G-Up Issue 3

SEP 2011 BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS THE

E-ZINE

WILD WEST SHOW

THANKS Everytime we go out on our bikes we meet interesting people with stories to tell and adventures that inspire. Over coming issues we’ll try to bring you some of those that have inspired us but if you have a story we’d love to hear from you. © Copyright Mark Roberts 2011. All rights reserved. Nothing in this e-zine may be reproduced in any shape or form (in whole or part) without the express written permission of the publisher. We make every effort to ensure that all information contained in G-Up or on www.gearupmag.co.uk is correct and accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and can offer no compensation should we get it wrong. The opinions, thoughts, views or ideas expressed in articles contained in this e-zine are strictly those of the authors.

TWO WHEELS GOOD JUST GO RIDE

SEP 2011 BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS

HI! Welcome to the September edition of G-Up - the monthly electronic magazine from GearUp. Thanks for all your kind messages of encouragement. It seems you really appreciate our efforts and are enjoying the launch issue of GearUp magazine. All 10,000 copies were picked up by bikers from several hundred outlets across South and West Wales.

In this issue we focus on the excellent West Wales Motorcycle show. GearUp headed along to the fifth annual show at the Camarthen Showground and, fortunately, the weather held out for the Sunday. Even with the less than certain weather there were still a record number of bikers and traders present.

There were various stunt shows organised throughout the day to entertain the many people attending and it was good to see lots of families coming along too. There was a good selection of clothing stalls and plenty of choices for food and drink.

We particularly liked the wall of death - sadly, there was no lion on show but it was entertaining nevertheless.

THE ESSENTIAL READ FOR MOTORCYCLISTS IN SOUTH & WEST WALES

WE’RE ON FACEBOOK.COM/GEARUPMAG & WWW.GEARUPMAG.CO.UK

F R E E S U M M E R 2 0 11

TWO WHEELS GOOD

BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS

IN THIS ISSUE WE RIDE WITH THE DIAVEL ABERDARE PARK ROAD RACES MV AGUSTA BRUTALE TRIED TO KILL THE POPE!

WIN!

£ RIDE50 IN OU R COMR PROFIL PET E SEE PA ITION GE 66

HOOKED ON CLASSICS A MUCKY WEEKEND FOR A TENERE

TESTED!

WE RIDE THE BIKES YOU’LL BUY

TEAM GEARUP Mark Roberts Design, art direction Mark Johnson Photography Paul Sessions Design, artwork, editing Richard Bennewith Website, forum and fishing

Also in this issue we follow up our Mum’s Gone To Iceland feature from the launch issue of G-Up and, hopefully, that will inspire some of you to get out there and explore the world on your bikes.

Thanks for reading. Ride safe.

GearUp Magazine The Business Centre, Cardiff House, Cardiff Road Barry, Vale of Glamorgan CF63 2AW 08451 80 81 82

www.gearupmag.co.uk www.facebook.com/gearupmag

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LLANDOW TRACK DAY Another exclusive Riders track day was arranged for Friday 16th September.

GearUp was there and we’ll bring you some great pictures in the next issue.

30% OFF SELECTED ARLEN NESS CLOTHING Hein Gericke in Cardiff are offering a fantastic 30% discount on this great range of clothing. What are you waiting for?

For your free ‘think bike’ sticker head to www.shop.dft.gov.uk and select MOTORCYCLES on the left hand side.

G-UP THE GEARUP E-ZINE Each month we publish our e-zine roundup of all things two-wheeled.

The July and August editions are already online. Please visit our Facebook page or website to see more.

JULY 2011 BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS THE

E-ZINE

SOUTH WALES SUPERBIKES Free Nick Sanders DVD & Book when you test ride Yamaha’s new Super Tenere 1200 at South Wales Superbikes.

Just fill in the feedback form after your Super Tenere test ride and Yamaha will send you out your free book and DVD of Nick’s latest trip ‘Anatomy of an Adventurer’.

WHAT’S “RACING IS LIFE. ANYTHING BEFORE OR AFTER IS JUST WAITING.” Steve McQueen 52

TRACKDAY

LLANDOW CIRCUIT

Most riders’ misconception of trackdays is “you have to be fast to do a trackday!”

With dedicated groups for beginners and free tuition available, being fast simply isn’t on the list of requirements!

We tagged along to the latest Riders Motorcycles Trackday on 6th May. More pics and info on our Facebook page and www.gearupmag.co.uk

TRACK ATTACK

FREE THINK BIKE STICKER Go on, you know you want one.

WORDS SHAUN POPE PHOTOGRAPHY MARK JOHNSON

WHAT’S UP?

GEARUPNEWS

DEALS AT THUNDERROAD With just a £1 down and 0% interest you could own any Suzuki motorcycle over 126cc! It couldn't be easier to ride away a brand new Suzuki Motorcycle.

Deal includes all GSXR range including Hayabusa as well as their cruiser range and scooters over 126cc. There are also 0% finance deals on selected Hondas including the CBR600RR, CBR1000RR Fireblade and Hornet 600.

UP? SHUT UP AND RIDE.

