TWO wheels were better than four on Sunday (September 30), as Hoggin’ the Bridge roared into town and took Caldicot by storm – but complaints by some residents may threaten the future of the event according to organisers.

The David Broome Event Centre (DBEC) near the town hosted the mass gathering of thousands of bikers for the first time.

They had travelled over the old Severn Bridge in an event which was partly organised by the Caldicot Town Team, a not for profit community interest company run entirely by volunteers.

It involved dozens of vounteers behind the scenes and manning the route. Last year the ride raised over £13,500 for 24 charities and this year again, thousands of riders took part in the event.

Complaints from a minority of people on social media, however, focussed on a desire to see the event return to Chepstow, where it originally began, and on fees received by DBEC.

Caldicot Town Team director Aaron Reekes, said: “It seems that with a small minority of people being so critical [on Facebook] means the David Broome Event Centre are not sure they want the event back next year.

“This is despite the fact that it was the ideal venue and they felt the event was a success, with positive comments from visitors and a real sense of community spirit and good organisation. If an event that ultimately raises thousands of pounds for charity is lost to our town, that’s a real shame.

“Yes DBEC did receive a fee for hosting this year’s event, Caldicot Castle had a fee for hosting the event last year and Chepstow Racecourse also did for three years prior to that.

“We had fewer bikes this year, as there were a couple of other events in the south west, but as we were trialling a new route and a new venue, this is probably for the best. There are always things you can do to improve an event, but the venue went down really well with the bikers and there was much less congestion along the route.

“Local pubs, restauarnts and takeaways all benefit and we feel that the event could really grow, especially with the free camping that was trialled with attendees this time, and that could benefit the town centre too.

“We’re always keen to hear views and opinions, but the social media comments did put a dampner on the event.”

“There were 52 volunteers involved in the event and over 200 voluntary hours went into it over the last week.”

Aaron added“The event became too large to be safely organised in Chepstow. With five car parks, a major through road and steep streets, the logistics of parking thousands of bikers became more difficult each year. Combined with increasing costs such as accredited road marshals at vital junctions, road closures and other costs, the sensible and safest solution was to move it from the town centre.

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers,” Aaron added. “And to give a shout out to Charlie Bearney from Chepstow, who has given out jelly babies to bikers along the route for years. She bought 50kg of them to give away this year and the bikers gave her a T-shirt so that they could spot her more easily.”

The main ride on Sunday left Aust services at 11am, to travel across the Severn Bridge and through local villages, with spectators lining parts of the route to watch them go past.

Proceeds from Hoggin the Bridge go to local and national charities, including Meningitis Now.

For more information on Hoggn’ the Bridge, visit hoggin-the-bridge.co.uk. To contact Caldicot Town Team, visit caldicottownteam.co.uk