Hi folks, I have plenty to report for this one, firstly back in June Bob, Clive, Mike and myself had a very enjoyable weekend leaving on the thursday morning heading for the Peak district,(via St Albans) stopped in Matlock for fish 'n` chips and a pint in the evening before finding our way to our travelodge in Alfreton. Friday morning we took the scenic route across the peaks, Snake Pass, shame about all the speed cameras, arrived in Windermere for refreshment by the lake, then on to Patterdale for the Midsummer bash with the Rats, eventful ride out saturday, a few mishaps with losing people on the ride out, but all worked out well in the end didn`t Mike, good food and beer and company, Sunday morning we took the route 66 down to Scotch Corner then on to the aviation Museum at Elvington outside York, plenty to see there, a tad on the warm side but better than rain, from there we headed for the Humber Bridge, very impressive, then on to Sleaford just below Lincoln, night in the Travelodge then made our way home Monday morning, although Bob left us Sunday evening due to work commitments, clocked just under 1000 miles, bit tender in the lower regions for a few days, but well worth the trip.
Eric and Rodders were at another bash that same weekend flying the Rother flag on the international scene over in Austria for the Tridays in Newchurch (Neukirchen), i phoned Eric up prior to writing this report for a few highlights of their trip, (two hrs later).
So here`s a few of them, clocked over 2500 miles, 800 of them getting their, as they were reaching their destination it was snowing, the town transformed into a mini London during the days before the rally started, with London Taxi`s, buses, red post and phone boxes, Union Jacks everywhere, out of 6000 people they seemed to be the only English there, although they did spend a couple of evenings chatting to Kevin Carmichael the Triumph stuntman, who is Scottish. There was ride outs every day covering 300 - 400 miles a time, they manage one of them but had a bit of trouble keeping up, they only had one speed, flatout, if the road was straight it had to be over the tonne, their ride out took them through the Dolomites, i said to Eric "i bet the scenery was good ", he said " it probably was but he had to keep his eyes on the road", Rodders back wheel came loose on the ride out but their manage to find a garage that lent them some tools and he was away again. Rodders manage to burn his nose when they visited" the glacier at grossglockner, the people were really friendly, all in all they had a fantastic time,"best rally they had been too "it was unbelievable" was the comments from the pair of them. (bet you can`t guess who said what).
On 30th June Clive led a good number of us on a Fish`n' chips run, starting of from our usual place at Johns Cross taking in Hawkhurst,Tenterden, Brenzett, New Romney, Dungeness, Rye and finishing up in St Leonards for our grub, and boy were we hungry by then, good ride out covering 80+ miles, well done Clive.
The following Wednesday and Thursday we had an excellent club turnout to help with the preparations for the 2010 Rabbit Rally, i thought it was the Germans that like to get there early to get the best pitch, but on the thursday our friends from Holland arrived to set up camp, good to see them again, the weather for the whole weekend was fabulous, well i did say we had booked it in an earlier report, good choice of bands with Run Leia Run and Kosmic Dogs on the Friday night and Dirty Scarlet on the saturday, Numbers were well up on previous rallies, we even sold out on the bbq on the Friday evening, (thanks to the landlord of The Plough at Crowhurst for the loan of their lovely bbq,and Rick for sorting it) those burgers and sausages were top notch thanks Haydon for supplying those, and cooking them too, has anyone seen Chris?
The best club turnout went to Worlds End MCC, with 17 members in attendance, best motorcycle 900cc Hinkley Trident outfit Roy Schilling, Long distance male rider The Dutch guys Huib, Rudulf, Rob,Guido, Ad,Hannes, Kryn from Ovet & Nulvet Clubs,(350miles)
Long distance female rider Sadie Marshall (155miles). The Chairman`s Trophy went to Bob Garman, a very popular winner,
well done mate.
Every Rother member who helped out over the weekend deserves a pat on the back for making this years rally such a successful
one, special mention must go to our Em who puts a lot of time and effort in before, during and after the rally, well done, and also thank you to all those that turned up over the weekend thanks for coming and we hope so see you all next year, which by the way has been pencilled in for 10/11/12 July, On the events list coming up we have 1st Sept Old Courthouse meeting, 8th Sept ride out Six Bells Chiddingly, 12th Sept Brighton Burn Up, as always keep a check on our website for updates www.rothertriumphmcc.co.uk .
August Bank Holiday weekend Old Courthouse Westfield Annual Beer Festival, well worth a visit, a group of us will be there on the Sunday afternoon.
On page 4 of last month`s Nacelle it stated the Silver Jubilee belonging to Brian Butters, it is in fact owned by our Rodders, good to see our Rother members Eric and Brian make the front page though.
That's it for this one, still looking for Chris,
The Mowerman
Email - colin@rothertriumphmcc.co.uk