THE BIKEFEST came roaring back into town on Sunday (September 26) – the first time crowds have flocked to the town centre since the pandemic began over 18 months ago.
Thousands of people came out in the autumn sunshine to enjoy the annual event, which kickstarted as hundreds of bikes rode into the town centre before parking on North Street and Church Street.
Making its first appearance at Rugby Bikefest, The Ken Fox Wall of Death proved a hit with audiences as riders performed stunts and tricks while riding their classic 600 cc Indian Scout bikes around the inside of a 32-foot wide, 16-foot-high cylindrical wooden wall.
Luke Fox said: “It’s great to be here during the Bikefest. We missed out being in Rugby last year because of Covid, but now we have arrived, and we’re happy to put on a full show.”
This year’s music line up included local bands Courthouse, Dead Frequency, Anomaly, Jellyheads, Liquid Insanity, Overdrive, RudeSix, Synthmachine and White Men Can’t Funk, who performed on stages in Market Place and Church Street
Ryan Webster, BID Operations Manager for co-organisers Rugby First, said: “The event proved to be a real hit with visitors – both local and from further afield – as well as town centre businesses.
“I was delighted to see how well the day went and it was great to see the town centre so busy. A big thank you to all the local biking groups, businesses, volunteers and musicians that supported the event and led to its success on the day.
“It has obviously been an extremely challenging 18 months for town centre businesses, not only in Rugby, but across the country. The influx of visitors into the town will have provided a much-needed boost to the town centre economy, but especially to those businesses working in the hospitality sector.”
