Founded by a group of hard-nosed riders back in the ’70s, Mablethorpe Sand Race is a unique off-road contest where one thing is guaranteed: if you’re not getting messy, then you’re not trying hard enough.”
Text: Eva Clifford Photography: Claudia Agati
Every other Sunday from October to March, a sandy stretch of Lincolnshire coast plays host to one of the most unique racing events in the country. On these select winter mornings, Mablethorpe Beach transforms into a hotbed of activity as people and their motorbikes begin to filter onto the sand.
Against the backdrop of a forgotten seaside resort, the air explodes with the roar of engines as riders make their way to the start line. Overhead, storm clouds hover, threatening rain — but no one seems to bat an eyelid. At the marshal’s signal, the rope drops and the bikes lurch forward, kicking up a wave of sand as they shoot into the distance.
Mablethorpe Sand Race began in 1970 after a group of friends came up with the idea one night in the pub. “We wanted an activity during winter so we had the idea of a beach race,” says Chairman Neil Tuxworth, one of the club’s founders. “Seventeen people attended the first meeting, but as word began to spread, the event grew. By the mid ’70s, there were almost 200 riders. While there are now between 70-80 [regular] riders, on a good day there can be up to 3,000 spectators.”
Now entering its 50th season, it draws people from the county of Lincolnshire and beyond — sometimes from places as far afield as Guernsey, over 300 miles away – to ride all kinds of motorbikes around a 600-metre track by the sea. Race times depend on the tide and the track itself is constantly changing. While it may be a beach event, it’s hardly sun-kissed and glamorous — but that’s the beauty of it.
Mablethorpe is special because of the freedom granted to the riders. No license is required to ride; everyone is welcome, regardless of age, ability, gender or riding experience. The bikes, meanwhile, range from homemade contraptions to high-end models purchased brand new.
For many, it’s not just the thrill of racing that brings them here, but the camaraderie. Older riders often step in to help younger riders, whether that’s lending them a spare part for their bike or giving them friendly pointers for when they’re on the track. If someone falls off, they’re quickly picked back up. When a new rider joins, they’re swiftly embraced by the community. “The people you meet through riding are ama
