roughleys bike show
august 2024
Roughleys Bike Show is one of the biggest events in Stockport’s biker calendar — hundreds of bikes, custom builds, and families filling the town centre.
I’d heard about it through a friend for a long time, but this was my first opportunity to photograph it.
ANDREW ROUGHLEY
He started Roughleys Bike Show back in 1999 as a small local meet, and it’s grown into one of the UK’s biggest independent charity bike shows.
Over the years, it’s raised thousands for causes ranging from children’s charities to biker support organisations.
What began as a casual ride-out is now a respected and well-attended event — and Andrew’s still at the centre of it.
The day was filled with people catching up — bikers who’d known each other and been part of the scene for years.
You could see the history written into their faces.
punk roots
I was drawn to her red hair — I got a sense of punk roots.
When I asked to take her portrait, she and her family lit up.
That’s why I love taking portraits — if one photo can make someone’s day, that’s enough.
so many people worked behind the scenes to make this event what it was — people who sacrificed their time for a charitable cause.
Spartan mcc
an Old School bike club, with Old School values.
once they spotted me, i was pulled over to take photos
- i happily obliged
HARLEY ROUGHLEY
Andrew’s daughter — named after his love for Harley motorbikes.
I’d seen her running around all day, walkie-talkie in hand.
It became clear that this event was becoming generational.
In the brief time I’ve spent photographing them, I’ve come to realise I feel more at ease around bikers than I do in most crowds.
“bikers are great people, we're not at all frightening.”
- andrew roughley 2004