The perfect biking year #ride5000miles

These are the best events, places and roads that we recommend you visit to complete the 2017 #ride5000miles challenge, just in case you need any more excuses to get out on your bike this year.

What? Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh
When? March 11-12
 

It’s Scotland’s biggest motorcycle show and the only place in the country where you’ll be able to see most of the new-for-2017 models in one place. There’s an area dedicated to classic machinery, plenty of trade stands, plus you’ll be able to meet biking celebs such as Niall Mackenzie. www.scottishmotorcycleshow.com

Ride this road: With the Highlands only 80 miles further north, you’d be crackers not to jump on th eM9 then the A84 to pick up the A82 up to Glencoe.

 

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What? Brit Butt Rally, Fosse Park Premier Inn, Leicester
When? May 26-29
 

The Brit Butt challenges riders to visit as many of the rally’s pre-selected locations as possible, then take a picture as proof before moving on to the next one. Points are awarded for the various locations, and the rider with the most points wins. It’s not uncommon for top riders to cover a couple of thousand miles with just three hours compulsory rest! www.britbuttrally.info

Ride this road: The world is your oyster, here, as you set your own route.

 

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What? Club of Newchurch, Neukirchen, Austria
When? June 11-18

For the last 11 years this event has been run in association with Triumph as their Tridays festival, but now the stunning Austrian town of Neukirchen has taken over the reins to create a new week long event for all makes and models of motorcycles. It’s a place to be inspired by both the bikes on display and also the spectacular scenery that this part of the world has to offer. Expect guided tours, static displays, food, music and fun. www.newchurch.at

Ride this road: Spectacular alpine passes like the Grossglockner or the Gelos Alpenstrasse are very close by.

 

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What? Llanbikefest, Lllangollen, North Wales
When? August 5-8
 

Based near the heart of Snowdonia, the Llanbikefest provides you with the ideal excuse to venture out and explore this beautiful part of Wales. Once you’ve had your fill of the live stunt shows, snapped all your selfies with the numerous biking celebrities in attendance and rocked out to the sounds of one of the Fest’s many bands, you can venture west into the National Park and enjoy some of the finest scenery and roads in Britain. www.llanbikefest.com

Ride this road: For spectacular views of Snowdon, take the A4086 from Capel Curig through Llanberis to Caernarfon.

 

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What? British Superbikes Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire
When? August 18-20
 

Book the Friday off work, grab your tent and head up to Lincolnshire for what is arguably BSB’s most spectacular event. Not only is Cadwell Park the place where you’ll see 230bhp superbikes get airborne over the infamous Mountain, but you’ll also be able to indulge in the incredible party atmosphere that goes down after the chequered flag has fallen. It’s not in its traditional August bank holiday slot this year, but it’ll still attract tens of thousands of bikers. www.britishsuperbikes.com

Ride this road: Take in the B1183 between Revesby and Horncastle.

 

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What? Bol d’Or 24hr, Paul Ricard, France
When? September 15-17
 

It’s sportsbike heaven set in a Rivera paradise. There’s something magical about watching race bikes speed through the stillness of a late summer dawn, smoke from the trackside campsites swirling behind them. The Bol d’Or returned to its spiritual home of Paul Ricard two years ago, and with it returned the hordes of race-loving riders from all over Europe, keen to be reunited with the majesty of the Mistral Straight, and the warmth of the southern sun. www.boldor.com

Ride this road: The DN8 from Le Beausset to the circuit is possibly the most perfect riding road in Europe, but unfortunately this means that on race weekend it’s as busy as the circuit itself.

 

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What? Distinguished Gentlemans’ Ride
When? September 24
 

Annual mass ride out in various locations across the country/world, in which tens of thousands of well-dressed gentle folk ride their motorcycles to raise money to battle prostate cancer. These amazingly well-attended charity ride outs were designed to help convey a different vision of motorcycling to the general public. Leathers and kneesliders go out of the window and in their place are cravats, tweed suits and well-groomed beards (or hairdos for the ladies). It’s a ride out of a different kind, with a brilliant atmosphere. www.gentlemansride.com

Ride this road: Whether it’s through the streets of London, across San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge, or cruising in Copenhagen, a DGR ride-out is the perfect way to see any city in the world.

 

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What? EICMA motorcycle show
When? November 6-12
 

This chance to take a look at 2018’s bikes is also probably the last chance for a European rideout before the weather closes in. The Milan show is twice the size of the NEC, and all the major firms will be unveiling new bikes. It’s an 800-mile trip each way, so a perfect way to get your mileage count up…www.eicma.it

Ride this road: D165 through central France allows big speeds and wide-open scenery.

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