Category: motorcycle show

This time last week I was sitting on the stony banks of the Ceno, on the edge of a small commune in Parma. An epic sunset was bouncing off the water and I had a cold beer in my hand, but it was doing little to soothe my sunburn.

Wildays was winding down, and I was sad to be leaving. It’s a three-day moto celebration with a vintage folk festival vibe, organized by the crazy cats from Anvil Motociclette.

Ground zero was a top class race circuit: the Autodromo Riccardo Paletti just outside Varano de’ Melegari, accessible via a bridge over the Ceno. The Wildays crew packed the paddock area full of custom bike builders, gear and apparel vendors and food trucks.

Bike EXIF had a stand smack bang in the middle of the paddocks, where we had motorcycles from Hookie Co., Rough Crafts, Freeride Motos, North East Custom and deBolex Engineering on full display.

DeBolex revealed two Ducati Scramblers (one 1100 and one 803) that were real crowd pleasers. The 803 was particularly jaw-dropping, featuring a custom tank and a full, hand-formed fairing. (We’ll have a feature on it soon.)

Hookie Co.’s ‘Wolf’ CB750 also drew stares on our stand, and over on their own stand they had Nico’s H-D flat tracker (which he rolled three times), and a rough-and-ready Honda Dominator, decked out for touring.

Italian shop Alea had a slick Bonneville café racer moving about, and I spotted a sweet single-cylinder Yamaha tracker. I wish I could tell you more about it, but the owner didn’t speak a word of English.

A handful of manufacturers were present too; Yamaha Italy were running test rides all weekend, and Fantic had their Caballero flat trackers and scramblers out. And since the track was open every day, the sound of four- and two-strokes flying by quickly became part of the ambience.

Just across from the main arena, in an open field, the Wildays team had carved out a flat track circuit and an enduro course. Next to the field was the river, and more refreshment stations. A makeshift stone roadway would take you across, and on to the campsite and live music area.

I spent the weekend getting around on foot, on motorcycle, on the back of another motorcycle, on a monkey bike, in the Anvil van, and hanging out the back of an SUV. Mopeds and monkeys were by far the most popular form of transport, and there was even an original Honda Cub EZ 90 zipping around the event.

The crowd was spread out, so it was impossible to gauge just how busy Wildays was. Official attendance reportedly hit 7,000, with 500 riders racing and 70 kids passing through the junior moto school (which was awesome to see).

The campsite was stacked with 200 tents and 13 ‘glamping’ tents—but many folks also stayed in nearby hotels and guesthouses, or simply slept wherever they could.

Calum Pryce-Tidd of deBolex (above) made the trip down from the UK with his significant other, and they shacked up in their van, next to the racetrack. I had the pleasure of dining with them one night; a stir-fry prepared on a portable gas stove, on the grass, next to the track, with motorcycles blasting by as the sun got low.

It’s moments like those that defined Wildays for me. And also unexpectedly running into Maarten from Berlin’s Berham Customs, and sharing quality American bourbon from a secret stash in his saddlebag. And seeing how far I could ride into the Italian countryside on Fantic’s mighty little Caballero Flat Track 125, or chasing Jacinta of Moto Doll fame through the twisties, on Yamaha’s splendid XSR700.

I learnt how to order beer in Italian (properly) from the bar staff. I developed an unhealthy gelato habit. I made friends with travelers from Copenhagen, France, the UK, Australia, Mexico and Germany.

I shared meals with the core Wildays team, who by the end of the weekend had become family. And then I missed the drag racing—because taking your time (and losing track of it) is the Wildays way.

Wildays isn’t about a subculture, or being one of the cool kids on social media. It’s authentic, unpretentious and filled with men, women and children from all backgrounds—united by a simple love for motorcycles and good times.

I’m already itching to go back.

Wildays | Facebook | Instagram

With thanks to: Organizers Alessandro ‘Phonz’ Fontanesi and Marco Filios, and their partners in crime, Gian Maria Montacchini and Anastasia Fontanesi; deBolex Engineering, NorthEast Custom, Freeride Motos, Hookie Co., Rough Crafts and Yamaha Motor Europe for bringing their bikes down; Fantic and Yamaha Italy for hooking me up with transport; and papá Phonz for adopting me.

