Lincs bike night is a huge hit
Huge turn out for Lancaster Bomber Night
‘To experience a Lancaster taxi run is special indeed’
Lincolnshire Bike Nights have been running for almost 30 years. Meets are every Wednesday evening March to October, but twice a year it takes place somewhere special. MCN joined a stream of riders heading to East Kirkby to investigate.
East Kirkby is an ex-RAF bomber base and home to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. It’s based around one of just four surviving operational Avro Lancaster bombers: NX611, otherwise known as ‘Just Jane’. And on this ‘Lancaster Bomber Night’ it opens its hangar doors, sets up burger stalls and even puts on a live band to welcome bikers from all over the country. “We’ve been running this event for 13 years and average well over 1000 bikes,” LAHC’s manager Andrew Panton told MCN. “It’s a great chance for people to meet up and enjoy a unique evening out.” There’s a sense of anticipation before Jane’s starter whines and the first prop begins to turn, followed by a surge of excitement as the mighty Rolls-Royce Merlin bursts into life. The others quickly join-in until all four are thrumming in a soul-stirring symphony. It’s special indeed to experience something as awesome and rare as a Lancaster performing a taxi run and by paying £5 entry we all make a contribution to its restoration, too. Among the throng is a group of 40 on a charity rideout from Guy Martin’s pub, the Marrowbone and Cleaver. Their aim is to raise money for both the Lancaster and the RSPCA in Hull, and Guy’s dad, Ian, was with them. “When I heard they were running up the Lanc I thought ‘I’ll have some of that!’ To me the Merlin is one of the finest engines ever made. What a brilliant night!”