"The Cockney Rejects"
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"The Cockney Rejects"
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ace weekend AN
“ACE” WEEKEND WITH THE ACE CAFÉ Saturday
9th September: It’s Saturday morning, and after making
sure the mutt has plenty of food and water we wind our merry way across London,
picking up the A40 at Paddington, and settling down to an easy cruise to Hanger
Lane…..yeh, right - no such luck, where does all the traffic come
from?….where’s it all going?… anyway, after about 20 minutes of filtering
we reach the famous Hanger Lane gyratory system! Bearing north up the North
Circular Road for about a mile we reach the equally famous “Ace Café”.
There must have been a couple of thousand bikes already there so we end up
parking up about 120 yards from the café itself, we only have to wait about 15
minutes before we’re all off on the KillSpills Rally to Westminster.
KillSpills is about reducing the amount of diesel and other oil spills on roads
which can cause so much grief to bikers. This looks good, like a giant ride out
marshalled by lots of riders in yellow jackets with nice blue flashing lights to
see us to our destination. Back down the North Circular Road to Hanger Lane and
then turning back up the A40 towards Paddington…..4mph….5mph….wow, now
we’re doing 8mph….well that was it!! 1st
and 2nd gear all the way up the A40, talk about overheating…phew!
The police outriders and marshals had it fine, they went whizzing up the
outside. Turning off the A40 we made our way through the West End to the delight
of the tourists and shoppers who probably wondered what on earth was going on.
We came to a full stop in Park Lane and judging by the smoke up ahead there were
a few “donuts” to please the crowds. Down the Mall where we all gave the
palace a wave, what does one middle finger raised mean? Then into Whitehall,
passed No.10 where the KillSpills organisers handed in a petition to Downing
Street….What? no Tony to greet us?… Ahhh,
now I know what the raised finger means! The marshals directed the rest of the
rally, probably about 2000 bikes, to park up on the Embankment - an impressive
sight. At 3:30 most went back to the “Ace”,
while we popped in to see Annya’s sister at the Priory Arms in
Stockwell, for a glass on ale ( and lemonade L)
before making our way home for dinner. Sunday
10th September We wake up to bright sunshine, and after
again sorting out the mutt and packing a picnic lunch we head off in the
opposite direction to Brighton. A
slight delay onto the M23 due to a car fire held us up a few minutes and then a
good ride down into the town, parking up at the first available space… well at
least it was in sight of Madeira Drive! Removing her helmet and jacket, I
realise that the Pukka Bird in wearing her “tankini” and leather
chaps….and not a lot else…Hmmm…...this should be interesting.
We make out way to the Pier, passing AJ’s Virago,
to meet the others, but as we’re a little late we seem to have missed
them. A stroll down the front causes me some
consternation: I was here in 1964 as a Mod on my Lambretta and a lot of Rockers,
obviously still with a score to settle, keep giving me funny looks! Surely they
can’t recognise me after 40 years? I
look down, avoiding eye contact, and pass by quickly. A few yards further on we
spy a load of scooters parked up with the bikes, perhaps all is forgiven… I
feel easier now. Strolling further on we bump into AJ and
Ruth and exchange pleasantries. Another
hour or so looking at all the bikes, trikes, and scooters and managing to buy a
pair of Giali jeans, we find
ourselves on the beach with the sun shining down,
stuffing our faces with sarnies, grapes and crisps. Having been suitably recharged we join
the throng, and while I admire the bikes others are admiring the Pukka Bird’s
be-chapped bottom, which doesn’t go down too well with some wives and
girlfriends…(and being Brighton, some boyfriends as well)..Tee Hee!!! Who’s a lucky geezer then?
The weather was brilliant and this year
the crowds seem lighter, but this was probably down the a better layout of
Madeira Drive with no parking in the middle of the road. A brisk ride back with
the Pukka Bird in the lead saw us home in good time with the mutt waiting to
greet us…more like wanting feeding. Anyway two lovely days out, shame it’s
back to work tomorrow. Al Stephens Centre 14 – Cockney Rejects |