ABR Fest

[BlackG7R]

Anybody on here going ?

I'm going for the first time this year, sounds like a massive event, so will try to post some pics afterwards.

Not usually keen on camping, but I'm assured the toilets and showers are very good, so I'll give it try.

Many manufacturers will be there so will hopefully get to test ride a few bikes.

I'm just hoping they don't take the piss on the beer prices. Always leaves a bad taste if they have your pants down at these type of events, because they know you're a captive audience.

[Alex@POD]

I'm going, it will be my first time attending too. Not camping though, I'm bringing the camper.

[KTMsm]

I've been for the last few years

I think it's bloody expensive for what it is but I believe it sells out every year, maybe I'm just poor

The show itself is quite small as in you could view all the stalls in 3 hours but what makes it, is all the talks and if you can get on a few rides but you have to queue and be a bit lucky

I really enjoyed the 20 km Trail but Enduro bikes are banned from it this year, I'm not sure if my 690 Enduro will count but I'll not be taking my 1190 around

There's the Trf trail for Enduro bikes and big bike riders who are brave and the TRF do a short run out but I think there's only two Green lanes nearby that can take the volume of traffic

Toilets and showers are good, beer wasn't too expensive

Hope you all enjoy it

[spareparts]

Best biking event in the country. By quite a margin.

[Killboy]

Yup, I'm going.

Not experienced enough for the TRF Romaniacs crew, so sounds like the trails will be perfect.

[jjones]

KTMsm said:

I'm not sure if my 690 Enduro will count but I'll not be taking my 1190 around

Seems their main criteria is if it came from the factory with rear pillion pegs.

From ABR Site:
Bikes allowed on the Bridgestone Adventure Trail
All bikes that leave the factory with pillion footpegs as standard, plus:

(All other road legal bikes with off-road capable tyres will be allowed to ride on the TRF Trail. Find out more about that here.)

CCM GP450
CCM 404
AJP PR 7
Yamaha TTR (all models)
Suzuki DR (all models)
Honda XR (all models)
Honda CRF-L series
Honda CRF300 Rally (and 250 Rally)

[KTMsm]

jjones said:

Seems their main criteria is if it came from the factory with rear pillion pegs.

From ABR Site:
Bikes allowed on the Bridgestone Adventure Trail
All bikes that leave the factory with pillion footpegs as standard, plus:

(All other road legal bikes with off-road capable tyres will be allowed to ride on the TRF Trail. Find out more about that here.)

CCM GP450
CCM 404
AJP PR 7
Yamaha TTR (all models)
Suzuki DR (all models)
Honda XR (all models)
Honda CRF-L series
Honda CRF300 Rally (and 250 Rally)

Yes but from what I can see they were optional and when they've banned "enduro bikes" its a bit awkward when its named the "690 Enduro"

I'm going anyway so will probably chuck the 450 and 690 in the van and see on the day as with most things it depends on the guy on the gate, last year I was rugby tackled in a slow section "as I was riding an illegal bike"

It turned out my rear plate had come off and he wouldn't listen to reason - I remembered I was wearing my TRF shirt so pulled my jacket to the side and said "I'm in the TRF !"

I think he thought that was like the CIA as his attitude changed immediately

[BlackG7R]

KTMsm said:

Toilets and showers are good, beer wasn't too expensive

Great, really glad to hear that.

I must say I really haven't heard any negative feedback on this event.

[modellista]

This year will be my third on the trot. Always had a great time. Usually manage a couple of test rides each morning, plus one or two off-road "experiences" - the Triumph one was good for an hour wrestling a Tiger 1200 around a field. If you want to have a go on the trail without risking binning your mode of transport home, Honda will give you half an hour on a CRF and I believe won't mind too much if you drop it.

Yes you do have to queue for test rides, but just get up early and get booked on to a few. I've never really had a problem getting to ride something interesting, even if it's not exactly what you want, although having said that last year I was keen on having a go on a Multistrada V2 and the Suzuki 1000GT and that worked out fine.

