ABR 2024 My Thoughts After The Event

[@Midlifebikerchick]

Had such a riot every time we hooked up. Thanks for keeping me entertained. Totally agree with the vehicle traffic. Although makes me feel a bit better that it wasn’t just me binning it!! I did find it a little scary at times though. Worst I’ve seen it in the last 3 years. Fingers crossed for better traffic plans next year.

[@HippoDrones]

@@Midlifebikerchick awesome weekend, ty for keeping us entertained with your awesome company 🙂👍 Hopefully they will go back to how they ran entry last year as that was loads better.

[@Lovableblobby1]

It was a pleasure to meet you at the ABR Pete. In the words of Mr Fish you are one of life’s good guys 👍 Good video buddy.

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh thanks for taking a look mate, and for letting me know up there what your KZbin username is so I would recognise it. Ahh mate, very kind, and as are you buddy 🙂

[@CalmBiker]

Sounds like fun.

[@HippoDrones]

It is a cracking event mate 🙂

[@Phil480]

Well, seeing the carnage of the entry on Friday makes me not regret buying the VIP pass. Other than that and the merging of the trail exit and main entrance queue, I have no real complaints over the event. It was a great weekend. Fully agree on the music thing! More variety next year please ABR

[@HippoDrones]

@@Phil480 it does make the Thursday arriving more appealing... am hoping they address it for 2025. Cracking weekend all in though 😎👍

[@MVDBR]

Awesome Pete wish I could have been there 🤙 Hopefully they see this and take some of your complaints on board 💯

[@HippoDrones]

@@MVDBR it is a cracking festival, bit of a trek for you though lol 😆

[@jamesgale9073]

I arrived at 9 am on the Friday morning and rode straight in. Slowish granted, but no issues. Also screenshot the tickets so no Internet needed. It was a fantastic weekend through and through.

[@HippoDrones]

@@jamesgale9073 it definitely was an amazing weekend. We'd have loved to have beaten the rush and got their early, but I left home to head up there at 6am, any earlier and I may as well have left the day before! 🤣

[@Biker_Maja]

We are doing it this year! I’ll message you when I’m home from the Pyrenees tour 💪🏼

[@HippoDrones]

Roger that Maja :-) we shall make it happen! :-D

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

I’m glad you had some positive experiences despite some of the shenanigans.

[@HippoDrones]

99.99% was awesome mate, it was purely the chaos of getting in that was the issue. Had no problems leaving because they didn't mess with that this year thankfully.

[@scottparkin69]

I was around the corner from you, I was camped with a couple of the teapotone clan that camped in the wrong place :)

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh cool, did you have a good weekend? Shame Teapot wasn't able to get to it this year 🙂

[@scottparkin69]

@@HippoDrones yeah it was good thanks, didn't party as much as I'd like as the guys I was hanging with where not big party animals lol, and with me being a bit introverted/socially awkward struggled to tag along with anyone else for the rest of the night lol

[@HippoDrones]

@@scottparkin69 Am glad you had fun, it is a pain when the folk you go with have a different agenda. The thing I love about the ABR is that it is a music festival where everyone loves bikes... so there is always something to talk to randoms about, and tag along with. I met up by fluke this year with a total random I met up with last year, and we hung out for a bit, even did the pub quiz with them 😀 I get the social anxiety thing though, I struggle with it, especially when I've not had a beer... thankfully there was lots of beer! 😀

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

I had no problem getting in! Totally take your point with the entrance though everyone converging at one point. You forgot that you were on my team for the quiz! 😆 👍 lovely part of the world where you are! Looks amazing! How could you forget The Mad Leprechaun

[@HippoDrones]

Maybe we arrived at a bad time, but it seemed far better managed last year. Hahaha... I couldn't remember your channel name, soz :D I am very lucky here, lots of nice countryside and twiddly roads 😀

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@@HippoDrones your video doesn’t lie! Maybe I was lucky!

[@HippoDrones]

@@the_mad_leprechaun 🙂👍

[@BobsBikingAdventures]

Was a good laugh. The bog of doom was at an all time peak bogginess, but the little water crossings on the so-called expert sections were easy this year, with it being so generally dry. Hopefully bump into you next year. I'm thinking of trying to organise a little group of people who are keen to try the expert sections and the TRF trail, but would appreciate some moral support, maybe a few tips and a hand through the boggiest bits.👍

[@HippoDrones]

It really was 🙂 I didn't do any of the expert sections other than the hill climb. I didn't bring any of my proper trail riding kit and didn't want to get my jeans and boots covered in mud LOL. Aye, always good to meet new folk, if you see me do say hi. I ordered my tickets yesterday as the price goes up today.

