Hard Roads

NEC's TT Day, with the TT Marshals Association was my port of call December 6th. We were sharing a stand with the Isle of Man's Tourism Board & Duke Marketing who were being helped by riders passing on videos of the TT Races alongside Long Day Down & Round adventures, Charley Boormans recent epic journey from Ireland to Sydney "By Any Means", Classic Bike videos and much more.



The stand was overpowered by a huge picture of Gary Johnson airborn through Rhencullen during this years TT Race. In only his second ever road race (NW200, 2008 being his first) GaryJohnson topped any newcomer ever with a best TT lap of 122.85mph(Superstock). Apparantly he jumps the furthest and highest at BallaughBridge too!

The stunning photo was the work of renowned photographer Stephen Davison. I had the pleasure of flicking through his new book with him, and sharing his hilarious insider-commentary. "Hard Roads" is an unforgettable testament to the sport& himself, aCounty-Antrim-born roadracing fan & a man MCN call the 'the world'snumber one pure roadracing lensman'.



In the book Stephen "captures the essence of the sport with incredible photographs and accompanying text; the all-consuming passion; the incredible skill and speed; and, always, the spectre of death on the horizon." I don't need to remind you it would make a fantastic Christmas present too!

road racing, TT, KO2

Horizons Unlimited Calendar 2009

The HU 2009 Calendar just arrived at my door and I am totally buzzing from the photography. Bikes are exciting enough but using them to go see the world .. wow!

Horizons Unlimited is ran by Grant & Susan Johnson, London, UK-based Canadians. The site is a hub of motorbike travellers all sharing their journeys & much much more. For pure inspiration drop by, and for daily inspiration buy the calendar, featuring prize winning photography from the members.



(First Prize 2008 Winner: Tyson Brust, Canada; of Jose Rodriguez, riding the rim of Guagua Pichincha volcano, Ecuador)

Horizons Unlimited support KO2 & vice versa .. we're all bikers here!

kenya, enduro, calendar, Horizons Unlimited

LingMAO .. the Bionic Adventure Biker

Check out these mental videos by Adventure Spec's Dave Lomax, "Jasper" and friends, all about getting ready for a trip.

adventure biker, kenya, KO2

Norway also available

We're in the final planning stages of the 2009 Kenya enduro and are now also able to offer Norway tours. Horizons Unlimited founders Grant & susan Johnson have wonderfully offered a link to their 1996 trip if you want to read up on whats on offer, as well as seeing :


This was taken of their bike at midnight at the North Cape.


This is the awesome Frithjof Fure/Fjord, Geiranger, care of the Tourist information site.
Contact us if you'd like to plan a tour.

KO2, motorbike, tour, Norway, Horizons Unlimited

Tour d'Afrique

I'd like to thank Simon for his amazing upcoming contribution, after he cycles from Cairo to Capetown with Tour d'Afrique.


Funds raised will go to the Tour's own foundation as well as to AVIF. Read on about the amazing adventure Simon has ahead of him.


Note: AVIF's own cic. KO2 can offer a slightly less energetic group adventure biking through Kenya (on the noisier, quicker type!)

fundraising, adventure, africa, poverty, bikes, cycling, motorbikes, KO2, AVIF

New steps

As well as recommending SMC, we're now also hoping to start trading in the trusty CG125's as a normal motorcycle but also as a cargo-hauler, as a medivac, and fitted with a pump for fighting fires.



Talking to potential sponsor Loncin (currently supporting 2 x 125cc racers in the MotoGP), about our desire to develop a Chinese team, I think we have realistic & attainable goals.



As well as importing the SMC bikes we will also be introducing instant, FDA approved, test kits, available for any disease prevalent in Africa from Malaria to HIV, mosquito nets & a folding tablet chair; durable yet light enough for kids to put on their back and have for use at both school and home.

Great ideas, great steps forward.

Nick Sanders takes his R1 across 14,000ft Alto Plano, Bolivia

.. its like a painting on glass, almost unreal

Across Kenya

Many thanks to Grant & Julie from Horizons Unlimited for posting .. follow their journey here ...

