THOUSANDS of people are set to gather this Bank Holiday weekend to see the exhilarating sight of Harley-Davidsons roaring through the district.

The Shipley Harley Rally, hosted in Baildon every year, kicks off today, and visitors from far and wide are expected to soak up the atmosphere. 

Now in its 45th year, the festival promises to be fun for all with entertainment, food, and drink on site.

The event, believed to be the UK’s largest Harley-Davidson rally, is organised voluntarily by The Wrecking Crew, supported by many local riders.

One of those, Pete Griff, has been going to the event for the last 25 years.

He is looking forward to welcoming more than 400 bikers to the Bradford district village this weekend.

Mr Griff said: "The weather forecast is not looking brilliant at the moment but we can't do anything about that.

"It is pretty much our usual formula. The rally site is at Baildon Rugby Club on Jenny Lane.

"That is where the marquee is where we will have bands on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.

"On Saturday we have a 'Poker Run' up into the Yorkshire Dales and then on Sunday, there is the big ride-out from Baildon village at 1pm.

"The ride out goes through Otley, Ilkley, and then back to Baildon. Then we have a bike show at the rally site after that."

Bikers will meet at Baildon Rugby Club on Friday where Thunder Monkeys - a rock cover band playing music from the 1970's onwards - are set to perform.

A day later, Go Your Own Way, a Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks tribute band, will perform.

Classic Rock n Roll band Last Orders Local will round off the weekend following the rally.

The Sunday rideout is often the highlight of the weekend and bikers are set to assemble from 11am in the centre of Baildon. The event often draws a large crowd as people gather to see the bikes set off. 

From Harley Davidson’s famous Road Kings to Sportsers, the flow of iconic motorcycles is set to be a fantastic spectacle. 

Mr Griff added: "The village is packed all weekend from Thursday morning. Some bikers camp at the rally site, others just come for a day.

"We have got bikers coming from Belgium, Holland, and Germany this year.

"We have got a couple from Northern Ireland, some from Scotland, all over the UK.

"Some guys have been coming up for over 40 years. One lad from London has only missed one of the 45.

"It is just a great atmosphere and nice to catch up with old friends."