Value is in the eye of the beholder but you really can keep yourself non-stop busy all weekend. The speakers are excellent - you have to see Ted Simon for instance - and you get a tribute music festival thrown in for good measure. The VIP night is steep for £50 but I live miles away so I always have to pay for that so I'm up nice and early on the Friday morning.

It's definitely the most clean and well-organised of any festival I've been to, which is a few.

[KTMsm]

BlackG7R said:

I must say I really haven't heard any negative feedback on this event.

I've seen a bit:

Enduro bikes banned from Trail
(I agree the spirit of the show was for beginners on big bikes to try off roading and having loads of enduros flying past wasn't idea)

Too expensive

Quite a small show (if you're not riding anything and don't want to listen to the talks)

Disputes about booking - if you don't VIP you won't get on any of the Fri AM rides. They'll tell you booking opens at say 12 for PM rides but then open it at say 11 because there was a queue etc

Why we have to queue for 30+ mins rather than book online I have no idea

[Killboy]

KTMsm said:

I've seen a bit:

Enduro bikes banned from Trail
(I agree the spirit of the show was for beginners on big bikes to try off roading and having loads of enduros flying past wasn't idea)

Too expensive

Quite a small show (if you're not riding anything and don't want to listen to the talks)

Disputes about booking - if you don't VIP you won't get on any of the Fri AM rides. They'll tell you booking opens at say 12 for PM rides but then open it at say 11 because there was a queue etc

Why we have to queue for 30+ mins rather than book online I have no idea

Lets see
1- sounds good
2- does anyone ever not complain about price?
3- why are you there then?
4- somewhat understandable - although lets see.

[modellista]

Killboy said:

KTMsm said:

I've seen a bit:

Enduro bikes banned from Trail
(I agree the spirit of the show was for beginners on big bikes to try off roading and having loads of enduros flying past wasn't idea)

Too expensive

Quite a small show (if you're not riding anything and don't want to listen to the talks)

Disputes about booking - if you don't VIP you won't get on any of the Fri AM rides. They'll tell you booking opens at say 12 for PM rides but then open it at say 11 because there was a queue etc

Why we have to queue for 30+ mins rather than book online I have no idea

Lets see
1- sounds good
2- does anyone ever not complain about price?
3- why are you there then?
4- somewhat understandable - although lets see.

1 - I was surprised how many hardcore-looking enduro riders are buzzing about what is quite a tame, posh festival. Having said that I was also surprised how many inexperienced riders take their big adventure bike on a slippery trail, drop it, and break their only means of transport home.

for example, 6 mins in - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxd8-lC83JU

2 & 3 - you really can see where the money goes. £100k on toilets, for instance, and security can't come cheap. They've decided to charge an extra few quid to produce a well-kept festival and it's the correct decision IMHO.. Having said that, I paid £89 (excluding VIP) for a "please come back again next year" ticket which is a bargain frankly. If you don't want to ride anything and you don't want to see the talks then you're at the wrong festival. Although the music, beer and camping is still good and would probably just about justify the £89 on its own.

4 - Last year I rode a BMW R18, Suzuki 1000GT, Multistrada, Aprilia RS660, Honda CMX1100, Royal Enfield Classic 350, did the Triumph Tiger off-road course, and was booked on to the Honda off-road course. I also got to see pretty much all the speakers I wanted, saw a load of music, and had a jam in the Magic Teapot every night. I agree you get first dibs on Friday morning if you're on VIP, that's part of what you're paying for. Just go for the afternoon session and maybe Sunday morning when all the VIPers have probably had enough and just want to go home.

[KTMsm]

£89 ??

I'm fairly sure my ticket cost in excess of £200

Van parking, VIP access, Trail access etc

Edit - Just checked list prices are:

Weekend £149
VIP £59
Trail £15
Van £29

Don't think you can really count the discounts when others are moaning about the cost

I get in free but that's hardly the point for others

Edited by KTMsm on Monday 19th June 23:18

[modellista]

KTMsm said:

£89 ??