What’s your perfect weekend? For the fun-loving Wildays crew, it’s three days of motorcycles, racing, nature, music, friends, beers and Italian food.

That ticks pretty much all of our boxes too, so when Wildays invited Bike EXIF to partake in this year’s festivities, we eagerly accepted. From the 1st to the 3rd of June, you’ll find us basking in the Italian sun, at the Autodromo Riccardo Paletti race track, in Varano de’ Melegari near Parma.

It’s Wildays’ sophomore outing—and since we’ve heard good things about last year’s event, we’re expecting a damn good time. The festival was dreamt up by Alessandro ‘Phonz’ Fontanesi and Marco Filios—the mad geniuses behind Anvil Motociclette—and their partners, Gian Maria Montacchini and Anastasia Fontanesi.

The format is simple: cram a lot of great stuff into one central locale, and give it a vintage folk festival vibe. In and around the circuit you’ll find a healthy balance of things to do, things to watch, and things to eat and drink.

Wildays are setting up four riding zones; one each for track riding, enduro, flat track and kiddies off-roading. These are non-competitive areas, designed to let you hone your skills or let off a little steam.

If you’d rather go head-to-head, there will also be flat track and sprint races, and a hill climb. Plus the ‘Digger Prayer Race’ (a dirt drag race) and the ‘Honky Tonk Race’ (open to mopeds up to 50 cc).

It’s a pretty eclectic show, so you’ll even find a chiringuito (bar) alongside the Taro river. Music will be a mix of live bands and DJs, and when it’s time to rest your weary head, you’ll have a choice of camping (and glamping) facilities. And then there’s the surrounding region with its unparalleled scenery (you can bet we’ll be riding every day).

Most importantly, there will be many beautiful motorcycles to ogle. Hookie Co., Vintage Addiction Crew, NorthEast Custom and Maria Company are just a few of the shops already confirmed. They’ll be joined by a slew of motorcycle-related vendors.

And as official media partner, Bike EXIF will be showcasing ten of Europe’s top builders in our very own exhibition-within-a-festival. We’ll announce our list in the coming weeks on social media, but it’ll include showstoppers like Hookie Co.’s latest Honda CB750 café racer (below).

That display is where you’ll find us, in the brief moments when we’re not rubbing shoulders with our new European friends. Or watching racing. Or riding. Or eating.

It’s going to be a good weekend. We’d love to see you there.

Visit the Wildays website to find out more, book tickets and register for riding activites.

Wildays on Facebook | Instagram | Images by Paolo Sandolfini | Honda CB750 image courtesy of Hookie Co.

In Europe, barely a weekend goes by without some form of motorcycle racing. If you want to test yourself and your bike, you can choose from flat track or drag racing, enter a build-off competition, or join a custom-oriented ride-out.

Over the past few years, the limelight has been stolen by Wheels & Waves, DirtQuake and Glemseck. But what if you live in the UK, and want to sate your thirst for an adrenalin kick or entertainment fix?

The two young gents behind the motorcycle luggage brand Malle London, Robert Nightingale and Johnny Cazzola, spotted a niche—and a gap in the calendar. Three years ago, they decided to put on a quintessentially British moto-inspired garden party, and The Malle Mile was born.

Judging by Instagram feeds these days, people all over the world are making the most of their motorcycles, every waking hour. So why does the scene need a plummy shindig at some salmon-trousered chap’s stately home in the countryside? Well, it’s simple—participation.

Sure, you can do track days, or join an amateur race series. But that all comes with added seriousness, and the effort/cost-to-fun ratio quickly falls out of balance. The Mile is a chance to ride to an event and watch a select few have a laugh. You stick a number on your headlight and let rip, head-to-head, against your mates. The winner is the one with the biggest smile, or the tallest tale of near-glory.

