ABR Festival, who s going?

[mobile chicane22]

I’ll be trundling the trusty ol crf 250 along for the full 4 days

[mrdelazouch]

mobile chicane22 said:

I ll be trundling the trusty ol crf 250 along for the full 4 days

I've missed on this year, but would be keen on going next year.

[y2blade]

Yep.For My third year.
Can’t wait it’s always an amazing weekend

https://youtu.be/9QUPzyamyiM?is=g5b5XI7saYUJfm8H

[y2blade]

What an amazing weekend that was.
My only minor complaint is the lack of usable mobile signal once there. There were a few friends of mine who were there however being unable to call or even text made it impossible to arrange to meet up or find them. I only bumped into one of them as we were both leaving (he spotted me and did a u turn to say hi).

[Remal]

Never heard of this event until last week taking the bike for a service and so many mates said how good this is for all types of bikes. I will be attending in the future. looks an amazing event.

[y2blade]

Loyalty tickets are live saving £80
I m all booked
https://www.abrfestival.com/?utm_source=Klaviyo&am...

Can take this one off now

[s p a c e m a n]

All that I've read is about drunken fights, rev bombing bikes all night and people tearing around the trails like dheads, crashing and spraying gravel at everyone.

Is it just the few Facebook groups that I'm in are filled with over dramatic miserable gits? Was planning on taking my wife with me there maybe next year.

[Alex9]

s p a c e m a n said:

All that I've read is about drunken fights, rev bombing bikes all night and people tearing around the trails like dheads, crashing and spraying gravel at everyone.

Is it just the few Facebook groups that I'm in are filled with over dramatic miserable gits? Was planning on taking my wife with me there maybe next year.

The camping area is massive, but all the disturbance I heard was a few people calling out "Alan!" as they were going back to their tent. I didn't notice any fights (although again I wasn't everywhere at once) and there will always be dheads who think the trail designed for newbies to take their GS offroad for the first time is the best place to race around...

I really enjoyed the weekend and already have my tickets for next year.

[Griffith4ever]

s p a c e m a n said:

All that I've read is about drunken fights, rev bombing bikes all night and people tearing around the trails like dheads, crashing and spraying gravel at everyone.

Is it just the few Facebook groups that I'm in are filled with over dramatic miserable gits? Was planning on taking my wife with me there maybe next year.

I've been to every one for the last 4 years (I marshall the TRF trail - so I'm there Wed to late Sun and see everything). I've not heard or seen any fights, or even bad behaviour (save one experience), no late night revving of bikes.

Only minor bad behaviour was last year when two ugly , very drunk guys, got arsey when they tried to reserve a whole empty table and benches for later-arriving mates - eventually one of our "bigger" members turned up and diffused the situation. There was one other incident last year where someone with mental health issues punched one of our team in the early hours of the morning - but that was not the norm.

Generally it's a very laid back bike crowd - most of the people there have very expensive bikes - it's just not a stereotypical "biker" type festival. Lots more ladies this year too (WAGS).

It's a superb weekend. The TRF Trail DOES have people on enduros hurtling round, but on the whole, it's guys (and gals) on ADV bikes trying out more challenging terrain . The TRF Trail was introduced to get the scramblers off the big 22km Bridgestone trail, whcih it has. You enter the TRF Trail knowing you'll be sharing it with who it was designed for. Been this way for the last 4 years.

The TRF Trail is really quiet on Thursday, and moderate on Friday. It's fking madness on Saturday, and dead quiet on Sunday. It's a LOT of fun :-)

Internet is awful - I run a business and I could not check work emails from Saturday afternoon well into Sunday morning.

Overall I'd say its the LEAST sketchy festival I've been too :-)

Saturday, on quite a gentle hill TBH.

Edited by Griffith4ever on Tuesday 30th June 17:14

[Jap90s]

I've been going for the last 5 years

Never seen any problems

The worst thing was the music - who wants to hear Elvis ???

