Latest news with #EvelKnievel
Metro
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Metro
I thought I didn't need to drive – until my boyfriend snapped
'Keep the car straight, you're going to need to go up into third gear,' my instructor said. I felt a slight panic – I had only known the comfort of first and second gear. So, I rehearsed the dance moves in my head and felt ready. 'Now, Hannah, now,' he suddenly shouted, watching the revs scream into the red. I made the shift and edged away from the driver behind, who seemed visibly annoyed that I was only doing 23mph on a national speed limit road. Not that I cared: I felt like Evel Knievel. We could have broken the sound barrier at any minute. Feeling triumphant, I glanced across at the passenger seat where my instructor/boyfriend was taking a deep breath, his white knuckles clutching the armrest. We've navigated long-distance and moved countries together, but teaching me to drive at 30 was a test neither of us expected. Growing up in a town with decent bus routes and friends who had no desire to learn to drive meant when I arrived at university, I had no inclination or spare funds to get a car. Moving to London in 2015 only reinforced that – I was now living in one of the best-connected cities in the world. But there were moments I wished I had a licence – like the time I walked three miles through Cotswolds fields in the rain after missing the last bus. Or having to rope flatmates into helping me carry IKEA furniture back home. It even affected my relationships – a romance I was having with a guy from Dorking fizzled out because I couldn't reach his farm without practically earning a Duke of Edinburgh along the way. By my late twenties, embarrassment had crept in and I had ready-made excuses for anyone who asked if I had a licence, such as: 'I live in London!' or 'It's expensive!' And it is. Lessons average £1,724, before you even think about a car, insurance or petrol. By the time I turned 28, I had used all the excuses I could, and was determined to learn. But then I met my current boyfriend, and before I could take any lessons, life took an unexpected turn. We met at a salsa club in Soho in 2022 while he was visiting from Australia. We danced, flirted, exchanged numbers and after a heartfelt goodbye, we stayed in touch. It didn't take long for us to fall in love over FaceTime, and in 2023 I quit my job and booked a one-way ticket to give love a shot. In all our conversations, driving hadn't come up. So when, six months into our relationship, he suggested we drive from Melbourne to Sydney for Christmas, I had to break it to him: I didn't have a licence and couldn't help with the 10-hour drive. He didn't seem too fussed at first and we got by for over a year without me driving once. But in 2024 we decided to spend the year travelling around the UK and Ireland, after buying a cheap VW Polo from a friend. As the sole driver, his frustration grew, and as the half-owner of the car, I realised I actually really wanted to drive it too. I ordered L plates, applied for my provisional, got insured and got learning. Thankfully, at 30, insurance is far cheaper than at 17, where the average policy price is £2,877 a year. Due to our nomadic lifestyle, I didn't think about hiring an instructor. Plus, my boyfriend had taught his younger brother in the past and was more than happy to step up as my teacher. One week, I was dodging suicidal pheasants on Ilkley Moor; the next, navigating Manchester roundabouts. I'd tackled more terrain than most learners ever do. There were rows, slammed car doors, and an incident involving a bollard in a Tesco car park. We don't talk about that bollard. But that chaos was the secret to my success. I was test-ready in a few weeks. The only holdup was the backlog at test centres, since most had waits of up to 24 weeks. While housesitting in North Berwick, I checked for slots morning, noon and night until eventually, it paid off. I was booked for a Thursday morning in nearby Musselburgh. We had two days to prepare for unknown roads, but I was used to that by now. The night before, I'd deep-cleaned the car, added a new air freshener and fitted a second mirror (a must when using your own car on a test). On test day, I drove us to the DVLA centre, my boyfriend beside me, and Ted the cockapoo we were pet sitting in the back. I waved them off as my examiner, Rory, checked the car and gave me my first task: Reading a number plate. We chatted the whole way round, and I couldn't believe how easy it felt. My manoeuvre was reversing three car lengths, 'show me' was turning on the wipers; and 'tell me' was measuring tyre pressure. I felt good, things were going great. Back at the test centre, I braced for