| Here are just a few tips designed to ensure 2010 | | | | if your helmet was knocked or dented its ability |
| is not only the year of the Tiger, it's also the | | | | to protect you in a crash will have been |
| Year of the Biker: | | | | completely compromised. Helmets are only |
| Make the most of your motorcycle | | | | designed to put up with one impact - after that |
| There's no point in having a powerful, preened | | | | their internal structure is damaged, meaning they |
| machine if you only use it once a year. Real bikers | | | | won't cushion your head properly in a crash. Use it |
| enjoy the freedom of the open road every week | | | | as an excuse for an upgrade. |
| - and biking to work doesn't count! | | | | Be more ambitious |
| Stop leaving your bike unlocked | | | | Planning new routes is easy. Sites like Google |
| It's a common crime for riders. But come on | | | | Maps let you put in multiple destinations and plot |
| guys, there are plenty of good quality disk and | | | | the best roads to use. You can print off quick |
| cable locks around. They don't always come | | | | directions. So go to Scotland, get out to Ireland, |
| cheap but paying out for one is better than | | | | tour the coast. |
| having some grubby chav nick off with your ride | | | | Tell me about it |
| while you were picking up the fish and chips. | | | | After you've been on a great ride you will want |
| Get involved with a biking group | | | | to let the world know and one of the easiest |
| They're sometimes quite hard to find and the | | | | ways to record and share your adventures is on |
| occasional biking clan can be a bit clique-y but | | | | a blog. You can set up your own at or very easily |
| having a group of like-minded mates to ride | | | | and use it like a diary, adding an entry each time |
| alongside can make the difference between a | | | | you've been out with the wind in your hair. You |
| dreary trudge down a miserable lane to a roaring | | | | can even add the inevitable embarrassing |
| group event full of friendly banter. Plus riding with | | | | photographs of you in your leathers! |
| a group is a great excuse to head off down the | | | | Okay, you're not going to change the world with |
| pub afterwards. | | | | these resolutions - but you can always join the |
| Lose it once you've used it | | | | gym and organise your filing next year - 2010 is |
| Remember that bump you had last summer? Well | | | | dedicated to having some serious fun. |