The challenging 300 mile cycle will commemorate the life of Frank Bunting and will be a major fundraising effort to help support the superb work being carried out at the City Hospital in Belfast in the area of cancer research and support for cancer patients.

‘Belfast to Ballydavid or Bust’

is the mission statement of a group of teachers from the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) who have set themselves a cycling challenge this Easter that will see them travel from Belfast to Ballydavid in Co. Kerry, at the bottom of the island of Ireland, to raise funds for Friends of the Cancer Centre.

The cycle will be in memory of INTO Northern Ireland Secretary Frank Bunting who passed away last August as a result of stomach cancer.  The aim is to honour his work and dedication to INTO over the past 20 years by raising money for the charity that helped support Frank through his battle with the illness. 

Gerry Murphy, INTO Northern Secretary, says; ”We hope that people will donate in support of this cycle as Frank benefitted greatly from the care afforded to him at the Cancer Centre by ‘Friends’, as do thousands of people every year.  Friends of the Cancer Centre supports projects that are outside and in addition to the provision made by the Health Service. Money raised by ‘Friends’ supports medical research, funds medical equipment to provide cutting edge technology to help with diagnosis and treatment, improves patient comforts to improve the quality of life for patients and their families and provides patients with a range of complementary therapies and relaxation classes. In every instance the charity responds to needs highlighted by the Cancer Centre’s medical staff.

On Tuesday 3rd April at least ten cyclists plan to depart from Belfast, where Frank was born, on a journey to Ballydavid, Co. Kerry, where he loved to spend many a holiday.  It’s a distance of around 340 miles as they crow flies, yet not many of the cyclists would call themselves ‘experienced,’ so they’ve certainly set themselves a task that will challenge them.

Friend of Frank’s and fellow INTO member, Barney Magill, is looking forward to the cycling tribute.  Barney explains; “The plan is that this marathon-cycle will coincide with the opening of INTO’s Congress 2012, which takes place in Killarney on Monday 9^th April, and is only a stone’s throw from Ballydavid.  The route chosen allows the group to complete the journey in five cycling days, giving us Easter Sunday off for good behaviour.  The cycle certainly won’t be a race and we welcome all cycling enthusiasts …and those not that enthusiastic but mad enough to give it a go!  You’re welcome to join us at any stage of the journey for as long as you want.  The only criteria are to have a bike with at least two wheels and a good set of pins to operate it with!”

The route will be from Belfast via overnight stops in Cavan, Athlone, Limerick, Tralee, and finally in Ballydavid.  Specifically they’ll be passing through Lisburn, Moira, Lurgan, Portadown, Armagh, Monaghan, Clones, Cloverhill, Butlersbridg, Cavan, Bellananagh, Killydoon, Granard, Edgeworthtown, Carrickboy, Ballymahon, Tang, Glasson, Ballykerran, Athlone, Ballinahowen, Doon-0-Ferbane, Cloghan, Birr, Ballingarry, Borrisokane, Ardcrony, Neenagh, Ballynahinch, Castleconnell, Limerick, St. Patrickwell, Adare, Rathkeale, Newcastle, Templeglantine, Abbeyfeal, Castleisland, Tralee and Dingle to Ballydavid. First aid and bike maintenance support will be following the cyclists all the way, and both Adelaide Insurance Services Ltd. and parent company Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. have kindly offered to sponsor the cyclists’ accommodation and insurance.

On the morning of Easter Monday, refreshed after a day off, the cyclists will leave Ballydavid to cycle one last stage back through Dingle and Tralee to get to Killarney for the INTO Congress.

Barney concludes; “We’re hopeful that our heightened fitness which should come from completing the cycle will help us perform even better in this year’s Belfast marathon which we’re also running in support of Friends of the Cancer Centre. 

“Frank was always a keen participant over the years in various running marathons organised by the Union so we’d also like to encourage people running the Belfast Marathon this year to join us and run for Friends of the Cancer Centre.”

Those wishing to donate in support of the event can do so online via www.justgiving.com/Frank-Bunting-Project; by calling Friends of the Cancer Centre on tel. +44 (0)28 9069 9393; or by posting a cheque, made payable to ‘Friends of the Cancer Centre’, marked on the back with ‘Frank bunting project’, to: Friends of the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AB.

Current British Supersport Champion Alastair Seeley (left), British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill (second from left), Michael Laverty (second from right) and Ian Hutchinson (right) at the official launch of this year's Adelaide Motorcycle Festival

The 2012 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival officially opened on Friday 10th February and ran over the weekend, with the King’s Hall doors closing on Sunday 11th February.

