2009

An enjoyable day in North Wales

15 September 2009 by Chris Mastry

It was great to see the frustrated expressions on the cops faces, so many bikes riding through “their patch” and nothing they could do about it. A very enjoyable day and the only thing that cast a cloud over it was when one of our lads reminded me that my hard-earned cash goes to pay the wages of these bullying thugs. The sooner they realise that we pay them to “Protect & Serve” and not regard us...

Yamaha Video Spoof: Spies reveals secrets of success to Yamaha MotoGP men

15 September 2009 by Ben Spies

Ben Spies features in a new spoof Yamaha video revealing the secrets of his success following his stunning rookie season in WSB.

Free Dunlop tyre fitting for MCN readers

15 September 2009 by MCN

MCN has teamed up with Dunlop to bring you this exclusive offer: Buy a set of tyres from the Dunlop Sportmax range from a participating dealer and get them fitted for free. To take us up on this...

Scenes at Swallow Falls Hotel

15 September 2009 by GuyGlover

Swallow Falls Hotel about 4:00 Sunday 13th September

Hundreds sign letters to new police chief

15 September 2009 by Steve Farrell

Hundreds of riders signed an MCN letter on Sunday demanding action from new North Wales police chief Mark Polin over his force’s treatment of motorcyclists. Download and sign the letter here We took...

Yoshimura launch new TRC-D silencer

15 September 2009 by Rob Hull

To further strengthen the already diverse and innovative Yoshimura range of performance exhaust cans is the introduction of the TRC-D option. Compare and buy motorcycle exhausts The new TRC-D...

Reclaim North Wales – your pictures

15 September 2009 by Steve Farrell

We asked you to send us your pictures from Sunday, when MCN readers reclaimed North Wales for motorcyclists – and you responded in droves. This is just a selection of the scores of photos you sent...

Shotz to the system

15 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Australian firm Shotz is now selling its acclaimed sports nutrition products in the UK. Perfect for motocrossers, green laners, enduro racers, track day addicts or even road racers in training (MCN’s...

New official Valentino Rossi kids line

15 September 2009 by Rob Hull

Eight times world motorcycling champion, Valentino Rossi, has extended his love for two wheels by launching this new line of kids bicycles. The new bikes have been unveiled in collaboration with Cicli...

New MCN September 16: 10,000 reclaim our roads

15 September 2009 by James Keen

In this week’s issue of MCN, on sale September 16, we have a full 4-page report on the MCN Reclaim Wales protest – the biggest UK demo ride in 20 years. Subscribe to MCN World exclusive spy...

Two Bonnies in Wales

15 September 2009 by Claire Cleaver

It was really exciting to see packs of bikes streaming off the motorway all heading to Wales, fairings and chrome glinting in the morning sun. It was quite a sight to see. I was proud to see thousands...

A Panoramic view of the Reclaim North Wales ride

15 September 2009 by Roger Wood

Several photo’s taken from the hillside above the Ponderosa cafe & stitched to give a panoramic view. Reclaim Wales

Remarkable day

15 September 2009 by Keith Riley

I only heard about the event three days beforehand from a friend but I’m so glad I made the effort to turn out. The sight approaching the Ponderosa at 11am was one of “Oh my God, where am I going...

First Accident

15 September 2009 by David Wilson

Riding back from the Reclaim Wales ride last Sunday to Nantwich Cheshire, I was unfortunate enough to se my first casualty of the day. Not sure what happened, but on the A534 near to Broxton I was met by an Ambulance, Police car and a guy lying in the road at a crossroads. I’d just like to wish him a speedy recovery and best wishes.

A great day out in Wales

15 September 2009 by wolvesfan64

I took my 15 year old lad out for the day on the back of my bike on Sunday 13. Little did I know that he would be part of such a historical biking event. I could not believe the amount of people that turned out in support! When we got to the Ponderosa cafe at 11am all the car parks were full and I had to park on the side of the road. It was nice to see so many riders enjoying themselves and making...

North Wales Reclaimed!

