Bike Shed London 2018

Friendly, helpful security guards manned the line, and the staff at the door welcomed us like old friends. You get the sense that the whole crew running the event wanted to be there. Their keenness and friendly attitude really stood out, especially when you think about other events that use grumpy agency staff.

Waking up the iron staircases into the heart of this old warehouse, I was greeted by the smell of quality street food and the visual delight of bikes and other enthusiasts. If you’ve not visited it, Tobacco Dock is a wonderful, atmospheric venue. It was previously converted for retail use, and the many separate areas work. You can’t see everything at once, which gives you a sense of adventure as you discover different areas. It’s not a faceless exhibition space with no atmosphere, which is the usual offering here in the UK. Bike Shed London is obviously not a corporate, sponsor-led event but more of a curated collection of creative thoughts realised through hard work and the love of motorcycles.

Back to the main reason for visiting. As I meandered around the different areas, I couldn’t help but take in how much passion there was in the building. From bike builders and owners to tattoo artists, barbers, retailers and artists. There was no hard sell from any of the retailers either. Each person I spoke to was happy to share their story, but they were always conversations, not pitches.

The people I met tonight reignited my interest in bikes and organised events. I left the event fulfilled and enthused; I’d made new friends and heard many stories. The Bike Shed crew should feel immensely pleased with themselves. Not only was this the best bike show I’ve been to for a long time, but it was also the best event. Here’s to next year, after the crew has had a well-deserved rest.