Festive fun...

Ilove this time of year. I know the weather’s been far from ideal for riding, but there’s enough good stuff going on to help me get my fill of biking right through the winter months without dreaming of the warmer weather to come.

I'm writing this having just got back from a cracking day out at this year’s Motorcycle Live show. I know plenty of you grumble about the cost of parking and the price of food (and that’s fair enough...), but where else can you check out the biggest and best of next year's metal in the flesh, have a gander at the new gear coming to market, and have a natter with lots of cool people about bikes? Perfect day out, I reckon. My eye was caught by the Super Meteor 650 from Royal Enfield; the Yamahapowered Caballero 700 from Fantic; and the little Dax from Honda – and I loved the look of the Gold Star scrambler concept on the BSA stand, too (even if it’s likely a long way from production). And that's just a few of them… What about you? Did you get to the show? What were you most impressed with?

The approach to Christmas also means we’re getting closer to one of the best bike races on the planet. The Dakar Rally. Kicking off in Saudi Arabia on December 31, it's the perfect antithesis to the wet, wintery days in Britain and offers the chance to see some seriously skilled riders pushing themselves and their bikes to the limit. Can’t wait.

Also, I just want to apoligise to subscribers who've had a delay in getting the latest issues of the paper through their door. We're doing our best to make sure they’re out with you as quick as possible, but with ongoing postal strikes, there’s a chance you might have suffered a bit of a delay. Here’s hoping things get resolved as quickly as possible.

Have a good ’un.