With the High Side Ride festival, the Alès mechanical center once again becomes the great temple of motorcycles for three days

En piste ou en simulation, la moto sera reine pendant trois jours. Midi Libre – VICTOR GUILLOTEAU

The third edition of the festival dedicated to the world of two-wheelers, which welcomed more than 13,000 people in 2023, is back on track for three days of celebrations, from Friday May 31 to Sunday May 2. ;nbsp;June.

At the beginning, the High Side Ride was a video channel launched ten years ago on Youtube by enthusiasts of beautiful bikes. Videos now followed by more than 550,000 people regularly.

But for the team, when you are a fan of motorcycles and motor sports, it was necessary to do more than talk via screen. And for several years now, it is at the Alès Agglo mechanical center that this great mass has been held which last year attracted more than 13,000 followers and curious people over three days. A choice that remains judicious for the team at the helm: "For a Parisian, Alès, it’s not as far as Castellet! And the mechanical center offers several types of slopes. Not to mention of course that it is surrounded by the magnificent roads of the Cévennes!", rejoices Bader Benlekehal, organizer of the festival.

Full of sensations

For three days, from Friday May 31 to Sunday June 2, the center is transformed into a real biker village with 8,000 m2 of exhibition stands and demonstrations. series on the tracks, driving simulators, mechanical shows, evening concerts, and above all more than a hundred motorcycles available for testing. Testing the machines, for holders of the appropriate license, is precisely the keystone of the festival, which aims to please both enthusiasts and the simply curious. "We want to present the motorcycle of accessible way, all our shows will for example be commented live so everyone can understand and enjoy every moment", emphasizes Bader Benlekehal.

And to underline this desire to make the practice popular, the festival is organizing, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its channel on Youtube, the "Hyperpole High Side" : ten seasoned drivers who will pass, one after the other, on the track of the mechanical pole for a race against the clock. "There is only one rule, says Bader Benlekehal, The machine to be driven must have two wheels and a motor. This could well be a racing motorcycle like a scooter!" Enough to offer a few surprises.

Just contemplate, or practice the asphalt

The festival is open à all, but with the ticket it is possible for each participant to participate à numerous activities: testing the motorcycle of your choice on the track, marching in parades, attending shows or even having it checked for free. Condition of his motorcycle. Children will also have fun with inflatable games and an adapted initiation circuit.

For the more seasoned, the festival offers, with additional prices, introductions on the track behind a professional pilot and initiation sessions ( Trial, MX, kneeling…) which already displays complete.

Almost all of them Activities involving riding a motorcycle require registration: highside-ride-festival.com.

Entrance: 15 euros; per day, 35 € the three-day pass. Free for minors. First run (complete) at 90 euros, driving on the track at 160 euros. Info, program and reservations: highside-ride-festival.com.