10 unmissable motorcycle events this month

 Winter in the UK can seem like a drab place to be if you’re a biker, February can be especially tedious as any lingering excitement from the festive period has well and truly vanished. Summer seems like a long way off and even those fresh spring rides feel like they’ll take an eternity to come around. 

So, what do you do and how are you going to get your much-needed motorcycle fix that will see you through to the long evenings of summer?

Well, leave it to us to help you out. Here are our top biking events for February… 

The Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show

When 16-18 February
Where ExCel London
Tickets www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com

We might be a little biased here, but the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show is the best way to introduce the 2018 biking year. This year’s three-day extravaganza will see epic Michelin Thunderdrome banked track action as Carl Fogarty will be leading the charge, or go for a pint with McPint as John Mcguinness will be running the Cockle Pickers Arms (and probably drinking all the stock too). There will be an army of new-for-2018 bikes and also stacks of gear at rock-bottom prices. The COYS auction will see hundreds of mouth-watering machines going under the hammer. Tickets are £17 (£21 on the door) with under-15s getting in free and while stocks last you can buy a paddock pass from £40 and get the best views of all the action. Visit the website for tickets and more information.

The Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show

When 3-4 February
Where The Royal Bath and West Showground
Tickets www.classicbikeshows.com

Now in its 38^th year, the Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show is definitely doing something right. With hundreds of machines on display, it celebrates all that’s great about the golden years of motorcycling and alongside that, there are plenty of deals to be had at the auto jumbles stalls too.

Arenacross

When 10 February (Sheffield), 17 February (London)
Where Sheffield Arena, SSE Arena London
Tickets www.arenacrossuk.com

There’s no other way to put it, Arenacross is one of the most exciting motorsport spectacles to watch in the UK. With non-stop action all night and one of the best freestyle motocross displays in the country, this is an event not to be missed. What’s even better is that there are two dates to choose from in February where you can catch all the racing before the series heads to Belgium in March.

Hawkstone International Motocross

When 11 February
Where Hawkstone Park, Shropshire
Tickets www.hawkstoneinternationalmx.com

Some like it dirty, and if the Hawkstone International doesn’t get you excited then quite frankly, we don’t know what will. Several thousand spectators gather to watch some of the greatest motocross riders battle it out in one of the highlights of the off-road calendar. Definitely worth a visit.

The Elephant Rally

When 16-18 February
Where Nurburgring, Germany
Tickets www.alteselefantentreffen.de

The Elephant Rally is a mental event held in the Bavarian Forest for nutcases who like riding and camping in snow. That being said, it is fun. MCN rode to the Elephant Rally in 2014 and the entire trip still rings in our ears like a mini explosion. “Welcome to the Elefantentreffen!” shouted a bearded warlord as we rode past hundreds of bikes to the entrance. We thought we had just ridden into a medieval army camp brimming with soldiers preparing for war. Gargantuan fires were ablaze everywhere, large men in full length fur coats and matted manes stood drinking barrels of beer, eating meat and singing. We still don’t know what the Elephant Rally is all about, but there’s no doubt that it’s certainly something to be experienced – if you can bear the cold, noise and sleep deprivation.

Also, don’t miss…

Stunt Fest

When 17 February
Where Santa Pod Raceway, Podington
Tickets www.stuntfest.co.uk

Classic Dirt Bike Show

When 17-18 February
Where The International Centre, Telford
Tickets www.classicbikeshow.com

Dragon Rally

When 10-11 February
Where Anglesey
Contact www.conwymotorcycleclub.org.uk/dragon-rally

Historic Motorsport Show (Race Retro Show)

When 23-25 February
Where Stoneleigh Park, Coventry
Tickets www.raceretro.com

Squires Café Autojumble

When 24 February
Where Squires Café, Yorkshire
Contact www.squires-cafe.co.uk/