Motorcycle Stars such as current British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill, Ian Hutchinson, and the newly crowned Enkalon Irish Motorcyclist of the Year (in association with Adelaide Insurance) and current British Supersport Champion Alastair Seeley were all at the launch of this year’s festival, giving interviews and chatting with the festival goers.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) were also offering a Show Only discount for the Skills for Life Package and the Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists were on hand to sign up any interested bikers. If you are interested in giving your skills a boost improving your technique & increasing your ability and confidence click here.

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Below are some pictures from the 2012 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival:

British Supersport Champion & Enkalon Irish Motorcyclist of the Year (in association with Adelaide Insurance) Alastair Seeley at the official launch of the 2012 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival

TT star, Conor Cummins (centre), talks about his hopes for the upcoming season with his Tyco Suzsuki team

2012 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival at the King’s Hall, Belfast

British Superbike Champion, Tommy Hill, makes an impressive enterance at the launch of the 2012 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival

Members of the Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists Group pictured at the BikeSafe stand where they offered a Show only discount for the IAM’s Skills for Life Package

Mayor of Kells Co. Meath Brian Collins (left) and Aileen Ferguson of the Kells Motorcycle Racing Club (right) pictured at the launch of the Adelaide International Kells Road Races and the Adelaide Motorcycle Festival, King's Hall Belfast

Kells MCRC celebrated its 20th Anniversary this year and what better way to do this than by bringing the races back to Kells. It is a real homecoming for the club as our New Lloyd Track takes in a very small section of what was the original Dulane Circuit. Our first race took place in 1994 at Dulane, Kells.

We as a club are very excited about our new circuit as we feel that it will provide so much for everyone, easy access from the M3, spectacular viewing for the fans and a fast free flowing circuit for the riders and at 4.2 miles in lenght it’s almost twice the lenght of the old Crossakiel Circuit.

The circuit takes in the the R147 (Old Cavan Road), the N52 (Link Road), the Moynalty Roundabout and the Mountainpole road which brings us back out onto the R147 Cavan Road. The Cavan Road and Link Road are wide and fast and the Mountainpole Road, which measures a mile in length, will be very technical for the riders with some jumps on it. The Mountainpole Road has been totally resurfaced and is in excellent condition as is the whole circuit.

The circuit is within walking distance of Kells Town which will make it easy for competitors and fans alike to take in all the FREE entertainment which is being organised for race weekend.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam Geddis and Adelaide Insurance for their continued support for our event.

There will be many attractions over race weekend including the Annual Charity Classic Run on Friday 29th June.

“The Cannonball” Soap Box Derby on Friday 29th June, Cannon Street, Kells.

Live bands in Farrell Street, Kells – FREE

Practice - Saturday 30th June, 2012

Race Day - Sunday 1st July, 2012

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*If from ROI: €100 off

Current Adelaide Masters Series Champion in the Superbike class Kirk Jamison (on the motorcycle) at the official launch of the 2012 Adelaide Masters Series

The Adelaide Motorcycle Festival was the venue for today’s announcement that Mondello Park’s flagship Motorcycle Racing Championship, the ‘Adelaide Masters Series’ will continue into its second year with Motorcycle Insurance Specialists ‘Adelaide Insurance’ as title sponsor.

The 2012 series was launched by Mondello Park Managing Director John Morris, Adelaide Insurance Services Nichola Pearce and Wilson McKibbin of Bishopscourt, with the assistance of 2011 Superbike Champion Kirk Jamison and 2012 competitors Brian McCormack and Steve Mercer.

The biggest news for the growing series is the addition for the first time of an event outside of Mondello Park. For 2012 the championship will increase to five events with the Superbike and Supersport classes taking in one round at Bishopscourt Co. Down, alongside the four events at Mondello Park in Co. Kildare.

Amongst the announcements was the return to an open tyre formula which will see the ‘Cup’ class joining the overall championship in allowing riders to use tyres from any manufacturer. TV coverage will also continue on UTV during 2012 with a possible switch to a one-hour weekend afternoon slot.

A very successful début year in 2011 has led to enormous interest amongst riders and teams, with a number already committed to competing this year and many more working on adding the Adelaide Masters Series to their road racing or BSB campaigns. Already committed are 2011 Superbike winner Kirk Jamison, former Irish Superbike Champion Brian McCormack and the JMF Milsport team with new signing Steve Mercer.

