...actually, it was my first biker meeting on such a scale ever! Mass events with lots of drinking, hog-roasting, bull-riding, etc. didn't really appeal to me in the past - but as this do was also the final ceremony of the PWAB, I thought I'd give it a go...
And WOW - what a great weekend!!! Almost every concern I had before was proven wrong and I just hugely enjoyed myself. A big THANK YOU to Bryn and Lyn for the organisation and to all of you who helped with the realisation of this event!!!
After pitching my tent as far as possible away from JB's mobile bar (having learnt from the experience at the Griffin... don't take it personally, James!) and negotiating a veggie burger with the nice people at the catering van it was a nail-biting couple of hours until we heard that Room 101 and her crew had managed to make up the previous two hour delay and finish leg 12 and thus the whole challenge on time!
I wonder why Sue was chosen to ride the final region...
The next morning posed the question - fun or fame? Ford run or interview with the BBC Leicester? Oh well, fun we can have everyday, so off to the city it was. Parking was slightly limited and involved a bit of exercises...
And Maria - managed to mention all the important bits, even UKGSer dot com!
Jaq: “Mmm, did I really say that...?”
Behind every strong woman is a supportive man - thanks, Mr Bluebell, Mr Jaq and Mr Duchess!
Group photo with the presenter for the BBC website (haven’t found it on their homepage yet…):
And then it was off to the Ford run for Maria and me. Thanks to Greg who entered the waypoint into my GPS we arrived at Little Lawford in no time. Only to find out that the guys hadn’t been there so far (the benefit of having a scout with you…) but were slobbing about in the pub instead...
Thus we were able to settle down for a lovely Broccoli and Stilton soup (thank you, Maria!) in a nearby village ourselves before the rest of the group arrived. Together we returned to one of the most challenging fords of the whole run – great point to start with… Hence my first attempt was a bit of an embarrassment – took the route through the deepest bits, stopped the bike half way through and had to be pulled over the step at the end, trampling on several toes along the way… Fortunately nobody took pictures at that point (or at least nobody has posted them yet (can we agree on a deal?)).
An idyllic little river in the English countryside…
Not for much longer – Brian getting ready for action:
Closely followed by Greg...
And Clive...
Would you trust this man with your wife?
Well, Jason did…
Forry, is it you?
Tim, staying upright this time…
I think Greg suffered a bit from compulsive river crossing syndrome that afternoon…
Fisherwoman Rachel watched the spectacle patiently and was even grateful that we stirred up the fish for her.
Is it Christmas yet? Bill at the last ford of the day (byway to Stonton Wyville?)
Brian taking it easy...
Quite contrary to Wizard:
Do you want a close-up?
Brian opening the “who can go slowest through a ford without losing momentum and getting wet” competition – now there’s a thought…
Back at the campsite we all checked our final drives (my personal mechanic had arrived in the meantime…) and then got ready for the party
My favourite Possu preparing for a different kind of ride…
Not doing too bad…
I think he stayed on top for 52 seconds – here at 00:51:58:
Karen seems to feel slightly more comfortable on a bike…
Dahoum showing his lad how it’s done – quick learner the little one…
Paul – not coming anywhere close to the results of his better half (28 seconds to 60, IIRC)
My personal highlight of the evening – gorgeous Maria...
... providing free belly-dancing lessons to Lucy…
The Pink Girls -
Celebrating the successful completion of the Pink Way Around Britain challenge:
And the man in the background without whom the whole project wouldn't have been possible - you should have been with us on stage, Steve! Thank you for all your support, all the encouraging bits and pieces everywhere and your tireless efforts to make this (ad)venture happen!
I am grateful that I have been part of the PWAB, it was great to celebrate our achievements with you all and a pity that Sharribee, Moira and Tash couldn't join us. Hope to meet you one day!
Oh, and as for biker meetings - can I prebook for next year already, Bryn?
Thanks and hope to see you all again sooner or later!
Ela x
And WOW - what a great weekend!!! Almost every concern I had before was proven wrong and I just hugely enjoyed myself. A big THANK YOU to Bryn and Lyn for the organisation and to all of you who helped with the realisation of this event!!!
After pitching my tent as far as possible away from JB's mobile bar (having learnt from the experience at the Griffin... don't take it personally, James!) and negotiating a veggie burger with the nice people at the catering van it was a nail-biting couple of hours until we heard that Room 101 and her crew had managed to make up the previous two hour delay and finish leg 12 and thus the whole challenge on time!
I wonder why Sue was chosen to ride the final region...
The next morning posed the question - fun or fame? Ford run or interview with the BBC Leicester? Oh well, fun we can have everyday, so off to the city it was. Parking was slightly limited and involved a bit of exercises...
And Maria - managed to mention all the important bits, even UKGSer dot com!
Jaq: “Mmm, did I really say that...?”
Behind every strong woman is a supportive man - thanks, Mr Bluebell, Mr Jaq and Mr Duchess!
Group photo with the presenter for the BBC website (haven’t found it on their homepage yet…):
And then it was off to the Ford run for Maria and me. Thanks to Greg who entered the waypoint into my GPS we arrived at Little Lawford in no time. Only to find out that the guys hadn’t been there so far (the benefit of having a scout with you…) but were slobbing about in the pub instead...
Thus we were able to settle down for a lovely Broccoli and Stilton soup (thank you, Maria!) in a nearby village ourselves before the rest of the group arrived. Together we returned to one of the most challenging fords of the whole run – great point to start with… Hence my first attempt was a bit of an embarrassment – took the route through the deepest bits, stopped the bike half way through and had to be pulled over the step at the end, trampling on several toes along the way… Fortunately nobody took pictures at that point (or at least nobody has posted them yet (can we agree on a deal?)).
An idyllic little river in the English countryside…
Not for much longer – Brian getting ready for action:
Closely followed by Greg...
And Clive...
Would you trust this man with your wife?
Well, Jason did…
Forry, is it you?
Tim, staying upright this time…
I think Greg suffered a bit from compulsive river crossing syndrome that afternoon…
Fisherwoman Rachel watched the spectacle patiently and was even grateful that we stirred up the fish for her.
Is it Christmas yet? Bill at the last ford of the day (byway to Stonton Wyville?)
Brian taking it easy...
Quite contrary to Wizard:
Do you want a close-up?
Brian opening the “who can go slowest through a ford without losing momentum and getting wet” competition – now there’s a thought…
Back at the campsite we all checked our final drives (my personal mechanic had arrived in the meantime…) and then got ready for the party
My favourite Possu preparing for a different kind of ride…
Not doing too bad…
I think he stayed on top for 52 seconds – here at 00:51:58:
Karen seems to feel slightly more comfortable on a bike…
Dahoum showing his lad how it’s done – quick learner the little one…
Paul – not coming anywhere close to the results of his better half (28 seconds to 60, IIRC)
My personal highlight of the evening – gorgeous Maria...
... providing free belly-dancing lessons to Lucy…
The Pink Girls -
Celebrating the successful completion of the Pink Way Around Britain challenge:
And the man in the background without whom the whole project wouldn't have been possible - you should have been with us on stage, Steve! Thank you for all your support, all the encouraging bits and pieces everywhere and your tireless efforts to make this (ad)venture happen!
I am grateful that I have been part of the PWAB, it was great to celebrate our achievements with you all and a pity that Sharribee, Moira and Tash couldn't join us. Hope to meet you one day!
Oh, and as for biker meetings - can I prebook for next year already, Bryn?
Thanks and hope to see you all again sooner or later!
Ela x