SATURNALIA IN NORWICH

Our good friends at Old Empire Motorcycles are organising an event with a difference. It’s called Saturnalia and the aim is to showcase the huge diversity of art forms and, says OEM’s Alec Sharp, to take visitors back to the foundations upon which every art form is based – imagination and creation. A non-profit exhibition, it is, says Alec, aimed at “showing the satisfaction gained by making something with your hands, which sadly seems to be a dying skill in the computer and internet age.” It will showcase motorcycles, painting, illustration, design, sculpture, music, bicycles, tattoos, graffiti, cinematography, airbrushing and fashion. Held at the Stew Gallery, 40 Fishergate, Norwich NR3 1SL, Saturnalia will be held on 8th December 2012. Doors open at midday and close at 9pm and there will be live music from 5pm. Oh, and it’s free to get in. Your can find more details at SATURNALIA.

BREAKING NEWS: FRANCE THROWS OUT HI-VIZ FOR BIKERS!

This morning, the French Interior Minister, Manuel Valls, announced the suspension of a new regulation which would require all motorcyclists riding a machine of 125cc or above in France to wear a reflective armband (or high visibility vest) with a reflective area of at least 150 square centimetres. Campaigning from the FFMC – France’s equivalent of MAG – has led to the government backing down, at least for the foreseeable future, on this piece of legislation. Bravo à nos amis! Many thanks to Paul at JtheB’s Biking Weekends, Normandy, for giving us a heads up.

BSH 345 ... COMING (QUITE) SOON

BSH 345 will be landing in your local newsagents on 6th December but, if you happen to be going to the NEC Bike Show – or Motorcycle Live or I’m Not An Idiot Get Me Out Of The NEC or Strictly Come Biking or whatever it’s called this week – you can buy a copy up to ten days earlier than usual. Dominating the cover is Danny Schneidr with his Indian Scout and I’m very honoured to have a world exclusive feature on the bike ahead of anyone else. (Yes, I know it’s all politically correct and team-building to refer to the magazine staff as a single entity but, damn it, Danny is my friend and I, yes me, am pretty damned stoked about the deal). In addition, there’s full centrespread coverage of Maff from Expressive Cycles’ loony Evo, a cracking ride-it-hard Gixer, a BSA so cool you could skate on it, a refettled Triumph, a reborn XJR, full coverage of Autumn Nabd’ness, Yorkshire Pudding, Rock & Bike Fest, a new series starting with Brooklands and loads more, including, naturally, Ogri.

LONG LIVE THE KINGS

A truly cool little film.

BLUE'S LATE CHRISTMAS LIST

Imagine; it's the week after Christmas, the tree is in the tip and the last of the turkey is in the dog. And then you suddenly think, 'Hell, I forget to get Blue a Christmas present!'. Fear not, for here is the answer to that dire problem. Hie yourself over to Nevada for Bonham's Las Vegas Motorcycle Sale at Ballys on 10th January and place a winning bid on Steve McQueen's 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross. Dilemma sorted and I won't even make you wrap it up!

BRITS TRIUMPH AT BIGTWIN!

Once again, the UK was well-represented in the winning stable of BigTwin Expo at Rosmalen, Holland. Out of the six podium places, the UK accounted for a third, with Larry Houghton's JAP bobber (as seen on the cover of BSH 343) being placed in 4th and the overall title of Best in Show being awarded to Vic Jefford of Destiny Cycles' 'Carousel', currently seen on the cover of the new issue. Congratulations to Vic and Larry and there will be full coverage of BigTwin in BSH 346.

BIGTWIN 2012

A few initial shots from the past weekend at the BigTwin show in Rosmalen, Holland.

THE BUDDY PRESLEY BAND

A shout out to the Buddy Presley Band, of whom we're very fond because the band's manager, head honcho and double bass player, Neale Hobday (known to us as Johnny Ace) is BSH and Streetfighters' top scan guy. When he's not conquering the world through the mighty power of rock 'n' roll, Neale is a Photoshop wizard who makes our photos look even more lovelier. He's not bad on that cello thing of his, either... BUDDY PRESLEY BAND