Bikes through the ages go on display

A new-look motorcycle event will be running in Bedfordshire this April. The Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership in conjunction with Motorcycling Matters is hosting Ride Free, an annual motorcycling event at the start of the bike season, with an all-new line-up of activities for people to get involved with.

This year’s theme is ‘Bikes through the ages’, with a selection of classic motorbikes on show to delight the crowds. Bikes from the Vintage Motorcycle Club and the Police Motorbike Museum will be on display to appeal to enthusiasts of all ages and demonstrating the different styles and purposes of motorcyclists over time.

Special guest speakers this year include Lois Pryce, a keen motorcyclist and freelance journalist. Famed for her adventures of biking around the world, Lois will be taking visitors through her latest adventure when she travelled 3,000 miles through Iran. Her previous adventures include riding 20,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina and biking from London to Cape Town, crossing the Sahara desert, the Congo and the minefields of Angola.

Dave Hailwood, son of the motorcycling legend Mike Hailwood, will also be at the event. He will be bringing his father’s Honda 500 4 RC181 – a world championship winning motorbike from 1967 – as well as the all-new Mike Hailwood road replica MV Augusta. David will also have a pop-up museum and cinema to show some of Mike’s films, photographs and personal items.

At the event will also be a new ‘Blue Light Corner’, where visitors can see and meet some of the county’s emergency service personnel to see what their jobs involve and the equipment they use.

Other attractions include a children’s area, retail village and refreshments.

A ‘Best in Show’ competition is also being held this year. All attendees who travel to the event by bike will be automatically entered.

Ride Free is being held on 12 April 2015 from 10am to 4pm at Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5XY. The event is free of charge so ideal for a family day out.