Don’t miss the last ever Bideford Bike Show this Sunday

The last ever Bideford Bike Show will be held this Sunday (May 26) and bring to an end a hugely successful and popular 10 year run.

The show has become an iconic event for Bideford with hundreds of motorcycles of all shapes and sizes descending on Bideford Quay to delight bike fans, together with many trade stands plus live music and food.

Since the first event was held on 2014, Bideford Bike Show has raised more than £55,000 for both local and national charities.

Sadly, organisers have announced this year will be the last, due to rising costs as well as the months of planning needed and ever-increasing amounts of health and safety requirements and ‘red tape’.

The event was founded in 2014 by by motorcycle enthusiasts Lisa Elston and Michael Elston with Terry King and Marco Oliveira, to raise money for charity but also to promote local business and tourism in Bideford and create a community event.

Lisa said with the blessing of the local council and councillors, they aimed for 300 bikes and some trade stands, but instead were blown away by the response.

She said: “We ended up being overrun with motorcycles who came from all over the country and we raised £1000 each for Devon Freewheeler’s and Help for Heroes. 

“The show has grown every year raising more and more for different charities that are chosen.

“Unfortunately due to costings and health and safety we are unable to continue as it would result in taking funds from the day itself to pay the bills, something we have never done or would want to do as the event is to raise money for charity.

“It has been a very difficult decision for all and will I’m sure be a very emotional day for myself and the team, but we are all very proud of what we have created, plus to be the biggest event of its kind in the area since 2014 has been awesome.”

Above: Founding Bideford Bike Show organisers Marco Oliveira, Michael and Lisa Elston and Terry King at the first ever show in 2014. Credit: Bideford Bike Show

Gates open for the 10th and final show at 12noon on Sunday, with an entry fee of £3 per bike or trike and pedestrians enter for free.

It will be raising money for the East-the-Water Community Food Pantry, Northam Care Trust, Apple Tree Farm Services CIC and South West Blood Bikes.

There will be live music from Motorhead tribute Motorwrecked, 9 Yards, Dogleg and Sticky Flaws, plus more entertainment in Victoria Park with Higher Beings, Merlin and Rob Pudner.

The show will feature more than 80 trade stands and stalls plus a prize raffle, prizes for the best bikes and the return of some of the best in show bikes from the past 10 years.

The Bike Show team also do a Toy Run to Children’s Hospice South West at Christmas as well as various ride outs and charity collections – all organised by volunteers.

Find out more on the Bideford Bike Show Facebook page.

Please note: The print version of this story incorrectly gave the date as Saturday for the 'gates open' paragraph, for which we apologise. The show is on Sunday, May 26.