SMC Bikes fully online

KO2 preferred choice of bike are now available in the UK.
Visit their new website for further details.

Road racing for AVIF

I have a massive thank you to give to Shaun K, after he RAN a road race of his own. 5 miles in 34 minutes, all in aid of AVIF. Here's the man himself handing over a cheque at Olivers Mount, Scarborough,host to the Cock o'the North Road Racing event.

Massive thanks to the UK weather system too for seriously holding off on all the predicted rain.


[Asante sana]

Cannonball in Kenya

Yesterday I spoke with Nick Duncan, from the Cannonball Run UK office in Reading. This year they're hitting Africa; Morocco. We discussed the possibility of CannonBall getting involved with an event in Kenya with us and they didn't laugh !


Getting a gang of superbikers to pull off the kind of stunts and riding synonymous with CannonBall will be a challenge but we're confident we can pull it off .. for AVIF.
I can guarantee less restrictions for pulling wheelies, though parts of the route may not be the best terrain for a Gixxer!
We've a fair amount to iron out, including some of the route, but stay tuned.
For an intro to CBR take a look at this :

Cannonball Bike Run PromoTechnorati Tags: cannonball bike run, kenya, AVIF, KO2

They're back !

National Geographic are about to start showing the Long Way Down series again next Tuesday 1 July at 9pm, with over 2 hours of unseen footage.

Here's a great little promo that Ewan & Charley filmed to promote the show.

From 1 July, 9pm, on the National Geographic Channel

Awesome MotoGP Report from Anne

Just wanted to share this ace write-up by InkyAnne, if you didn't get to see the weekends events at Donington MotoGP.



Thumbnail of the original fantastic shot by Linden Adams of Dovizioso's big save!

Aircraft carriers & Bikes

My friend Tom Gurnee just sent me his updates on his blog, about doing a photoshoot about life onboard the USS Midway, it reminded me to update my own blog with my latest adventures. I took the kids and my fantastic babysitter, Steph, to the Moto GP at Donington Park, UK. Riders for Health were running Day of Champions and James Toseland, as well as performing with his band, led a charity 2 lap cycle race



Riders for Health then held their Auction where Rossi & Colin Edwards' kit raised £25,000 alone for a fantastic cause. Their field operatives gave a wonderful overview of the work they carry out in Africa and all over.

I was marshalling the races and met so many fantastic people, all Facebooked as soon as possible!! Lots more photos are available on there and lots of networking done, especially with the fabulous Prince of Speed.



Here's to hoping KO2 becomes as successful as Riders & the MotoGP.

CurvyRiders

Image via Wikipedia

Spending the past 2 weeks on the awesome Isle of Man for the TT Road Races I managed to meet a huge amount of people. Having gone to the Laxey Bike Show I met up with Emma & the CurvyRiders. Emma runs the Manx office but CurvyRiders are national.

If you're a biker chick, take a browse around their website for a great range of resources.
I quote :
It doesn't matter what style of bike or trike you have, the ethos is just to have fun, chat about all things bike-related, keep the bitching and cat fighting out, and please, no cake recipes!

Thanks for the link, Girls x



Emma, Elaine, Carla, Jo F, (me), Les Q at Laxey Bike Show, IOM TT 2008

First Practice at the TT

Well I can't say much about the weather without censoring. I haven't got past the Road Closed board at the foot of the Mountain Course due to the high winds, fog or rain, although Monday night at 6.25pm the first timed practice kicked off and those guys managed staggering speeds, literally flying over the Snaefell road. Marshalling gives you THE best views. How they did it in high winds, I've no idea .. I took the coast road from Douglas to Ramsey, via Laxey, and my bike was lifted off the ground twice in a second by the gusts coming inland .. fairly scary even at only 50/60mph, forget 150mph!

