I've just done the BikeSafe training - best £50 i've ever spent!

BikeSafe is a police led motorcycle project that is run by most forces throughout the UK. The main aim is to reduce the number of bikers being hurt on the roads. We think that riding should be fun and by improving skills, knowledge and hazard awareness it will hopefully make riding safer and more enjoyable.

The BikeSafe workshop explores the main riding hazards that you as a biker face. By delivering theory presentations and observed rides, a BikeSafe workshop will help you discover your strengths and weaknesses and also where to go next to develop and get more from your biking.

BikeSafe is about starting on the right path to development as it “Bridges the Gap”. Riders should continue to train throughout their riding years and not just stop once they have passed their bike test.

I did the Bikesafe course on Sunday 29th April: a great day & a total bargain at only £50!

Bit of an early start for a Sunday: 8am! 8 or 9 of us up met at Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, Eastleigh.

The day began with classroom training and discussion, ably let by a two Police Officers: Rob & Martin. They covered subjects including: best practice for cornering, visibility, exiting & entering junctions, safety, group riding, etc.

After lunch we went out in small groups for assessed rides: (Canadian) Ed & I had Police assessor Michael. We covered a lot of miles, with useful constructive feedback as to how we could raise our level of riding. 

One bit of training that no-one had bargained on was how to bump start a Honda Crosstourer - when my battery died! I think the heated grips proved a bit too much for the original Yuasa - beyond remedy of even even my trusty Optimate 4 - prob time for a new battery, I think. The trick is use second gear to bump a big bike - can't easily be done in first! Thanks Ed!

We ended the day with a hot drink & debrief at Loomies.

Further training is so important - helping with improving skills & getting rid of bad habits that we inevitably pick up.

Sadly, BikeSafe might not be around for much longer (budget cuts - madness!) - so get yourself booked on a course before this fantastic training opportunity is no more.

www.bikesafe.co.uk

Why We Ride - a beautiful film about bikers

Why We Ride is a story about who we are. Individuals with a desire to dream, discover and explore. From a kid’s dream come true, to a retiree’s return to freedom. From a family riding together on the sand dunes, to hundreds of choppers carving through the canyons – the bond is the same. It’s about the passion of the riders and the soul of their machines.

I finally got round to watching this documentary film at the weekend. It is a wonderful thing: with great interviews, and the videography is worthy of being called art. It sums up the passions of motorcyclists, what drives us and motivates us, and makes us family. Highly recommended.

www.whyweridefilm.com

Better have a look in your barns & sheds for one of these: 1931 Brough Superior 981cc SS100. Sold for £264,700

1931 Brough Superior 981cc SS100

Registration no. SC 9799

Frame no. 1038

Engine no. JTO/H 14361/S

• First owned and operated by Edinburgh Police

• Matching frame and engine numbers

• Present ownership for over 50 years

• Restored by Dave Clark between 2001 and 2003

• Requires re-commissioning

Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', Brough Superior - 'The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' - was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior. 

Lot 296

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG ASSOCIATION, ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION AND SALVATION ARMY, EX-EDINBURGH POLICE,1931 BROUGH SUPERIOR 981CC SS100

Sold for £ 264,700 inc. premium

www.bonhams.com

Fed up of losing your stuff? "Tile" could be the solution!

Find your things wherever life takes you. Whether you’re hitting the trail or out on the town, Tile makes sure you won’t lose anything along the way.

Ring your things. Find lost items with your phone. If your Tile is within the 100-foot Bluetooth range, it will play a loud tune until you find it. The Tile Pro Series features a 200ft range and is 2X louder than other Tiles and is waterproof.

Your very own search party. The Tile app connects you to the world's largest lost-and-found community, where friends and strangers work together using the Tile app to find everything that matters.

In the last month we've had several customers write in telling us that Tile had helped them stop a crime in real time.  One of the lessons learned here is that technology can help us search for things even with all our senses are totally blind.  Sometimes we cannot see something right in front of our face, and other times we cannot see past a lie.  Whether you've had your wallet stolen on a train or you simply can't remember where you left your purse, Tile can help. 

www.amazon.co.uk

Microsoft 365 Business - achieve more together

Join this webcast to see a demo of Microsoft 365 Business. Now, for the first time, Microsoft is offering an integrated solution for your business that helps you achieve more together, anywhere it matters with always-on security.

In this demo, you will:

Discover an integrated solution powered by Office 365 and Windows 10, designed for small and mid-size businesses.