I agree the Trail needs looking at, either giving Newbie / Advanced sessions or telling newbies to stay left etc

I overtook a long line of people (respectfully) because it was one old duffer holding probably 30 people up, then I had the track to myself for 15 minutes until I caught the next group up

The best time is Sunday afternoon, you pretty much have it to yourself

There appeared to be far fewer Trail marshalls this year

Not sure I'd bother with the Thursday again 3 days is enough

[Alex9]

I like going on the Thursday to get out on the trails and get a couple of test rides while its quieter, then friday and Saturday can jut be spent wandering about the stands.

As far as music goes some of the bands are great, Elvis not to my taste but given the crowd when he was on I'd say he has an audience! I just ended up in the silent disco...

[andymach23]

I went this year for the first time. I thought it was great. The manufacturer test rides were excellent. I managed to get 7 sorted. The test routes around the local countryside were good.

I got one go on the Bridgestone trail on my Versys 300 and found it challenging enough for a beginner off road. I really enjoyed it and am now looking to try more off roading.

I thought everything was very well organised for such a massive event.

I've booked again for next year.

[mobile chicane22]

I enjoyed it but managed to get mild heat stroke on the Saturday afternoon.

The ac dc tribute band were good as was the dance tent lady.

Didn’t see any fights or agro, I think I’ll be trailering the crf next year as my knee did not like 2 days of trail riding and the 80 mile ride home.

Got a new helmet I was after and had my Arai serviced for free at the Arai tent.

Food was more expensive than last year, I ended up eating sandwiches from a local shop as it was just to hot for cooked food

[y2blade]

s p a c e m a n said:

All that I've read is about drunken fights, rev bombing bikes all night and people tearing around the trails like dheads, crashing and spraying gravel at everyone.

Is it just the few Facebook groups that I'm in are filled with over dramatic miserable gits? Was planning on taking my wife with me there maybe next year.

This was my fourth time going.
Never heard or heard of anyone rev bombing at night
Never seen or heard of any problems especially fighting.
My cousin was working and he d have know all about it if there was anything like that.

Maybe ignore the sh-t talking b-llends on public facebook groups.

[y2blade]

Another great video by top boy Jonny
https://youtu.be/q8cgGR40EFI?is=3XnXn-ovx7z_RrgQ

He makes
Some
Excellent points tbf.




[

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 1st July 11:08

[mrdelazouch]

Bought an early bird ticket for next year, enough time to find a tent
Oh, and put a deposit on a new T7... happy days.

[GM182]

I've been a few times since 2019. I went again this year because I'd bought a ticket but wasn't really in the mood for camping. I only bought my tiny single tent to save weight whereas I think if I had brought my proper three man tent I would have been more comfortable. Lesson learned.

I listened to Charley Boorman, well worn stories, but he is quite amusing. Had a good chat with Chris Birch, very humble guy. Had a mosey round the stands but as I wasn't in the market for any gear or a new bike I wasn't that engaged with it all.

My Aprilia Tuareg was spot on the for Bridgestone Trail, quite enjoyed it and managed to find some space to myself even on Saturday afternoon.

Saw a few people a bit the worse for wear but they were in the minority and no bad behaviour.

If you're in any way interested in adventure bikes and haven't been you should definitely go once. I will give it a miss next year and use the weekend to explore more trails elsewhere.

[andymach23]

I paid for a pre-pitched tent and didn't have to queue for showers or toilets. Next year I was thinking of just camping in the main areas.

Was there much queuing this year for showers and toilets in the main camping areas?

[lukeyman]

GM182 said:

If you're in any way interested in adventure bikes and haven't been you should definitely go once. I will give it a miss next year and use the weekend to explore more trails elsewhere.

I'm not in any way interested in adventure bikes but a couple of my friends are considering going next year. Although, it'll be just after my 50th so maybe I will by then!

[Jap90s]

andymach23 said:

I paid for a pre-pitched tent and didn't have to queue for showers or toilets. Next year I was thinking of just camping in the main areas.

Was there much queuing this year for showers and toilets in the main camping areas?

No doubt there is at 8am and 6pm but generally not or not for long

I always go early am and late pm and walk straight in