AUG 2011 BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS THE

ThunderRoad are now also stocking Furygan clothing at their Cwmbran store. Furygan has positioned itself as a world leader in rider equipment. It uses only the highest quality materials and leathers to ensure that the rider has the comfort and protection they need. From one piece race suits to the latest in gloves the latest range from Furygan will not disappoint. Here are some examples of the kit available at Cwmbran; Prime Evo 1 Piece Suit - £549.99 Oriane Ladies Leather Jacket - £299.99 Timo Textile Touring Jacket - £89.99 plus much more...

WIN!

AC SESSBT TRAIN ION W ING £125 ORTH SEE R

IGHT

WIN A CBT WORTH £125!

To enter, email info@gearupmag.co.uk with your name and address details.

Andy Smith of 1st Class Rider Training in Cardiff has kindly offered GearUp readers the opportunity to win a CBT training session worth £125.

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ROADRACE

Aberdare Park - one of the world’s best short circuits.

E-ZINE

ABERDARE PARK

Aberdare Park Road Races is a truly unique motorcycling event. It is the only race circuit in the UK that is less than half a mile from a town centre.

PARK AND RIDE!

As a race track, it has an enviable reputation as one of the world’s best short circuits. Set in fifty acres, the 0.9 mile park road winds itself through trees and around the perimeter of Aberdare’s picturesque town park.

For history buffs, the park opened on the 27th July 1869 and was landscaped and planted by William Barron who had designed many parks in England. The original park was created and instigated

by R H Rhys and in 1956 the National Eisteddfod was held at the park. A Gorsedd stone circle was erected to commemorate the event - it still stands.

ABERDARE PARK ROAD RACE SPECIAL

Less than thirty miles from the Welsh capital, Cardiff, Aberdare Park is now one of the ‘must-ride’ circuits on the planet and every year rumours abound as to which racing celebrity will turn up to race. This year, there was a buzz around the paddock that Guy Martin was going to race – alas it wasn’t to be but the Park has had its fair share of racing royalty over the years.

PHOTOGRAPHY MOJOFFOTO

All this from its humble beginnings back on the 30th September 1950, when the first meeting took place. Despite being run in very poor weather, it still managed to attract a crowd of over 15,000 spectators.

Dave Bennett from Birmingham won the main race of the day and also the fastest lap of the day on his 500cc Norton at an average race speed of 49 mph. Doesn’t sound fast until you watch the riders up close. Trust me, that’s quick.

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FIRE&ICE

ICELAND BY BIKE

FIRE & ICE

3 nights on a ferry and a stop over in Denmark relaxing and we get to Iceland It’s colder than expected and we are soon adding more clothes, well actually all our warm clothes and continued to wear them everyday for the first week.

The fear of them not drying overcomes the wearing of them everyday.

Iceland offers some excellent roads, long, sweeping, bendy, gravel, and dirt but always with stunning views. Nobody rides or drives with any great speed in Iceland, far too much to be looking at all the time. The main attraction is how little traffic there is on the road; it feels like the road is your own We visited many waterfalls, the herring museum, the whale museum and of course the not to be missed penis museum, which was interesting to say the least. Went whale watching, viewed volcanoes, visited the largest glacier in Europe, which while wonderful was a slight disappointment as all black from last years eruption

We camped every night and only had 1 night when we almost stayed in a hotel because of rain, but decided to brave it and camp close to a waterfall; we are hard bikers….. With good camping gear we where never cold at night. As it doesn’t go dark at night the eye masks we took did the job and we slept well.

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WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ANGE

FIRE&ICE

ICELAND BY BIKE

I achieved my dream of riding across the centre of Iceland; the road had only fully opened a week or so before we left.

I gained the feeling of peace I had thought about on many occasions while planning this trip and had a journey full of emotion; high up in the mountains with a glacier on either side, views so stunning they can’t be described, and just so quiet, not even insect noise.

The road was about 140 miles long, all dirt and I did almost all of it standing up, which was a first on the 650, with just the odd 4X4 and a couple of other bikes in the distance. Of course no trip is complete without me having a tumble and it was on this great road the expected happened while I was coming to a stop. Just the one bruise and apart from snapping off the clutch lever no damage! Being the lucky girl I am I married the biker boy scout who had ensured I had a spare and then the expected little chat about, “not too much brake on the gravel and that’s your only spare and we are miles and miles from anywhere!” I shot him my most ashamed look (which I have perfected) and he crumbled.

We eventually reached road and travelled to the agreed campsite.

Knowing this had been a hard day for me as well as the day of my dreams, my husband said, “I don’t know if I should shake your hand, hug you or kiss you.”

It was all three!

Eighteen months after passing my test, I was honeymooning in Iceland on my own bike and camping. It might not be every girl’s dream but it was mine, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I also now know I would never have achieved this on my own as I originally thought, even with an organised group. I’m not the most confident rider but I’m lucky enough to have found an adventurous rider who watches my every move on the bike and keeps me as safe as he can, encouraging me every step of the way.

Life is short, live your dream...

I need another dream now!

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WINNERS WEAR

HAWKES

essentials 37-39 Morgan Arcade Cardiff CF10 1AF Telephone 029 2037 3780 www.hawkesessentials.com