a twist. Surely it was too good to be true? Until Rory delivered the news – I'd passed. First time. Three minors. For the final time, my boyfriend was more than happy to chauffeur me back to the house to celebrate. And I did soon after by driving solo to a McDonald's drive-thru for a McFlurry run, windows down, and Chappell Roan blasting through the speakers. For anyone putting it off, it's never too late to learn. I survived without a licence for years, but now, I couldn't live without it. More Trending We've started a new life together in Scotland, and I do most of the driving. I tell myself it's for the practice, but really, I'm making up for lost time – and repaying the many debts of picking my boyfriend up from the pub, which he's more than happy to cash in. Now, responsibilities are shared and our relationship feels more balanced. Driving has given me freedom, confidence, and the chance to pull my weight on a 10-hour road trip. Next time we're in Australia, I won't be in the passenger seat. I'll be driving us home for Christmas. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Devastated and broken, I headed to the Himalayas to heal my heartbreak MORE: I ran a sexy chat line while pregnant, it was hideously depressing MORE: I'm having sex with a woman way out of my league — but I can only last 30 seconds Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Damien Chazelle trades Evel Knievel film with Leonardo DiCaprio for prison drama starring Cillian Murphy, Daniel Craig
Oscar-winning writer/director Damien Chazelle ('La La Land') may have faced box office challenges with his last two films, First Man and Babylon, but he continues to draw top-tier talent. Despite underperforming financially, Chazelle remains a favorite among Hollywood's A-list, keeping studios invested in his creative ventures. His next project was initially slated to be an Evel Knievel biopic, potentially starring Leonardo DiCaprio. However, according to Deadline, the deal couldn't be finalized—likely due to financial demands—prompting Chazelle to pivot to a prison drama he's been developing for several years. With that shift, he's reportedly lined up Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and Academy Award nominee Daniel Craig for lead roles. With Evel Knievel on hold and deals not yet finalized, the prison drama is now positioned as Chazelle's next project, with production expected to begin later this year. While plot details remain under wraps, Chazelle will direct and has written the script. He will also produce through his Wild Chickens Productions banner alongside Olivia Hamilton. Given Chazelle's efficient production style, a fall shoot could set the film up for a Venice 2026 premiere—the same festival where La La Land made its acclaimed debut. Though Babylon grossed just $63 million worldwide against an $80 million budget, and First Man brought in $105.6 million globally, Chazelle continues to earn the confidence of studios and collaborators. This pivot underscores his range, transitioning from ambitious spectacle to grounded, character-driven storytelling.
Leader Live
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Evel Knievel army join Llangollen Railway for NSPCC
On Thursday (May 22) Llangollen Railway will be welcoming an 'Army of Evels' to the Dee Valley as they tour Wales to commemorate the 50th anniversary of stunt bike legend Evel Knievel's jump at Wembley Stadium, and raise funds for the NSPCC. The group has already raised an incredible £30,000 for the children's charity this year. The 'Evel Express' will leave Corwen at 11.05am on Thursday and see about 60 of the Ride Cymru Knievels travel aboard the Class 109 Wickham railcar. Read more: Nightingale House marks 30 years of volunteer contributions They will all be wearing Evel's distinctive jumpsuits, capes and boots, and will be accompanied by some of Evel's family, including Kelly Knievel, Evel's eldest son. The Knievel posse will return from Llangollen at 3.15pm Terry Pickthall, Llangollen Railway press officer, said: "We are really looking forward to the Ride Cymru Knievel's visit and supporting them raising funds for the NSPCC. "As a child of the 70's I was the proud owner of one of the legendary Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle toys, which was one of the bestsellers of the decade. "I think this toy did nearly as much damage to my parent's house as the real Evel did at Wembley! "We promise that the Evel Express won't be attempting to recreate any of Evel's legendary stunts and will cross the River Dee in the usual manner, using the beautiful Dee Bridge at a sedate 10mph." Read more: Male strippers donate period products for Flintshire army man's trip to Kenya The Llangollen