Busy day at the museum

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Another packed day at the National Motorcyle Museum’s now-annual extravaganza.

The museum itself was filled to bursting point.

The National Motorcycle Museum has clearly hit on a winning formula with its annual, early November open day, as evidenced by the fact that by 8am on the morning of the day before the day we all ‘remember, remember’, the car parks were already filling up rapidly, as people piled into the Birmingham-based tribute to the British motorcycle industry.

The museum throws its doors open for free, allowing people to wander through all the halls and marvel at the motorcycles on display.

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As well as that, though, there’s several more halls of autojumble, a fire-up area in the middle of the museum’s quad (which was new for this year), a host of star guests – Freddie Spencer and Carl Fogarty topped this year’s bill, with Steve Parrish as compere – as well as good catering (including curry and an outdoor BBQ) and live music. So it’s not hard to see why it has become so popular.

It was estimated there were upwards of 3000 people here during the day, many of who, despite the at times inclement weather, opted to come by motorcycle.

This year a parking charge was introduced for cars (per car and irrespective of how many people were in the car) though motorcycles parked for free. By late morning, though, cars were circling the parking area, looking for places to park, such were the numbers that had filed in.

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Many traders reported brisk business, too, while the NMM’s shop and café had bumper days. We took along (well, returned, it was to be left there…) the Sunbeam Model 90 featured in this issue and a first-of-the-units Triumph TR6, with both machines providing talking points.

That is what the NMM open day has become too; a day of talking, as acquaintances are made and renewed, the air filled with the common language of motorcycles.

Stars on stage. Not a spare seat in the house.

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