Arrived back in Hampshire from the York rally late yesterday - took just
under 4 days with my 16-yr old daughter KJ, averaging 70mpd - with a
head wind all the way :-(
Overall impressions were that it is mainly 'older' people
who visit and a *lot* of motorised campers/caravaners, Met a
lot of previous aquaintances - but it would also have been
good to have a proper urc meet-up.
Went on the Saturday 'Medium' ride to Cawood - pleasant
except for the so-called tea stop - tea, coffee, beer, and
crisps - NO CAKES :-((( An Ordinary and a couple of trikes
were also on the ride. Arrived back in York a little late to
be at the refreshment for 2.30pm in case anyone else was
there, but I think I saw someone in a black Iowa hat :-)
Highlight of the Show was undoubtedly the ICE stand where I
had fun on the Monster and KJ was hooked on the Micro,
followed by demands for more pocket money. Some hope.
The aucton was fun, but the Forresters in the evening were
just bearable only because we took ample supplies of our
own beer (sorry, but Irish/folky/C&W just grates on me). I
was very surprised there was no beer tent and the rally
seems 'dry'.
Sunday night was disturbed by The Family from Hell who were
opposite our tent. From before 5am they were arguing and
threatening violence - then their 'leader' a massive bloke
of some considerable weight and more, spent the rest of the
day slouched outside his tent smoking and ignoring the
whole rally. Wierd wasn't the word.
Nevertheless, Sunday was a lovely day and we went on the
parade. It was fun to see Kevin mayne of CTC in flapping
suit and tie riding amongst the lycra clad riders. Settled
to watch the grass track racing and the 800m national
Championships then KJ had a go on the Trice back-to-back
tandem before more test rides of the Elf, Pixie et al...
Picture at:
freespace.virgin.netb2btrice.htmlOpen ↗ Further
pics at: vcventa.org.ukyorkrally.htmlOpen ↗
All in all, worth going. Purchases were a subscription to
Velo-Vision and two screw-in bar plugs, so I really splashed
out ;-) KJ got the last limited edition silver rally badge.
It was then 275 miles of srong headwind with our best stop a
'wild-camp' beside the pitsone Windmill, supposedly the
oldest in Britain.
The heavens opened as we rode the last few miles across the
bridleways of Watership Down, shortly before arriving home
drenched to the skin.
John B