Classic and vintage motorcycle events in Europe 2015

The time has come around again for a listing of excuses to pack up and head across the Channel on two wheels. Once again I haven't managed to find any decent calendar of continental events online so here is my humble offering. By no means comprehensive it simply represents a list of events that I have either been to in person, friends have been to, or I have heard good things about. If you have feedback or events you know of that should be in the list then how about getting in touch.

There's the usual caveat that only a rash fool would use this page as the sole information source before heading off into the sunset. Check details for yourself, dates change, events get cancelled.  

A few new events in the list this year and one biennial in and one out. Get out there and enjoy, don't be scared to take something old on a long trip, they were made for it, breakdown cover is cheap and a wonderful thing and there's a great joy to be had riding with friends on machines you've put together yourselves. Even roadside tinkering and repairs aren't so bad. 


20 to 22 March: Veterama, Hockenheim, Germany.
- Very big autojumble.

25 and 26 April: Iron Bikers, Circuit Carole, France.
- Circuit based event near Paris for 50s to 80s bikes.

1 to 3 May: John Bull Rally, Belgium.
- Organised by the BSA Owners Club Belgium but open to all old British bikes. Gets great reviews.

9 and 10 May: Vintage Revival Montlhery, nr Paris, France.
- Pre-war bikes and cars. Biennial event. Absolutely superb, can't recommend this one enough.

17 to 23 May: Motogiro D'Italia, San Marino.
- Hooning around Italy on small bikes! Touring event for big cc lovers too.

22 to 24 May: 10 Years of 6 Volts, Gullegem, Belgium.
- Celebrating 10 years of the Belgian 6 Volt Moped Club.

23 and 24 May: Ton Up, Lurcy Levy, France.

30 and 31 May: Coupes Moto Legende, Dijon, France.
- All old bike enthusiasts should visit at least once.

31 May: Rando Cyclo, Sars Poteries, France.
- Event for those who favour fewer horsepower. Double check the date if planning to go, I always find it difficult to get info on this event.

4 to 7 June: MC Piston Cantabria Tour, Cantabria, Spain.
- I rode a MC Piston event last year and it was great. Expect wonderful scenery, great hospitality and laid back but efficient organisation.

6 and 7 June: Autodrome Heritage Festival, Montlhery, France.
- Car and bike, no idea what it is like but any event at Montlhery is worth a visit.

11 to 14 June: Wheels and Waves, Biarritz, France.
- New wave custom and classic event. Liable to be massive this year.

20 and 21 June: Cafe Racer Festival: Montlhery, France.
- In the title and ditto the above re Montlhery.

4 and 5 July: Biker's Classics, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
- Racing for more recent classics.

5 to 11 July: Milano-Taranto, Italy
- Like the Moto G but lower key and possibly more hardcore.

12 July: Stella Alpina Rally, Bardonecchia, Italy.
- Ride up a mountain with fellow enthusiasts.

16 to 19 July: Round Kurland Rally, Latvia
- Latvia isn't so far if you take a couple of different ferries.

17 to 19 July: Classic Bikes Chimay, Chimay, Belgium
- Belgian vintage street racing. I went along last year. Great fun, proper street racing, Belgian beer. Close to the town. Camp at the circuit for the full experience.

8 and 9 August: 17th Journée Coyote: Nogaro Circuit, France.
- Weekend track event. Looks like mostly more recent classics.

15 August: Oldtimerdag Ruinerwold, Ruinerwold, Netherlands.
- Old vehicles take over Dutch town.

21 to 23 August: Belgian Classic TT, Ardennes, Belgium.
- Belgian road racing.

25 to 30 August: Irish National Rally, Munster, Ireland.
- Perenially popular jaunt through Irish countryside.

4 to 5 September: Red Bull Alpenbrevet, Grimsel, Switzerland.
- For me Red Bull is the Devil's own piss but don't let big corporate sponsorship put you off: a 1000 moped endurance run over Swiss Alpine passes must by its very nature be an awesome event. Double check the dates, they are not announced at time of writing and I've gone by unofficial information.

4 to 6 September: Glemseck 101, Glemseck, nr Stuttgart, Germany.

- New wave customs and cafe-racers, corporate sponsorship and hipster drag racing.

18 to 20 September: Trophee Gerard Jumeaux, Circuit Carole, North of Paris, France.
- Classic racing French style.

19 and 20 September: Bol D'Or Classic, Magny Cours, France.
- Good if classic endurance racing is your bag.

18 to 20 September: Circuit des Ramparts d'Angouleme, Angouleme, France.
- Glamorous vintage cars racing around medieval town.

28 September to 4 October: MC Piston Rally Meeting, Santander, Spain.
- Rode this event last year. Excellent. Great atmosphere, hospitality and stunning roads. Opt in to the event as much as you like, the three day tour at the beginning was great. Very good value. Possibly the largest old bike road riding event in Europe.

4 to 11 October: Rally de Colombres, Colombres, Spain.
- This is what the MC Piston event started out as. MC Piston moved the rally to Santander and some guys formed a club called Moto Club Indianos and carried on running it was it was.

9 to 11 October: Veterama, Mannheim, Germany.

- Huge autojumble.

18 October: Moto Retro Leuven, Leuven, Holland.
- One day bike jumble.

20 to 22 November: Salon Moto Legende, Paris, France.
- French show.