Learn how you can connect with your remote coworkers and work on a document in real-time using Word, Outlook, OneDrive, and Skype for Business.

See how inking in Windows 10 enables you to take notes with OneNote.

Learn how you can easily set-up policies to protect company data across devices with Microsoft 365 Business.

This webcast is part of our Office 365 live demo webcast series. Sign up for this session, or the entire series today!

Speak with Donline to find out how Microsoft Office 365 can bring benefits to your business & assist with GDPR compliance.

www.office.com

New Sonos pricing on Amazon.co.uk: £10 off

What is Sonos? Sonos is the wireless Home Sound System that fills as many rooms as you want with great-sounding music, movies and TV. Stream via WiFi. Play whatever you’re craving. And amp up every moment with intense, pulse-pounding sound.

SONOS PLAY:1 Smart Wireless Speaker

RRP: £149.00 

Price: £139.00

Sonos One – Voice Controlled Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa Built In

RRP: £199.00 

Price: £189.00

www.amazon.co.uk

The Motorbike Show, with Henry Cole

Henry Cole was educated at Eton and has gone on to forge a career spanning some 32 years in the TV and movie industry. 

The owner of a production company HCA Entertainment, Henry is currently best known worldwide as a TV Presenter immersing himself in his lifelong passion for motorcycles and the tinkering and restoring of vintage machinery. 

Currently he's the presenter of World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Travel Channel Worldwide, The Motorbike Show: ITV4 and Discovery Networks, Shed and Buried for ITV and Travel Channel Worldwide, The Motorbike Show Special: Steve McQueen's Motorcycles and Find It, Fix It, Flog It: Channel 4.

Watch the The Motorbike Show online:

www.itv.com

GDPR - a contractual basis to process PII data

Contract

You can rely on this lawful basis if you need to process someone’s personal data:

to fulfil your contractual obligations to them; 

or

because they have asked you to do something before entering into a contract (eg provide a quote).

The processing must be necessary. If you could reasonably do what they want without processing their personal data, this basis will not apply.

You should document your decision to rely on this lawful basis and ensure that you can justify your reasoning.

www.ico.org.uk

The journey of Jesus in 3 ½ minutes!

To say Jesus did a lot of stuff would be like saying ‘Mount Everest’ is a bit of a climb. But we’ve created The Journey of Jesus in 3 ½ minutes, a free video resource written and narrated by Dai Woolridge. It gives you a glimpse into the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus in, yeah, you’ve got it: 3 ½ minutes!

www.biblesociety.org.uk

Reading for today: On being changed by our Christian Faith

The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.

We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading through our system: because now we are letting Him work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through. He never talked vague, idealistic gas. When He said, ‘Be perfect,’ He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard; but the sort of compromise we are all hankering after is harder—in fact, it is impossible. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.

By C.S. Lewis

From Mere Christianity

Compiled in A Year with C.S. Lewis

Is the Honda MSX125 (Grom) just too big & intimidating for you? Voila: the Honda Monkey 125!

<irony> Let's face it, the Honda MSX125 (Grom) is a bit of a beast. If you are looking for your 1st bike or a re-introduction to the joys of motorcycling, the Grom might be a bit extreme. Something smaller & less intimidating, you say? Well step this way! </irony>

In 1967 Honda built the Monkey for the road, and since then it has created quite a cult following. Now, this new funster, boasts upside down forks, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, digital LCD display, chrome details and a strong 125cc engine.

www.newatlas.com

Two Wheels For Life - battling Malaria with Motorcycles

Malaria. Such a pretty word. Like a flower. Or a skin product. But of course there is nothing pretty about this ruthless killer disease. So what’s the problem? Well, it's transport. There are wonderfully effective drugs and nets but they don't spontaneously fly through the air and deliver themselves.

In some places, there is almost no escape. Everybody has it. It may not always kill you, but it will always make you seriously ill. Violent headaches, nausea, dizziness and disorientation.

You can barely see, the can hardly stand and you most certainly will not be able to work. Imagine the effects on the family, with the children ill and the bread-winners effectively disabled. And in Africa everyone is a bread-winner because bread is so hard-won.

So what’s the problem? Well, once again, it is transport. The drugs and tools are available, the problem is getting them to the people who need them in places so remote it might take days to walk to the nearest clinic.

The programmes we support train and provide reliable transport to motorcycling health workers who are able to reach villages and families whenever needed with both medical supplies and the education and instruction that must go alongside those remedies.

