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200 riders celebrate early motorcycling at the 2026 Pioneer Run
More than 200 riders and their magnificent machines gathered at Tattenham Corner, on the edge of Epsom Racecourse, as the early morning mist began to lift. This year marked the 86th running of the event, a living tribute to the earliest days of motorcycling. Alongside the famed Pioneer Class for pre-1915 motorcycles, the run also welcomed the Pioneer Plus Class for machines built before 1930, introduced last year—each one proudly ridden by enthusiasts keeping motoring history alive.
Once again, I found myself drawn to the start of the event, where the familiar mix of oil, petrol and polish hanging in the cool dawn air was irresistible. At precisely 8 a.m., the first riders, waved on by the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, set off, with a steady convoy following behind for the next hour. The rhythmic chugging of single-cylinder engines echoed across the Downs, as riders and spectators shared smiles and waves while the procession rolled elegantly south, winding its way through the Surrey and Sussex countryside towards Leonardslee Gardens for the traditional mid-morning coffee stop.
From there, the run continued through Sussex and over the South Downs. As the sun broke through, the riders pressed on to Brighton City Airport at Shoreham, home to its beautifully preserved Grade II-listed Art Deco terminal building, where the run reaches its finale.
Engines cooling, lunch waiting, laughter filling the air, and conversations about all things motorcycles continuing into the afternoon—a century and more of motoring history brought vividly back to life on a Sunday in March.
I have captured images of the characters and their anticipation of the day ahead, the gleaming detail of their machines, and the moments that define the spirit of the event. I hope you enjoy this selection as much as I enjoyed meeting them.
Words and photographs by Adrian Berg of IMAGE PERFECT.
Published:
Friday March 27th, 2026
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