I still physically shudder and feel nauseous at the memory. And not even the superb performances of the Doobie Brothers, Thin Lizzy, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and John Miles can help erase the trauma when I think back to the malodorous toilets at the 1977 Reading Festival.
I was big into festivals as a teenager in the ’70s and considered myself made of tough stuff. But as I stood looking over the putrid, stenchful Amazonian-style swamp that doubled as the toilet, I made a commitment to myself (and, as it happens, a commitment that all who attend the ABR Festival will benefit from).
I’ve always said that I’d only ever host an event that I would want to attend, and so with the memory of Reading ’77 still reeking away, I can confirm that we spend more per head on toilet and shower facilities than any other festival in the UK. A bold claim, but we know that it’s true – our suppliers, who are number one in the industry, have confirmed it. Plus, they are cleaned around the clock.
We do things differently from other festivals. We’re obsessed with quality and want to give you the service and respect you deserve. I promise you that not only will you have exceptional amenities but also quality hand-picked food vendors and a variety of glamping and camping options in magnificent surroundings. Nobody understands a first-class festival experience like we do.
I want you to be as comfortable as possible on your weekend with ABR so you can enjoy all the action and entertainment we’re laying on for you. And we’re raising the bar this year to make sure you have an unforgettable time with us at the magnificent Ragley Hall Estate.
First-class facilities are just one piece of the jigsaw. What else makes this motorcycle festival unlike any other in the world? Scroll down to discover eight more reasons you’ll love the 2024 ABR Festival.
1. Enjoy a Fantastic Atmosphere
From the moment you ride through the gates of Ragley Hall, you’ll be welcomed into a friendly, inviting community. Having fun and spending a weekend with your mates and like-minded riders is what the ABR Festival is all about. The friendly vibe is what makes it so special, and we’re all there to have a great time and celebrate what we like most: bikes.
If you’re coming alone, you won’t stay that way for long because you’ll be among the friendliest festival crowd you can imagine. In fact, 20% of people who attended last year’s festival arrived on their own and soon made friends. After all, the one thing we all like almost as much as riding bikes is talking about them.
2. Call an Incredible Location Home
Take the pain out of camping by calling the beautiful, manicured grounds of the magnificent Ragley Hall Estate home for the weekend. With a relaxed elegance and plenty of space on offer for all visitors, you can’t help but feel like you’re in a world of your own in this five-star location. Whether you’re lazing by the lake, exploring the grounds by bike, or relaxing with a beer on a balmy summer evening, you’ll experience an overwhelming sense of freedom and relaxation.
And because this is no ordinary festival, there will be first-class facilities to match the magnificent venue for you to use, like plenty of posh toilets and hot showers that are cleaned around the clock so they’re always in tip-top condition. We don’t want to rough it, so we don’t expect you to either.
3. Test Ride the Latest Adventure and Touring Bikes
If you’re in the market for a new adventure or touring motorcycle, then you’re in luck. In fact, there’s no better place to be on the planet than the ABR Festival. We’ll have the largest collection of the world’s major motorcycle manufacturers available with their test and display bike fleets, so you’ll be able to see and ride the latest models in one location.
And, while it’s called the Adventure Bike Ride Festival, that doesn’t mean we only have adventure bikes. Sure, there’ll be plenty of those for you to ride, but you’ll also be able to enjoy sports tourers, cruisers, electric bikes, tourers, trail bikes and more.
4 Non-Stop Entertainment
We’re all bonded by our love of bikes, and while there’ll be plenty of two-wheeled action to enjoy, it wouldn’t be an ABR Festival without live music. We’ve carefully selected a sensational line-up of the UK’s best tribute and party bands for you to enjoy throughout the day and into the night to keep the party going.
Ragley Hall and the Bikerheadz Stage will be pumping to the sounds of Dr Feelgood, Oasis, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Status Quo, The Kinks, The Smiths, and more (see the full line-up here). And while we can’t promise you Angus on guitar or Francis Rossi on vocals, these tribute acts are so good you’ll think they are there.
You’re never too old to re-live your glory days, so for 2024, we’re also introducing the Bridgestone Stage, where we’ve gathered the most eclectic music you’ll find anywhere to enjoy. Think top DJs playing classic Ibiza hits from the early ’90s, world-class choirs, string quartets, a Brazillian Dance Troupe, and more.
If you want to kick back and relax, we’ll have acoustics sets going on throughout the festival to provide a more chilled-out vibe or head over to the Magic Teapot for a proper knees-up around a piano and an open fire.
5. Ride Over 40km of On-Site Trails
The 30 km-long Bridgestone Trail is the jewel in the crown of the ABR Festival. This purpose-built, big-bike-friendly trail weaves its way through the spectacular grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate.
You can’t help but feel you’re on an adventure as you explore vast open grasslands, plunge into wooded areas, and even try your hand at playing in some craters, although you can bypass them if you like.
The emphasis is on leisure riding and having fun, so there’s a strict no-racing policy and a 30mph speed limit will be enforced by a team of marshals who’ll be ready and willing to give you a helping hand if you drop your bike or need some help.
There’ll also be a dedicated Beginner’s Loop to help you build confidence before hitting the main trail. More experienced riders and those on road-legal enduro bikes can ride the 5 km-long TRF Trail.
A Trail Access Pass is required to ride the on-site trails, but the TRF will also be running guided group rideouts of the local green lanes, which are free for anyone at the festival to enjoy.
6. Food, Glorious Food (And Drink)
A weekend of biking action is sure to work up an appetite, so go ahead and indulge at the Street Food Market and Spada Bar. Packed with a huge selection of over 50 hand-picked vendors, all serving the very best freshly prepared food and beverages, this area of the festival is a foodie’s dream come true.
We’ll have plenty of staff on hand too, ensuring you’re not waiting too long for your favourite tipple or dish. Whether you prefer paella, fish and chips, a Greek salad, Chinese-style noodles or a homemade curry, you’re guaranteed to find something to satisfy even the biggest biker’s appetite.
7. Shop The Biggest Motorcycle Brands
The gear you choose can make or break your next two-wheeled adventure. That’s why getting it right is essential. We’ll have over 100 of the best motorcycle brands exhibiting, and you’ll be able to speak to experts, grab a bargain and ogle over the latest designs.
So, whether you’re looking to get the lowdown on the latest laminated jackets, adventure helmets, or touring boots, you want to take advantage of expert advice on what tyres to buy, or you’re keen to speak to touring companies about your next adventure, you’ll find all this and more in the Adventure Arena.
8. Meet Adventure Biking Legends
Rub shoulders with some of the biggest stars of adventure biking. That’s right, the world’s most inspirational travellers, authors, and stars of YouTube and social media will be gathered in one place for one weekend only to give you exclusive insights and inspiration for your next big adventure and to help you make your dreams a reality.
We’re talking about the likes of Chris Birch (photographed above), On Her Bike, Adam Reiman, The Missenden Flyer, Simon and Lisa Thomas, Nick Sanders, The Girl On A Bike, and many more. They’ll be giving more than 60 talks across three days during a series of interviews, masterclass sessions, and campfire talks.
Come and See What All the Fuss is About…
If you haven’t got your ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Every ABR Festival to date has sold out, and 2024 is on course to do the same. Tickets won’t be available on the day, so to find out why ABR Festival visitors return again and again, get yours today from www.abrfestival.com. Tickets start at £75 and we can’t wait to welcome you to the magnificent Ragley Hall Estate.
