Hi Steve.
Loony & I spent the afternoon there today.
Definitely not as big as last year -one & a half halls, instead of last year's three, but the quality was as high as ever. The traditional 50s/60s bobber style seems still to be in fashion, rather than the swoopy, super smooth show bikes of the last few years, with attention to detail & careful choice of materials, colours etc taking precendence over big wads of cash & a parts catalogue. If the recession has an up side, maybe it's that people are realising they don't have to take out a mortgage for a cool bike & that imagination & time spent hand crafting a personalised machine are worth far more.
The number of stall holders & exhibits may have been down on last year's show, with several bikes from 2010 there again this year, but Loony & I were happy to take our time, checking out the workmanship. Some stunning engineering on show with superb detailing.
Nice to see familiar faces as always. Hi to Simple Simon, Jacko & the gang & Muffin & Michelle. Missy Blue off of Back Street Heroes, (Wizzkit here on the forum), was also there on duty, sporting a new shocking pink hairdo since we last met.
The line between cars & bikes seems to be blurring more these days -traditional hotrod influences in the bikes & almost as many "hotroddy" show goers as hardcore biker ones. No bad thing in my book.
Not a bad show at all & worth the 15 quid entry fee I think. As Loony observed as we trudged back down the hill to the carpark, it's more an exhibition than a show. Some of the machinery on display was certainly worthy of being tagged art, rather than mere transport. Creativity & imagination are definitely still alive & well in the custom world.