Speaking at the launch Mondello Park MD John Morris stated, “we couldn’t have wished for more in our inaugural season and together with Adelaide Insurance Services, we’re delighted to progress the series to the next level with a round in Bishopscourt this year“.

Adelaide Insurance Services’ Nichola Pearce said, “We’ve enjoyed working with John Morris and his team over the past year and Adelaide’s investment in this event is helping us raise awareness of our motorcycle insurance service in Ireland – so all good reasons to continue supporting it.”

While Wilson McKibbin of Bishopscourt also commented, “The Directors and Management of Bishopscourt Racing Circuit are delighted to be running a round of the Adelaide Masters and look forward to working with John Morris and Adelaide Insurance.“

The championship kicks off with the first three rounds at Mondello Park on the weekend of April 21st and 22nd and continues through to the big finale on October 6th and 7th.

2012 Adelaide Masters Series Dates

Rounds 1, 2 &3 – Sat/Sun April 21st/22nd (Mondello Park National Track)

Rounds 4, 5 & 6 – Sat/Sun June 23rd/24th (Mondello Park National Track)

Rounds 7 & 8 – Sat August 18th (Bishopscourt)

Rounds 9 & 10 – Sun September 2nd (Mondello Park National Track)

Rounds 11, 12 & 13 – Sat/Sun October 6th/7th (Mondello Park International Track)

 For further information on the 2012 Adelaide Masters Series see www.mondellopark.ie.

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*If from ROI: €100 off

Garvey MCC announce charity rock night

Garvey Motorcycle Club have just announced a charity rock night which will be held on Saturday 26th May at the Hillside Tavern, Markethill.

More details will follow, so make sure you add this to your calendar!

For more information visit: www.garveymcc.co.uk

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Ben Wilson will have the opportunity to go head to head with Alastair Seeley on board a Room2Race computer simulator at the Adelaide Motorcycle Festival this weekend!

Alister Seeley and Ben Wilson know what it’s like to go head-to-head and this weekend their rivalry looks set to be reignited at the Adelaide Motorcycle Festival at the King’s Hall, Belfast.

Wilson (29) who comes from Boston in Lincolnshire will have a point to prove after losing the British Supersport title by a single point to the diminutive Carrick rider.

Seeley took the title by the slimmest of margin after the Brands Hatch decider.

Now on board a Room2Race computer simulator they will have the ideal opportunity to pit their skills around Dundrod as well as Mondello Park.

Home advantage may favour Seeley so far as Mondello is concerned but both are Dundrod first-timers.

“Wilson is known as the people’s champion,” according to show promoter Billy Nutt. “But it’s good to have two such high profile competitors taking time out to be at the show.”

“The qualifying sessions are on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday with the grand final taking place on Sunday afternoon.”

“The likes of Michael Rutter, John McGuinness, Steve Plater, Conor Cummins, Michael Laverty and the Dunlop brothers, William and Michael, will all be out to beat the clock.”

“I’m also delighted that Ian Hutchinson confirmed over the weekend that he intends being on the starting line so-to-speak even though he sustained another leg injury in a freak accident last week.”

“Five-times an Isle of Man TT winner in one week, Ian knows what it’s like to win around Dundrod.”

“The fans are also encouraged to get involved and at the same time possibly upstage the professionals.”

“So far as the punters are concerned the best two will receive VIP tickets to the final round of the Adelaide Masters series at Mondello Park while £300 will go to the winning rider.”

“We will have two of these simulators which will no doubt throw-up some interesting statistics.”

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With over ten years experience in the travel industry, Celtic Horizon Tours has grown from strength to strength. No matter what the occasion, they will be happy to draw up an itinerary for you – nothing is too special or too difficult!

Award winning service has seen Celtic Horizon Tours tailor packages from school tours around the world, to motorcycle tours across Route 66 .

The bottom line is that if you have a group travelling anywhere in the world for whatever reason Celtic Horizons can cater for it.

Visit www.celtichorizontours.com for more details

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Ducati rider, and 7 times Macau Grand Prix winner, Michael Rutter will be at the 2012 Adelaide Motorcycle Festival at the King's Hall, Belfast.

How well do you know either Dundrod or Mondello Park? Or to be more accurate, how fast can you lap those circuits and at the same time beat the experts?

A Room2Race computer simulator will provide the answer at the Adelaide-backed King’s Hall Motorcycle Festival this weekend when fans will be able to pit their wits against guest riders in the Nugent Hall.

“It’s good to get the punters involved with some live activity in Belfast,” said show promoter Billy Nutt. “During Friday afternoon and all day Saturday we will have qualifying sessions.”

