3 June, 2008

Hello and welcome to MonkeyRun, your guide to the UK Monkey Bike scene.

In conjunction with The UK Monkey Bike Forum we provide a friendly, helpful, free of charge, no club membership, no obligation place to chat Monkey. Click the Forum link above to enter, sign up and get chatting.

The mission of MonkeyRun is to be well known amongst Monkey Bike owners in the UK so all Monkey Bike owners can get to events and rides. Your messages and questions can be posted on The UK Monkey Bike Forum. The Forum is great for technical help, buying and selling, general chitchat and live chat in our chat room. Default chat room time is 9pm Sunday but any time is fine. Visit the Gallery to view our users' machines and a map of Monkey Bike owners and events near you.

New Gallery Feature! You can now upload your own images from your computer or MMS by phone to our new Flickr Gallery. See here for more details

Forthcoming events

2007 was a superb year for Monkey Bikers throughout The UK. Now in its 7th year, there are more great runs planned for 2008. If you have a forthcoming event don't hesitate to email it in for promotion here to monkeyevent AT monkeyrun.co.uk. Shorter notice impromptu runs are organised throughout the year on the forum. Why not organise your own? There are some great runs in the UK this year however you should consider hopping across the Channel to Europe for some superb events. It's not far!

What's going on? - Send in your event now! Page bottom for details

Isle of Wight Weekend - 3rd & 4th May 2008 Hampshire

Monkey Spunk Rally - 9th - 11th May 2008 Kent - Joint event with Bexley Gropers MCC set near Hever Castle on an old farm with good facilities (toilets, food, bar, band) and camping Friday and Saturday nights. Run on Saturday of around 100 miles to Hastings and back. Hever Hotel 3 mins walk. Tickets £12 in advance only. Cheques payable to Bexley Gropers MCC in SAE mentioning "Monkey Spunk Rally" to: 61 Horsa Road, Northumberland Heath, Erith, Kent, DA8 1HH. More info from me, Steera (Paul Steer), on 07880 996539 or call Striker or Lez on 01322 340213

Derbyshire Dambusters Run - 10th & 11th May 2008 Peak District. With a steady and scenic 60 mile run on Saturday for smaller-engined machines and a brisk 110 mile run on Sunday on a nice mix of interesting roads including the famous Cat and Fiddle and Woodhead Pass, this camping weekend offers something for every Monkey Biker! Hardhurst Farm, Parsons Lane, Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. S33 6RB Map
Tel 01433 620001 Quote MONKEYRUN when booking. Organiser: Chris D. duncbuilder[at]aol.com Tel 07970 668760

Ace Café Run - Sunday 25th May 2008 Ace Café, London. Monkey Bike meeting at a classic biker venue on the North Circular, London. Visit a Great British piece of biker history, celebrating its anniversary year, with your Monkey! Meet from 10am for breakfast. The London run leaves at noon, returning to the “Ace” at around 4pm. Taking in some of the sights... as well as being one! To mark its 70th anniversary, the Ace Café will be raising monies on behalf of the Jeans for Genes charity. Some of us will be contributing to this effort in memory of "Big Dave". If you would like to help or a sponsorship form, please contact Hal on 07801 707916 Web Link Map

Cornish Monkey Run - 31st May & 1st June 2008 Cornwall - This camping Monkey weekend is set to be a cracker! Campsite is at Great Threthew Manor, Horningtops, Liskeard, PL14 3PY. Tel: 01503 240663 Map Organised by Andrew Mitchell. Tel: 01579 362674 member[at]pensilva.fsnet.co.uk

Yorkshire Monkey Run - Sunday 15th June 2008 Yorkshire - Come along to the Yorkshire Monkey Run! Setting off at 11am, the run will be about 100 miles of some great Yorkshire Dales roads. We will be going over some quite hilly roads, so not really suited to standard 50cc bikes. The White Swan, Boroughgate, Otley Map Hope to see you there! Contact: Steve Cowles (R1MONKEY) Tel: 07960 431814 Email cowles.sATntlworld.com Donation for support vehicle appreciated

The New Inn Run - 20th - 22nd June 2008 Cropthorne, Worcestershire - This relaxing camping weekend set in the grounds of a cozy country pub looks set to be great. Camping field provided with toilet and gazebo so get your tents out! Runs will be tailored to suit the day and are in planning now. Free camping for pub customers. Contact Nick (slippyricky): ratdaxATgooglemail.com Guidelines.doc Pub Website Map

