L
ast September, I stumbled upon a ‘Race
the Waves’ flyer announcing the inaugural
event. An 1/8-mile, old school, beach race
for motorcycles and hot rods. It promised
a TROG (The Race of Gentlemen)-like
Americana influenced Brit spectacle.
I chucked my bucket, spade and Harley Ironhead
in the van, set my compass to true north and headed
up the A1 to Yorkshire. After a long haul, I arrived
at Bridlington which is between the gritty coastal
towns of Hull and Scarborough, on the bruised North
Sea coast. I checked into my budget accommodation,
had the mandatory mist shower and dolls’ house
sized soap, then ventured out onto the streets of the
Northman’s heartland. Shivering in my thermal
cagoule, I was swept along the sea defences by a light
breeze. As I passed semi-clad, goosebump-free locals,
I noticed there were no signs. No posters. Nor any
indication that a motoring event was happening the
next day. Had I come to Bridlington by mistake?
To moderate my misgivings, I entered a Hawaiian
themed restaurant for a pineapple Hot Pot and a pintof bitter (with a brolly). After consuming too much of
the latter and feeling like a waterlogged canoe, I was
sufficiently broiled to return to my dodgy digs.
Next morning, peering through the opaque double-
glazed broken-neck sea view window, the tide had
receded like my hair line. To my surprise and relief,
there were a few blokes on the beach putting up
bunting and vehicles had started to arrive. With the
speed of whippets, the beach was transformed into a
race track and the seaweed paddock began filling up
with stylish and ratty hot rods, gleaming classic cars,
old motorcycles, gnarly and tricked custom bikes and
a couple of go-faster scooters.
Spurred on, I unloaded my Harley from the
van, put on a grin and headed for the beach. After
checking out the opposition, there was an intense
rider/driver briefing. This informed us that the
organisers had not done this before and that
gentlemanly conduct was expected. We were then
promptly directed to the start line.
Lining up in pairs, the starter flag dropped and
the first of us made the 1/8-mile dash. Most of myTime and tide waits for no man but at Bridlington Beach they are put on hold
WORDS: SHAUN ([email protected]) PHOTOS: [email protected]BRIDLINGTON, EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE
RACE THE WAVES
EVENT FEATURE RACE THE WAVES
20 | 100% Biker | issue 250 | http://www.100-biker.co.uk