ABR takes on Elephant for charity...

John with his Honda Transalp

Our very own John McLain was featured in Adventure Bike Rider Magazine, the article is about his charity bike ride...

An ex-military ABR, who left the forces due to injury, is doing the Elephant Rally solo, to raise money for Help For Heroes.

40-year-old John Mclain (no, not that one!) is planning to tackle the gruelling Bavarian rally on a Honda Transalp, which will see him cover 3,000 in eight days in the depths of winter, to raise a target £5,000 for the charity.

“I’m a very lucky boy,” says John, sales manager at Phoenix Honda, Grangemouth. “I was injured on duty in N.Ireland, but after a few operations on my hands and leg, I’m fully fit and I’ve still got all my digits."

"Me and my best mate from the military were originally planning to do the Elephant together, but he’s now injured and will be in rehab until the end of January, so I thought why not do the ride for charity? Help For Heroes seems a fitting choice under the circumstances.”

The Transalp Set for the off

John’s journey will take him from his home in Scotland on 25 January through the UK, France, Germany and the Bavarian Alps to reach the Elephant Rally in
Thurmansbang, East Germany, on 27 January, where he plans to camp in sub-zero conditions before departing for the three-day trip home. And just like his namesake, John, aka ‘Yippy’, is well prepared.

“I’ve been fully trained in Artic conditions, and have been fortunate enough to try all my kit in the worst of the Scottish weather,” he explains. “I’ll also be taking the new adventure range of clothing from RST, SIDI adventure boots, and the good old Alpinestar Apex gloves, plus a Snug Bug heated jacket, and an Arctic sleeping bag!”

It’s not all cold comfort for John though. “I’m looking forward to taking my time and enjoying the experience,” he says. “My friends and family all think I’m nuts! But that’s because they don’t have any adventure in them.”

Unlike us lot, eh? To sponsor John got to http://www.bmycharity.com/johnmclain

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Another great year for Phoenix Honda Motorcycles...

Phoenix Honda Motorcycles has once again proved a popular brand within the motorcycle fraternity with our reputation of selling quality bikes continuing to grow.

2011 saw the introduction of three new models in the Crossrunner and Vision 110 along with the ever improving Fireblade that further confirms Hondas ability to cater for all biking needs.

The sales team has now changed and 2012 will see Alistair Watt continue to work alongside the ever present John McLain.

Probably one of our greatest launch nights ever saw over 200 people attend the Charity Launch Night of the all new 2012 Fireblade in association with the charity Help for Heroes. Not only was there full appreciation for this iconic machine, we were able to attract great interest in Johns forthcoming adventure to Bavaria in January, where he will embark on a 3000 mile round trip on one of our own Transalps to the Elephant Rally. All for the Help for Heroes Charity.

2012 will see the introduction of some exciting new models, starting with the new Crosstourer, an Adventure Sports Tourer that boasts the same engine as the VFR1200f with our Dual Clutch Transmission system as an option. The Crosstourer is likely to be launched at the beginning of February so watch this space for further details.

The commuter world will have a greater selection with the introduction of the NC750s and NC750x models along with the exciting Integra Scooter. All the bikes should be in the showroom around Spring. We also have an exciting offer on all 125cc Scooters with prices starting from £2050 for our Commuter Vision package that includes bike clothing and CBT test.

Its going to be a very busy year with lots of bike launches and lots of rideouts to be organised, so come in and don’t miss out.

To keep up with everything that's going on this year, please remember to "Like" Phoenix on Facebook, and follow what the Motorcycle side is up to on Twitter. 

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John prepares to Help our Heroes

Well its winter again and time for a little adventure, so i will be going over to Bavaria for the rally at the end of January, and yes i will be riding all the way but this time its for charity.

The Elephant rally is a rememberance rally for all those that have lost loved ones.

I will be going for the charity Help 4 Heroes.

I will keep a blog as best i can while away but not sure about the internet connections over there so there may be a few added on my return, it should take me about a week, snow depending...

There will be an open night with raffles, food, drink, and more on the 15th december 2011..6pm at Phoenix Honda Grangemouth.

Come over and find out more, anyone is welcome to attend the night

Phoenix Honda Motorcycles (Falkirk) 

 Glensburgh Road, Grangemouth 
FK3 8XJ 
 Tel: 08444999210 
Fax: 01324 888 283

Also, please remember to "Like" Phoenix on Facebook, and follow what the Motorcycle side is up to on Twitter. 

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How can you Help our Heroes ?

We are delighted to announce that our very own John McLain, Sales Executive at Phoenix Grangemouth will be embarking on a great journey for an even greater cause. Please take a few minutes to read through this post.

A solo motorcycle journey from scotland through the uk, france, germany over to the bavarian alps for the elephant rally in eastern germany during the last week in january 2012, a grueling round trip of over 3000 miles in the depths of winter, please give generously for the cause, thank you all.

Donating through my charity page is simple, quick and secure. It is the most efficient way to give – so every donation goes further – and if you are a UK taxpayer and give Gift Aid consent you will boost your donation.

Thank you for your support.

About Help for Heroes

The charity Help for Heroes was launched in October 2007 in order to provide direct, practical support to those wounded, sick or injured in the line of duty since 9/11. All the funds raised to date are either allocated or spent on the direct, practical support of those wounded in the current conflicts.


To date, H4H has funded a variety of projects including the £8m Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court, a new £3.5m treatment centre for Combat Stress, adaptive adventure training through the Battle Back programme and the creation of a £6m Quick Reaction Fund to support individuals in need.

Also, please remember to "Like" Phoenix on Facebook, and follow what the Motorcycle side is up to on Twitter. 

If you've found this post interesting please use the Facebook, Twitter and other Share buttons to pass it on to your on-line community, there's a good chance they will find it interesting too. Thank you.