The British summer may be short, but it boasts plenty of cool biking events. Here are our top three not-to-miss motorcycle festivals of the summer. We have covered events in June, July and August – split apart so that you can justify the time away from home to the other half, or take the whole family for three fantastic weekends away.
Adventure Bike Rider Festival, 23-25 June 2023
The ABR Festival has become the event of the year for many UK riders – adventure-minded or not. In fact, it doesn’t matter what kind of bike you ride or whether you’re a novice or expert rider, there are plenty of things to see and do for everyone.
Described as “Glastonbury with motorbikes and posh toilets” by the organisers, the festival is a celebration of motorcycles and riders, held over a weekend of great entertainment, riding, and food and drink.
Among the on and off bike activities (all included in your ticket price) during the festival are over 20 live bands, ride outs, 20k on site adventure trail, new bike test rides from all the main manufacturers, masterclass sessions with top industry experts, off-road tuition with the best instructors in the UK, as well as talks and presentations by the superstars of adventure. Or if you just want to chill, just pitch your tent, and do your own thing.
To make festival life as luxurious as possible for everyone, you’ll find grade A camping pitches, posh toilets cleaned around the clock (and plenty of them), a great and varied selection of tasty street food, and a very reasonably priced bar.
The festival is held in the stunning grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickshire, on the weekend of 23-25 June 2023.
For further information, visit www.abrfestival.com
Suzuki Live, 15-16 July 2023
Suzuki Live is a unique weekend at Cadwell Park, hosted by Suzuki GB with wall-to-wall Suzukis on track.
The weekend 15-16 July 2023 will see both classic and modern bikes are mixing on track, and numerous ex-Grand Prix racing heroes will be reunited with Suzuki GP machines. The action will keeping everyone entertained all weekend on track and in the paddock, as well as on the Suzuki stage on Saturday evening!
Suzuki clubs from all over the UK will adorn the paddock, and test rides will be available on some of the latest Suzuki machines on the road.
For those with adventure in their heart, there’s the dedicated off-road skills course on the new V-Strom range.
This will be a huge weekend for anyone with a passion for Suzukis old and new.
Event tickets include camping for all the spectators.
For further information, visit www.classicbiketrackdays.com/suzuki-live-2023/
The Adventure Travel Film Festival, 11-13 August 2023
The Adventure Travel Film Festival is held on 11-13 August 2023 at Hatherop Castle, in the heart of the serene Cotswolds, and celebrates adventure travel films from the 1930s to the present day. There’s also food, speakers, workshops, live music, and all kinds of outdoor action.
Adventures of all kinds are covered by the films screened at the festival, but there’s always a strong motorcycling element to the selection, not least because the festival was founded in 2011 by filmmaker Austin Vince and travel author Lois Pryce, both famous for their motorcycle adventures.
The festival aims to showcase the best independent adventure travel films, guarantee a platform for future adventure filmmakers, and bring together the adventure travel community. Since its inception it has been held in multiple locations across the UK, Australia and the USA.
Across the 20-acre site there are five screening venues, multiple fields of camping, outdoor dining space, a fully stocked (and very reasonably priced) bar, and even a treehouse…
The 2023 festival is the last ATFF to be held, so if you want to take part, this is the time.
For further information, visit www.adventuretravelfilmfestival.com
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PHOTOS: Courtesy of ABR Festival, Classic Bike Trackdays & The Adventure Travel Film Festival, Ben Arthur, RBPS Photography
