Britain’s coolest bike show takes place this weekend, as the annual Bike Shed show rolls into in London’s Tobacco Dock.
Bike Shed is one of the motorcycle industry’s biggest phenomenons of recent years. What started as a blog dedicated to cool customs in late 2011 turned into the first edition of the show in May 2013. Just over two years later and the BSMC (Bike Shed Motorcycle Club) opened its supercool café and bar in trendy Shoreditch. Without doubt it is one of the hippest joints in the capital and has become a cultural reference point for motorcycle customisation. BSMC has been at the forefront of taking the scene from the underground to mainstream, influencing the direction of many modern retro motorbikes on the market today.
The show remains the pinnacle for any amateur or professional bike builder. Although the show now has displays from a number of manufacturers, who bring along custom versions of their day-to-day bikes, the highlight of the event remains the number of machines from everyone from professional builders to the amateur ‘shed’ builders. All bikes are personally selected by the BSMC team, with far more bikes being rejected than accepted for display. Over 200 bikes will be showcased at the event, with their identity a closely guarded secret until Friday’s preview night. Almost all of the bikes on show are being premiered at ‘The Shed’, meaning that you won’t have seen them anywhere before.
Part of the Bike Shed’s appeal is that it has an element of theatre that’s not seen at other motorcycling events. There are no gaudy stand structures or distracting promo staff. The bikes are the stars and beautifully presented, almost like an art gallery.
Sure, it’s all a bit hipster for some (there’s even an onsite barber and tattooist) but the attention to detail is stunning. The catering is top notch and there’s live music too. Preview evening is tomorrow (Friday May 25) from 7pm with general admission on Saturday (10-8) and Sunday (10-6). General admission costs £20 when booked in advance online (under 16s go free) and anyone booking online before 4pm on May 24 will be entered into a draw to spend an evening in the company of the great Giacomo Agostini, the most successful Grand Prix racer of all time.
It’s well worth popping along if you’re in town. Head to https://bikeshedlondon2018.com for more information and to buy tickets.