2007. The year our founder had a party in his garden and the birth of the Big Bike Bash. Nick has a lot to answer for! Without Nick’s vision, enthusiasm and commitment, the BBB wouldn’t be here today.

While Nick and his family have moved on from the BBB their legacy will never be forgotten, especially by me. The idea of hosting a gathering of like- minded people with young families for a weekend of riding bikes, drinking beer and listening to music has been the ethos of the BBB ever since.

Nick handed me the reins some 12 years back and I’m proud to say it is the reason my hair has fallen out! I have huge support from the Trustees of the charity behind the BBB, Action Academy, and the people who work tirelessly all year round to make the BBB happen, together with the 50+ volunteers who do whatever they can to bring the BBB together.

2022 marked a milestone for the BBB - £1/4 million was raised!! Yes - since the first BBB over £250,000 has been raised by having this fabulous party each August! What an achievement!

Thank you xx

Each and every one of you has helped towards raising this incredible sum; our sponsors, prize givers, bands, food vendors, stall holders, attendees, neighbours, Avon Tyrrell staff and, of course, our army in lime green, the volunteers – you all made this fantastic thing happen.

So, I hear you ask, what has been done with this £1/4 million?

It’s been spent supporting projects within Avon Tyrrell!

You see that lovely boathouse that has toilet and shower facilities, along with disabled access to the lake? Yeh, you helped with that.

The climbing tower? Yep, some of that too!

The 40+ bikes that the young people get use when they visit on residential trips? Yep, that was you! Oh, and the ongoing maintenance and the training of staff!

Accessible bikes and equipment so that the less abled can enjoy the area – Yep!

Honestly, the list goes on with the bits you have helped make possible. That is why the BBB Lime Green Army are so passionate. That is why the BBB Lime Green Army do it – each and every one of us. We all want to make a difference to a young person’s life and, collectively, thanks the Nick’s party in his garden back in 2007, that is why the BBB happens and we do make a difference.

I feel that we have yet to have the ‘perfect’ BBB. Each year we try to fine tune it to make it better. But what is better? What is perfection? If we find perfection will that be the end? We have had our dreams, desires and expectations hampered over the last few years by insurance, Covid and the like, but still hope that we can come up with a format that makes the BBB a special family weekend.

The BBB is a large event that requires work far in advance of the actual weekend. The following year’s planning starts way in advance of the current event. Yep, we are already working on 2024 before 2023 has taken place! We start each year’s build in early summer with a trail clearing camp – a weekend of heavy duty gardening! Not only does this help create the trails you’ll race on, but it makes safe MTB trails for the visitors to Avon Tyrrell over the summer.

We move on to the site to start the BBB build on the Friday before you arrive and we spend that weekend doing more heavy duty gardening. We then move on to the main arena construction. Things like marquees, toilets, stages, electricity, sound, lights, barriers, hay bales, beer and stillage all start to arrive from Tuesday and the courses need to be signed and taped. I can’t forget one of the most important jobs of the BBB – the bar! This was built by Richard (dad to me!) and run by our fabulous Landlady, Wendy! The final job is to erect the start arch and you’ll find a relaxed smile on my face when it’s up!

Behind the scenes, the Administration team work to produce the camp packs – that’s a load of envelopes of stuff to stuff! In addition to running the raffle and generally helping to ensure that the event runs smoothly!

Then you all arrive! The chaos begins. And we start raising money for charity... Enjoy!

Robin