Breakdown, U-Boats and Chips (29-7-01)

I had decided to go on my own bike on this rideout, I thought if it does breakdown again, the Wirral and Birkenhead docks are not too far away if I have to be rescued. Earlier this year I made an effort to start to ride again but this was daunted by demons - actually I hope it was only a faulty brake light switch…

One Sunday earlier this year Denis and I set out on our bikes for a little trundle around, to get me back into the saddle. After a few miles a lot of popping and banging occurred, followed by a dying engine.. ah ha … No petrol. We sourced a garage, filled up and away we went, that seemed to be it.

Okay, I'll go to Calderdale on it, the day dawned and off we set, but after only ½ mile, and full of petrol, the demon was at it again. Luckily it had stopped on top of a bridge, so I turned around and coasted down popping and banging back into our garage. I jumped on the back of the Fatboy, and just made it to the Truckstop in time to leave for the Calderdale Bike show.

This little mishap was deemed to have been caused by 'me' of course, by leaving the choke on for too long! Holidays came and went and the Pres checked my Sportster over, no problems, it's okay, he'd just done a lap of our local circuit without missing a beat. 'It's definitely you' he said.

The MOT was due so he booked it with Big Twin Services over in Southport, for the Saturday morning of the Peace Centre BBQ. By 9am he was on his way, I did my shopping and arrived home at noon. No sign of him, no messages either, so I thought he'd be chatting as men do when around bikes. But when it got to 1:30pm I was getting a little worried. Then I got a call … 'Guess what - your bikes passed its MOT, but it packed up on my way home, so come and pick me up from Big Twin'. (so it was ME was it!)

I hurried along to collect him, time was running short, for the 3pm meet so we were driving 'a little quick' along the M58 when bang went a rear tyre. We've had this car three years but never changed a wheel, needless to say the handbook came in very handy!. Finally got home, jumped on the Fatboy, but by this time we missed the meet at the Truckstop.

The following Saturday Lee and Dennis set off to collect the bike. Ant from Big Twin had rung up during the week to say they had hopefully fixed the problem. Russ & Julie (Enjoying life in deepest Wales) were coming over for lunch, so I said be back by 1:30pm. No Calls, no sign of them by two, had the demon struck again? Thankfully not, just chatting as men do…..

And that brings us back to the beginning. About 15 bikes set off, down the A49 towards Whitchurch, lovely weather, and hardly any traffic as we ambled along through the country lanes. We stopped en route for a little drink as usual, then on to West Kirby before the tour of the U-Boat. I was a little apprehensive as we climbed inside, it was a bit claustrophobic, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally it was time for tea, it wasn't far to the chippy and Alice had phoned Mike to check our ETA so we were soon tucking in to the best fish and chipy I've tasted in a long while. I'd just like to say thanks to Alice for opening up on her day off especially for us.

Well I made it, the first ride I have done for ages, 150 miles, no rain, no demons and best of all no cooking when I got home.

Janet.

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On the whole it's been a good summer, I've had some great times, no, some fantastic times! I can't believe just how quickly the season has gone, just two weeks ago I was at the HDRCGB rally at Shipley. Although we (me, Ed and Elaine) rode up in the rain, the rest of the weekend was glorious. I got earache from Mark for going to the rally, as my bike being a Yam, had to stay at the gate of the site, and he was worried it might get nicked. But the security was excellent with three or four people on 24 hour gate duty at all times, so I could relax.

We pitched camp next to all the important bits, Loo's to the front of us, food stalls and marquee just behind and a proper shower, make up mirrors etc up the road. The grass was short and springy, and everything was just fine.

On entering the marquee on our first night (Friday) I knew we were in for a good time, the atmosphere felt right, we got ourselves a table and started on Elaine's Vodka with fresh orange. Before long we were getting rowdy, singing and dancing and playing drums on the table. Don Frear came over to join us and I was introduced to Ian the Lincoln rep. It was my turn for the bar, of course once there I got yapping to two blokes from Stow on the Wold - Ray and Paul. We were having such a laugh I forgot all about Elaine's drink! She eventually came looking for me with my coat and bag, as she and Ed were turning in. We partied on until four, then went for a cuppa before bed. The best drink of the night!

Saturday morning up at he crack of dawn. Elaine made bacon baps and mugs of tea and sat outside the tent mulling over the night before, roaring with laughter at a predicament I'd gotten myself into over a case of mistaken identity. I don't think the other party saw the joke unfortunately!