Railway is celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year. Whilst Evel Knievel was attempting to jump over 13 single decker buses at Wembley Stadium on his Harley Davidson, volunteers of the Flint & Deeside Railway Preservation Society were just taking possession of a derelict Llangollen Station and taking their first steps to reopen 10 miles of the Ruabon to Barmouth line between Llangollen and Corwen. Fifty years on their legacy is a wonderful heritage railway at the heart of the Dee Valley AONB. The railway started this special anniversary year in fine style with a very successful steam gala in April and more events are planned through the year, including a 50th birthday party weekend on September 12-14.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Forbes
Russian Bike Assaults Tend To Get The Riders Killed—Especially When They Try Jumping
A Russian bike troop misses a jump. As the Russian military loses more armored vehicles in Ukraine than it can immediately replace, and sends more troops into battle on motorcycles, there are tragic consequences for the riders. Not only are bike troops totally exposed to Ukrainian drones, artillery and mines—they may also be tempted to try feats of motorcycle aerobatics that would be difficult in peacetime, and are nearly impossible on the battlefield. As a Ukrainian drone observed on or just before Thursday, a Russian bike soldier raced, in broad daylight, across the no-man's-land somewhere along the 700-mile front line of Russia's 39-month wider war on Ukraine. His luck held, at first. No mines or shells exploded. No first-person-view drones swooped down. But then he neared the simplest possible defense: a hole in the ground. Specifically, a long anti-tank ditch seemingly around 20 feet across and 20 feet deep. Apparently confident in his bike-handling, the rider accelerated up the loose dirt piled up on the edge of the trench, clearly aiming to jump the trench. He fell short—and died, or was badly injured, in the resulting crash. Stunt riders such as the late Evel Knievel routinely jump their motorcycles hundreds of feet. But they usually do so after careful planning—and rarely on loose dirt ramps. In theory, leaping a 20-foot gap from a 45-degree ramp should be straightforward if the bike is traveling 20 miles per hour or so. But the 'ramp' in this case was a haphazardly piled berm meant to impede armored vehicles—not boost a speeding biker. Jumping from sand or loose dirt requires careful handling, as bikes tend to nose up on that kind of surface. Mastering the handling 'this takes many years of riding to get nailed,' one biker explained on a popular motorcyclists' forum. The Russian bike troopers' tragic crash made him just another statistic. Most recent Russian bike assaults have ended disastrously for the riders. On April 17, an unprecedented 150 Russian motorcyclists—reinforced by additional troops riding on all-terrain vehicles—attacked positions held by the Ukrainian 14th Chervona Kalyna Brigade around Myrolyubivka, a few miles east of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The bike assault ended in disaster for the Russians. The 14th Chervona Kalyna Brigade 'delivered a decisive blow against waves of Russian equipment and manpower,' the Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine reported. 'Despite the scale of the assault, Ukrainian troops held their ground and repelled the entire attack with discipline and precision.' The Ukrainian brigade claimed heavy Russian losses, including at least 240 troops killed or wounded and 96 motorcycles knocked out. But the bike assaults occasionally work—and, to the Kremlin, an occasional success justifies frequent failure. It's standard practice, as the wider war grinds into its fourth year, for Russian regiments to send under-trained, unprotected troops on 'reconnaissance-by-force' missions in the early hours of a planned offensive—often on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles or even electric scooters. 'These are ordered to advance towards where they assess Ukrainian positions to be, conducting reconnaissance by drawing fire,' Nick Reynolds and Jack Watling explained in a recent study for the Royal United Services Institute in London. 'If the group encounters resistance, Russian commanders assess where they believe the best lines of approach are, and in particular, where the boundaries between defensive units lie,' Reynolds and Watling added. 'If Ukrainian positions are positively identified, sections are persistently sent forward.' Last week, the Russian 39th Motor Rifle Brigade found an under-manned weak spot in the Ukrainian trench outside the village of Malynivka, just outside Pokrovsk. Drones knocked out counterattacking Ukrainian armored vehicles, and Russian infantry captured that segment of the trench.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's Why Ford Motor Stock Is a Buy Before May 5
