5 great race meetings to ride this summer...
THE BEST SUMMER EVENTS
…and great roads to ride on the way
Words Jim Moore Picture Double Red
SUMMER’S HERE, THE race season is under way, so what better way to fill a weekend – or weekends – than with a ride to a mind-blowing race meeting. And there are loads to choose from both here and across the Channel – from grassroots action inches away from your viewing spot, to world championship fireworks on foreign soil. Here’s RiDE’s pic of the best…
British Superbikes, Cadwell Park
Cadwell BSB means it’s time for lift-off for Bridewell, Ryde and co
Best for Watching superbikes get airborne
When 23-25 August
Where Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire
Cost Race day from £35 pre-book, teens (ages 13-15) from £21 pre-book, seniors £32 (gate only)
BSB is the most competitive domestic superbike series in the world and Cadwell Park is the jewel in its crown – attended by more people than the British MotoGP, apparently. Cadwell is a rite of passage and you may have been before, but if it’s been a while, go again – it’s BSB’s best round. August bank holiday weekend sees the championship at the Lincolnshire track for the series’ seventh round. The 2.19-mile circuit is a spectators’ dream, offering huge elevation changes, numerous excellent viewing spots (the bank above Mansfield is a popular choice) and, of course, the unique Mountain over which the bikes take off. Or get within inches of the action at the Hairpin. To top it all, Cadwell is surrounded by some of the best riding roads in England. A perfect weekend in the making.
TOP TIP
If you’re staying over, Cadwell offers excellent camping facilities. Pitches for up to six people start from £35..
Ride this road…
B1225, from Caistor to Donington on Bain, then on to Cadwell Park
This 20.5-mile ride from Caistor to Cadwell runs down the back of Lincolnshire’s Wolds, providing stunning views of the county and becoming more technical as it nears the track.
DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk
Barbon Hillclimb
BSB rider Storm Stacey was the star of last year Picture Darren Athersmith
Best for High-speed grassroots action
When 21 June
Where Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Cost: £10 to spectate; children go free
Barbon is the UK’s fastest hillclimb, attracting the likes of TT legends John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop to blast up its 810m course. The event includes classes for everything from vintage and classic, to modern and enduros – making the action as varied as it is fast. Held in the grounds of Barbon Manor, spectators can sit back on the grass banks and soak up the action. Popular bikers’ spot Devil’s Bridge is down the road too, as are amazing rides in the nearby Yorkshire Dales.
TOP TIP
Why not compete as well as watch in the run-what-ya-brung class? See the website for entry details
Ride this road…
Blackburn to Kirkby Lonsdale (B6232, A59, A682, A65, B6480, B6479, B6255, A684, A683, A65)
Fabulous 76.5-mile trek from Blackburn through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, taking in huge elevation changes and breathtaking vistas of some of northern England’s most spectacular scenery.
DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk
Southern 100 Road Races
Best for Hardcore road racing action just inches away
When 7-10 July
Where Billown Course, Isle of Man
Cost spectating is free; five-day Steam Packet Ferry ticket from £64
Contact www.southern100.com
The Isle of Man’s Southern 100 Road Races – run on the 4.25-mile Billown Circuit in the south-west of the island – are a great way to experience adrenaline-pumping road race action without the crowds or pressure of the TT. Big name TT riders attend – Michael Dunlop, Davey Todd, Dean Harrison et al – so the action is every bit as mind-bending as the TT itself, with speeds in excess of 170mph on the straights. The Southern 100 is also the perfect opportunity to explore the island’s many fabulous roads and landmarks without the usual crowds. Castletown and Peel are particularly picturesque.
TOP TIP
Explore the island beyond the TT course – there are many other amazing roads and places to visit
Ride this road…
Castletown loop via Kirk Michael, Peel and Glen Vine (A3, A4, A1, A26)
This 38-mile figure-of-eight loop runs from Castletown, into the hills to Kirk Michael before tracking the coast south to Peel, then inland to Glen Vine before heading back to Castletown.
DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk
Bikers’ Classic Festival
Best for European biking thrills and a great mix of machines
When: 16-17 August
Where Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Cost: Weekend pre-book €20, on gate €30; day pre-book €12, on gate €15; under-12s free
Contact: www.bikersdays.com
Bikers’ Classic Festival is an absolute must for anyone with even a passing interest in classic race bikes, historic venues, and touring to a stunning destination on the continent. Belgium’s SpaFrancorchamps circuit is like no other racetrack on earth – Eau Rouge, the uphill right/left, has to be seen to be believed. As well as a paddock full of historic machines, loads of manufacturer displays and track sessions to watch, the whole event is a brilliant example of a beer-and-frites biking extravaganza. Even if you go purely for the roads around Spa and the Ardennes – which are fabulous – and a glass of local beer, you’ll be back next year. Guaranteed.
TOP TIP
Take waterproofs – it can get wet in the Ardennes. Oh, and the local beers are outstanding…
Ride this road…
Huy to Spa-Francorchamps circuit via Ferrieres and TroisPonts (N66, N68, N622)
An Ardennes romp on one of the best roads in the area. The section between Hamoir and Trios-Ponts is one you’ll want to double-back on, such are its frequency of turns.
DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk
World Superbikes, Magny-Cours
Best for An amazing ride to admire the world’s greatest superbike riders
When 5-7 September
Where Magny-Cours, France
Cost: from €10 per day, under-10s free
Squeeze in a late-summer Euro tour with a trip to Magny-Cours in central France to watch the world’s best superbike riders bend the laws of physics. This year’s on-track battle between BMW’s Toprak Razgatlioglu and Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega has been one of the most fiercely fought and exciting in years, so MagnyCours’ fast and technical layout will serve up a treat for the fans – especially because by then the championship will be nearing its climax. With an irresistible combination of fine food, amazing roads and sensational on-track action, it’s the sort of trip lifelong memories are made of.
TOP TIP
Give yourself at least four days to ride down, explore, watch the racing, and cruise back.
Ride this road…
Prémery to MagnyCours via Bona and Imphy (D9, D958, D209, D200)
A spectacular 51km (31-mile) jaunt, taking in 13km through the hills from Prémery to Bona before taking in a pleasurable run with plenty of twists and turns on the approach to the Magny-Cours circuit.
DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE www.ride.co.uk
OTHERS FOR THE DIARY
Speedway GP, Manchester
What Rounds 4 and 5 of the FIM World Speedway Championship. Local interest is high with Brits Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley eyeing a victory. Top-notch action in a great venue.
When 13-14 June
Where National Speedway Stadium, Manchester
Contact www.fimspeedway. com, www.sgpmanchester.com
British MX Championship, Preston Docks
What Fourth round of the British Motocross Championship, featuring MX1 (four-stroke 450s and two-stroke 250s), MX2 (four-stroke 250s and two stroke 125s) and 125cc classes. Watch the country’s finest MX riders bang bars and clear table tops around the 1.5-mile track. If you haven’t watched MX before, you’re in for a treat.
When 20 July
Where Preston Docks, Lancs
Contact www.mxgb.co.uk
Classic Racing Motorcycle Club, Donington Park
What: The UK’s biggest classic racing club takes to Donington’s National Circuit for a full programme – everything from Manx Nortons to ’90s GP two-strokes, proddie-spec GSX-R750s, FZ750s and GPz1100s, and more. It’s worth going for the sounds alone.
When 2-3 August
Where Donington Park, Leics
Contact www.crmc.co.uk
Classic TT, Isle of Man
What Classic bikes (plus modern machines in the Manx GP) taking on the famous 37.73 mile course. More relaxed than the TT, but just as competitive. An amazing event.
When 17 to 25 August
Where TT Course, Isle of Man
Contact www.iomttraces.com