Trolley Good Show At Prescott Bike Festival

 A 70mph supermarket trolley was one of the stars of the Prescott Bike Festival last Sunday (April 17).

The sixth edition of the popular Cotswolds-based charity event saw an electric gathering of motorcycles, including some head-turning classic bikes.

The mid-spring sunshine came out to play as new and old, sporty and cruisers, the machines and their riders turned up in their droves, some of them to attempt the event’s notorious hill climb.

Highlights

The inventive Allen Millyard: He headed a cast of engineering geniuses bringing along some creations, including:

• A 5-litre V-Twin “Flying Millyard” - crafted from a couple of Pratt and Whitney 1340 plane engine cylinders
• An 8-litre V10 Viper
• A dinky V-Twin SS100 created out of a couple of SS50 engines

The notorious hill climb: As usual, motorcyclists attempted the twisting slope on specially adapted tricked-out bikes. Others used their own bikes. But the challenge proved as daunting as ever for most of them.

The 70mph shopping trolley: Matt McKeown didn’t quite achieve the heights of his world record 70.4mph. But McKeown thrilled the crowds with his thrust-converted Blackburn Pallouste gas turbine-powered eccentricity. The noise alone was a joy to behold, sounding like something out of the original Thunderbirds TV series.

McKeown admitted afterwards that the trolley could have travelled much faster and is now looking to upgrade his brakes. Warhorse, Kevin Scott’s world record-setting 65mph monowheel, was also in action.

Best of the rest

• Bike trade stands
• Stunt shows
• Classic cars, including perfect Porsches and magnificent Mercedes
• A show-and-tell paddock area for visitors to get close to the bikes
• Food stalls
• Live music

A charitable cause

The event is held in aid of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes. This volunteer-run charity helps provide key out-of-hours medical supplies to the NHS service. The event finale saw a show-stopping bike procession. 

The charity helps the NHS move pathology and blood samples across hospitals and medical centres UK-wide. The Severn Freewheelers, which organised the event, will shortly be announcing how much was raised on the day.