Welsh
Rally July 13th 15th
The weather
forecast for the weekend was for heavy prolonged rain, hail, thunder,
gale force winds and floods, if you believed the weather forecasters you
would have stayed in bed the whole weekend of the rally.
The reality was
wall-to-wall sunshine, ok we had a few short showers on the M4 on our
way across to Wales but you really could not complain.
We met up with
Centre 14 on the M4 reading services for an 11am Scud off, dressed in
waterproofs and expecting the worse July had to offer we head off west
bound, about 10 bikes in all. Anne on her 1100 Draggie set a healthy
pace of between 70 and 85mph, which was not to bad with a screen, boy I
wish I had a screen fitted! My neck muscles were blown up to the size of
Mike Tyson’s by the time we hit the Severn Bridge and the 535 (2up
with full luggage and tent) was having to run at full throttle a lot of
the time to cope with the constant strong head wind. [Coming across the
Severn bridge was great, what a view, I had not been across it since I
was about 10 years old and it bought back a few memories.
But we arrived
unscathed to be met by clear skies and a picturesque forest backdrop to
the campsite. Then it was the usual mad hour spent attacking the bungees
and setting up the tent and stowing the gear within, made easier by the
can of beer supplied by Anne, I wondered what she had in all those bags.
The Friday
afternoon was spent having a wonder around Tonna village and buying a
few essential provisions (8 cans of beer and some Hob Nobs). We also
scoped a Chinese take away, which satisfied our hunger when they opened
at 5.30.
The evening
quickly arrived and it was in to the clubhouse for the usual crazy
night. Cheap beer, a disco which started off a bit ropey and ended up
being very, very good, whether it got better or we got more drunk I
don’t know. As I looked around at the chaos which is a VSOC Friday
night I wondered if the club house had ever had this much merriment in
one night, and also how strong the tables were as people danced on them,
brilliant night all in all.
The whole
atmosphere at the rally was one of fun and friendship with all the
centres meeting and greeting one and all, this was only our 2nd
rally and already some already familiar faces came over to say “Hi,
how ya doin’).
Saturday
morning about 3am a storm started with thunder rumbling around the
valley and rain thrashing against the tent, but by 8am the sun was out
and so began another day.
The Poker run
was due to start at 10.30; at 10.50 I heard the first bike rumble into
life. We decided to skip the Poker run and 2 Viragos and a Dragstar
headed off to Swansea and followed the coast road for a rather relaxing
day drinking coffee in the sunshine. We ended up on a small beach, the
sun glinting off the sea; a few surfers were catching the little waves
that were rolling in, perfect.
It seemed at
every turn we saw either other bikes or familiar friendly faces from the
rally site.
Once back on
camp we again sat in the sun and started drinking a bottle of wine and
chatting the afternoon away.
In the evening
we joined our good friends from centre 14 for a meal in the village,
(table for 21 please), great meal, great company and good service.
Although a couple of local’s did remark that they were surprised we
could all use knives and forks!!! [ Hey what the heck it’s only the 21st
century but the biker stigma sticks firm…]
A slow stroll
back to camp again and another disco and a cracking live band, hats off
to the Toga party guys and gals who really new how to enjoy themselves
complete with laurel wreathes, another wild and crazy VSOC night
followed, until the early hours. Then we spent about another hour
discussing Dragstar handling in the cold, clear night air.
Sunday was met
with sunshine and a big cooked breakfast followed by the usual pack up
and head out stuff. We came back, led brilliantly by Anne and rear
marked by Steve from Centre 14, the riding was as usual, safe and
regimented and the 12 or so bikes held the pack fairly well despite the
traffic. Centre 11 were about 5 minutes behind and just as we all
cleared the gas station and were about to move off they rumbled up,
smiles and waves all round.
Sitting on the
M4 in the middle of the pack, with the V twin thumping and surrounded by
exhaust noise (Namely V Bobs V Max) I had not a care in the world, I
thought to myself this really is what life is about and could have
ridden on and on. Gradually bikes break off for their various junctions
and roar up to the front of the pack to wave good bye, until in the end
its just the two of us back in Warfield surrounded by cars and back to
reality, shame….until the next party… Scrumpies 10th
August, can’t wait.
Dave #3577
Thames Valley Vultures
