Shopping with Amazon.

Did you know if you shop at Amazon you can help the Star bikers charity?

Simply click on the links below to be directed to amazon, each sale generated from each click will ensure that Amazon will give a percentage of the sale to the Star bikers charity.  why not buy your Egg & Toy run gifts to help the charity that extra bit.  Use these links each time you shop at amazon.

Looking for Toys for the Toy run, try this section..

Looking for Easter Eggs for the egg run?, try this section..

for specific items try these sections..

Please note: People using ad-block software on their web browsers may be unable to see the links, simply click here to be directed to Amazon

There is also a link like this on the home-page & all main pages & news pages, so it’s easy for you to start shopping. without looking for these links each time you want to go shopping.

Silencing the critics.

Recently i’ve been scoping the various bike related forums for the last few weeks as i usually do during this time of year & already on one forum (i won’t say which) it seems egg runs are coming under fire yet again, due to participants saying “why do i have to pay a fee & bring an easter egg, why not one or the other.” – it happens most years, so here if you want to know why, is a little something i wrote a while back on our forum to explain why - http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/html/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=14231#p14231

Any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us before stating your disapproval on the various forums.

Also we see many people hiding trying to duck out of paying & sneaking into the parade later en-route,  by all means feel free to do this, but i hope you can sleep well at night as you are only robbing the charity by doing so & you may as well just walk into a charity shop & help yourself to the collection tin as it amounts to pretty much the same thing, plus if you avoid paying you are not within our legal responsibility should something happen to you.

If however you disagree with the paying & bringing a gift donation as part of your entry to participate in the Egg run (or the Toy run), please consider the following cost of other popular bike events (correct at the time of writing) just to get you past the gate.

• British MotoGP tickets – General admission from £70
• Motorcycle Live – adult entry price for 2013 from £19
• Stoke Speedway – Adult ticket price £12
• British SGP (Cardiff) – from £29 for category 8 entry
• Stafford Classic bike show – adult admission £10
• BSB (British superbikes) – Adult entry from £25 per race day
• World superbikes – Adult entry for Sunday from £40

So, do you still think £2 & the cost of an Easter egg is expensive or unreasonable entry for an event such as ours?

Low cost Toys & Easter eggs can easily be obtained from local supermarkets & pound shops so you can do the event for around £3 if funds are really tight, however it does seem daft  that people who ride round on thousands of £’s worth of bike complain at the cost, yet when you get a chance to ride & take part in one of the UK’s biggest motorcycling events, see thousands of bikes, socialise with thousands of bikers & you also get access to loads of other things that are all waiting for you. Where else can you get all that for a couple of quid, or the price of a pint or the cost of a bag of chips?

Or if you are still complaining about the cost, why not volunteer to marshal?

Marshals Meeting (Egg Run 35)

The Marshals meeting dates have now been confirmed - The Marshals meeting for anyone who has come forward already & expressed interest, or wishes to volunteer as a marshal for the 35th Egg Run is now announced.

Marshalls Meeting Thursday 14th March at The Freebird, Liverpool Road, Newcastle ST5 2AX. 8.30pm.
Could any one who wants to volunteer their services, or those who have already volunteered and wants to bag a spot or if you just want to find out what’s involved please attend.

Just to confirm

• Thursday 14th March 2013
  8.30pm, the Freebird, Liverpool Road Newcastle, Staffs
  http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/46785/

If you are down for marshaling or wish to volunteer, please attend to be briefed & allocated a marshal point.

If you have marshalled one of our runs in the past, there will be a quick briefing prior to the start of the run, but please let us know if you are available so a suitable point can be pre selected.

Further details can be found on the page - http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/about/information-for-marshals/

Podcast Episode 1

Welcome to the Star Bikers Podcast Episode 1.  NOW ONLINE
This is the 1st ever Star Bikers podcast, our own exclusive online downloadable radio show to play on your MP3 player, Mobile phone or any MP3 compatible device to listen to on the go, which if it proves successful, we will be bringing to you each month & best is, it’s completely FREE to download.

Hosted by Ian Maddock, Chris Kilford & guest Pauline Gale.  In this episode, which is a prequel to all future podcasts, Ian, Chris & Pauline talk a little about the history of the Star Bikers, fundraising & what the Podcasts are all about.

