by It is a festival season, and that not only means blues, rock, pop, electronic, folk or country: hundreds of Londoners drove north to the Adventure Bike Rider Festival over the weekend.
Feel very much like a large music festival (two music stages, camping systems, over 50 food sellers, countless bars, free yoga and massage sessions, good showers, paddleboarding, kayaking and conversations).
The main attractions were the bicycles, with all large motorcycle manufacturers on free trips – on and in off -road – on their machines. Festival goers who arrived on their own machines were able to test their skills on around 50 km of tailor-made off-road paths that were directed for all standards.
Newcomers found their feet on the gentle beginner of the beginners – a smooth introduction with minimal challenges – before they in the country through the landscape with Marshalls at strategic points in the country before connecting more experienced drivers.
Dusty, sometimes challenging and disassembled and with the option “hard” sections, but well under contract and professionally organized, the Bridgestone paths offered the thrill around every corner. For the more confident or daring – the Trail Riders Fellowship had created a more demanding eight kilometer trail on the property.
With muddy water crossings, steep climb and descents on a mixture of surfaces with different handles, undesirable cameras and tight turns and twists, it was a satisfactory challenge for bikes bikes and small – including my own Honda CRF300, which returned to London after only one tumble …
Moor of fate
The bravest of the brave took on the moor of fate – a corner of the Ragley Hallan, which was similar to a swamp, with deep, slippery mud. Those who make it earned their T-shirts. Those who did not make it under their own steam were saved by Quad bicycles, which presented a great spectacle for spectators and a tough job for the Marshalls.
The other bike-centered attractions included a wide range of manufacturers that focused on bicycle security, adventure travel packages, clothing, tools, luggage, camping equipment, bicycle modification devices and more. Phoenix Proskills offered friendly free off-road training sessions, while Inch Perfect Trial-Ride offered on electric bicycles. Experts demonstrated their skills in a specially prepared arena. A welcome relief of the sums – and the heat – came in the form of free tours through a great Ragley Hall from the 17th century, where there were a number of collective motorcycles, a great exhibition for adventure photography, even an adventure travel film festival curated by Austin Vince.
A rolling music program included Let To B/DC, Fleetwood Bac, The Rollin ‘Stoned, Fast Dan, the next, weapons or roses, even the Treorchy language choir.
The highlight of the four -day festival for many was the rich list of speakers on a rota that was so packed that it was impossible to catch them all on four separate phases in tents that were strategically dotted.
The speakers were funny, lovable, lessons and – above all – inspiring. Some spokesmen gave the low point of how to deal with certain worldwide goals such as India, Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Alaska on two wheels, others, others, how to discover green lanes in Great Britain.
Some experienced drivers such as Llewellyn Pvey gave a master class for the perfect bicycle setup, while the girl on a bicycle vanessa jerked, how she recovered from life-threatening injuries before deciding to take over and transform herself into a world of hard adventure (while she became a mother).
Charity auction
The author and traveler Sam Manicom spoke about his own exciting travels and gave freely expert advice, while the architect Elspeth Beard moved about her own, fragile adventures that began in the 1980s and continued to this day. There was an auction for charity wheels two bikes for life, which collected £ 34,000 from show gauer.
The biggest tie was perhaps Youtuber Noraly Schoenmaker – better known as ITCHY boots – fresh from the shooting of her heroic deeds (when she took a break in her trip through Iran) to examine London on two wheels, to step on helpful police officers and to enter Londoner. Warm, funny, modest and brave and exhibited the main stage with her memories … Long queues in the burning sun left out when showmakers were waiting for her chance to buy signed copies of her new book Free Ride. Unfortunately, when I arrived and gave me a great excuse to book tickets for 2026, hoping that it will also appear there. The data of the next festival were unveiled on June 26th to 28th, 2026.
As a significant change in the pace compared to the traditional motorcycle show with a happy, supportive, always friendly amount, beneficiaries and marshals, a great planning and the best chance that you will probably drive in off -road, I will not miss it next time. More at www.abrfestival.com
