Weekend of the 5th 6th 7th and 8th October 2007 OK so its not the USA Iron Butt 1000 mile type of challenge but when you check the Bike 440 route out it has many UK moments to draw riders of all skills into it.  Using a mixture of Motorway, A and B roads though flat fenlands to windy motorways and the best bit the Yorkshire National Park.   Matt the SysOp has asked me to promote the ride as he is based over in €uroland and as I intend to do this ride in one day (Sat 6th)NB1.  The route is available in PDF format from the Bike magazine web site and will be also available from here when Matt and I have put our heads together.   The ride takes you to a number of Motorcycle dealerships, who will when shown your record sheet, give you some basic refreshment. You need to get each one to sign your record and then ride on to the next one.   Maybe use the ride to raise funds for a charity and promote it to your local media, newspapers, radio, and TV.  More the merrier I always say.  So tell you friends and get them to join in too.   NOTE - This is not a road race nor is it a time trial.  Your insurance will not cover you for such events and the police would take an interest if you do too!   Here are few basic rules: Ride it over whatever time you prefer it is the ride that counts. Wear a yellow ribbon on your arm so other riders know you are doing the 440, or paint a yellow band on your headlamp, or find your own way to be noticed. If riding in groups do so in a nice way for other road users Ride in either direction Start at any point round the route Check the dealerships will be open (times and on Sunday) or take photos to prove your acheivement Use a road legal bike/scooter and equipment. Keep close to speed limits and stay safe Chat to other bikers during your stops HAVE FUN Send your pictures to Matt the SysOp and he will publish them for us all to see. NB1 - If you wish to be paced with me, I will be starting the ride near Peterborough and going counter-clockwise on my Silver Honda XL1000va5.  It is an all weather Adventure bike so only deep floods or a couple of feet of snow will hold be back.  I have the route plotted into my Garmin GPS.  Copies can be provided via the site and Matt the SysOp.   More news and maybe a few extra rules as we get closer to the run.   Mike   If this works out to be fun then I might plot other routes around the UK and build in some stop overs where proper social intercourse can occur.                                                                                                                                                                             

hiya  Apiarist welcome to bm                                                                                                                                                                               

  Will you make this ride?                                                                                                                                                                             

That looks cool hun. Should be of interest to a fair few people on here.                                                                                                                                                                              

Hi Apiarist,   Good job it's in October, not too much work at the hives then   Keep us posted on the furums. If my insurance has replaced my Boxer by then, ( I  hope so) I would definately be interested in having a go.   cheers   Red                                                                                                                                                                             

hiya Apiarist welcome to bm sounds very interesting good luck with it all                                                                                                                                                                                          

Sounds a good 'un as the ACU/BMF National Rally was cancelled this year. I'm still sore about that as I've done it for the last 10 years or more...   William                                                                                                                                                                             

ill drop out a note in the next ebulletin too (That kwak is compiling).   Should be a good event if a few have a go.                                                                                                                                                                             

From the Bike website...  » The perfect test route? We think we've cracked it with The Bike 440 » What is The Bike 440? The Bike 440 route is a beast. Devised to test all aspects of a road bike and its rider, there's a bit of everything in there - whether the testers like it or not. Yes, it includes some of the greatest riding roads in Britain, but the route also forces its way along mind-numbingly tedious motorways and through congested towns. For every blissful vista there's a grimy wasteland, all of which tests concentration and soon shows up a bike's ability to keep you interested and comfortable. Ride the route with care and respect then understand why you can trust The Bike 440 » Can I have a go? Absolutely.Download and print the map below and take it with you as you ride The Bike 440. Visit each of our co-sponsors and ask them to stamp your map » What do I do then? Send in your stamped map to: I rode The Bike 440Bike MagazineMedia HouseLynch WoodPeterboroughPE2 6EA And we'll give you an 'I rode the Bike 440' T-shirt to wear proudly and put you and your bike in the illustrious Bike Hall of Fame                                                                                                                                                                             

i think i will take a look at this I love riding in the cold and the wet lol me mate debbi would like to have a go as well and she should have abike on the oad by then cool   if i had the money i would ride and ride and ride and never come home lol                                                                                                                                                                              

I can't sort this one ew! You're as bad as me   MATT!!!!!!!!! ew's broken stuff again!                                                                                                                                                                             

There's always one!                                                                                                                                                                              

If you                                                                                                                                                                              

If you cannot do the ride , then maybe consider giving some support by being at the check-points to take photos!   Watch over the bikes for riders while they take a 'rest room' break etc.    Maybe offer to walk/run their record sheet in and out for them.   Wipe their visors, you get the idea.   Every little opportunity to meet means that BM has worked its magic.  Oh if you meet some one you like then give them your phone number.......to arrange another meeting/opprtunity to ride.                                                                                                                                                                                

sounds a great thing to do I once did over 600 mile in one day on my teapot and got home and felt like i had not been anywhere                                                                                                                                                                                 

Hi apiarist. I've put the route into my garmin and i've got the milage including diversions to dealers at about 480 miles and even without stopping for breaks its a 9 hour trip. 8 hours if your KOJ. (i think that name sounds a bit gay?bet he's even got a gold sparkly bike!) I'd' have thought it would've been better to do it earlier in the summer just to get more light and maybe stay a bit warmer. I'd be interested to know what yours calculated it to?                                                                                                                                                                             

With some generous breaks built in, a realistic time would be more like 14-plus hours, based on years of experience in National Rallies. This might sound over-long, but it's one thing to talk of, say, an average 70mph on m-ways and dual carraigeways, and something else to actually manage it. On a balmy autumn day I'd do it like a shot. Not so sure if the weather was rough, though. Count me in as a possible.                                                                                                                                                                             

Hi BluesBiker.   My Garmin put it at 460 for my route options.   I picked that date as I am busy all summer teaching and doing M/C tours.  Matt the SysOp flet it a good time window.  If this takes off then I will put down some runs in the warmer months.   To stay warm I use multiple layers of kit, not like Orgi's Mal though.                                                                                                                                                                             

Correct Mr Liverpool - some might elect to do the run over two days and meet up/ socialise en-route.  Making those arrangements via the BM site / forum.   Hence the suggestion to wear a yellow arm band/and or add yellow flashes to the bikes, so we can spot each other on the road.   It is all about having a go and meeting up too!                                                                                                                                                                             

Spot on Earthwind.   You and Debbi are having a go.   Keep us all posted with your preparation and look out for me at the stopover points. I am the big ugly one with a massive smile - coz I like riding my bike.   Mike