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Two separate bike thefts have been reported to the club recently.
The first theft was from premises in Cottingham, Northamptonshire where three bikes were stolen. One was recovered but still missing are Suzuki GT 500 registration VHP 181S and Suzuki GT 750 registration SLU 917R. Our second reported theft is from a garage in the Coventry area. Stolen was a James Cadet 324 XVU, engine number 15T1227, frame number CL15A7284, colour maroon. Please keep an eye out for these bikes. Should you come across them or have any information regarding the thefts please e-mail me on BTSC@janiszakis.com As the club speeds towards it's smokey 100 year anniversary we are setting club members a challenge which harks back to the clubs inception back in 1929 and Tommy Meetons love of longer distance ventures.
The BTSC was formed in 1929. The lead being a famous competition rider of the day, T.G. (Tommy) Meeten, a former Tourist Trophy rider and a competitor in the Scottish and International Six Days Trials. He also set several world and endurance records on two-stroke machines. The definitive facts are now lost in the smoke filled past. The story goes that in 1923 he was so impressed by the performance of a 147cc Francis Barnett model he rode in a trial he chose to campaign two-stroke machines in preference to much larger four-strokes. For many years the British Two-Stroke Club was based at T.G's motorcycle shop, originally at Dorking in Surrey and subsequently (as Meetens Motorcycle Mecca) at Shannon Corner, New Malden, also in surrey. He also took a Francis Barnett on a Land’s End to John O’Groats As an homage to Tommy’s pioneering work with two stroke machines, and 2023 being our 94th year the challenge is for 94 members to cover 94 miles in our 94 year, the challenge will be continued, each year the mileage will increase by one mile and by one member until 2029 when we hit the 100. The challenge must be completed in one hit and in one day between 1st April and the 31st October 2023 with a maximum number of competitors for 2023 of 94 and is only open to fully paid up members of the club. Badges and certificates will be awarded to members completing the challenge successfully and recorded in The Independent. Click here for full details along with an application form which is available in the members section of the club website. Best of luck to you all and I hope to hear from the 94 soon. Howard We are very sorry to hear of the death of Dave Benson who was a Life Vice President of our Club. He was also our Marque Specialist on Villiers engined Motorcycles, as well as our Technical Officer. He will be missed by us all. Dave served as a Committee Member and Treasurer for many year and was made a Life Vice President on his retirement. Member Bernard Stevens shares these memories of Dave: I was sad to hear of the passing of Dave Benson yesterday! Dave was a member of the club when I joined 40 years ago.I have to admit not knowing Dave too well but obviously our paths did cross in those years I found his knowledge of all things bike especially Francis Barnet was impressive. On a Chiltern 100 run someone had left their spot on a large roundabout by Luton Airport !Dave took over the lead and took at least 50 miles before we got back to Polluxhill with Dave saying "I thought I would take you the quick way back!" Another year 2007 Dave took part in the West Kent run on a home made special called a 'Walker Bull Dog Pup' a very low rider ,solid rear end, but powered by a 1000 cc JAP V twin. My last meeting with Dave was at the end of the BTSC 90th anniversary run to the Surrey Oaks pub in 2019 where we enjoyed a pint together! great guy ! and will be missed.  Unfortunately our director and regalia officer, Andy, has suffered an 'off' on his Royal Enfield. He is currently recovering from his injuries. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery!
The proposed vehicle anti-tampering legislation is set to be debated in Parliament at 4.30pm, Monday the 25th of April.
If you haven’t heard about the anti-tampering legislation and its potential impact on our hobby look here at the BMF report. https://www.britishmotorcyclists.co.uk/anti-tampering-threat/ The debate on the legislation has come about because of a successful petition which you can see here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/600954 You can also follow the debate live at this link: https://youtu.be/TxV7WyUO9F4 Us motorcyclists know that we need our wits about us when riding our bikes so we're not likely to be using a mobile phone whilst riding. Nonetheless here is an update from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on the use of mobile phones. From today (25 March), rules in The Highway Code are coming into force to make any hand-held use of a mobile phone while driving illegal, except in limited circumstances.
The changes were supported by 80% of respondents in a public consultation in 2021. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. The law applies to you if you’re:
You can find the full rules on using a phone, sat nav or another device when driving on GOV.UK The government’s award-winning THINK! team will launch an awareness campaign today to remind drivers not to use a hand-held phone at the wheel and the penalties of choosing to ignore this new law. Why staying up to date is important. It's important that everyone – not just learner drivers – understand their responsibility for the safety of other road users. Many of the rules in the code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you’re committing a criminal offence. If you do not follow the other rules in the code, it can be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability. How to stay up to date. The full version of The Highway Code is available, free of charge, on GOV.UK. On Sunday 24th April, we will be riding for Ukraine, in support of the Disasters Emergency Committee. The ride out will take place in West Sussex and we aim to raise as much money as we can, so please donate generously. The DEC's Ukraine Humanity Appeal works with many charities to provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. In order to register and take part, please follow these simple steps: 1. Visit the DEC website here: https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal. 2. Make a donation of your choice, and don't forget to GiftAid if appropriate. You will then receive an email acknowledgement of your donation immediately from the DEC. 3. Please forward this email, in its entirety, to dominic.santana@virgin.net 4. You will then receive an email from us, by return, confirming your place. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/343255291083944 to find out more! Many thanks, Dominic Santana Organiser. Note: Not a BTSC event but we have publicised it here on behalf of the organisers.
See below press release from FBHVC on this scheme. 
If you like to ride off road and on minor tracks this will be of interest to you. There is an opportunity to respond to the consultation before the 9th of April 2022.
See the FBHVC press release below for exciting details of how to carbon balance your riding miles.
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