I'm fairly sure my ticket cost in excess of £200

Van parking, VIP access, Trail access etc

Edit - Just checked list prices are:

Weekend £149
VIP £59
Trail £15
Van £29

Don't think you can really count the discounts when others are moaning about the cost

I get in free but that's hardly the point for others

Edited by KTMsm on Monday 19th June 23:18

My deal is hardly exclusive, to the best of my knowledge the £89 price was offered to everyone who attended 2022. Early bird price is £109, open to everyone. The £149 price is if you've left it until the last minute, pretty much every festival has such a scheme.

If you don't want to pay £149 then wait until after this year's event and get an early bird for 2024.

I do think the VIP is excessive at £59 but just about worth it when combined with the discounted main ticket price. Depends on how far you have to travel I guess.

I know there are good practical reasons to bring a van but for me the whole point is to travel there and back on a bike.

Overall I think people should know about the tiered pricing structure, which addresses somewhat the moans about affordability. As with most things, if you leave it until it's nearly sold out, the price will be higher than those who got in early. If you can get there at a reasonable hour on Friday you don't need VIP, sack off the trail (or borrow a Honda), and ride there. In such circumstances even if you'd not been before you can get the whole weekend for £109 if you get in early.

[PositronicRay]

Keep an eye out for 3s a Crowd, local cover party band. Bags of energy, pretty big gig for them.

[Killboy]

modellista said:

1 - I was surprised how many hardcore-looking enduro riders are buzzing about what is quite a tame, posh festival. Having said that I was also surprised how many inexperienced riders take their big adventure bike on a slippery trail, drop it, and break their only means of transport home.

for example, 6 mins in - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxd8-lC83JU

2 & 3 - you really can see where the money goes. £100k on toilets, for instance, and security can't come cheap. They've decided to charge an extra few quid to produce a well-kept festival and it's the correct decision IMHO.. Having said that, I paid £89 (excluding VIP) for a "please come back again next year" ticket which is a bargain frankly. If you don't want to ride anything and you don't want to see the talks then you're at the wrong festival. Although the music, beer and camping is still good and would probably just about justify the £89 on its own.

4 - Last year I rode a BMW R18, Suzuki 1000GT, Multistrada, Aprilia RS660, Honda CMX1100, Royal Enfield Classic 350, did the Triumph Tiger off-road course, and was booked on to the Honda off-road course. I also got to see pretty much all the speakers I wanted, saw a load of music, and had a jam in the Magic Teapot every night. I agree you get first dibs on Friday morning if you're on VIP, that's part of what you're paying for. Just go for the afternoon session and maybe Sunday morning when all the VIPers have probably had enough and just want to go home.

Spot on. I'd like to know how many of the hardcore enduro guys actually do enduros.

[Alex@POD]

modellista said:

I know there are good practical reasons to bring a van but for me the whole point is to travel there and back on a bike.

I don't know, I love multi-day camping trips on the bike, but if it's to lug all my gear on boring roads only to come back the same way a couple of days later, I'm taking the camper!

[KTMsm]

Alex@POD said:

I don't know, I love multi-day camping trips on the bike, but if it's to lug all my gear on boring roads only to come back the same way a couple of days later, I'm taking the camper!

I off road on a 450 so I couldn't carry everything I need / want on it, plus I usually take 2 bikes

Its also about 30 mins from my house so it's not much of an adventure

[KTMsm]

Killboy said:

Spot on. I'd like to know how many of the hardcore enduro guys actually do enduros.

I presume you mean guys in enduro gear

Most of my TRF group wear it green laning, average age is probably late 50s and around 10% compete in Enduros

If its cold I wear road bike gear but if its hot I wear enduro gear - I do the odd practice day

The gear is just protective and cool (as in not hot)

The stuff I love riding on is like the Trail was last year - fast and easy. I don't enjoy damaging myself or the bike and have no delusions of becoming an enduro champion

[Alex@POD]

I just read and signed the disclaimer, it must have been written by someone from here. I paraphrase:

"Trail riding is risky, if you're not prepared to take responsibility for those risks, stay under your duvet"