Hoggin the bridge 2010

[owl10]

Did anyone else go to this on sunday?

I did, was a great day out.

Okay, I know its a Harley themed event, but I'd estimate 40% of bike there were sports bikes, sports tourers and other non cruiser material, Even a few vespa's!

Essay alert - short version, big bike event, rode around a bit parked up, nice pie for lunch. Would do it again.

For those not familiar with the event, its a ride across the severn bridge, followed by a 15 mile or so ride around south wales before arriving in chepstow for some food, entertainment and drinks. Cost is £5 per bike with all proceeds going to charity.

This was my first one ive been too, as my bike was out of action last year.

Started off in a very chilly Severn view services on the English side, watching all the bikes arrive was interesting due to the variety of stuff appearing. I know Harley riders get a lot of grief on this forum, and im not going to start a thread aiming to change any stereotypes (whether I agree with them or not) but its clear they spend a lot of time effort and money on their machines, although aadmitedleyits not all to my taste. I reckon there were a good 3000 bikes in attendance (was 6k last year!)

Me, on my zx6r, and a friend, on his triumph cruiser thingy, were near the front, well, likely in the first 500 bikes anyway, the sound of all those v twins starting up was ddefintleysomething to experience.

Setting off at 11 am the ride itself is a fairly slow one, due to the number of bikes present, often two / three bikes abreast, its obviously fairly popular with the locals as they were lining the route through the small villages we went through, and oportunity for me and my pillion to give some local kids high fives as riding past! weather was warming up fast as well which was a bonus!

Pulled into Chepstow about 12 -12:30 to a beautiful autumnal day, not a cloud in the sky and ssuprisinglywarm. The Police had closed the town centre and car parks to all non bike traffic, we pulled up in a car park near the castle and grabbed a well needed ccoffeand burger.

Walking into town to hear a few live bands and just generally milling about looking at some stalls and bikes stopped to eat again at a pie shop (yum!) and sat and listened to the music with a pint in the sun, before setting off for home at about 3pm.

Was a great day out, I was wondering if I should go at first due to it being a cruiser type thing. I remember someone on this forum i believe advising to do as many different events as possible, from courses to trackdays to shows just to get an idea of the breadth of experiences there are to be had.

Very glad I went, would definitley do it again and would recommend it as a day out to anyone who hasent been before.

Many thanks to the marshalls etc and all others who made it possible!