[@BobsBikingAdventures]

@@HippoDrones Haha yeah fair enough. I'm still finding mud in my gear 😅

[@HippoDrones]

@@BobsBikingAdventures I might bring better kit next year, but I mainly go for the party rather than the trails. I see you recently rode The Ridgeway, we were down there a few months back the weekend of the solar flares and northern lights showing down south! 🙂

[@haggiswhisperer]

Was great meeting you mate.

[@HippoDrones]

@@haggiswhisperer and you dude 🙂👍

[@mamotorcycle]

Gutted really wanted to make it this year bit i had just got back from Normandy Definitely going next year though based off everyones feedback.

[@HippoDrones]

That is a shame... but I bet you had a cracking time in Normandy! 🙂 See you there in 2025 🙂

[@mamotorcycle]

@@HippoDrones oh phenomenal got there a few weeks before the anniversary to do all DDay sites. Amazing trip. Thinking where next for next year. Yes, definitely going ABR IN 2025

[@HippoDrones]

@@mamotorcycle 😎👍

[@RoadsOfOz]

I wish we had something like that here in Australia.

[@HippoDrones]

@@RoadsOfOz Aye... but you do have absolutely amazing adventure riding available to you 🙂👍

[@Banditmanuk]

It's a shame the entrance and traffic management wasn't great. We're still wondering if this event is for us. Must have been brilliant meeting everyone.

[@HippoDrones]

@@Banditmanuk it was the only thing they need to work on, and how they did it last year was less chaotic. It is an amazing event 🙂👍

[@exeterrider]

It was superb, a couple issues this year I agree, the showers were queueing even at 2pm which bugged me but yes over all superb. I did see a KZbin star on the track but he didn't recornise me😂

[@HippoDrones]

It was indeed mate. Ahh, maybe that was a pinch point at your camp area, ours had queues in the morning, but nothing mega... I just got all stinky and didn't use them 😀 Hahahaa... I bet he was right up himself that one! 😀

[@exeterrider]

@@HippoDrones yeap quite evil from what I hear.

[@HippoDrones]

@@exeterrider 🤣

[@MrAusadventure]

This is one event that I would love to attend some day. I really wish we had something on that scale here in Australia but we only have a lot smaller events that are OK, but not with as much going on to choose from. I'm actually helping to organise the Horizons Unlimited Queensland travellers meeting next year. I'm looking forward to that. I've been following Lavi & Ollie's TET trip which is looking like a challenging ride. It looks awesome though from what I've seen. I'm a few videos behind.... The trail at the event looked pretty cool, shame about the issues getting in to the place. I hope they take the constructive criticism on board.

[@HippoDrones]

@@MrAusadventure I guess that is one advantage of living on a small island with relatively high population density, it makes events like this feasible. It is becoming the UK's main biking event and overtaking our national motorcycle show on numbers I believe which is mad with it being a single type of bike event vs all bikes. Ahh wicked, I hope it all goes smoothly and is a huge success, it is great how involved you get with the wider biking community 🙂👍 I love Lavi and Ollie's channel, such a positive couple... weirdly I actually think they started their UK TET trip before the ABR Festival so I'm not quite sure on if they did it all pretty much as a single ish trip, or broke it up... I know they took a break before going into Wales.

[@MrAusadventure]

@@HippoDrones I guess it just goes to show how popular the adventure touring segment is in motorcycling these days. I'd love to be there at the same time the ABR festival is on, but alas... I mentioned on one of Lavi and Ollie's vids that I would be coming over and they replied that they'd like to meet up if they were around. They're very positive happy people by the look of it. Love the way they just give most things a crack! Yeah, I know they did take a break before Wales, but I'm not actually sure when they filmed the trip.

[@HippoDrones]

@@MrAusadventure ahh be ace if you got to meet up with them on your trip

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Glad you had an awesome time Pete, in spite of the faffing around at the entry point. Hill climb looked good! Looked like a good ride you were on here, too, whilst you were telling us all about it :)

[@HippoDrones]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger the hill climb bit was on the edge of my comfort zone, so I am glad I gave it a go 😎 Yeah, had a fun spin on the 8S, it is a cheeky little scamp 😁👍

[@crocksontherocksify]

Good to catch up again bud. See you at the Wild South West Rally.. Ride safe.

[@HippoDrones]

Yes mate, can't wait 🙂

[@MrSTAdventures]

Morning mate, glad you had a great time. I gave it a miss this year but might rock up next year. 👍🏻

[@HippoDrones]

@@MrSTAdventures hopefully see you there 👍

[@economicalrides]

Yep. We can tell that you enjoyed it Pete ! It does sound like fun and I would enjoy throwing my Norman up those test trails. Maybe one day, maybe one day 😝 But if I do it, I will have to do it full Freddie Dobbs stylee and glamp the sh*t out of it !!! Any nearby five star hotels ? 😂 Looks like you had decent weather for the weekend too, which obviously always helps when out camping. Great fun ! Cheers Pete, Garry & Ruby

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, it was a cracker Garry, well worth attending if you find yourself in the UK when it is on. Hahaha... well Steff was staying at a B&B I think, so there is def stuff about for those not wanting to camp it up! :-) Weather was great, had some rain on the Saturday night, but it stopped in time for everything to dry out before packing it all away. Thanks mate :-)

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

I think I'd be nervous of the more experienced riders roaring past so close

[@HippoDrones]

@@anthonydonnelly8419 yeah, it is supposed to be an intro to trail riding on adv bikes for novices primarily, and speed limits are on the course, but lots ignore them. Thankfully the enduro bikes have been banned from the adv trail as they'd often be passing aggressively at speed and close.