In fact motorcycles are far more effective than any other transport in this fight. Because insecticide-impregnated bednets are so light, a heath worker on a bike can carry hundreds of them at a time. And because malaria prevention and treatment call for permanent follow-up, motorcycles are perfectly suited because of their versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Two Wheels for Life was founded in 2016 by Andrea Coleman and Randy Mamola in collaboration with the FIM and MotoGP™.

Watch Randy passionately describe the work of Two Wheels For Life.

Read the full article on Malaria here: www.twowheelsforlife.org.uk 

Windows 10 Spring Creators Update - Mk2!!!

Microsoft has been preparing a Spring Creators Update for Windows 10 for a while now, which was recently pushed out as an RTM (Release To Manufacturing) build to all rings of the Windows Insider program. 

Now dubbed the "Windows 10 April Update," Redmond is billing that "lots of new features" are rolling out with this release, including the ability to resume past activities in timeline and a file sharing feature with nearby devices. Also, based on what has been tested in pre-release builds, there will be other features coming as well, including a rebuilt Game Bar with a new Fluent design UI, a diagnostic data viewing tool in the Security and Privacy section, and Cortana is reportedly easier to use with a new Organizer interface and My Skills tab. It is expected Microsoft will be pushing out this update for Windows 10 this week sometime.

This Windows 10 update (Mark 2!) installed on my laptop on Monday. Microsoft had to halt the original rollout, tweak & restart owing to "issues" in the original build. The Version number is still 1803, but the build number has changed from 17133.1 to 17134.1. 

www.hothardware.com

New MOT rules 2018

From 20th May 2018 the UK MOT test rules have changed, so what does this mean for you?

MOT testing in the UK is getting tougher - not just for vehicle safety checks but for emission checks too. 

There are three main changes to the MOT rules in 2018 that you need to be aware of:

New failure categories

New safety checks

New diesel checks

Find out more here: www.haynes.com

Martin Lewis to sue Facebook - to stop fake / scam adverts

Martin Lewis is the founder of the consumer help site MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute charity, as well as presenter of ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show.

Today, in an individual capacity, he will issue High Court proceedings for a campaigning defamation lawsuit against Facebook and will be seeking exemplary damages. This is not being done for personal gain – he pledges any and all money paid out to him will be donated to anti-scam charities.

Within the last year, the social media site (Facebook) has published over 50 fake Martin Lewis adverts (sample images here), which are regularly seen, likely by millions of people, in the UK. These adverts are often for scams. Many have big pictures of Martin and his name, alongside a raft of false promises or endorsements – some then link on to fake articles which continue the theme.

www.bbc.co.uk

Combine small boys toys & big boys toys: you get this!

LEGO 42063 Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Building Toy

Build an authentic LEGO technic replica of the high tech motorcycle.

Includes blue and black colour scheme, black spoke wheel with all-terrain tires, windshield and a detailed dashboard and exhaust.

2-in-1 model: Rebuilds into a concept model, created in collaboration with BMW motorrad designers.

LEGO technic building toys are compatible with all LEGO construction sets for creative building.

BMW R 1200 GS adventure measures 18 cm high, 33 cm long and 10 cm wide, alternative model measures over 12 cm high, 30 cm long and 20 cm wide.

I fancied one of these for ages but at £55 list, it stayed on the wish list. Yesterday, Amazon had it on offer: £36 - bargain! So now I have it, just have to find the time to put it together... It'll be a fine addition to my collection of bike models :0).

www.amazon.co.uk

Need to carry sensitive data with you SECURELY?

Kingston Technology DataTraveler Vault Privacy USB 3.0 Hardware Encrypted Drive - Data Security to Safeguard Your Sensitive Business Information

Kingston's DataTraveler Vault Privacy 3.0 (DTVP 3.0) USB Flash drive provides business-grade security with 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption using XTS block cipher mode, which offers stronger protection than CBC and ECB modes. Kingston DTVP3.0 USB drives are also FIPS 197 validated.

It protects 100% of data stored and enforces complex password protection with minimum characteristics to prevent unauthorised access. For additional peace of mind, the drive locks down and reformats after 10 intrusion attempts. It also features a read-only access mode to avoid potential malware risks.

There has been a series of cases where confidential information has been lost or stolen. If you lose a standard USB stick, any data is easily & instantly available to the finder of the device. However, if your data is on the Kingston Technology DTVP30 - it's safe! 