“The grand final will be on Sunday when the public will be able to go head-to-head with the likes of the British Superbike champion Tommy Hill, Isle of Man TT specialist John McGuinness and Steve Plater who has won seven-times at the North-West 200.”

“Our own Alistair Seeley who is the British Supersport champion will also be on the grid so-to-speak along with Macau Grand Prix specialist Michael Rutter, Manxman Conor Cummins who is a former Dundrod lap record-holder and hopefully Michael Laverty who will be part of the Honda team in this year’s British Superbike championship.”

“Ballywalter’s David Lemon, an accomplished 125 cc rider, is the man behind the race simulator.”

“So far as the fans are concerned the best two will receive VIP tickets to the final round of the Adelaide Masters series at Mondello Park while £300 will go to the winning rider.”

“We will have two of these simulators which will no doubt throw-up some interesting statistics.”

“This is a huge social occasion,” added Nutt. “We have more than 70 exhibitors and that coupled with a large classic display, an auto-jumble and acrobatic demonstrations by some of our top trials riders means that there is something for everyone.”

“Andy Perry who leads the Irish trials championship will be performing some daredevil stunts while British championship motocross contender Martin Barr will also be in attendance along with Comber’s Tommy Merton who is the current Ulster MX2 champion.”

“There will be a display of the new EVO motocross bikes thanks to the involvement of Lawrence Spence and the Knock club.”

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Dorothy, who was selected from hundreds of applicants to take part in the 2011 programme, will be returning to India in July 2012 to help make a difference, while first timer Siobhan is relishing the challenging, but rewarding, task ahead. The first 2 weeks will be spent with local teachers delivering part of the accredited Diploma in Teacher Education, with the last 2 weeks being spent observing the Teachers in their classrooms.

Adelaide Insurance employee, Christina Kerr, will also be travelling to India as part of this fantastic and worthwhile charity.

Background information about Global Schoolroom:

Now in partnership with University College Dublin, Global Schoolroom offers an accredited Diploma in Teacher Education to teachers in the Developing World who complete the programme. Teachers from Ireland and the UK will travel with Global Schoolroom to deliver the 2012 programme in 10 centres in North East India over the summer.

Dorothy and Siobhan will work with Indian teachers for 4 weeks in July 2012 delivering the Global Schoolroom Programme. The tutors’ work will include formal contact time made up of lectures, seminars, workshops and classroom observation.  Also included will be the setting of autonomous learning tasks for the Indian Teachers for periods in between formal contact time.

Global Schoolroom is sponsored by teacher insurance specialist, Adelaide Insurance Services Ltd and sister company Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd and supported by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) and Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) & Ulster Teachers Union (UTU)

Teachers get a competitive car, home &/or motorcycle insurance quote here

For more information on Global Schoolroom visit: www.globalschoolroom.net

Northern Ireland motorcyclists can book their FREE Bikesafe assessment at:

www.bikesafe.co.uk

Bikesafe’s aim is to reduce the number of motorcycle accident casualties by promoting safer riding on our roads. Taking just an hour, participants are given a one-to-one assessment of their riding skills which includes observation and feedback from a highly trained Police motorcyclist.

As safer riders, successful riders who complete the Bikesafe Assessment could look forward to further reductions on their insurance if they renew or take a new policy with Adelaide Insurance Services*

* When arranged via Adelaide Insurance Services.  Subject to insurers’ normal acceptance criteria and minimum premium

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BIKESAFE CALENDAR 2012

10 – 12 FEBRUARY – MOTORCYCLE SHOW KINGS HALL, BELFAST

24 MARCH – BELFAST HONDA

31 MARCH – ALLEN’S HONDA PORTADOWN

14 APRIL – BMW MOTORAD MALLUSK

15 APRIL – COMBER FIRE STATION

21 APRIL – PHILLIP MCCALLEN MOTORCYCLES LISBURN

28 APRIL – GS MOTORCYCLES HILLSBOROUGH

12 MAY – HEIN GERICKE/ADELAIDE BELFAST

14 – 20 MAY – NW200 COLERAINE

26 MAY – SAM CONLEY M/C LONDONDERRY

2 JUNE – CHARLES HURST BOUCHER ROAD

16 JUNE – DONNELLYS DUNGANNON

28 JULY – LIDL OMAGH

01 SEPTEMBER – HEIN GERICKE NEWRY

2 – 13 OCTOBER – SUNFLOWER BISHOPSCOURT