The UK's largest biking show!

With less than 2 months until we throw open the doors to MCL26, it’s time to announce our first confirmed guests of MCL26!

Opening day is Saturday 21 November and joining us for the first of nine packed days are Charley Boorman, Elspeth Beard and Glenn Irwin. All three are ambassadors for Zerofit and will be appearing on their stand for meet and greet sessions during the day. Initially, however, they will be on the brand-new Super Stage!

Returning hosts James Whitham and Grace Webb will be chatting with Charley, Elspeth and Glenn, digging deep to find out all the facts about their recent activities.

But who are Boorman, Beard and Irwin?

Charley Boorman is one half of the famous adventuring duo who brought motorcycle travel into the mainstream, when he set off with Ewan McGregor in 2004 to circumnavigate the globe. More than twenty years later, Charley is still regularly pushing boundaries, embarking on epic international journeys while exploring exciting new avenues in the motorcycle world.

One of his most exciting recent projects is ‘Bigger… Better… Faster’, a brand-new film that delves deep into the history and high-octane spectacle that is Northern Ireland’s famous North West 200 road races. Created in partnership with Zerofit, directed by filmmaker Luke Whatley-Bigg, the film offers a fascinating look at one of motorsport’s most legendary events and it’s definitely one to watch for any racing or adventure fan!

Elspeth Beard was the first British woman to travel around the world. At just 23-years-old, having taught herself the basics of machine maintenance, saved a couple of grand and previously explored America on two wheels, she took to her 1974 BMW R60/6 in 1982 and set off on an adventure that took her to all corners of the world. Two years of exploring saw her ticking off incredible locations such as Canada and Kathmandu, stopping off everywhere in between. Clocking up a massive 35,000 miles, she came home with a million memories and journals packed with musings from her adventures. Returning to her daily life, she finished her architectural studies, converted a stunning water tower into her home and put her journals to one side, leaving the story of her exceptional achievement unpublished.

Fast forward 30 years and Elspeth was contacted by a publisher. She finally put pen to paper and her fantastic account of the trip, ‘Lone Rider’, was first published in 2017. It’s gone on to be translated into multiple languages and loved by adventurers across the globe. Her beloved BMW R60/6 still takes pride of place in her bike collection.

Glenn Irwin comes from a proud family of motorcycle racers and hails from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland. His natural talent and determination see him compete at the top flight of the sport. A regular front-runner in the prestigious British Superbike Championship, he shares a garage with team-mate Kyle Ryde for the Nitrous Competitions Racing Team, riding the formidable Ducati Panigale V4R.

Beyond short circuits, Glenn’s transition to road racing has been nothing short of historic. He holds the fastest newcomer record from his debut at the Isle of Man TT in 2022, when he set a stunning lap-record speed of 129.85 mph on the challenging Mountain Course. Back on home soil, he remains an unstoppable force at Northern Ireland’s famous North West 200, boasting an incredible streak of Superbike victories. Off the track, he also appears alongside Charley Boorman in the new film ‘Bigger… Better… Faster’.

More guests will be announced over the coming weeks, keep an eye on www.motorcyclelive.co.uk and follow us on Facebook and Instagram