BOOK: Miles - The Art of Losing A Motorcycle Race

Book review by Gary Inman

Malle London began as a maker of stylish motorcycle luggage, but have expanded into apparel and, undoubtedly what they are now more well known for, freewheeling motorcycle happenings. They organise long-distance Malle Rallies, both in the UK and Europe, and a beach race, but are best known for the Malle Mile. Ten years in, Malle (Ma-Lay) have created a book to commemorate their best idea.

The Mile is an annual run-what-you-brung festival of participation motorsport. It's aimed at classic and customs (and best when that is strictly adhered to). Launched in 2015, they had held five before I attended my first in 2020, but I haven't missed one since, and was glad to have made it to the final Mile held at Kevington Hall, before the move to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire. If I can make this about Sideburn, for one moment, the Malle Mile is the privately-educated cousin of Dirt Quake, which introduced these kind of dirt shenanigans and inappropriate bike racing to the UK in 2012, expanding into the alpine Snow Quake a few years later.

While Dirt Quake ran out of steam, Malle's inherent style and enthusiasm has seen the event grow into a wonderfully relaxed jamboree, with a huge stage for live bands, plus quicks like early morning yoga and wild swimming, without losing the focus of why people attend, to ride and race from morning till night. While far from mainstream, it has crossed over and is certainly no longer the preserve of the hip - and in doing so, helped secure its success. It has now cemented itself on the UK motorcycle event calendar.

This 256-page hardback is a history and celebration of the Miles, the people and bikes that have competed there. It's a supremely photogenic event, and the large format hardback is principally a photobook, with some essays dotted throughout. If you've attended Malle events, and enjoyed them, the book's targeted at you. If you're in it, even better.

Available as 'regular' hardback for £48 or special edition for £128 from MalleLondon.com