Click to enlarge - I am on the green bike to the rear left of shot
On Sunday 19th May I had a new motorcycling experience, or at least a new aspect of one. Regular readers will know that I have been to the Rugby Bikefest on a number of previous occasions (reviews available, see below). Well this year saw me ride my motorbike in the mass ride-in and therefore enjoy the event as a participant instead of an observer.
I arrived at the Night Owl Truckstop on the A5 at around 9:00am and joined hundreds of other riders waiting to set off. I had read in the pre-event registration paperwork that the ride in was limited to a thousand bikes. Well I reckon that number was exceeded … massively.
In the run up to departure time, I met a few people that I know and had a chance to browse the machinery lined up in the car parks. In earlier events I have found myself attracted to the custom cruiser types of bike and the 1970s machines that were desirable as I was growing up, but this time I found myself drawn to the kinds of bikes that I would most like to ride - the tourers that combined some power with some practicality. I drive a Volkswagen Passat Estate, and it is now apparent to me that I like the two wheeled equivalent of my family orientated load-lugger. A full fairing and a decent sized top box are essential and hard panniers are more desirable than they probably should be. I look back at this year’s photos compared to last, and the difference is very apparent.
When it was time to set off, at circa 10:00am, there was a burst water main like exodus from the truck stop. The deluge of bikes took off down the A5 in the direction of Daventry before peeling right towards Hillmorton. In the first stretch of the ride, there were bikes ahead of me for as far as I could actually see. Riding in the close proximity, two a breast (and sometimes more) cavalcade required me to keep my wits about me and my eyes in my mirrors. The sheer volume of vehicles meant that progress was slow and halting and the demands on clutches and brakes were high.
The experience reminded me of running in the London Marathon. Back in 2006, it was the first time I had taken part in a running event and the sea of bodies was amazing to watch. As a runner, it was hard to find my own rhythm and pace, and my usual reference points (the road surface for example) were hidden. In the ride-in I couldn’t get going before I had to slow again and I couldn’t even hear my bike’s engine because of the Harleys roaring around me.
The marathon similarities continued on the run in to Rugby as people had come out of their houses to watch and wave at the riders. There was a real sense of occasion and excitement, it was carnival like.
The concentration required to ride in tight formation was such that by the time I parked up my bike, I was as hot as it was. Getting off and then stowing my helmet, jacket and gloves was a relief.
The in-Rugby event was as brilliantly organised as ever and the town centre was packed with people and traders. As in previous years, I wandered around with my camera and wiled away a couple of happy hours. Some evidence shared with you below.
It was Rugby Bikefest with a twist, and it was, to borrow from Keith Code, all in the twist of the wrist.
Daventry Motorcycle Festival is next on the horizon. Maybe I’ll see you on Saturday 8th June.
Click on any picture below to enlarge
I arrived at the Night Owl Truckstop on the A5 at around 9:00am and joined hundreds of other riders waiting to set off. I had read in the pre-event registration paperwork that the ride in was limited to a thousand bikes. Well I reckon that number was exceeded … massively.
In the run up to departure time, I met a few people that I know and had a chance to browse the machinery lined up in the car parks. In earlier events I have found myself attracted to the custom cruiser types of bike and the 1970s machines that were desirable as I was growing up, but this time I found myself drawn to the kinds of bikes that I would most like to ride - the tourers that combined some power with some practicality. I drive a Volkswagen Passat Estate, and it is now apparent to me that I like the two wheeled equivalent of my family orientated load-lugger. A full fairing and a decent sized top box are essential and hard panniers are more desirable than they probably should be. I look back at this year’s photos compared to last, and the difference is very apparent.
When it was time to set off, at circa 10:00am, there was a burst water main like exodus from the truck stop. The deluge of bikes took off down the A5 in the direction of Daventry before peeling right towards Hillmorton. In the first stretch of the ride, there were bikes ahead of me for as far as I could actually see. Riding in the close proximity, two a breast (and sometimes more) cavalcade required me to keep my wits about me and my eyes in my mirrors. The sheer volume of vehicles meant that progress was slow and halting and the demands on clutches and brakes were high.
The experience reminded me of running in the London Marathon. Back in 2006, it was the first time I had taken part in a running event and the sea of bodies was amazing to watch. As a runner, it was hard to find my own rhythm and pace, and my usual reference points (the road surface for example) were hidden. In the ride-in I couldn’t get going before I had to slow again and I couldn’t even hear my bike’s engine because of the Harleys roaring around me.
The marathon similarities continued on the run in to Rugby as people had come out of their houses to watch and wave at the riders. There was a real sense of occasion and excitement, it was carnival like.
The concentration required to ride in tight formation was such that by the time I parked up my bike, I was as hot as it was. Getting off and then stowing my helmet, jacket and gloves was a relief.
The in-Rugby event was as brilliantly organised as ever and the town centre was packed with people and traders. As in previous years, I wandered around with my camera and wiled away a couple of happy hours. Some evidence shared with you below.
It was Rugby Bikefest with a twist, and it was, to borrow from Keith Code, all in the twist of the wrist.
Daventry Motorcycle Festival is next on the horizon. Maybe I’ll see you on Saturday 8th June.
Click on any picture below to enlarge
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Rugby Bikefest 2014
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Rugby Bikefest 2016
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Rugby Bikefest 2014
Rugby Bikefest 2015
Rugby Bikefest 2016
Rugby Bikefest 2017
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