Ride On newsletter - April 2017

Downpours and cyclones aside, there has still been plenty of great riding weather this Autumn. Plus, of course, the international race season has started, including for our own Avalon Biddle in WSS 300. We have an update on her progress below, as well as stories about air conditioned helmets, gloves with in-built direction indicators plus an exclusive offer from Saint Apparel for you as a Ride On reader!

The air-conditioned helmet is here

If you missed the Steve Feher piece on Stuff it’s worth having a read. The story is about an American inventor, Steve Feher, and his design for an air-conditioned helmet. Encouragingly, Steve is a rider himself and the helmet has already passed safety certification. Could be just the job on a hot summer’s day:
'Finally, a way to keep a cool head on a motorcycle'—Steve Feher article on Stuff

Steve Feher, inventor of the air-conditioned helmet.

Save $50 on your next Saint jeans purchase!

How’s this for a cool deal? The folk at Saint Apparel have an exclusive offer of $50 off their normal prices on any purchase of motorcycle jeans, available to Ride On subscribers until the 9th August 2017. Just go to Saint website and enter the code NEWRIDERS when purchasing:
Saint website

Saint's Unbreakable denim range.

Av looking ahead to Assen

Things didn't work out so well for Avalon Biddle in round one of the World Supersport 300 Championship at Aragon. A crash in Superpole meant a grid position of 28, but it turned out to be immaterial when a technical problem led to a DNF (did not finish) in the race. The next round, at Assen, is imminent, so we’ll bring you an update post-race or you can check out Av’s Facebook page:
Avalon Biddle Racing on Facebook

Go Av!

The passing of Robert M. Pirsig

The author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert M. Pirsig, passed away on ANZAC day aged 88. The Minneapolis native struck a chord in many riders over the years, particularly those who started riding in the 1960s and 70s. Although the book is about many things, it is at least in part a homage to the unique joys of motorcycling.

Robert doing what he knew best—motorcycle maintenance.

Indicating motorcycle gloves

We spotted a story on the technology website New Atlas about SignalWear who've developed ‘smart’ motorcycle gloves that help indicate your direction. Could be handy for turning or moving to the left, but we’re not so sure about the left-hand-pointing-right, behind-your-head technique shown in the video. As it says, though, a pillion can indicate both ways. The company, SignalWear, is looking for funding via Kickstarter to put the gloves into production.
New Atlas article 'Smart motorcycle gloves promise better visibility for riders'
See the SignalWear gloves in action on YouTube

SignalWear indicating gloves in action.

Get planning for the Brass Monkey Rally

This coming Queen’s Birthday weekend—3rd and 4th of June—marks the 37th running of Central Otago’s Brass Monkey Rally. Held at Idaburn Dam, Oturehua, it’s an iconic Kiwi motorcycling event that should be on any rider’s bucket list. Although aptly named, there's a huge bonfire to warm you up (and free soup), live music and loads of events and displays to take in. Check it all out on the Brass Monkey website and start searching for your warmest riding gear in the cupboard:
37th Annual Brass Monkey Rally 2017

Get your mum to sew on your Brass Monkey patch ready for the rally.

Catch you next time

That’s all for this edition of Ride On. If you have any news you’d like to share, contact us. Be sure to visit for more news, articles and reviews as well as details on the Ride Forever on-road coaching programme. Until next time, stay warm, dry and shiny side up!
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