With GDPR coming soon - mobile data security is something to give serious consideration to!

Further information at: www.kingston.com

Buy from: www.amazon.co.uk

Exertis IT trade show at Silverstone Circuit - what a great day!

"Plug in to Exertis, the channel technology event of the year! Come and discover the latest solutions and hear from industry experts, see what’s trending, what’s emerging and what’s right for your business. It’s the one event where you can simply immerse yourself in the range of technologies we offer – either extending your knowledge in areas in which you specialise or diversifying your interests into new, profitable markets. One day, one great location, bursting with technology solutions from the living room to the datacentre. So whether you are a new or existing customer this is the channel event for you!"

Brilliant day - well done Exertis! Silverstone - what a great venue! Really pleased to listen to the guest speakers: F1 legends: Mark Gallagher & David Coulthard a fantastic insight into their world. Excellent trade show. Definitely worth taking the day out of the office to attend yesterday. Went up on the bike & it was a beautiful day for it!

www.exertis.co.uk

Microsoft Ports Anti-Phishing Technology to Google Chrome Extension

Microsoft has released a Chrome extension named "Windows Defender Browser Protection" that ports Windows Defender's —and inherently Edge's— anti-phishing technology to Google Chrome.

The extension works by showing bright red-colored pages whenever users are tricked into accessing malicious links.

The warnings are similar to the ones that Chrome natively shows via the Safe Browsing API, but are powered by Microsoft's database of malicious links —also known as the SmartScreen API.

An NSS Labs benchmark revealed that Edge (with its SmartScreen API) caught 99 percent of all phishing URLs thrown at it during a test last year, while Chrome only detected 87 percent of the malicious links users accessed.

To download the Chrome extension (browser plugin), click here.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

TalkTalk and Vodafone top complaints chart again

TalkTalk has again been named the most complained-about broadband company in the UK, in the latest report from the telecoms regulator Ofcom.

For every 100,000 TalkTalk customers, about 31 made a complaint to Ofcom about the company's broadband services between October and December 2017.

Technical faults were the main reason for complaints, according to the report.

BT and Vodafone were the most complained-about mobile operators.

Ready for better service & smaller bills? 

Talk to Donline about moving to the Utility Warehouse!

www.bbc.co.uk

Chrome 66 arrives with autoplaying content blocked by default

Google today launched Chrome 66 for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. The desktop release includes autoplaying content muted by default, security improvements, and new developer features. You can update to the latest version now using the browser’s built-in updater or download it directly from HERE.

With over 1 billion users, Chrome is both a browser and a major platform that web developers have to consider. In fact, with Chrome’s regular additions and changes, developers have to keep up to ensure they are taking advantage of everything available.

The biggest improvement in this release is that autoplaying content with sound is now blocked by default. This functionality was delayed - it was originally slated for January with the release of Chrome 64 - but now it’s finally here. Horrah - not a minute too soon!

www.venturebeat.com

What do the ™, ® and © symbols mean and when should you use them?

Grid Law founder David Walker provides Business Advice readers with an expert guide to the familiar trademark and copyright symbols that ensure brands are legally protected.

We’ve all seen the little ™, ® and © symbols next to a name, logo or on a website, but what do they mean? More importantly, how should you use them to protect your rights and what happens if you don’t?

Find out here: www.businessadvice.co.uk

The need for a new approach to information protection

Businesses used to need just a firewall to protect sensitive data. But, in a world of cloud and bring-your-own-device (BYOD), a firewall is the just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to security.

Here’s 10 astonishing data trends that highlight the need for a new approach to information protection. Not to mention GDPR!

www.microsoft.com

We're off to the Top Gear studios - today!

Kim & I have managed to snag a couple of tickets to watch Top Gear being filmed at the Dunsfold Studios. I was on the ticket list many years ago, but sadly I never got to the top: demographics apparently :0(. This time (with Kim) we got selected! 

We're looking forward to watching Matt, Chris and Rory do their stuff!

Update from Kim: It's been a fun day and will be shown early autumn, it's the penultimate episode of the next series. We were standing next to a blue Bentley Continental GT and in quite a few shots so hopefully you'll see us x! The show also features Gregory Porter (as the star), Porsche 911 GT2 RS, and more!

Fancy getting tickets? Of course you do!
Apply here: www.lostintv.com 

Two Wheels For Life - The official charity of MotoGP™

The official charity of MotoGP™ aims to change more lives than ever in 2018, with a target of raising €1 million.