Shakespeare Run - Sunday 6th July 2008 A thrilling run at about 75 miles long taking in a mixture of country roads and main roads across Warwickshire. Plenty of fuel stops and a pub stop with the main break in Stratford upon Avon for lunch. Due to the brisk nature of this run it is not suitable for standard 50’s . There will be a back up van for any breakdowns of which a small donation would be appreciated for fuel. Departing 11am. Email enquiries: trevorgardinerATaol.com Website Map

Lake District - 18th - 20th July 2008 Cumbria - Set in the stunning Cumbrian village of Pooley Bridge, a full weekend of Monkey Bike fun with either camping or B&B in Pooley Bridge, Cumbria. Suggested accommodation includes Ullswater Guesthouse - Secure garage for parking & reduced rates for Monkey Bikers @ £25 pppn. Pooleybridge Inn is more central and slightly more expensive. Call to confirm prices. Just round Ullswater Lake on the outskirts of Pooley Bridge is Park Foot Caravan Park, a brilliant camp site where the majority of bikers will be camping in bottom field near lake. (Tel 01768 486309) All bikes welcome and although Kirkstone Pass is a massive climb we will wait for slower bikes. Various cruises to different parts of the lake district will be organised. The Lakes Monkey Cruise is a no pressure family weekend, so either riding on your own or joining in the with the fast boys up the front of the runs then is cool! More details on the forum. Meeting in Pooley Bridge Village Square from 9:30am, departing 10am. Map

Heartbeat Run - 1st - 3rd August 2008 North Yorkshire - A short run on Friday and longer 100 mile runs on Saturday and Sunday, this is based at Thirkleby Hall Caravan Park, Thirsk. Map Contact Richie FERRETDAX on richard.sanders40[at]ntlworld.com

Box Hill Run - Sunday 3rd August 2008 Surrey - Join the classic route of the 7th 100 mile Box Hill Run, starting at Ryka's, Box Hill. Meet from 9am with the run starting at 10am sharp. Small donation appreciated towards support van fuel, insurance and driver's lunch! email enquiries to boxhill[at]monkeyrun.co.uk

Cambridge Run - Sunday 17th August 2008 Cambridgeshire - Now it its 6th year! We meet up at the "World famous Comfort Cafe" at 10.30am where you can enjoy a FANTASTIC choice of breakfasts before heading into and around Cambridge at 12.00pm. Our route will take in some sights of Cambridge then heading up to Ely Cathedral via some villages and on to Newmarket before returning to the cafe via Cambridge. The route is around 80 miles with a few stops for lunch and the odd shandy, both stock and tuned bikes very welcome. Email tom.darville[AT]piresearch.co.uk for info and to be kept up to date with run details. Alternatively, please phone 07976 641759. Map Link

Bowman Run - 23rd & 24th August 2008 Hampshire - Here is your personal invitation to join us southern boys for a few beers, a good laugh, oh and a ride out on yer monkey! Camping is once again available to all for the Sat & Sun nights at £3 per pitch per night. Caravans, tents & camper vans all welcome. I will have a large gazebo with sides set up for bike parking and anyone wishing to just turn up and kip down with their bike is welcome. Food is available all day and evening till around 9.00 pm from the pub, but the toilet facilities close with the pub. We will have a run out on the Saturday afternoon (destination to be anounced). The Sunday run sets off at 11.00 am and will be around 75+ miles through Hampshire and West Sussex on some great roads. There will be plenty of fuel stops and viewpoints on route. A buffet lunch is arranged for £5.00 per person at The Fountain Pub in Rowlands Castle run by Herbie (ex-Van Morrison musician). We will then head back via a couple of stops to the Bowman and its great selection of real ales - remember it's bank holiday Monday so you don't have to get up for work! Enquiries to John email: jsherrattAThamworthy-combustion.com or 07702 732530
Bowman Map Pub Website - Cheers, John

Disclaimer: Some or all of the events listed will feature an invitation to ride with other Monkey Bike owners on public roads. All organisers of the events listed have specified that all bikes attending must fully comply with all UK public road laws (valid insurance, MOT and road tax) where applicable and riders who choose to, do so entirely at their own risk as they would when riding on public roads at any other time. The organisers and participants of any event listed below hold no responsibility for loss or injury suffered other than between any individuals concerned as per normal road riding. The use of body protection such as purpose designed gloves, jacket, leg-wear and boots is highly recommended.

2007 events

8th Annual Isle of Wight Monkey Bike Rally - Friday 4th - Monday 7th May 2007 - Early May Bank Holiday Weekend Renowned and long established weekend event. More details to follow.....Details on forum