I switched on my mobile at 8:30 as I was expecting a call from Maria and Brian who were coming to join us, nothing. I phoned them, but got no answer. I was beginning to worry when the phone eventually rang - they were at the gate. They had been calling my mobile, the one that was at home, turned off.

We waved them in and set about putting the brand new, room for a pony, mini marquee up. We had a laugh though, us three still hung over and feeling hot and queasy every time we bent down, you know the feeling! They positioned the tent with the back door opening out on to one of the portaloos. It must have been the only tent on site with an en suite. Typical scousers.

Looking around the stalls I bagged a bargain, a brilliant short leather biker jacket for £20. There were only two more stalls, one a Harley T-shirt stall run by a lovely man who called himself 'fingers'. I wondered why he kept offering to give us a free fitting.

At about 2pm we rode down to the village, the sun was shining and the place was packed out with bikers. We were lucky, a gang were just leaving so we nabbed their table, at the front of "The Malt Shovel" pub and watched the world go by. Then we decided to ride to Esholt village where Emmerdale is filmed. We couldn't find Seth though, but of course we had to have our photos taken outside the 'Wool Pack'.

Saturday night, my mates 'The Natural Born Swillers were playing. I couldn't wait, us girls got ourselves tarted up in our tents and armed this time with a full bottle of Southern Comfort, we stormed the marquee more than ready to get on down and party. I bumped into Dave, the Swillers drummer boy, soon as I walked in. He bought me a drink and we had a natter, Ron the singer then asked me if I'd get on the stage with them to sing. I was reluctant, as I'd already had had quite a few bevies and I was scared of singing off key or falling over or something. But he wouldn't take no for an answer, I knocked off the booze for a while and tried to sober up. As usual the band were brilliant and soon had the dance floor full, then he called me up and we sang Meatloaf's '2 outta 3 ain't bad' together. I really enjoyed myself on stage singing - and off stage lapping up the attention from my adoring fans. Just call me DIVA, yer can't beat it!!

We met up with Pete Smallwood, it was his birthday and he was going around collecting as many kisses as he could. After the band finished, the rock disco took over, it only finished when the last person left. I think I turned in at about 3:30 and actually slept, the first time since Thursday.

Sunday, another lovely day, we went into the site café for a proper breakfast, followed by a walkabout looking at all the lovely bikes, there were some beauties about. The mass rideout was leaving the village at one, for Harewood House. It was choka block full, with all the locals lining the roads, waving and taking photos as we rode past. I must admit I felt a bit of a prat, but the experience was fantastic, apparently it's the biggest Harley mass rideout in the country.

On arrival at he show we did the usual things, queue for the loo's, queue for donuts etc. the Riders club members were doing a demonstration in the main ring, and depositing the toys we'd all brought into a large skip. Brian, Maria, Elaine and Ed tagged on the back, while I took the piccies. The bikes lined up then cut their engines to start up again all together, in a strange way it moved me and tears welled in my eyes, get a grip girl, I promptly shoved my shades on.

I've heard it's traditional for someone to disgrace themselves by falling off in the ring. Pete did it for the NHC last year, and a girl on a Sportster did it this year almost causing a pile up behind her as a Night Train stopped dead and an Electra Glide slid to within ½ inch of his rear end. Phew!

Soon after about thirty of us left for Harrogate, we'd had an invitation from a Rock Diner, they'd put on a couple of bands and free bar snacks. Harrogate is an elegant city, very classy with beautiful architecture. I was glad I'd seen it.

Back in Shipley, we ate fish and chips, bought a big cake and went back to camp to brew up and almost made ourselves sick on huge slabs of Battenburg. Got to have sustenance, got to get thru tonight yet!

I'll admit I did think the evening would be an anti climax as some people had left, but gladly, I was proved wrong as more people came in just for Sunday night. The big marquee was full to bursting point, a great time was had by all.

I did my bit for international relations when I got friendly with an Australian girl and some Dutch people. I was again one of the last to leave, god only knows what time it was, got back to my tent to a chorus of snores coming from Ed's tent and funny squeaky sounds from Brian and Maria's mini marquee, maybe there was a mouse in there!

I have to say the tables were turned next morning when Maria breezed over bright as a button. I literally had to be prised out of my pit. I was well knackered, but on a tremendous high, and still am two weeks after the event. What a superb rally it was.

Lynn

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End of Summer Party...6th October 2001

As much as I was looking forward to this day, I was also dreading it, by its very name it rings the death toll for summer, as summer dies a part of me dies too. But like all good funerals we have to celebrate the good times and have a bloody good wake, and what a wake the end of summer party turned out to be.

