KENT First Run Of The Season
By Geordie Ray at 04/06/2006 10:41:33 AM
Pitch & Put Party 2006
We all met at the usual place, the garage just off the M4 and set off just after midday. This time we were heading east. Not to the mysterious Far East of China and Japan. Nor to the troubled Near East of Iraq and Israel. No, we were off to that jewel of the Kent coastline, the fabled Isle of Sheppey.
We got onto the M4 and discovered that we had already lost Deadeyes on his new trike. We turned onto the M25 and opened the throttles up a bit and thundered round the M25. We turned off onto the A22 while Colin and Gina carried on round the M25 on his trike. We would see them at the site. We stopped in West Farleigh at a pub and everyone put the nose-bag on. After a relaxing hour and a half we set off once again. We picked up the M20 and then turned onto the A249 and then there it was, the fabled Isle of Sheppey. The new bridge was still being built but with the gusts of wind we were experiencing, if it was open it would probably have to have been closed. We found the rally site, the Sheppey Rugby Club, and after paying the entrance fee we went and put the tents up. Nick the News’ Sportster’s clutch had broken right outside the site so that was pushed onto the camping area. It was fun trying to put the tents up with the strong wind that was blowing straight across the site. Eventually all the tents were erected (ooer missus!!!) and celebratory drinks were the order of the day.
We decided to try and fix Nick’s bike before the rain started but it was so windy that we had to find some cover. We got one of the shipping containers that were on site unlocked and pushed his bike into one of them. We adjusted the clutch cable but it just kept letting go so we took off the primary case to check inside. Everything looked ok so we pulled the clutch adjusting plate off. Everything ok still. After a bit of head scratching Nick discovered that the adjusting nut had stripped its thread. At least we now knew what was wrong. After talking to some of the Kent region members and arranging for a lift to the nearest dealers tomorrow we locked the container up again and hit the bar. Eight of us later got a taxi into Leysdown. After a fish and chips meal, well we were at the seaside; we found a pub after a quick look at the beach. It was karaoke night and everyone seemed to be about 60 years old. After listening to a couple of people singing we went in search of another bar. We found one just down the road and it was karaoke night in there too. This time everyone seemed to be about 20 years old. I say everyone; there were about 20 people in each pub until we got there. After another couple of pints we got a taxi back to the rally site.
Gerkin were the band on the Friday night and I was reluctantly forced onto the dance floor. Di’s knee gave way on the dance floor during the night, she just couldn’t keep up with me, so had to be carried out to her tent. A few more dances came and went and I ended up crashing out about 2.00am. By the time I woke up it had been raining. I was told that it had been hammering down, I never heard a thing. Had breakfast in the bar, no not beer, but a good old fry-up. Then we sat about waiting for the rain to stop. Ten of us decided to go on a ride out to Whitstable once the rain had stopped. It was very windy but at least it wasn’t raining. Once again we lost Deadeyes on the way. Once in Whitstable we had a pub lunch and then had a wander around town for a while, only stopping to shelter under a shop’s awning as it pelted down.
As we arrived back on site I saw that the bike show was open so I stopped and put my bike in the show. There were a few club bikes in the show already. After the show closed I parked my bike next to my tent and headed off to the bar. The Caretakers were setting up as the big screen was showing the Eurovision Song Contest. Most people were watching it to see the band from Finland that all the fuss was about. After Lordi had played we went back to getting ready for the band. They did there first set and then the prizes for the bike show were handed out. We did quite well. Gary won Best Twin Cam. Graham won Best Evo. Sandra won Best Custom and Best Paint. We also won Best Club Turnout. The raffle followed and we won quite a few raffle prizes too. The band came back on but there wasn’t much room to dance as there was a lot more people on site. I headed off to the tent about 2.00am again.
I woke up about 5.00am to the sound of more rain hammering on the tent so drifted back off to sleep again. I got up about 7.00am and started packing up. That was when I found out that when putting the tent up I hadn’t put the groundsheet under the tent properly because of the high winds. I found a puddle under my throw-over panniers where the water had been running under the tent. I don’t think I was alone in discovering water in the tent this weekend. Once everyone was up and packed we set off and made our own way home. Most people went round the M25 south of London whereas I went north through the Dartford Tunnel, free thanks to MAG. It didn’t rain once all the way home but absolutely poured down about an hour after I had put the bike away.
West London Harley Riders would like to thank the Kent Region of the HDRCGB for putting on a good weekend. You all did really well for your first attempt. I hope you got your banner back from whoever took it.
Geordie Ray
West London Harley Riders