With an Egg run coming up soon, we ask, “what is an Egg Run?” & explain a little about them.

Chris explains how he & “Growler” got into doing charity work & why he thinks involvement is important for the Star Bikers future.

We also highlight how we want YOUR input on how future Podcasts are created.

If you want to you can text us on
07426 182860
(Note: this is a texline only for Podcast purposes & not enquiries or phone calls) 
Feel free to text us your questions or any discussion topics you want us to talk about which we will use in the next Podcast & answer any questions put to us, which will also shape the way the Podcast is produced.  We also welcome texts for run day in the Kings Hall.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions about the podcast, such as things to raise on future podcasts or topics to talk about, please feel free to get in touch by email or text.  you can email  podcast@stokebikeruns.co.uk

Special Guest Pauline explains her new role in the charity as coordinator of outside events, giving her ideas on how she wants the Star Bikers to get out & about taking part in local community activities & talks about her plans for the coming Staffs Bike show & gives details how you can get in touch with your ideas, which she will put to the charity committee for consideration & explains why if anyone is planning a fundraising event how we could help you if you are choosing to support the Star Bikers as part of your planned event.

This Podcast is very much an experiment to us & we’ve never tried this before, so feedback is very much welcomed & we certainly hope you enjoy it.

You can download our 1st ever podcast by clicking here

 Easily download the mp3 file and transfer to any mp3 player or Mobile phone with MP3 capability.
Simply right click the download link (Mac users should “Control click”). Then, in the menu that appears, simply select ”Save Link As” and choose where you’d like to save the file onto your computer. Then, transfer the files to your mp3 player or mobile phone via bluetooth (if compatible) or the USB connection that came with your device.
Or if you prefer you can navigate your mobile phone internet browser to download directly to your memory card.

Egg Run Band announced

The band for the 34th Egg run will be..

VaVoom.

We have had VaVoom, play at a run a couple of years back in 2009 at the Egg run & they were probably one of the most requested bands to have back & after they finished playing last time they expressed they wanted to do it again, so we’re bringing them back for the 34th Egg Run.

They are a Trio playing Rockabilly styled covers of popular songs & of course some of the classics.  You may remember the band for their zealous double bass player who has created a style of his own & for a party piece climbs on top of the instrument to play it on occasion.

You can read more about the band at http://www.vavoom.altpro.net/home

or see them in action VaVoom Live (YouTube video clip)

New Wristbands launched.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Star Bikers charity wristbands.

There are 2 bands, the black one is to represent the Toy Run, the Yellow one is to represent the Egg run.   We think these are a fantastic addition to the badges & other merchandise we currently offer

Bands will cost £2 each & will be on general sale at the next event & all future events.  All proceeds will go to the charity in the form of a donation.
(Postage / packaging will be charged on online sales at 35p per band from 1st December.)

You could buy yours online today.
  Black Toy run Wristband
  Yellow Egg Run Wristband 

Plans are also being discussed for a limited run of 40th anniversary bands in Ruby red (ruby anniversary coloured) & if possible, a Golden band for the 50th anniversary.

There is also plans that the bands will be on sale in local bike shops throughout Stoke on Trent.

We would like to hear your thoughts & ideas on the Wristbands as well as finding out what other merchandise you think we could sell.  if you have any ideas of what you think would be a good item to stamp the Star Bikers logo onto we will consider all sensible ideas.  let us know on our forum thread & have your say - http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/html/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1376

Street entertainers & Stalls wanted

Can you help us expand our “Family fun day” activities?

If you can spare a few hours or know someone who can, the Star Bikers are looking for any individuals or organisation who can volunteer their services as a street entertainer or provide a suitable activity for the day of the runs to extend the sadly lacking “Fun day” entertainment, or of course to help on outside fund raisers.

We would consider the following.

• Jugglers
• Body / Face painters
• Street magicians
• Dancers
• Puppeteers
• Clowns
• Balloon Modellers
• Buskers
• Marching bands
• Street artists / cartoonists
• Bouncy Castles
• Cheer leaders

For the inside of the hall we could always welcome a few more exhibits or stalls, for which we would consider.

