Alright Folks, Booked tickets for the bike show next month, not been before but well looking forward to it, appreciate any tips or advice for the day, hope to see the new rocket while there. only one question are their sellers there flogging merchandise, and bike stuff or is it just about the bike themselves?
Take your own food and drink with you Rob. The food in the venue is crap and expensive, like most event catering. There’s plenty of stuff to buy as well as lots of shiny new bikes, though there’s not been the bargains to be had for the last few years as there used to be. I’m going down there with Mrs Freck on the 17th, staying overnight (freebie hotel ) then visiting the show on the 18th.
Rob Fearn. Yes its a great show. I usually go the last day. Then if there's a discount to be had you can haggle. The peeps there want to sell as much as they can rather than load it all up and take it back. Just remember where you park its a night mare trying to find the park again. Did that on my first visit a fair few years ago took about three hours to find the car again. Have a great time. Regards Joe.
I always go down by train. If you go by car you've got parking fee plus potential traffic probs. On the bike you're limited when it comes to carrying purchases plus the inevitable wet weather means traipsing round in sweaty gear (although there is a helmet park). The NEC train station is in the complex and it's a 5 minute walk (inside) to the halls. My train ticket is £27.50 return (from Wilmslow, Cheshire) so I'd be mad not to let the train take the strain. If you haven't already discovered it, there's a long list of exhibitors on the NEC website, so you can see who's going to be there. If you find something you want make sure you check out all the stands before you buy because the prices do vary. I usually go on Tuesday but it's not particularly busy on any week day. As mentioned already, the food is pretty predictable and pretty shit, unless you're a fan of poor quality. It's annoying that other bike shows, notably the Bike Shed London show, can put on excellent food at a fair price, but there you go.
I live local so travelling to and from is straight along the A45. Bike parking is free in a secure area and undercover. Car parking is about £11.00 or so. If you are going with a group , go in one car, then you can justify the price or even slit it.
£27.50 mine only cost £14.00 return from Cheshire and I don’t have to change trains on the outbound journey but have to change at Crewe on the return leg Anyone going on bike can leave their gear in the clock room near one of the entrances last year it was £1 per item
Loads of 'junk' plus some really useful kit, nothing cheap the price of attending this or any other show at the NEC is based on volume. The best thing is if you live outside of a major conurbation you will see stuff not normally available except on-line. Going by bike? The shed where bikes are parked is well ventilated so it gives you a chance to get riding kit dry. Have a great day out!