Coventry Motofest 2021 Bike weekend 24/25 July, 2021
This year the Motofest was configured differently to the usual one weekend covering all forms of motor vehicles. Because of Covid restrictions the organisers decided that the best way to hold the event was to split it into 4 weekends each with a different theme.
The motorcycle weekend was held mainly in an enclosed multi-functional site adjacent to Coventry Council House.
I don’t think that there were as many bikes as in previous years, although a comparison is not easy. It was the VMCC’s first attendance and I hope we can build on the small beginning as, I believe it is a good public relations opportunity.
Here is David’s report of the Saturday:
Setting out from Coombe Abbey Country Park early on a Saturday morning our eventual destination was the ‘Motorcycle Village’ that had been prepared for the Coventry Moto Fest Motorcycle weekend.
Along with a large collection of bikes (maybe 100 machines)? We rode through many Warwickshire villages, with traffic being held up at junctions by out rider marshals. When we arrived at Coventry city centre those with the correct sticker on their machine were ushered into the motorcycle exhibition and onto our VMCC space complete with our gazebo. Many types of motorcycle were found on display ranging from the monster sized drag bike to the collection of 50cc historic racers. In fact the drag bike was fired up twice during the day. We had 3 bikes on display on our stand, we also met lots of friendly enthusiastic people, some of whom took with them VMCC joining forms and copies of the journal. Lets hope we make some new members.
I was at the show on Sunday:
At 8.00 am the multi use show ground was a hive of activity as bikes were ridden or trailered in on to the lush green ‘astro turf’ which covered the whole area and will do so for the rest of Coventry’s City Of Culture year.
Along side us was the Triumph Owners Club gazebo. My Triumph T90 was in ‘our’ area. A couple of other members of both clubs decided to display in the TOMCC area. Our only other bike was a 2 year old Royal Enfield which attracted some attention! Other members were in different parts of the arena. A few came without bikes.
The Davenport family showed their B.H.R. registered Aprilla engined racing sidecar outfit. Owain Lloyd-Davies proudly displayed a group of rare Japanese sports bikes.
It was a pleasant day. The weather stayed fine and I spoke to a few interested passers by and handed out some leaflets/membership forms.
I admit to being disappointed with the turnout. Perhaps next year we can arrange our own ride in and encourage more members to participate.
Barry Heath July 2021