Gloucester Bike Festival, 22 August 2009
Gloucester city centre has never seen the like of it before! BVM and Steve Saunders put on a great show in King's Square, as part of the first Gloucester Bike Festival.
Congrats to all involved, who gathered quite a crowd and clocked up some brilliant PR for the sport. More words to follow, but for now, here's pictures by kind permission of The Citizen, and Paul Nicholls, and the preview words...
COUNTY BIKE enthusiasts will enjoy a festival of vintage, classic and modern motorcycles and more with a new festival this weekend (August 22 and 23).
The inaugural city motorcycle festival will see some big road racing names meet their fans and one of the greatest trials riders ever demonstrate his skills.
The brainchild of enthusiast Mike West, the event runs on Saturday 22 and Sunday, August 23 at the city council's Hempsted Meadow market site.
Organised with the council, it has the support of county bike dealers and it is hoped it will be the first of many.
British Superbike champion Chris Walker, British Superbike rider Leon Camier, former MotoGP competitor James Ellison, Simon Andrews who competes in the British Superbike championship, and the Jentin Racing team will all be there, as will BSB legend John Reynolds.
And in King's Square, former world number two and multi-British trial champion Steve Saunders will be giving a spectacular trials demonstration.
He and fellow BVM Moto rider Mark Thornhill will be riding their bikes up over skips and other man-made obstacles from 12.30pm on the Saturday.
There will be lots on offer for the whole family at the Hempsted site including a bouncy castle, blues band and pig roast, and an auto-jumble.
Mr West, who put several classic and famous racing bikes on show in an empty city centre shop earlier this year, said he will have a Suzuki ridden to TT victory by the late David Jefferies at the show, plus many more historic bikes.
"There will be classic, modern and vintage machines on display and in a show," he said.
"And we are keeping it local with Performance Triumph of Cheltenham, Frasers of Gloucester and BVM Moto of Stroud all involved."
Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Harley Davidson will all be represented, and at 6.30pm there will be live blues music, with a pig roast and barbecue.
Paul James, cabinet member for regeneration and leader of the council said: "We hope that this will become an annual event. It is great to see sites such as Hempstead Meadow being utilised for events, which has always been the intention.
"Festivals like this help to support the local traders, and to put Gloucester on the map."
Anyone interested in showing motorcycles, taking a trade stand or being part of the auto jumble should call 01452 396 396.
Caravan and camping is available.
The event runs from 10.30am to 6.30pm both days, with the trials demonstration at King's Square on the Saturday only at 12.30pm.
The pig roast and blues bands will be on Saturday evening from 6.30pm until 11.30pm.
Admission is £3 adults and £1 Children and pensioners.
Caravans and camper vans will be charged at £15 for the weekend, which includes admission for one person. These must be pre-booked.