Newy-Choppin in Wickham-Newcastle 31/01/2026
Newy-Choppin’ didn’t feel like an “event” so much as a statement. No fancy barriers, no forced nostalgia. Just an old-school chopper show dropped squarely into the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel in Newcastle, a pub that knows how to cater to this crowd, honest and what you see is what you get. Industrial surrounds, cold beers, great bikes, and zero apologies. Exactly how this stuff should be done.
The bikes were the real thing. Properly restored classics sat comfortably alongside the sharp end of Australia’s bad arse chopper scene. Nothing felt staged or over-polished. These were machines built to be ridden not hidden, argued over, and occasionally leaked on. The mix worked, history parked next to evolution and nobody seemed interested in drawing lines about what was “right” or “wrong.”
Newy-Choppin’ is the brainchild of Jake David, a bloke with the confidence to back his ideas and the energy to make them happen. A few years ago after coming home from a well known Sydney chopper show, he asked the obvious question: “Why shouldn’t Newcastle have this?” In 2024, he answered it himself. But this wasn’t a carbon copy, it was local, raw, some would say “Very Newcastle.”
The Lass O’Gowrie is a near-perfect setting. A handful of special bikes were squeezed into the bar like they belonged there all along, with the main display sprawled out in the beer garden. With the sun absolutely belting down, the open-roofed shelter earned its keep. Out the back, vendors like Filthy Leather Co added to the atmosphere, alongside the usual badges, jewellery, and the all-important event t-shirts.
And the show didn’t stop at the fence. The bikes ridden in by punters were just as impressive as anything officially “on display.” Choppers, Bobbers, immaculate customs, and plenty that defied neat labels. Harley-Davidson alone didn’t dominate, there were all brands, all sizes, all built with intent. It felt inclusive without trying to be.
The pub did what pubs are meant to do. Counter meals flew out, the bar staff worked like machines, and later in the arvo a few trophies were handed out. Best American, Best British, Best Chopper and the like. But nobody was there chasing silverware. This was about the chopper lifestyle: a subculture that’s looser, friendlier, and not interested in telling you how things should be.
Then the bands fired up, and the night rolled on. For us sadly it ended early with a flight back to Melbourne waiting. Still, Newy-Choppin’ was worth the flights and the 4:00 am alarm. Pulling this off is impressive. Topping it next time will be hard. But if Jake and his crew keep trusting the scene and staying true to the vibe, Newy-Chopin’ will be around for a long time to come, and secure its position as a ‘Must Attend’ event on the Aussie chopper calendar.
Whitey
(Mick ‘Whitey’ White is an Aussie YouTuber (@ThatHarleyCouple) and Co-Presenter of Australia’s Biker Show’ Hogs, Cogs and Two Aussie Flogs.)
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