Bike Champ join forces

Police and Super Bike Champ join forces to spread road safety message Motorcycle officers from Durham Police and Cumbria are joining forces with British Super Bike Champions to promote road safety along a popular biking route in the region.

The operation is scheduled for Sunday 14th June on the A686 in the Hartside area, which is extremely popular with motorcyclists from across the North.

The purpose of the operation will be to stop and engage with motorcyclists and offer vital road safety advice. Those stopped will be given a voucher entitling them to a free tea or coffee at Hartside Café, who are supporting the operation.

British super bike rider James Ellison, who races for the Airwaves Yamaha team and recently secured first place at Donnington Park, and his brother Dean Ellison, himself a former world and British super bike rider, will join police to chat with motorcyclists and spread the road safety message.

Representatives from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will be showing the latest road safety message from the Highways Agency in a digi-van at the café and BikeWise Training will be on hand to promote rider training opportunities.

Sgt Iain Rodgers head of Durham Motorcycle Section will be riding the force's Kawasaki ZX10R, which is sponsored by Kawasaki Newcastle who are also supporting the event.

Sgt Rodgers said "We are keen to engage with bikers from across the region taking time to promote safe and responsible riding and are delighted to be able to work hand in hand with our colleagues in Cumbria."

James Ellison added: "Riding a motorcycle on a road can be dangerous, and riders should remember this. The roads are not a race track, if riders want to race their bikes then they should attend a track day. These events are ideal for people to ride their bikes in a controlled environment."

To date in 2009 there have been 21 serious collisions involving motorcyclists in Cumbria and 13 in the Durham force area.

The operation will run from 10am until 3pm and the Ellison brothers are expected to be at the café from 11am until 2pm. Officers would urge motorcyclists in the area to drop in to say hello and meet the team.

Photographs of BikeWise Training riders on 2009 Easter Egg Run

This is the link to an album of photographs for people who have attended a BikeWise Training day and have been on the 2009 BikeWise Easter Egg Run.
Click on the image below to access your photographs

Easter Egg Run 2009

Easter Egg Run Photo's online

Photo's from the BikeWise Easter Egg Run, which was held on Sunday 12th April 2009 are now online. Click on the image above to be taken to the photo albums where you can look at the 2,299 photographs.............
Many Thanks to John Attle & Eddy Serrell of Durham Photographic Society who also came along and took photographs of the run.
Eggs were dropped of at Darlington and Durham Hospitals and the rest were distributed to Bishop Auckland Children's Ward, Hartlepool General Children's Unit, Heathway Respite Centre in Seaham, Sunderland General Children's Ward , The Durham Centre at Aykley Heads and our local special school; Trinity School, Durham.

In addition the money in the donation buckets has been counted and over £620 was donated for the benefit of the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Special Thanks go to Cleveland police motorcyclists who helped out our own Durham Police team and also to the DAM observers who helped marshal the event...
Can't wait till next years run

1618 Bikers Meet

Jon & Bev, owners of Cafe 1618, are running a bikers evening every Tuesday throughout the summer months.
Starts at 1800hrs and there will be refreshments available : Bacon or Burgers in a bun for £2, Tea & Coffee £1.50. Beer - £2 a pint. (Or if you're feeling 'flush' , you can book a meal....)
Plenty of room in the garden at the rear of the premises (and heaters for if it's cold)
Please show some 'Respect' to the locals, who will be sitting at home with their feet up, watching TV and not want the 'noise' of bikes on an evening.
For further details ring Jon & Bev on : 01833 640 300
http://www.cafe1618.com/

BikeWise Easter Egg Run

This is now the 5th Easter Egg Run.........
Hope there's no snow like last year.
Great fun event for a good cause.
Meet from 0915hrs for registration, 1000hrs start.
(Double Click on the poster for larger image)
The council have agreed to offer three 1:1 courses which will be picked on the day from registered riders....
Hope to see you all ...
Bob & Mick

New Dales Maps for 2009......

New Dales maps have been produced by the motorcycle section and can be obtained by ringing the bike office on 0191-3752136 or speak to any of Durham Police motorcycle Section's officers...
Double click on either of the maps to view, print or save as pdf's
The new runs are named :
Pheasant & Sheep Run























Wheels & Dale Run