• Road safety advisers
• Product demonstrators (bike related preferable)
• Volunteer services (e.g. organ/blood donor, First aid, care centres etc)
• Art & Craft or modelling exhibitors
• Pottery exhibits / crafting
• Play groups & Junior clubs or community groups
• Collectors / memorabilia stalls

If you are a trader / exhibit stall we would simply ask for a small donation from any profits you may make on the day as a good will gesture.

Sadly, we are not able to allow the sale of food, beverages or any outside catering due to restrictions set out by the local authority.

If you can offer such a service or would be willing to take part, please contact us via Phone or email to pass on your details, to ask for more information or to make arrangements.

Chairman’s Thank You

A Letter of thanks from our Chairman.

What a fantastic day.

On Sunday, April 10, the Star Bikers staged the 33rd Annual Egg Run.

It turned out to be one of the best we have had in recent years.
The Star Bikers would like to pass on a few thanks.

To Staffordshire Police motorcyclists and car driver, and all our own volunteer marshalls.

They kept everyone moving and safe between the start at Britannia Stadium and end at the King’s Hall.  Thank you to both of the aforementioned venues for their continued support in the staging of the event.

To the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Denver Tolley, who I know had a great time leading the run.

Special thanks must again go out to the local motorcycle shops for their generosity when donating prizes for our free draw which takes place inside King’s Hall.  They were: Bassett’s, BS Bikes, DH Autos, Foley Motorcycles, K2, Norman & Birch, SHD Motorcycles and Websters.
Thanks to Andy’s Motorcycles who always donates the trophies for best bike award etc. (Done by Trent Trophies) and to Prima Distribution for supplying transport for thousands of Easter eggs that were donated.

Thank you once again to The Sentinel for your support in advertising the run in the lead up and coverage of the day itself.

Thanks to everybody who displayed our posters.

Another good point on the day apart from the number of bikes, scooters, quads, etc actually on the run, was the number of people who came to stand at the side of the road to give their support, many of whom handed over Easter eggs as the run went past.

I would just like to say how grateful we are to everybody who donated to the event, be it with time and effort, Easter eggs or cash donations.

It is all received with the utmost gratitude. We could not do it without you. Thanks.

We did have a face painter and a couple of street entertainers that volunteered to come on the day but failed to turn up.
So if anyone would like to help at the next run we would be very grateful.  Contact us via the website www.stokebikeruns.co.uk

Just one last note. I know it might be a bit colder by then, but it would be fantastic if we could see each and every one of you for this year’s 34th toy run.

ANTONY MIDDLETON
Stoke-on-Trent Star Bikers committee chairman

Star Bikers in Newcastle

The Star Bikers will have a Stall at Newcastle carnival on Bank-Holiday Monday, 30th May 2011.

This Stall is to help promote the charity as well as sell merchandise, sell/raffle items donated from bike shops to help raise money for the charity & for people to ask questions etc.

The stall will be located in Newcastle High St near to NatWest & the old Woolworths store from 9am onwards..  see you there.

Marshal Meetings

The Marshals meeting dates have now been confirmed,

Its that time of year and this time it should be busy as the Egg run is on 10th April 2011 so loads of extra bikes on the road.

We need a lot of Marshals so please grab your friends and volunteer to help.

2 meetings are being held to organise Marshals and also to tell new people what is expected 1st meeting is on Thurs 31st March 8pm at The boat and Horses, Newcastle (opp Morrisons) Then another one a week later same place same time thats Thurs 7th April.

Thanks lots

Rob D

Just to confirm

• Thursday 31st March 2011
• Thursday 7th April 2011
  8pm, the Boat & Horses, Stubbs Gate, Newcastle, Staffs
  http://www.boatandhorses.com/

If you are down for marshalng or wish to volunteer, please attend either of the 2 meetings to be briefed & allocated a marshal point

Further details can be found on the forum -

http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/html/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=14372#p14372

Help the marshals appeal

There are also some “wanted” posters going around in the local shops & businesses, if you would like to download & print your own posters to put on the notice board or to hang in the window, you can by clicking here