Three years ago, just a few hundred folk pitched up at Kevington Hall (just south of London in Orpington) for the first edition of The Mile. They spent a summer’s day tearing up the lawn aboard homebuilt customs, classics and slightly inappropriate machines in the grounds of an impressive country pile.

The formula has clearly worked: race places at The Malle Mile now sell out within hours. Social media and word-of-mouth have worked their magic, and attendance has rocketed. The schedule now includes a twisty hill climb, a mini-bike obstacle course, camping and a legendary after party in a secret room in the bowels of the mansion. It all makes for a belting weekend.

For 2017 Robert, Johnny and their bespoke-overall-sporting crew upped the ante. They added a Friday evening cinema night, extra camping, boxing and a Motopolo tournament. Plus a classic bike display, and a bigger and better party.

The feel and setting was similar to the early days of Goodwood events, in the late 1990s: an eclectic mix of vehicles and attention-to-detail, a festival of petrolhead nirvana creating an illusory escape from the real world.

Saturday’s hill climb revealed a course slightly modified from the previous year, with tighter turns to curb the enthusiasm of the near-200 competitors. But that message was lost in the post: racing was close, though remaining gentlemanly. Riders must start with a left hand on their helmet; heats can be won and lost by those with the quickest reactions to pull the clutch in and select the correct gear.

There were clearly some motocross racers amongst the seemingly amateur bunch, as some of the riding was mighty impressive and a pleasure to behold. Particularly from a previous world champ of 87 years who, when helmeted, could have been mistaken for someone a quarter of his age.

He not only became one of the people to beat but the choice man to be beaten by. But perhaps the most impressive was motorcycle valeter Freddy Trott, who rodeo’d a road-legal and fat-tired Triumph Bonneville up the course with so much skill it looked like he was on the latest 250cc ‘crosser, not a near-250-kilo pig.

The afternoon’s drag racing ran to a similar format, with pairings decided by presumed mechanical equality. Again, reaction times and traction were the ultimate deciding factor. One guy on a knobbly-shod Aprilia Tuono not only made a great noise on open pipes, but also shot a roost of lawn high into the blue summer sky.

And what do Brits do after racing and before a party? Boxing of course. A championship-size ring was set up, and after a demonstration between two tough-jawed pros, the ring was opened up to onlookers. Anyone who reckoned they could manage a single three-minute round was invited to have a go.

As for the party…well, you had to be there.

On Sunday, the sprint race and the Motopolo tournament took place under a glorious summer sun. The Motopolo ball was of course truly artisanal, crafted from a special hide by one of the Malle luggage makers, and ideal for punting around—provided you were riding something light and nimble.

The sprint heats were followed by a knockout stage: this was quite a task to organize, considering the volume of eager riders. But slowly the potential champs and wannabe heroes were filtered out, leaving those with knobby tires and/or the reactions of a gunslinger.

The clever money was on a multi-cylinder steed taking the win. But it was a Zaeta piloted by Lee Kirkpatrick of Krazy Horse Customs that took the top spot. Lee’s prize? A lap of honor bearing the Malle flag, and a hand-beaten aluminum trophy from deBolex Engineering. Both fine things, but for Lee, it was all about hanging out with his pals, making new ones, and simply having a laugh. Just the tonic for today’s serious and testing world.

Perhaps watching racing is becoming a bit old hat, and it’s the taking part that counts?

Malle London | Words by Ross Sharp of The Bike Shed | Images © Mihail Jershov of MJ Studio | MJ Studio Facebook

A banner hung outside the ArtRide exhibition stated: ‘You are not in France, you are not in Spain; welcome to Basque Country.’ At this sixth iteration of Wheels & Waves, the sign should have read ‘Southsiders Country,’ as 20,000 guests of this festival of surf/moto culture invaded the sleepy town of Biarritz, filling all the hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and camping spots, plus every bar with a sidewalk.

The Basque region isn’t a hotbed of alt.custom culture, and is a long way from Paris, Berlin, or Milan—where you’ll find the majority of European custom shops. But a surprising number of folks ride to the event, on everything from vintage Brough Superiors and MV Agustas to the latest hyper-café custom Ducati.

