Made it to the ABR Festival this year and was not disappointed. A great weekend with the focus around bikes, chats about bikes, stuff to buy for bikes, bikes to test before considering buying, music, some beer and gin, great food and company!
The route up was broken up with a great breakfast stop at Gilks Garage Cafe - useful to remember if you're trekking up the M40 and prefer good coffee and real food, it's also only a few minutes away from junction 12.
The ABR Festival delivered more than I expected, most bike manufacturers were there, not just with off road adventure bikes either of which there was so many to choose from, but for example Ducati were offering rides out on their sport bikes, H-D offering ride outs on their heavy road tourers too mention just a couple. Also interesting to see the march the Chinese marques are making! Great to see how Royal Enfield are growing too, and for me their Himalayan 450 was my bike of the show! A great 'all roads/no roads' allrounder! I will be booking a local test ride soon!
The event also let me hear from a few hero's, most rewarding was Elspeth Beard, one of the first round the world bikers. She talked openly about the trials and tribulations of her RTW journey, but also shared with us the emotional backdrops that were happening in her life at the time too! So thank you ABR for this moment alone!
I also got to listen and chat with Adam Riemann (Motology Films) and Tim Rodie (link Tim's YouTube Channel). James Hillier also gave us good insight into his high octane cocktail of TT and Dakar racing.
The event also brings together clothing, parts and performance specialists, while mostly adventure bike there were some great general purpose bike parts there too, this part of the festival could easily get expensive!
I was also impressed with the traveller's area, and chatted to many companies offering riding adventures further afield.
As evening comes, the tone changes to a musical beat coupled with the challenge of what to eat from the incredible array of good cuisine available! Oh and a few 'light refreshments too' !! I really enjoyed Detroit Soul Collective's set! The 50 strong Treorchy Male Voice Choir were also great, as was the relaxed acoustic vibes emanating from the little Horsebox Stage!!
I'm unable to comment on how good the 50+km's of trails are as I didn't take the bike this year, instead choosing to take our Glamping Pod on Wheels thus ensuring we had a very comfortable bed to sleep in!! We needed it too with all walking, chatting and dancing! Oh did I mention that there's also a silent disco!!
Gilks Garage Cafe
Gilks Garage Cafe
Gilks Garage Cafe
BSA 650 Thunderbolt
James Hilliers Raid Bike
MotoGuzzi V100
Honda Goldwing
Ducati Diavel
VOGE 300 Rally
Evening atmosphere by the bars !
Our Base Camp!
Almost typical ABR Scene
Nice old Honda!
TeaPot Tent! Evenings this was rammed!
Tim Rodie on stage
Phoenix Motorycle Training RideOut returning
Ragley House
An Africa Twin (I guess thanks to Adam will now be know as a Warhorse from now on!)
A rare Morini!
This Enfield's been about!
Ragley Hall
Elspeth Beard talking about RTW and Life!
Three chaps debating the merit of this supercharged machine
A muddy modified R1150GS
A 2x2 KTM
One of the travel companies!
Horse Box Stage
Male Choir
Yes I like this little 450, a lot!!
This 450 Himalayan has been ridden over land from India to attend this event!
All Roads/No Roads - No Problem!
Detroit Soul Collective delivered a set loaded with iconic tunes!
Party Time
Party Outfit!
Nice KTM!
Great jacket from Alpine Stars
Some Campervans were just a little bit more ... adventurous!
