BMF Tail End show on this weekend

The BMF Tail End Show is so called because it’s supposed to mark the end of the biking season, when long, summer days merge into the fresher weather of autumn. But judging by the masses of metal in the parking areas, there are plenty of people who have no intention of leaving their bike in the garage until next April. To them, this is simply a massive excuse for a party.

You’ll never have been to a party like this before, though. Yes, there’ll be music, with over 20 bands playing live. A pub on site means there will also be the opportunity to have a drink or two. There’ll even be a strip show in the evening. But that’s where the similarities with ordinary celebrations end.

With loads of trade stalls, the event will feel as much like a bike show as a party. This is the time shops clear out their stocks to make room for next year’s products, so there are bound to be loads of bargains on offer – your £7 entrance ticket could well save you hundreds of pounds on a new set of leathers.

The place will also resemble a fairground, with minimotos, an ejector seat, a rodeo bull, helicopter rides and loads of other attractions to make you wish you hadn’t had quite so much to eat for breakfast.

But some of the best entertainment will be better to watch than take part in. The Kangaroo Kid will be performing stunts on quadbikes as well as two wheels, and he’ll be joined by fellow airborne maestros Flying Ryan, Jake Semtex and Jimmy Fireblade. The moped enduro race is another spectacle you won’t want to miss.

With all that going on, it’s a good idea to stay the whole weekend. Well, you can’t – not unless there’s a BMF membership card in your pocket, anyway. Members can camp overnight on Friday and Saturday, while non-members are only allowed in between 10am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Day tickets cost £7 on the gate. Under-14s get in free. Weekend tickets for BMF members only cost £13 in advance or £15 on the day, including camping. BMF membership is £19 for individuals or £25 for couples at the same address. The East of England showground is signposted from the A1 west of Peterborough. If you fancy sleeping on a soft mattress rather than the hard ground, rooms at the Marriot hotel just a few hundred yards from the showground cost from £60. Phone 01733-371111 for details.