They come, I think, as much for what isn’t at W&W—no obnoxious branding, no OEM industry hard sell—as what is; a mellow, carefully curated series of exhibits, races, and rides.

“Our event is about motion,” is the mission statement of Southsiders MC founder Vincent Prat, chief of the triumvirate (with Jérôme Allé and Julien Azé) who organize this legendary festival. You’ll need motion to see it all; most of the highlights are an hour’s ride from Biarritz, except ‘the village’ at the Cité de l’Océan—a series of military tents stretching from this waveform cultural center to Milady beach.

Prat cut back on stalls by 30% this year, to keep the quality high for clothing, scarf, bag, board, and bike vendors; there wasn’t much overlap in the offerings, and what was present was really nice stuff, if not cheap.

The indoor cinema screened fresh material like Sugar & Spade and Crystal Voyager from 1972—a legendary George Greenough film, the first shot inside a wave, with Pink Floyd’s Echoes as the soundtrack. A big stage held live music afternoons and evenings, and the skate ramp was always busy—with legends like Steve Caballero (below center) dropping in at random.

Wednesday’s ‘El Rollo’ flat track race at San Sebastián’s Hipódromo was quadruple the size of last year, with a mix of serious competitors and sloppy day-racers. The races were short enough that it wasn’t a mess, and the mix of machines ranged from the new Indian 750s (currently dominating professional races), to vintage Trackmaster specials with Triumph or BSA power.

We must all bow towards Sideburn mag for defibrillating this sport; proof again the custom scene is the lifeblood of the motorcycle industry today. Also refreshing; the mix of age and sex of the competitors, from gnarled vets to fresh young things like Zoe David on her Trackmaster pre-unit Triumph T100.

Thursday is the official opening day of the ‘village,’ and in the evening another ride to San Sebastián is required for the ArtRide exhibition, held on three floors of an old fish-packing warehouse in Pasaia. It’s a mix of fresh custom and vintage bikes, photography and other art, and film/performance.

An enormous montage of vintage MX and surf photos, plus surfboards and suspended racing Velocettes from the mid-1960s, was an homage to Richard Vincent, a surfer/racer from Santa Barbara. He was best friends with George Greenough, who filmed his racing, while Richard filmed him surfing.

With professional equipment, Richard Vincent documented an ideal SoCal life, which was dramatically halted by the draft. He was badly wounded in Vietnam, and his bikes, boards, photos and films sat for 50 years. Wheels & Waves was their first exposure since 1967; a short film about Vincent was screened beside them, The Ended Summer by David Martinez (full disclosure; exec produced by The Vintagent).

The Punks Peak hillclimb (an uphill sprint bent in the middle) has spawned a host of imitators, so the ‘El Chupito’ race spices up the pre-’50 to Powerbike mix of racers. Costumes are required to race your 50cc demon, and this year the theme was ‘Superheroes.’

All sprints should be done in costume! Especially as sprints grow faster and more serious annually. A few dirty tricks were played, like loosening clutch lever pivots, and one rider seemed hell-bent on forcing his matches off the road—fine but for the barbed wire fencing. One walkaway crash and some hairy moments didn’t dampen things, and the premier event was won by the German former 250cc GP rider Katja Poensgen on an Indian Scout (below)—proving women riders rock hard.

Saturday is the all-day DIY ride out into the Pyrénées, and clumps of riders criss-crossed the mountains all day, semi-lost. But with perfect weather this year, nobody complained. The views and snaking roads through thousand-year old stone villages, plus the inevitability of a great Basque lunch, make this ride a highlight, and the reason many return to the area.

Back at the village, a casual display of exceptional new customs dotted the field, parked without display cards. Which made photo IDs difficult, but added to the casual feel and implied they were actually ridden.

Clearly, as Vincent Prat stated, Wheels & Waves isn’t about the show, it’s about the go.

Wheels & Waves | The Vintagent | The Vintagent Facebook | Images © Mihail Jershov of MJ Studio | MJ Studio Facebook