Brighton Mod Weekender 2024
Finally, the biggest Bank Holiday on the Scooter Rally Calendar, the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Over this weekend the Brighton and Isle Of Wight Scooter Rally,happen at the same time. I attended the Isle Of Wight Scooter Rally a few years' ago, but this year I wanted to experience Brighton. I must say it was a great spectacle. Filled with mirrors, chrome and men and women dressed up to the nines. Brighton has kept the culture alive and it is not just memories and a story from back in the Sixties. I woke up in our hotel along the sea front, early in the morning, to the sound of two stroke engines roaring down to Madeira Drive. For those few days away, I never needed an alarm clock to get me out of bed.
Unfortunately, this year we did not ride to Brighton, as we were only there for a couple of days. It didn't feel quite right not having a scooter with me, but we did make the most of visiting the great classic shops and of course had to take a few steps down Quadrophenia Alley, which I tried not to sticker bomb too much.
We arrived in Brighton early on Friday Morning. Time for breakfast in Brighton town and sure enough the first cafe we are directed to by a local, there were two Lambrettas parked outside. We had the pleasure of meeting the two owners and the jokes started to fly. It felt like we had known each other for years. We then made our way to the hotel and I was pleased when we reached our destination as my bag was as heavy as a tonne of bricks with the amount of Fred Perry's and Harrington's I was carrying.
Lambrettas outside the cafe
We then took a stroll down to Madeira Drive. There was only a small selection of scooters there on the Friday, but the weekend had only started. After an afternoon in town it was time for dinner in a good Indian Restaurant which coincidentally was right opposite Quadrophenia Alley. It would have been wrong not to make a quick pit stop, take photos and have a bit of a sticker bomb moment.
It was then time to head to The Dorset Pub. For those of you who do not know, The Dorset Pub is the main spot for the night entertainment during the Brighton Weekender. When we arrived the place was already busy. Northern Soul was playing and the dance floor was packed with young and old generation Mods. It was truly great to see and shows what this culture is all about. I enjoyed speaking to other fellow enthusiasts and the conversations flowed through the night.
The weather was not kind to us on Saturday, with torrential rain and unfortunately we did not wake up to the sounds of two stroke engines going past the hotel. So we headed to The Mod Father. In my opinion one of the best shops in Brighton for mod style clothing. We then visited Jump the Gun, where all the old Mods and Skin Heads were trying on suits and jackets. I kept thinking how it must take them back to their youth, when they were doing exactly the same thing all those years ago. That evening we ate at a good Italian restaurant, Donatello for a pizza, and went back to The Dorset Pub for another evening of good music and culture. It was as lively as the night before and the evening flew by. By 1am it was time to call it a night. Another great day in Brighton.
Scooters outside The Dorset
Unfortunately, it was now the Sunday and time for us to head home, and even worse there were blue skies. If only it could have been like that on Saturday. Two of our members from Jersey, entered their Vespa Rally 200 Custom and Lambretta Li 125 Framebreather. They are both real eye catchers, but unfortunately did not come away with a prize this year. There was some really tough competition, but they are all works of art in my opinion.I had a buzzing time in Brighton, and another great memory that I will keep.
Until the next time!
I have included some of the photos of the scooters on the promenade.
Original Vespa SS 180
Lambretta Series 2 Eibar Rallymaster Replica
Nice set of Lambretta Gp's
Italjet Dragster
Vespa Rally 200 and Lambretta Li 125 from Jersey