I had another early start on Saturday (left home at 03:45 - this is becomming a habit).
I headed to Peterborough on the 1150GSA and arrived at the East of England Showground at 09:20, not a bad run, but very cold as I had omitted to wear my thermals
.
The BMF rallies are all much the same . . loads of end-of-line clothing, jackets, trousers, helmets, gloves, you name it, its there in crates. Various motorcycle clubs have stands as well and it is interesting to see what they ride.
I spent an hour or so in the grandstand watching three of the arena events. The highlight, for me, being 'Classic' Speedway with JAP, Rudge, Douglas bikes being given a good outing. These guys weren't on a parade and the racing was very good. They were burning Castrol 'R' as well which brought back memories.
Then there was a junior motorcycle display team, the "Solent Eagles", with both boys and girls of ages between 17 and 5. They did very well and were obviously well looked after and professionally presented.
Then came the "Scooter Racing" (Scooter being a rather loose description from what I could see). This entailed lining up about 60 modified hacks, doing a Grand Prix start and then racing round the track taking in three chicanes en route.
After about 12 laps someone came off and was hurt, so the race was stopped while the Medics carried the fella away.
The race was then re-started and after about 12 laps a girl came off and was hurt, so the race was stopped again.
I left after the third start, it all seemed a bit pointless. It was supposed to be fun but it was obvious that people were going to come to grief in the mayhem.
I had a look around the bike park and spoke to a couple of GS riders (non-UKGS members) then left the site around 14:00.
Home at 20:45, the last 45 miles being p*ssing wet. 721 miles in the day.
Then there was the BMW Club (Yorkshire Section) Run on the Sunday; but I'll leave that for another post.
Some pictures from the BMF Rally:
There was an Autojumble and the usual array of cheap tools and equipment.
Its not a 'Classic' event, but I have always fancied the BSA A65 - nice one
Quite a lot of the attendees are in the "Long hair, tattoos and body piercing" category, and their bikes wouldn't win a concours
If your Suzuki isn't fast enough . . . . . .
Add a Nitro Kit under the tail pack
Hmmmm. . I wonder if this Trike is as fast as it looks
For Sale - A 1984 R65 LS - Offers over £2,000 (which seemed a bit steep to me).
Lots of polishing to be done here !
I wonder what they do with the bikes when they are at sea
Stickers for all occasions (the Stall-holder wasn't too pleased with me for photographing his wares instead of buying them
).
Strange things to sell at a bike (or any other) event . . How would you get one home on a bike ?
Ah . . Classic Speedway, now things are looking up
Heading for the start . . .
These guys don't hang around.
A nice Douglas flat twin, went well too.
The "Solent Eagles" Display Team . . 17 year-olds on 250cc bikes at the front, 5 year-olds on 50cc bikes at the back. Other ages and capacities in between.
The Scooter Race Grand Prix Start - I have run out of space on Photobucket so if anyone wants to see more I'll have to create another file.
That's All Folks.
I headed to Peterborough on the 1150GSA and arrived at the East of England Showground at 09:20, not a bad run, but very cold as I had omitted to wear my thermals
.The BMF rallies are all much the same . . loads of end-of-line clothing, jackets, trousers, helmets, gloves, you name it, its there in crates. Various motorcycle clubs have stands as well and it is interesting to see what they ride.
I spent an hour or so in the grandstand watching three of the arena events. The highlight, for me, being 'Classic' Speedway with JAP, Rudge, Douglas bikes being given a good outing. These guys weren't on a parade and the racing was very good. They were burning Castrol 'R' as well which brought back memories.
Then there was a junior motorcycle display team, the "Solent Eagles", with both boys and girls of ages between 17 and 5. They did very well and were obviously well looked after and professionally presented.
Then came the "Scooter Racing" (Scooter being a rather loose description from what I could see). This entailed lining up about 60 modified hacks, doing a Grand Prix start and then racing round the track taking in three chicanes en route.
After about 12 laps someone came off and was hurt, so the race was stopped while the Medics carried the fella away.
The race was then re-started and after about 12 laps a girl came off and was hurt, so the race was stopped again.
I left after the third start, it all seemed a bit pointless. It was supposed to be fun but it was obvious that people were going to come to grief in the mayhem.
I had a look around the bike park and spoke to a couple of GS riders (non-UKGS members) then left the site around 14:00.
Home at 20:45, the last 45 miles being p*ssing wet. 721 miles in the day.
Then there was the BMW Club (Yorkshire Section) Run on the Sunday; but I'll leave that for another post.
Some pictures from the BMF Rally:
There was an Autojumble and the usual array of cheap tools and equipment.
Its not a 'Classic' event, but I have always fancied the BSA A65 - nice one
Quite a lot of the attendees are in the "Long hair, tattoos and body piercing" category, and their bikes wouldn't win a concours
If your Suzuki isn't fast enough . . . . . .
Add a Nitro Kit under the tail pack
Hmmmm. . I wonder if this Trike is as fast as it looks
For Sale - A 1984 R65 LS - Offers over £2,000 (which seemed a bit steep to me).
Lots of polishing to be done here !
I wonder what they do with the bikes when they are at sea
Stickers for all occasions (the Stall-holder wasn't too pleased with me for photographing his wares instead of buying them
).
Strange things to sell at a bike (or any other) event . . How would you get one home on a bike
?
Ah . . Classic Speedway, now things are looking up
Heading for the start . . .
These guys don't hang around.
A nice Douglas flat twin, went well too.
The "Solent Eagles" Display Team . . 17 year-olds on 250cc bikes at the front, 5 year-olds on 50cc bikes at the back. Other ages and capacities in between.
The Scooter Race Grand Prix Start - I have run out of space on Photobucket so if anyone wants to see more I'll have to create another file.
That's All Folks.
