FAMILY FUN AT WELSH WONDER
LlanBikeFest is a brilliant event for all ages ‘It’s a celebration of everything we love about bikes’
Picturesque Llangollen in North Wales is a firm favourite throughout the year, but every August it welcomes thousands of bike fans for the annual LlanBikeFest. MCN went to see what makes it so special. LlanBikeFest takes place at the Royal International Pavilion, the centrepiece of which is a cavernous tent filled with vintage, classic and ultra-rare modern machinery, as well as being the main stage for Q &A sessions and VIP interviews with the likes of MCN columnist John McGuinness, along with John Reynolds and Steve Plater. “There’s a really good family atmosphere,” McGuinness told MCN. “As a family man myself I’ve brought the kids, they’re all eating candy floss and getting their faces painted. Events like this are important as we need the more young riders coming through.” Outside stunt supremo and trials champ Steve Colley entertained the crowd, but plenty of time was also given to the juniors of the Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club, some just four years old.
“It’s a celebration of everything we love about motorbikes,’ said festival organiser John Hutchinson. ‘We started LlanBikeFest as a group of friends and it’s now in its fourth year. It’s all about the craic and enjoying it. This is a show for enthusiasts, run by enthusiasts.” One of the many inspirational aspects of LlanBikeFest was the Author Zone, where a select group of motorcycle adventure travel writers gave presentations and spent time chatting to individuals about their experiences. “I’m not much of a book reader, but I’ve just bought two,” Martin Grant told MCN. “Steve Stewart who wrote ‘Riding the Americas’ and Dr Simon Parry’s ‘30 Years to Nordkapp’ really got through to me.”