14 September 2009 by Duncan Pemberton

Bikers of the UK united on Sunday 13 September to show their solidarity and to protest at the treatment of bikers by the North Wales Police Force, who admit to stopping 400 of us every summer...

I did the North Wales ride on L-plates

14 September 2009 by Paul Moore

I went to Dragons Rest on Sunday 13 September to join in with the Reclaim North Wales protest. I have only been riding since May and I currently ride an old N reg Suzuki GN125 on L-plates I was very...

Reclaim North Wales was amazing

14 September 2009 by mike eustace

What a great day Sunday September 13 was. My wife and I are both in our early fifties. I only passed my test last year and we went to both the Ponderosa and Swallow Falls bike meets for the Reclaim...

Pictures from Reclaim North Wales

14 September 2009 by Vicky Smith

A few pictures from the Reclaim North Wales event. It was a great day!

We made our point!

14 September 2009 by Gail

We set off from Cannock and arrived at the Ponderosa at about 11.00, there were already hundreds of bikers there. We encountered two speed camera vans along the route and we waved politely as we...

Makeshift numberplate

14 September 2009 by Ken Smith

Six of us set of from Birmingham to Horse Shoe Pass,my nephew Sean replaced his small number plate for a legal one, somewhere along the M54 the said legal plate decided to part company with my nephews...

MCN ride out at Betws

14 September 2009 by Ian Howell

Having heard about the ride out on Facebook i felt even without a bike on the road(several in garden) a drive down with kids was in order just to show them how motorcyclist rally to the call,well…no...

Honda reveal more engine details of VFR1200

14 September 2009 by Andy Downes

Honda has just released this video explaining more technical details of the new 1200cc V4 engine that will power the all-new VFR1200 sports tourer due to be seen in October in finished form. More...

My first trip to North Wales

14 September 2009 by Stuart Cull

I had never been to North Wales until yesterday. The Reclaim North Wales campaign caught my imagination & I decided that it would be a piece of cake armed with my trusty ’02 VFR & the bike-mad ex...

Graham and Elaine at the Ponderosa

14 September 2009 by Graham Pugh & Elaine Samms

What a great day. Me and my partner Elaine left Standon in Hertfordshire at 7am and headed off to the Ponderosa in North Wales. Using the wonderful A507 to reach the boring M1/M6/M54 then the A5/A483...

Sticking It To The Man

14 September 2009 by Dave & Jan Peddie

We arrived at Ponderosa about 11:25, and already it was hard to find a parking spot. On the way from Birkenhead we came across one Plod check-point on the A525 out of Ruthin (the fun twisty bit...

My first protest ride

14 September 2009 by Jenny Bowers

Having only passed my test in April Sunday was my first big ride out, we made it to the top of the horse shoe pass about 12.30 but couldn’t get anywhere near to the Ponderosa. What a fabulous...

Norton and Peter Williams reunite

14 September 2009 by Andy Downes

“Peter Williams has joined with Norton Motorcycles to help with the detail design of the new 961 Commando after market and performance parts. Peter will also play an integral part in several future...

A quiet ride to North Wales, not quite

14 September 2009 by martin

I thought we would have a quiet little ride out to wales sunday, JESUS! Where did everyone come from? I was on my zzr and my mate on his brand new Aprilla ( He needed a run out to run in the 1st...

Nabbed, by BBC Wales ...

14 September 2009 by chopperharris

So, there we were, walking the half mile or so from the Ponderosa to where we had left the bikes 😉 Out jumps a beardy cameraman, and would I like to explain to BBC Wales viewers why so many bikers...

A great day in North Wales

14 September 2009 by martinjh

A great day – I suspect there were speed camera cars discreetly positioned on the A5 covering a 30mph road repair section (I hope I was wrong). MCN could and should have had a greater presence – what...

The police should practice what they preach

14 September 2009 by John S Bailey

I live in North Wales and thoroughly enjoyed the rally on Sunday which I believe made the right point. However I was surprised that MCN were noticable by their absence. On the note of bikers being pulled for no reason because it “reduces accidents” perhaps the police should follow their own teachings because a Northumbria Police officer was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving...