BMAD

The Bikers Make a Difference (BMAD) Festival was started in 2002 by a group of bikers who decided to arrange a social event on the beach, while raising money for local charities. Taking place over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, it’s now almost certainly the biggest biker, music and beer festival in the entire South West of England. Taking place on Paignton Green and just a pebble's throw away from the beach, the festival features live music, stunts, a beer tent and more stalls that you can shake a Harley Davidson at. The atmosphere is amazing and it's certainly one of the highlights of the summer in Paignton.

Starting on Friday evening and running right through until late Sunday afternoon, expect 1000’s of bikes and a huge retail area packed with stalls selling top brands and merchandise. It’s definitely worth parking your bike up for the weekend though, as the festival also offers over 50 ales and 20 ciders to sample at various bars across the site. There are also two music marquees – the Biker Bar Stage and the Beach Bar Stage, welcoming more than 30 live bands across the weekend. 

There’s also a bike show that is open to the public from 11am till 1pm on the Sunday. The categories are Custom/Chop/Cruiser, Streetfighter/Sports, Trike/Combination, Classic/Vintage and Best in Show. The winner of each category receives a cash prize of £100, while the winner of the Best in Show rides away with a cool £1000. So, expect some pretty impressive bikes competing.

Paignton Bike Nights

Paignton Bike nights take place every Wednesday from June to September and since starting in 20013 have gone on become the longest running and largest regular social gathering of bikers in the South West of England. Each week there is regularly a mile of bikes parked side by side on Paignton Seafront. Indeed, Torbay Council only allows two-wheeled vehicles to park in this area on a Wednesday, so no Robin Reliants. Bikers mix with locals and holiday makers alike - the bikers enjoying chips, coffee or ice cream, the locals walking their dogs and the holiday makers strolling through the bikes, enjoying the evening sunshine whilst walking off their evening meals! It's a wonderful and unique atmosphere and certainly worth checking out.

Making a Difference

BMAD is also one of the friendliest events around, raising a lot of money for good causes. Every biker or bike fan who comes through the entrance to the festival makes a donation that allows the organisers to support some amazing local charities. Riders and Pillions are also encouraged to donate £1 each to park on the seafront every Wednesday. The charities include The Devon Air Ambulance, St. John's Ambulance, Devon Freewheelers (Blood Bikes) and the Torbay Young Carers. BMAD also donate equipment, toys, electrical goods and other useful items to improve the quality of life of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people within the local area. So, it's well worth your support.