It’s still a few months away, but the annual NEC motorcycle show will be upon us before we know it, and organiser MCIA Events is releasing more details about what’s going on almost every week. The latest news is a partnership with the ABR Festival organisers, who are teaming up with MCL (the new name for Motorcycle Live) and taking over part of the NEC with an ABR Festival zone. There will doubtless be a rather different vibe in Birmingham at the end of November compared with the baking heat of Ragley Hall two months ago, but the organisers are promising something for everyone, from seasoned global travellers to novice adventurers planning their first jaunt. They’re calling it “a little slice of the ABR Festival in the middle of winter”, and it will be based in NEC Hall 3. There will be interviews, masterclasses, panel sessions and talks from some of the most recognisable names in adventure motorcycling, and the ABR team is also recreating a few familiar features that regulars will quickly recognise.
Discount Trade tickets
Away from the ABR zone, the NEC show is promising a host of other attractions: test rides, a free learn-to-ride taster zone for over-14s, electric bike demos, indoor FMX and trials stunt shows, race bike exhibitions and the usual range of factory and trade stands showing off 2027 bikes and kit.
The organisers have also been working on discount deals: trade tickets are now available for £5 each for eligible businesses; early ticket buyers can pick up a £36.50 advance ticket and will get a free Spada waterproof rucksack worth £45 included; there are cheap £10 advance car parking tickets (motorcycles remain free to park), and for visitors coming from outside the UK, there’s a 20% discount offer for Irish Ferries trips from Ireland and Calais. There’s also an offer for 20% off rail tickets to the NEC during the show – so visitors can let the train take the strain and have a glass of something nice during the day.
MCL26 runs from 21-29 November at the NEC in Birmingham – for further information, see www.motorcyclelive.co.uk.