The major U.S. automaker reports first-quarter earnings on Monday, May 5. Analysts expect it to report $0.02 per share, a very low earnings target to beat. Ford stock is cheap and pays a great dividend, which should please investors. The countdown has begun. In just five days, on Monday, May 5, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) will report its Q1 2025 earnings, and attempt to repeat the earnings beat that archrival General Motors turned in this past Tuesday. Can Ford do it? It shouldn't be hard. According to analysts polled by Yahoo! Finance, Ford only needs to earn a bare $0.02 per share to meet expectations next week, a much lower bar than the $0.49 per share the company earned a year ago. Ford can even admit to a 10% drop in revenue, and not miss its mark. Analysts only expect the company to report sales of $35.8 billion. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » When you consider that automotive rival GM reported both sales and earnings growth, but everyone's expecting Ford to drop on both top and bottom lines, the threshold for outperformance has been set, really, really low. Ford should be able to "Evel Knievel" these forecasts with three wheels tied behind its back. That's not to say Ford cannot miss earnings. President Trump's tariffs policy -- or policies I should say, since they seem to change by the day -- have injected a sizable amount of uncertainty into the automotive market. Just because the trade war didn't prevent GM from beating expectations last quarter, it doesn't necessarily mean Ford will emerge unscathed. It's also possible that Ford might fumble a positive earnings report by issuing bad guidance, and perhaps be overly cautious in predicting the earnings it will make in Q2, or later in the year. That could scare investors away from the stock no matter how the earnings turn out. Ford wouldn't even necessarily be wrong to take a cautious tone, either. As Bank of America warned last week, uncertainty as to the medium-term effect of tariffs is "extremely elevated," and really, no one knows for certain how this is all going to play out. All this being said, I'm still confident that Ford stock is a buy ahead of earnings -- even lacking any special knowledge as to what those earnings will be. How? Consider the stock price. Since President Trump launched his "reciprocal tariffs" trade war last month, shares of Ford stock have hardly budged at all. They entered the month of April at $10.03 per share. They exited the month trading for $10.01. Considering all the elevated uncertainty, and the automotive sector's starring role in the tariffs debate, you'd expect the stock to have performed much worse if there was any "fluff" at all in the stock's valuation. The fact that Ford stock held basically rock-steady tells me Ford stock is probably about as low as it can go already, and there's really nowhere to go from here, but up. Ford's ultra-cheap valuation supports this theory. Currently, the stock trades for just 7 times trailing earnings, a slight discount to the earnings valuations on GM and Toyota for example. The really big difference between these three car stocks, though, is that GM pays its shareholders a dividend yield of only 1.3%, and Toyota Motor isn't much better at 2.7%. In contrast, Ford stock pays a tremendous 7.4% annual dividend. What's more, because Ford needs to spend only about 53% of its profits on dividends to maintain its current payout (we call this the payout ratio), we know that Ford can in fact maintain its dividend easily. Long story short, I don't know how the tariffs war will play out. (And here's a secret for you: Neither do the experts). What I do know is that no matter how high tariffs go, and no matter who has to pay them, people are still going to need to buy cars and trucks in the future, and Ford will continue to sell them. The business is solid, the dividend is solid, and neither one is going away no matter what happens with tariffs. I think Ford stock right now is about as low as it's going to go. I firmly believe it's a "buy" before earnings. Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $610,327!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $667,581!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 882% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 161% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2025 Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Here's Why Ford Motor Stock Is a Buy Before May 5 was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
