Frequently Asked Questions

Have a rummage and if you can’t find the answer to what you’re looking for, simply send an email to robin@bigbikebash.co.uk

What is it, where & when?

The Big Bike Bash is a fun long weekend event that benefits charities including ‘UK Youth’. It’s open to all ages (families encouraged) and involves bikes, bands and beer…It takes place on the late August Bank Holiday weekend at Avon Tyrrell, UK Youth’s activity centre near Bransgore in the New Forest, Hampshire BH23 8EE. Founded in 2007 it's usually attended by 800+ people and has so far raised around £140,000 for charity including towards new facilities and activities for young people who use Avon Tyrrell. You can buy tickets off this website, funnily enough on the tickets page.

Who’s behind it?

It started as a party in Nick’s back garden and when this got too big, Nick met Louis then from UK Youth (another bikes, beer & music lover) who suggested doing it for charity at their Avon Tyrrell venue. Many years later it’s still going strong and growing – to make it happen an army of local keen biking volunteers from in and around the New Forest kindly give up their time for nothing to make it happen, and some really great sponsors who give discounts and or donate loads of fantastic prizes and freebies. Oh yeah, plus various bands who all come along and play for nothing. If you can help raise money, organise and scrounge stuff etc, we always need help so get in touch. In 2016 the volunteers behind it formed Action Academy Charity, with a view to more formalising the organisation and as vehicle to look at putting on other fun events elsewhere in the future. The voluntary organisers/marshals on the event are easily identified by their tasteful bright green BBB t-shirts.

What does the ticket price include?

Erm, entry to the Bash, camping all weekend (3 nights Friday-Sunday) entry to all the events you qualify for, see a myriad of live bands and generally have a great time. Access to the whole site (you can buy extra events if you wanna) and you're on the doorstep of the New Forest.

Can I get a refund if I can’t make it ?

The short answer is no! Sorry. We make a number of commitments based on ticket sales to make the event all it can be. We have transferred tickets in the past to other families so why not gift it to someone else. All profits go to charity so you can feel smug that you’ve at least made a donation.

How do I get there?

Well most people drive – all the info on the venue, and directions, can be found at www.avontyrrell.org.uk Be wary of using the official BH23 8EE postcode in Sat Navs as they often send people up a drive to the west of Avon Tyrrell where this no access, so please enter the site from the east via ‘Braggers Lane’ – BH23 8ED works better. Some people have come by train before, as above, we are happy to encourage this and will help with lifts to and from the stations if you don’t want to ride and carry all your clobber.

When can I arrive? From midday Friday….

For the safety of our volunteers who are still setting up, you can’t start riding the courses and arena area until 3:00pm. The various events and activities take place from the Saturday morning onwards but we know how eager people are to turn up early so we open the campsite from late afternoon on the Friday. Registration takes place from about 4pm on that Friday to early evening, and then again on the Saturday morning from 9am.

Can I pay for extra nights, hire lodges or extra bikes or book other activities at Avon Tyrrell?

For extra nights and bike hire contact Avon Tyrrell directly on 01425 672347 or info@ukyouth.org and say you are coming for the Big Bike Bash. All the lodges are normally prebooked but we do have a waiting list. Email abbey@bigbikebash.org.uk if you want to go on it. All electric hookups have been requested but again email me if you want to go on a waiting list. It's worth doing as lots of people change their mind during the year.

I’m sad and have a caravan, is there electric hook-up for it or my mate's beat up home converted T4 VW camper van (who wishes he had a T5)? Or for my over-priced Bongo Friendee that overheats?

There are hook-up points on the campsite. Contact us for details.

I want to camp with my friends in a big western style wagon train circle, is that okay?

We have limited space for camping pitches and it’s first come first served so unless you all arrive at the same time, this might not happen. There are no bookable pitches, it’s a simple case of finding a space and putting your tent up. We aiming to keep cars away from camping areas to help with space, and… have marshals/helpers on hand so it doesn’t get too chaotic. Please be considerate to others trying to pitch their tents. The site rules will be sent to via email when you book your tickets, it includes things like expected pitch distances, so please read them so there are no surprises when you get here. We have secured another field again to use at the top west side of the site to give more space, thanks to the generosity of a kind neighbour, great views west across the Avon Valley. Please respect the camping fields by not leaving litter. There’s plenty of bins and recycling points on site.

Can we light fires and burn the forest down?

NO. We’ll give out site rules, as above, which says absolutely no ground fires, we’re not party poopers, it’s just too risky on a site with peaty ground and lots of trees.

Are there toilets, showers and water stand-pipes on site?

Yes plenty of toilets plus we hire in extra portable loos, and plenty of mains water stand-pipes. There’s also a new award-winning eco ‘Boathouse’ loo and shower block down by the lake – thanks to previous visitors, funds from BBB events have gone into this! If we say now though (to stop the odd person moaning) there are a limited number of showers so be prepared to not wash or long waits and please don’t give us a hard time.

Where are the nearest shops for supplies or cash points?

There’s a small shop on site at Avon Tyrrell stocking basics but best bet is Bransgore village 2 miles down the road where there is a Co-op open till 11pm, chip shop, post office, newsagent and even 2 hairdressers if you need a pink rinse, mullet or 70’s Kevin Keegan perm. Bring plenty of cash to spend on food and beer, there’s no cash point at Avon Tyrrell but the Co-op does have one in the village (if the ram-raiders haven’t got it again). If you want bigger shops, try Christchurch or Ringwood, both 5 miles away and with Waitrose & Sainsburys. Christchurch has a Lidl too if you like cheaper weird brands (their jam and pickles are nice).

Do you have timing for races?

No, too much hassle and time consuming. 1st, 2nd and 3rd places will do. You’ll get a prize so why worry?

And prizes?

Lots of fab prizes kindly donated by our awesome sponsors mean nearly everyone gets something great. Last year we gave away £10,000 worth of bike related bling! Tons of spot prizes too, first to be stung by a wasp, most inappropriate bike etc. Occasionally we get someone so athletic/lucky they win loads so, we have a rule of giving prizes back for others if you get more than three. The prize giving at the end has dragged on a bit in previous years so we’ll give at most prizes straight after events with a shorter closing ceremony.

Any music?

We’ll have a music tent and stage. Local volunteers organise the bands. Be there for Friday night at 7pm without fail - it's going to go off like a rotting pear. Music genre tend to be cover bands as these seem to go down well as opposed to thrash metal shouty bands (we’ve had a few….and learnt a lesson). Although Avon Tyrrell is pretty remote we don’t want to upset distant neighbours with noise (or campers with little kids) so we tend wind the music up by 23.00 hours.

What about insurance?

Action Academy and UK Youth do of course have full employers and public liability insurance in place and the event is risk assessed, with marshals briefed and procedures in place, but any incidents involving you or you and another rider, or any loss of property will be down to you ! We strongly recommend you take out your own insurance policy for the Event. Please see the Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct.

Can I bring my dog, it’s friendly, small and never poos etc etc?

NO, The BBB is a dog free event - so no dogs (or any other kind of pet/person that is likely to poo or wee everywhere and annoy other people).