[@MRTPR]

So sorry that it was badly organised Mate. Other than that sounds like it was a great time. 😎

[@HippoDrones]

It was only a tiny bit of it that was bad, and just on entry. Once everyone was in, it was a cracking weekend 🙂

[@markfortin8286]

"In 2025, the ABR welcomes the UK's top Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys tribute acts! Also join us Saturday night for the best Polka music this side of the Channel!" Dammit, Pete!!!🤣

[@HippoDrones]

@@markfortin8286 haha... all those bands are still bloomin old too 🤣

[@stevesanelli90]

Hey Hippo, sounded like a right ol time! Do they have online tickets & check-in or is it at the booths? I've caught up with a few fellow YTers that went. It would be an experience but I'd do it just once

[@HippoDrones]

It was a cracker Steve 🙂 So you buy online, and they send you an email with a QR code, but because there was no signal up there, my QR code wouldn't load. It is well worth getting to, even if you don't ride the trail or take out demo bikes as the talks and music and atmosphere is enough of a reason to do it! 🙂

[@BigPezza]

Well the que cant be as bad as it was at truckfest 😅 how long was the off-road trail this year ?

[@HippoDrones]

The standard trail was 30km not sure with the expert bits added 🙂

[@specialcircs]

I really want to go to the ABR festival but the hassle getting in puts me off completely.

[@HippoDrones]

It was only this year that it was bad, last year and year before it was absolutely fine, so don't let it put you off... Am pretty sure they will change it back to how it was for last year for the next one 🙂

[@MrCRAIGREVO]

Don’t worry traffic will be improved next year. 4 wheel vehicles will be entering from another location. 👍👌

[@HippoDrones]

@@MrCRAIGREVO 🙂👍

[@johndiehardmclean23]

A real pleasure to meet you a whole week ago now,which I don't really remember due to the cider,but woken up & found a F**k Putin sticker & i think you gave me it!!! 🤣❤️👍 I did think I'd bump into yourself & a few others again over the weekend,but I think everyone hid from me!!! 😭😭😭😜✌️ Oh & I think I might have had a loose bowel moment if I'd tried the trails...Although would have saved a trip to those chemical toilets! 😮👍

[@HippoDrones]

@@johndiehardmclean23 awesome to meet you too mate, although the f*** putin sticker was not from me lol 😆 Dodgy guts when camping sucks, I hope it wasn't too bad

[@johndiehardmclean23]

@HippoDrones Was surprised to hear you were chilly riding up,as we were roasting coming down...Albeit in a transit van! 🤪🤣✌️

[@HippoDrones]

@@johndiehardmclean23 haha... a bit more wind protection in a van 🤣

[@theodorstravels]

Poop moments are indeed important. It's not like we all have spare flush water at home to do our business there. This is why we work in an office and go out on weekends, to have the big flush somewhere else. It's all about budgeting. / @ 13:17 were you quoting Jamie Oliver? 😆/ Music-wise, events I have gone to here often have younger local bands performing. Style is still usually more with rock roots. But they are fresh and interesting to listen to, also cheaper for the organizer.

[@HippoDrones]

@@theodorstravels they are muchly so. Haha, I always make the most of being at work too... toilet paper is not cheap! 🤣 No Jamie Olivers were harmed in the making of this video 😄 Yeah, younger newer original music bands would be better, but the biking community is aging, so I assume they did market research and thought best to not deviate from the status quo... lol. In a few years, none of the audience will have heard of the bands being covered, I wonder what they will do then?

[@tojj29]

Quite a few have said the traffic management was crap this year compared to other years. And less toilets available, so it wasn't just you that thought that.

[@HippoDrones]

@@tojj29 hopefully the organisers will learn from it, they seem responsive to feedback from other years 🙂👍

[@mellowr1]

was that the thingy viaduct about 7 mins in?🤔

[@HippoDrones]

@@mellowr1 Yup, the Ouse Valley Viaduct, it has scaffolding all over it at the mo, so not hugely photogenic

[@mellowr1]

@@HippoDrones yeah that's the one😃

[@HippoDrones]

@@mellowr1 👍

[@TNP1990]

11:40 lol dude needs to chill out

[@HippoDrones]

I he was a right jobsworth, the other marshal was letting ten bikes out for every one this guy let out.