7 reasons you should ride this week...

Updated: 04 January 2017

1 of 5

1. Fast and furious Arenacross

Arenacross, round one
Where Manchester Arena, Manchester
When January 7, 7.30pm
Entry From £15.40
Info www.arenacrossuk.com

Arenacross is a three-hour lesson in the madness of motocross. Expect an evening of no-holds-barred racing interspersed with Freestyle MX.

We say There’s nothing else quite like the high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled, smash and grab of an Arenacross event. The tracks are short and twisty, and require a serious amount of commitment combined with a cavalier attitude. But we can’t do it justice, as the only way to truly experience it is to get yourself to an event.

2. Time for a classic

Carole Nash Winter Classic
Where Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire
When January 7-8, 9am-5pm
Entry £8 (£10 on the door)
Info www.classicbikeshows.com

The Carole Nash Winter Classic is a chance to see hundreds of classic bikes. There are numerous stars too including former sidecar world champions Ben and Tom Birchall.

We say New year, new project. Buy an old bike and all the parts to fix it here. Although, maybe finish that old thing in the garage first before you get carried away?

3. A not-too tough trial

Non-expert & British Bike Trial
Where Hambledon, Henley
When January 8, from 10am
Entry Free to spectate
Info www.wycombemcctrials.com

The Hambledon trial is the final round of the 2016 South Midland Classic Championship. The two routes (easy and medium) cater for both youths and adults.

We say Any trials advertised as ‘non-expert’ have our attention, but with extra classes for British bikes and those on old-school twin shock machines, we think this one will be a cracker.

4. Sammy’s history lesson

Sammy Miller racing exotica
Where Sammy Miller Museum, Hampshire
When January 7-8, 10am-4.30pm
Entry £7.50
Info www.sammymiller.co.uk

The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is packed with over 360 bikes. It’s hard to pick a favourite but the newly-arrived BMW RS54 Rennsport is up there.

We say We recently had the pleasure of seeing the Moto Guzzi V8 in the flesh and what a thing it is to behold. The DOHC V8 motor powered the bike to 172mph, 20 years before anyone else got close.

5. Balancing brilliance

Hills & Holes Trophy
Where London Road, Uppingham
When January 8, from 10.30am
Entry Free to spectate
Info www.nvmcc.co.uk

The Hills & Holes Trophy is a popular event every year that takes in a rarely-used course around the conservation area. There are eight classes from youth, through clubman all the way to expert.

We say If you’ve never been to see trials live then what are you waiting for? There’s an expert class, so you can watch people that could balance on top of two rakes stood end on end.

6. Enjoy cafe culture

Oakdene Bike Meet
Where Oakdene Café, Wrotham
When January 4, from 6pm
Entry Free
Info www.oakdenecafe.com

Oakdene café has been popular with bikers for over 40 years. Each week hundreds meet up on a Wednesday evening and Sunday morning to drink cups of tea and put the world to rights.

We say There are fry-ups and there are fry-ups, and the Oakdene serves the latter. Everything that could feasibly be part of a full-English is present and correct but there’s also Pie & Mash if that’s more up your street – how many more reasons do you need to go?

7. Make a day of it

Bike day at the Ace
Where Ace Café, London
When January 8, 9am-5pm
Entry Free
Info www.ace-café-london.com

It’s bike day all day at the Ace, so expect a constant steam of machinery as people use the café on the north circular to springboard themselves into a well-deserved ride.

We say Bike day makes a nice change from bike night, so use this event to start the new year as you mean to go on: riding a bike.

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.

By MCN News