Marshalling at Kerrowmoar, a few points before Ramsey, my stretcher skills came into use, unfortunately for one of the marshalls who fell over running to the aid of a retiree sidecar. Trivial compared to the unfortunate and devastating high-speed incident of James McBride, who is still in Nobles Hospital with major fractures, but alive. The sidecars were delayed and lost half their session time with the all new shiny orange (??) Audi TT Roads Open vehicle finally having to go around back of the Gorse Lea area to proclaim the practice session over.
[Big thanks to wonderful Vera who allows marshals full use of her house, garage & driveway throughout the TT season, despite being barely able to walk.]

I was introduced to more of Ramsey yesterday. After holding the Rain Flag at Sky Hill I joined a mass of Sector 8 Marshals at the Trafalgar & the Ellan Vannin pub which offers free 1st beer & a taxi home to all Marshals, despite it being staggering distance to my tent. IOM is just brilliant and KO2 contact cards are being passed out to all !

A new addition to KO2 Adventures

Image via Wikipedia

Just picked up the new bike (actually a K3 GSXR 750) thanks to Armadillo At Large, who provide security services to humanitarian agencies. We get some sign-writing shortly prior to our jaunt to the Isle of Man TT Road Races.

I'd like to offer a massive thank you to Steve M, for making all this possible. I'm going to be photographing the area to highlight the incredible roads we have around North Yorkshire and the Isle of Man, only 1 hr & a short ferry ride away. Great roads and great scenery, perfect for "sensible" biking. Its easy to disrupt the peace & quiet around here, although, despite my roaring up into the car park, once the engine was off, the tamest little chaffinch hopped right up to my boots here at Scar Reservoir in the Nidderdale Valley, as I stood by the bike.

A lovely gent had been out walking with his wife & came over to tell me the story of how he ran into a truck on his BSA 500 many years back, but it was exactly what made him meet his wife, she nursed him in the hospital .. bless !!



There are more photos of the area if you visit the FaceBook group.
As for Kenya, now things are calmer we're hoping to make plans for Summer 2009, if not a Christmas Santa Run.
We hope you'll join us.

Damn blasted mo'bikes

I'm being haunted now !

Still without a bike and TT looming up, NorthWest200 week after next ...



A good friend just got his new baby,

a limited edition Aprilia RSV Mille R Colin Edwards rep. ... Stunningly beautiful he rightly says.



I also keep seeing the KTM RC8's too & it strikes me as a bit scary
how fast & light they're making these bikes. The RC8 is claimed to
be the lightest, most modern series twin yet .. delivering 155bhp at 10,000rpm .. only 120Nm of torque and only 64kg ???? Thats less than me !!



I'm all for everything about bikes but thankfully don't have the
testosterone racing around in me that blokes do. I regularly
communicate with a group of very intelligent scientist-types, one in
particular gave the following fantastic advice, from his 30 years
experience of being a biker.

Everyone should heed this (especially point 8) :



1) Don't get on a motorcycle.

2) If you do, respect your fear and make a solemn ritual of your safety

precautions.

3) Wear armor, lots of it.

4) Keep as large a volume of air around you at all times (between your

vehicle and everything else).

5) ALWAYS check your equipment EVERY time you use it.

6) Get emergency riding lessons from an expert (maximum braking

maneuvers, emergency course adjustment, how to come out of a skid/flat

tire/etc).

7) Practice! When you need them these skills need to be automatic, and

they come into play almost daily.

8) Imagine that you are invisible to almost everyone on the road, and

that if they could see you they are going to try to hit you with their

vehicle.

9) Enjoy! :)



Cheers, Joseph

Fully legal

Its official !



KO2.cic (pronounced "kick") is now registered, t's crossed, i's dotted with the CIC Regulators.
We're officially KO2 Adventures Community Interest Company Number 6566021, incorporated on 15th April 2008.
As a social benefit company, limited by guarantee but not driven by profit or shareholder dividends, we plough all profits & surplus straight back into AVIF.

We're here to provide an unforgettable experience and promote awareness of our work in Kenya.

Harleys & Cactii

Just wanted to share these fantastic photos of a friend's trip.

In James' words .."We started out at Tucson, Arizona, where we rented the bikes from Bigsky rentals, no helmet laws in Arizona by the way. Headed north using b-roads, past Phoenix, and up to Cottonwood, where we stayed the first night. The roads change to wide sweeping mountain type roads, through Sedona to Flagstaff, great road. Now up to the Canyon, real big scenery, the road dropping down from the Canyon towards Cameron was my favourite part of the trip, the best road.



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SMC Bikes

We'd like to introduce Southern Motorcycles who we're talking with about their dirtbikes.
I totally love the design but thats just a girl thing. They come highly recommended by Kate Harrington of TT sidecar & enduro fame & experience.


The bikes are 230cc, 5-speed, air-cooled 4-strokes with electric & kick start (CDI ignition) on a lightwieght chassis with removable aluminium sub-frame and tunable front & rear suspension.
10" shock travel
10.5" fork travel
36" seat height
13" ground clearance
5L fuel capacity
3.00-21 front & 4.60-18 rear tyres

Looking forward to seeing all 210 lbs of the real thing on its arrival in May.



Technorati Tags: SMC, dirtbikes, enduro, KO2

May the Bike Season begin (for the UK'ers)

Bike season is starting, click here for the TT 2008 Press Launch photos posted by Paul Phillips, Development Manager for the entire event. World Superbikes kick off with the Superpole today at 13:00 GMT & racing in Qatar tomorrow. MotoGP next week .. the excitement just builds and builds. See John McG below, on Douglas Head, talking with MCN's reporter Gary Pinchin.

Dirty Girls

Brilliant name, brilliant manipulation, just brilliant.
Welcome to Jax Mortlock & South Africa's website for dirtbikers .. male or female but mainly female.



Join the FaceBook group, its a great resource for some of the best runs through South Africa & to meet more bikers.




Technorati Tags: dirt bikes, enduro, MX, south africa

The Tan Hill Inn, Swaledale

Located on the northern tip of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
and in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the ride to The Tan Hill Inn, whichever
route you choose, will take your breath away!



Stunning scenery, quaint
villages and best of all some of the finest roads you will ever ride; long open straights, sweeping open and complex
bends, technical sections and enough to satisfy everyone's thirst
for the open road.

As you arrive on top of
Tan Hill at 1732ft above sea level its an inspiring experience.

The 1732 Motorbike Club holds many events throughout the Summer.



Technorati Tags: tan hill inn, motorbike, tour

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North Yorkshire Bike Tours

In addition to plans for the Kenyan Enduro Tours we are also introducing Nidderdale (home) and North Yorkshire to all bikers around the World.
Visit the website for further details alongside the wonderful resource BestBikingRoads.com

We can take care of all travel / accommodation needs and fully plan your itinerary to include as much of the incredible terrain and scenery as possible. Bear in mind we're also only an hour from the ferry to the famous TT & Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Mann too.




Technorati Tags: bike tours, north yorkshire, tt, scenery, travel

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Sprout

Fantastic new widget for publicity from Sprout (took me 10 minutes to make).

We've already one-click shared it direct from their "Greenhouse" dot Sproutbuilder site (LOL!) .
I'll let Peter Dietz & Beth Kanter tell you all about it.
Thank you Sprout.

Technorati Tags: sprout widget marketing

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BestBikingRoads.com

I came across this fantastic site today by David Robertson via his FaceBook group



It includes a wealth of information, take a look around.

Current member stats (an idea of routes included) are:

Great Britain - 2429, United States - 270, Germany - 120, Spain - 104, Belgium - 94, Ireland - 80, Netherlands - 79, France - 63, Switzerland - 53, Greece - 44, Canada - 41, Sweden - 40, Norway - 35, Australia - 31, Portugal - 24, Italy - 21, Finland - 21, Turkey - 17, Denmark - 13, Croatia - 11, Czech Republic - 8, New Zealand - 8, Hungary - 7, Cyprus - 7, Austria - 6, Iceland - 3, Russia - 2, Luxembourg - 2, Slovakia - 2, Mexico - 1, Kuwait - 1, El Salvador - 1, India - 1, Estonia - 1


Technorati Tags: best biking routes, motorbike

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