More Thoughts Of The NEC
Having just got my copy from the chalet this morning, I enjoyed Terry's article on the NEC and it confirmed that, yes most shows are like that, he forgot to mention the appalling quality and cost of the food. We once went there and the breakfast was cleared from the counter while we queued, they were just throwing it out and we asked if we could just have it, NO it’s gone 11:00! Breakfast has finished!! It wasn't 11:00 when we joined the queue! This was now about 11:03!! The car park I totally agree with him, it should be free i.e. included in ticket price, where the hell else can you park at the NEC? It's hopeless, no wonder numbers are down, I think people have wised up.
I have not gone for years now to the NEC & either dipped into Ally Pally (or Excel) just because it's in London and close and breaks up a long dark bikeless winter, but I treat it as a day out, show in morning and out in west end in the afternoon then evening late train back or early next morning!!! I prefer going to shows on my own so I can chat to people and please myself how long I stay there and what I choose to look at rather than depend on what others want to do, no offence to my friends intended!! Therefore, I decided years ago, after being fortunate enough to have friends who live about 25 mins outside Milano, that I would go to the EICMA Italian Motorcycle Show instead, especially when I like Italian bikes and Aprilia etc had stopped exhibiting at Brum a while back. For me to travel on my own to NEC would mean about £50 in fuel/£6ish (then anyway) for car park/coffees/food on way at services and at the show, approx £20, entrance ticket approx £16, that's before buying anything there. Well that's £92, in reality I'd probably end up not far off £100+ for 1 day out. Gatwick to Milano Malpensa £55 return. Fly Friday come back Sunday or Monday, cheap train tickets about £5 to the show, estimate no more than £15 on train all weekend really.
The show?, what a revelation, four huge halls stuffed full of bikes and huge stands. Ok it's more expo than boot sale so not much to actually buy but lots of lovely things to see, friendly people, promo girls? Happy smiling stunningly beautiful models, as Milano is famous for and stunning Italian machinery. It's great to see how much they love the Triumph stand too, a lot of them being Anglophiles. The coffee? Excellent of course, the in show food, delicious and reasonably priced. The entrance fee has crept up a bit in recent years but is usually around £12. The hotels in Milano are off season so can be found through Easyjet’s hotel section very cheaply also. Have met some lovely people there, including Pier Francesco Chili who mistook me for the owner of NCR Ducati! And the first year I went I sat next to Troy Corser, over to represent Yamaha. For the first time you really need 2 days to see it all, though I now spend the whole day there till late (Friday is ladies day btw so anyone taking wives etc gets in free!) I go to my friends on the train and spend the rest of weekend there enjoying the food and drink and hospitality. I usually spend a day then in Lake Como, sort of Brighton crossed with Monaco! It's wealthy area (G Clooney has a place there) but it's a destination ride for lots of bikers who have enjoyed the mountain roads to get there. I know I can stay there easily but it's not difficult to do very cheaply. Some people even go back the same evening but I recommend spending at least an overnight there.
One guy I met once (an Aussie) was staying in a hostel and really doing it on the cheap. Fortunately being south east based I can come home from the airport on Gatwick Express in about 20 mins for about £5 too. My costs? Well overall yes I spend at least £100 with travel/food etc and maybe a bit more if I discount the extra costs of me staying on longer, though I can easily do it for virtually the same. Even if I had to get a hotel, I estimate as a dreary trip to Birmingham which, as you say, now offers very little from manufacturers as if they will show anywhere. Well, where do they pick for max attention, Brum? Or the glamour / kudos of Milano? No contest really. Well hope my scribble helps inform you a bit. Anyone who wants to go to a show should try it one year, especially if in the south with Gatwick so cheap and convenient.
Enjoying the mag keep it going won't you!
Regards
Lorenz Heil