This past weekend, Southwark Park was lit up with the atmosphere of hundreds of bikers as it is every year for the annual Bikestormz rideout!
Bikestormz is a staple event in the Bikelife scene and the biggest year-on-year, where hundreds / thousands of riders come to ride together as one from all corners of the UK and even internationally, enforcing a sense of community and spreading a positive message.
Originally the creation of Mac Ferrari Guy (MacImpact) alongside a close-knit team of riders such as Jake100, NLKizzy, Bikelifesoups, Wheelie Kay and many others, there was one slogan and message as the backbone of the event which still stands to this day: BIKES UP, KNIVES DOWN.
As of 2023, our Collective Bikes team rider Jake100 was handed over the privilege by MacImpact of leading the annual gathering - and he has spared no effort in improving the event and reinforcing it’s positive message year on year so far.
Bikelife royalty old and new attend the gathering, such as Little Harry / LittleHarry15, Ryan Taylor (BMX legend and co-founder of CollectiveBikes), La Plaga (@_la_plaga - athlete for Mafiabikes) and many more. The presence of these guys is a spectacle for all the kids and riders in attendance and you will often see the athletes with a crowd of fans surrounding them asking for pictures and autographs on their bikes! Jake also does a fantastic job of getting all the popular athletes involved in the days running and the events.
If you saw a big crowd of bikers powering through central London - this was it! However, this is not the only attraction of the day. The riders all return to the park after the ride for hours of open competitions and events. This year, Collective hosted the Swerve Jam and gave away a box of swag including a Chest Rig bag and a £200 gift-card to the lucky winner! There were also King of the Ring (hosted by Tar Street Sports), and combo (freestyle) contests held where money and prizes were up for grabs.
Due to him hosting the event, you may think that most of the riders would show up rocking Jake100’s signature bike; the C100. And many did! However, it is an important value of the Bikestormz event that it doesn’t matter what you show up riding, as long as you show up with good energy and a community spirit. They do not mind what bike you ride - SE Bikes, Collective, Boardman, Haro Bikes, Mafia Bikes or even a Lime Bike!
There has been so much buzz and popularity surrounding the event, that BBC London did a news story on it this year 2024 - for the London 6pm News. Jake 100 and some of our family members at Collective did interviews explains the values and ethos behind it.
Keep an eye out for the annual event in August 2025. We will be there as always alongside our team and the community we love doing what we do best!
BIKES UP KNIFES DOWN!
BIG COLLECTIVE!