Bristol Classic Bike Show, Bath & West Showground, February 2008
First time at this show - both as exhibitors and spectators. We'd applied for a small stand capable of displaying 5
bikes and had been allocated a pitch on the balcony. No problem, until someone told us there was no lift. Or
ramp. So we asked the organisers who confirmed that the only access was via stairs...
With this in mind, we immediately abandoned plans to display RG and RD 500's and started the hunt for small light bikes
instead. Luckily Ben was keen again and volunteered not only his Marlboro YSR50 'Wayne' from last time but his new
Akai 'Barry' one too. Paul offered his SDR200 and we convinced local guy Pete that he wanted to join in too with his
Mk.1 RG250 Gamma. When was the last time you saw one of those ? Darin would fill the remaining space with the
old-faithful KR250.
On arrival at the showground, our hearts sank as we saw how narrow and steep the stairs were. And how they turned
back on themselves halfway up. Worry increased as we couldn't find our allocated stand. On checking with the
organisers, it transpired that we'd been moved to the far end of Exmoor Hall. On the ground floor ! This was
good news, although slightly frustrating when we remembered how many potential people had withdrawn offers of bikes purely
because of the stairs issue.
The 'hall' was actually just an old cowshed but the area given to us was generous and right next to the main loading door
which made everything very easy. Within a couple of hours, the flooring was down, the backdrop and banners erected
and the lighting - two separate rigs this time - plugged in. A quick trip in the van to collect Pete's Gamma and
it was time for the pub. Well done Pete for trusting your pride and joy to two complete strangers who just turned up
at your house on the back of a couple of emails...
It's fair to say that the theme of this show was a little more 'classic' than we're used to, with plenty of old Brit iron
on display and in the autojumble. But we didn't feel out of place and there were plenty of people who 'got us' and
told us about their bikes. The SDR usually had a couple of people examining it closely and the YSR's are a magnet for
kids and anyone else of, erm, reduced height. Most people don't realise they're road-legal though. After the
show finished on the Saturday, Ben fired them up outside and we all got a go at misbehaving. Paul had said we could
ride the SDR too but it was quickly put back on the stand when we all found how easily the front wheel comes up.
Sunday was a little quieter, although Ben had to fend off a persistent wannabe buyer of the YSR's for a
while. That's when he wasn't in the main fuse box dealing with the after-effects of our dodgy kettle. Pete
turned up just in time to see one guy almost moved to tears at the sight of his Gamma - the usual story of him owning one
20 years ago and never seeing one since. At one point we all trooped off to the far end of the car park to look at a
RB50 Gag that someone had for sale. A breakdown in communication meant that we thought we'd found a bit of a bargain
while the seller seemed to think he was giving it away at 4 times its actual value. It quickly went back in his
van...
An interesting weekend then, with enough interest to make it worthwhile but not so swamped that we couldn't see the show
ourselves. Thanks to Ben, Paul and Pete for volunteering their bikes and helping out, to the organisers for finding
us a proper ground-floor stand, and to whoever kept turning the taps on and sending a small river down the middle of the
hall. Bet that tool stallholder is selling mops next year...
