Stripped back biking | 2024 Lightweight Adventure Festival draws biggest crowd to date

Hundreds of motorcycle travel enthusiasts headed to the Peak District recently to attend this year’s Lightweight Adventure Festival. 

Now in its third year, the event grew from humble beginnings in 2022 to attract 550 attendees this time around. 

The festival is a celebration of travelling light on two wheels, with a focus on using low-capacity off-road machines to explore off the beaten path. 

Although the sun failed to shine much throughout the weekend, spirits remained undampened, and visitors were regaled with tales from the road from the 40 speakers in attendance. Attractions included everything from continent crossing travels, how-tos from Mondo Enduro star Austin Vince to the annual Trail and Adventure Motorcycle Podcast (TAM Podcast) awards. 

Speaking with MCN, Marc Deri, Co-Founder of the event said: “It’s been far better than we could’ve hoped for. We’ve had some incredible presenters and exhibitors – every single one of which was handpicked. 

“I think the festival has matured since last year. It’s stepped up a gear,” Deri continued. “What you see here is likely what it’ll be for the next couple of years, keeping the same infrastructure and maintaining the focus on community.  

“We’ve learnt a few lessons as we always will every year. I think we’ll be going for another small increase. I think the truth is you could lose 500 extra people in this site without issue. But we’re not going make that jump straight away. We want to make small increases to make sure that it’s manageable and that we keep the vibe.” 

Alongside the event’s presenters, there were several exhibitors in attendance too, from lightweight aficionados Adventure Spec, to Rally racing specialists, Desert Rose Racing.

For those looking to hit the local trails, the Peak District Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) hosted a litter pick ride out, where riders were able to explore the unsealed roads of the region whilst helping to maintain the cleanliness of the national park. 

That’s not all however, and attendees were also treated to workshops on trail-side first-aid, building a rally bike, bushcraft and budget travel, as well as an adventure film showcase, and a bike night dedicated to machinery that’s travelled far and wide. 

Find out more ahead of next year’s event lightweightadventurers.co.uk today