After last years event I made sure I was aware of the date and prepared for this event, especially as I wheeled past a certain pub and was called ‘Cash and carry’ last year.
Brightona is held along the entire length of Madeira Drive, Brighton. And with all proceeds to Brighton Heart Support Trust.I figured an early start was in order, but I should have left earlier still as people were turning up from as early as 6am, which is a good sign for any event, I did think that people were a little over eager getting there that early, but obviously they knew better because the turn out was nothing short of fantastic, with figures far exceeding last years show.
So with the formalities out the way the bikes are what it’s all about with bikes parked all along the drive filling most spaces now and with so many bikes in one place, it does make you appreciate the individuality of custom bikes all the more. And there were plenty to choose from, there were a few bikes that I personally think were way over the top and looked liked they had driven straight through their local custom parts dealer and bolted every possible bolt on, onto the bike, and this made me smile, so is it such a bad thing, I think I will let you readers decide that. But most of the bikes were tastefully modified, with my favourite being a little black Bobber with sprung seat matt black paint and wrapped exhausts tucked away on the pavement being ignored by most people, as far as paintwork goes I do like a themed bike, last year Rob Heaven’s Pin up was by far my favourite, this year, it was a bike with ‘The Great Escape’ theme paintjob on it.
Can you imagine riding a cartoon, well that’s exactly what I found when looking at the trike, I loved a VW trike which had a teardrop trailer, but theme of both were cartoon-like, bulky framework, fat seat, fueltank straight out of an episode of roadrunner, funky 3d flamed mudguards, it is genius, and I told (nagged) everyone I met about it.
A fair amount of scooter were there too, and I must admit to not knowing a lot about them, but they were certainly worked on and cutomised as much of some of the bikes were.
The Custom show was in its own marquee this year, and as much I tried to sneak past the Harrison Billet stand without them mocking the Suzuki savage front caliper on my trike as being girly, and trying to sell me a nice shiny new one, I fear that the shininess (along with the ability to stop) will tempt me before long. Damn my weak willed nature.
The Brighton Jive Troupe were there again this year with their dance displays, but alas
Mr Giant was not there this year with his giant rabbit; I looked up and down expecting to see him, oh how I miss him and his bunny of fun.
There was a variety of entertainment on the stage starting from 11am with the Black arrows going on to 5:30pm with copperhead, I must admit that I really didn’t listen to the bands, as I was to busy chatting, ogling the bikes and trikes and browsing through the large amount of stalls that were there.
Now I must admit that having never been to any of the larger American bike shows (hint hint, if someone wants to pay for me to cover one) I would guess that Brightona is as close as we have to one, and with the increase in visitors, and it only being its second year, this could possibly become the UK equivalent of one of US bike shows, again I will clarify this once I have covered one of the US ones (Cough Hint Cough).
I must apologise to the owner of the giant American 4wd Limo, I tried to hitch a lift by hanging on to the towbar mount and being towed down, but as it pulled away, I was left holding the plastic towbar mount cover, with much reddening of my face, I pretended it never happened and wheeled away with people laughing and pointing.
And on a final note, next year’s event no doubt will be bigger and better, but I would advise turning up early as I reckon, it will be even busier.

Yoda