Thousands of bikers roar in for Bexhill MotoFest

Bexhill mayor Simon Elford had a go on a Honda Goldwing trike with his wife Tanya. Photo by Howard Martin SUS-160817-154626001

The country’s first ‘ride-in’ cinema attracted dozens on the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) terrace on Friday (August 12), before the legendary Wilko Johnson played a sell-out gig in the auditorium on Saturday night.

Sunday saw more than 3,000 bikers roar onto the seafront for a whole day of music, entertainment, food and motorcycle-galore, with mayor Simon Elford getting involved.

Organiser Howard Martin said it was a fantastic event especially as the weather was kind and the sun shone all weekend, unlike last year.

More than 3,000 motorcyclists came for the Sunday. Photo by Howard Martin SUS-160817-154708001

Friday kicked off with around 500 people and 100 bikes at the ride-in cinema with a screening of the film Road, narrated by Liam Neeson.

Wilko Johnson brought the house down for his sell-out performance before the bikes came on Sunday.

A cavalcade of massive Honda Goldwing touring motorcycles danced their way onto the DLWP terrace while Led Zeppelin tribute band Coda entertained the crowds.

Keen biker Cllr Elford got into the spirit and boarded a Honda Goldwing trike to take his wife, Tanya, for a spin around the terrace.

Led Zeppelin tribute band Coda kept the crowds happy. Photo by Howard Martin SUS-160817-154654001

There were motorcycle traders and a market all around the DLWP as well as the opportunity to test out an electric scooter and learn to ride with 1066 training.

Howard said the event was a great success for the town bringing visitors from as far away as Belgium and the Netherlands and many B&Bs and hotels were sold out, as well as Kloofs campsite.

“I had two favourite moments, first when the Honda Goldwing cavalcade came up Marine Court Avenue, that was fantastic,” he said.

“And artist Peter Baker, who’s holding an exhibition at the DLWP, was about to leave and got to his front door, turned around and saw all these motorcycles and decided not to go back to London and stayed.

Some impressive bikes were on display at the De La Warr Pavilion. Photo by Howard Martin SUS-160817-154641001

“So we got an endorsement from Sir Peter Baker which was great.”

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