Shakedown gets UK bike season off to a sunny start

Thousands of motorcyclists flocked to the coast to take part in an annual gathering.

The Southend Shakedown has been running since the late 1990s, apart from a three-year gap between 2022-24.

Most riders congregate at the Ace Cafe in London - one of the organisers - before heading to Southend-on-Sea in convoy, where they meet other bikers.

"It's one of the biggest bike events in the UK - it's the start of the bike season," said Connor Allen from South Ockendon, Essex.

Holly McAllister, 19, rode from Gravesend with her father, Andrew.

"It brings everybody together and it gives us all a space to kind of meet up, talk and just share stories really," she told the BBC, saying events like Easter Monday's could change people's perceptions.

"There's a stereotype [with the bike scene] and everyone thinks all we want to do is cause trouble, which we don't," she added.

Danny Clipson, 33, from Basildon, said: "It's beautiful weather, the biker community is wicked… and it's a good opportunity to meet new people."

He described the turnout as "absolutely mental".

"Last year, over 5,000 bikes turned up… maybe even more this year," he added.

Vinnie Stevenson, 63, rode from Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, on the back of her husband Marc's Goldwing GL1800 six-cylinder bike, describing it as "like sitting on an armchair".

"I just hope I don't fall asleep on the way back," she joked.

The couple had been to similar events for more than 20 years in Margate, Brighton and all over Europe, but said the Southend Shakedown had always ranked as "one of the best".

Lorraine Hudson had come from Harwich with friends for her first motorbike gathering, describing it as "a bit overwhelming", but she said she had been enjoying herself.

"There's some sensible riders [and] some not-so-sensible riders," she told the BBC.

"But I think most people that are here are here for the right reasons - it's just a nice day to come out on your bikes and enjoy it," the 53-year-old said.

Courtney Newcombe said she had got into motorbikes after going to a past Southend Shakedown.

"I used to help my dad to build his bikes, and he bought one of his bikes down here one day," she told the BBC.

"The amount of people that came to look at his bike… and talk about it. It just really inspired me to get into it myself because everyone's just so nice."

The event's other organiser was Southend-on-Sea City Council, which said the majority of bikers would be "responsible, law-abiding visitors who share a genuine passion for motorcycling and community".

Essex Police said before the event it had wanted everyone "to have a great experience and to enjoy everything" Southend had to offer, but that "dangerous riding and antisocial behaviour [would] not be tolerated".

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