Two Wheels For Life is launching an incredible new initiative in 2018: the Million Euro challenge. Working together with MotoGP™ teams, riders, the paddock, FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports, the goal is to raise the bar and meet the remarkable target of raising €1 million this season.

Two Wheels For Life has been working with the MotoGP™ Paddock for many years and carries out life-saving work in Africa, using motorcycles to get supplies and healthcare to those who most need it. Since it was founded in 1989 the charity has provided healthcare to the outstanding figure of 15 million people. Now, alongside longstanding events on the calendar such as the Day of Champions at Silverstone, MotoGP™ teams will be running their own auctions throughout the season, giving MotoGP™ more chance to make a difference than ever and giving fans the chance to get their hands on some moto-memorabilia and experiences.

Be part of the movement that shows motorcycles save lives!

www.twowheelsforlife.org.uk

Need a good workout? Get on on your Motorbike!

Not only do you burn calories riding a motorcycle, but each ride can also give the majority of your muscles a workout. Proof, if any more were needed, that you are much better off going for a ride than wasting an hour down the gym.

If you have ever spent all day on the bike you’ll have noticed you are way more tired than when you set off, yet supposedly you have spent the entire time just sitting on your backside. The reason for this is that, simply by riding a motorbike, you’ll have been burning off calories at a fairly decent rate.

At rest, doing nothing more taxing than pointing the remote at the TV, the body wades through 68 calories an hour. Switch to an hour on a motorcycle and an 11st (70kg) rider will get through at least 170 calories in the same time.

Another thing that I find burns calories on the bike is my body regulating its temperature: keeping warm when it's cold out, keeping cool when it's hot. Sadly, at the end of my ride I then go & undo all the good work with a beer & nosh up!

Read more here: www.bikerandbike.co.uk

Just one alcoholic drink a day could shorten your life, study says

Having as little as one alcoholic drink a day could shorten your life, according to a major new study.

A chap went to the doctor for a checkup.

The doc said: You need to give up booze, sex, rock n' roll, motorcycles, & meat.

The chap said: Wow doc! Will that mean that I'll then live to a ripe old age?

The doc replied: Nope, it'll just seem that way...

www.bbc.co.uk

Windows 10 Spring Creators Update - public rollout reportedly stalled due to major bug

Spring is in the air, which means that it's time for Microsoft's Windows 10 Spring Creators Update. Or at least, we were expecting its public release earlier this week. However, Microsoft still hasn't flipped the switch to distribute the major Windows 10 update to the masses.

According to a new report, Microsoft had originally scheduled to release the Spring Creators Update on Patch Tuesday (4/10). However, a "blocking bug" was significant enough to cause Microsoft to hold off on its release to spare customers from needless headaches. There are no details on what kind of damage that this bug was causing, but it must be incredibly significant for Microsoft to delay the release of the software.

Well SCE is running (almost) fine for me. The only issue is Bluetooth has croaked: driver issue. Not a biggie, but the mouse that I use when on site doesn't work any more. Meh... UPDATE: this prompted me to look again & my BT issue - bit of research - now fixed & Mr Mousey is back in business!

www.hothardware.com

Nice one Planet Computers: the PDA is dead, long live the PDA!

It’s always nice when something from the 1990s makes a comeback. One thing which most thought dead, but has made an unexpected resurgence, is the personal digital assistant (PDA), which has found new life courtesy of the Planet Computers Gemini.

This Android-powered device apes the aesthetic and functionality of an old-school PDA (think the Psion Series 5), but in a modern setting. It runs Android 7.1 Nougat (and, optionally, Linux) and packs the specs of a mid-range mobile, but includes a full QWERTY keyboard that’s a delight to type on.

Read this full review here: www.thenextweb.com

Then place your order here: www.indiegogo.com

Motorcyclists begin 'patrol' to prevent London moped & motorcycle thefts

A group of motorcyclists has begun patrolling bike-theft hotspots in London in an effort to reduce crime.

The bikers say they have begun to actively seek out criminals having become fed up with the high number of thefts. However, they insist they are not vigilantes.

Scotland Yard has warned against anybody taking on criminals themselves. Hmm, yes: that's the police's job...

As an aside: for the eagle eyed, the picture above was outside the Ace Cafe London, where some of the video was also shot. 

www.bbc.co.uk