Turkey Pete called for us en route at midday, I took all the camping gear in the car, and I let Mark ride a proper bike up to 'The Cock'- Mine! By the time I arrived ¾ hour later the two of them were quite content and cosy in the bar with their hands full, while I was all wound up with frustration at being stuck in traffic. My lovely mates soon soothed my fevered brow with their good humour as we all toiled with our erections on the camp site

It amazes me how much fun and frivolity can be had pitching tents. With airbeds pumped up, pillow, duvets and my famous fur throw in place, we made our way to the bar. There was already a good crowd and a great atmosphere, since I was pillion for the day, I could have a few drinks. We couldn't have wished for a better day, weatherwise for the ride-out. We were taken on a lovely route, passing beautiful old houses and pretty villages, at a good brisk pace, nice one Bob! After a stop off at Blakemere craft centre, where all us badass bikers raided the sweetie shop, we returned to base.

The last of the Mohicans -“John“- let me ride his Heritage while he rode my XJR. Although I love the looks of John's bike, riding it was a different matter. He enjoyed my bike so much, that he took Angie out and was gone that long, I began to get worried. Eventually they turned up flushed with excitement (I'll get hung for this). Mark and I then returned home to eat and get changed.

Back at the do, me, Mark, Pete, Ed, Elaine, Maria, Bri and Sue got a table near the front. The table behind was occupied by a crowd from HDRCGB, some I'd met at Shipley, it was great to see them again and to have their support. It was also nice to see some HOG Deva members, invited I think by our very own "Lady of Harley" Sue. Poor Sue had some stick over THAT patch.

As the night wore on and everyone was revving up a gear or two, the band "˜The Jalepenos" started up. I thought they were great, really entertaining and comical, the mixture of 50's Rock'n'Roll and classic rock soon had the dance floor packed. It was actually hard finding a piece of floor to call your own, especially when the Riders Club boys got up and went wild. God, aren't they all so big, at least four of them were about 6' 4" it was like dancing in a forest of giant oaks, viva big boys!

Brian was on the loose with his camcorder, god only knows what we all looked like on it. I hate camcorders. Pete surprised us all by still being there at 8:30pm and actually stayed for the long haul. It was nice to see Sheila and Stuart again after an absence, Stu told us he'd not been well, get well soon Stu.

It was good to see so many of the clan at the party, and I know its not always possible to attend. Work is the curse of the drinking man (and woman). But Elaine can you not be ill again on a party night please, its so inconsiderate of you, and poor Keith missed out, he had to make do with a poxy night out in Warrington. Seriously, you were missed. I was surprised my disco dancing partner, Pete, wasn't there, still recovering from Shipley Pete? And Glyn, Stu, Linda and Jan where were you, hope to see you all soon.

The new landlord was a treasure, his prices were rock bottom too, even I could afford to use the bar instead of being reduced to topping up my drink in the loo using my smuggled in Southern Comfort. I got caught by the landlady last year and my cachet was confiscated, he also didn't rush us out at the end of the night, he told me he loves the place and plans to stay forever. At about 1:30, us campers - about twenty tents in all and Fred, Tommo and Tony sleeping in their cars - turned in, and apart from a running commentary between the tents, we had an uneventful night. Oh, Mark was sick, too many details, I can hear Ellie saying.

We were awoken by the sound of wolf whistles and jeers by the Riders Club lads, guess who they were directed at? I'll let you into a little secret, we all know how Turkey Pete got his moniker don't we, we also know he's got the turkey legs to match. Pete took it all in his stride, well his Paisley boxer shorts actually, and didn't give a Castlemaine XXXX. As we were all ravenous, we dashed warts'n'shorts'n'all to the pub for breakfast.

For £1.50 we got as much sausage, bacon, tomatoes and baps, tea and coffee as we wanted. It was packed and everyone was in high spirits, with much joking and camaraderie going on. Janet turned up to check on her flock, thanks Mum, where would we be without you, as usual the girl done good!. The event was rounded off nicely for me, by Stephen from Cumbria letting me take his Buell out. He's a very trusting man, allowing me out on his steed in my stilletto heeled boots, his jacket and helmet, that was too big for me, and kept covering up my eyes. I loved his bike though, it's got loads of poke in it, thanks Steve and it was lovely to see you down again.

Having said our goodbyes we made our weary way home, for a bath and to see my beloved boys, Charles, Barney, Oscar and Lawrence. Fully satisfied that a damn good night had been had by all. Fantastic.

Lynn

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