The Sherwood Shindig

From a Lost Riders Perspective

Rain, how much bloody rain is there, six weeks of almost continuous downpours. And WE were lucky, the site is on a gentle slope,
so no problems with lying water. Of course the building work is proving to be a nuisance, but not really in our way.
Thursday night, Ken, Rick, Little Malc, already on site, puting up the fence, getting soaked, greeting the first arrival?
Friday morning, Rod and Ian arrive, still pouring with rain, fencing up, tents up, the sun came out, and so did the wind,
Malc Ken and others spent a happy half hour chasing the tea tent, and finding blocks to hold it down,
fun this organising lark.
What a day Friday turned out to be, best of the weekend, the sun shone, the wind settled, and our guests started to arrive,
in their hundreds. After the worried telephone calls of the last few days, we were wondering how many hardy souls would turn up.
It was so good to see the tents tightly packed together on Friday night, we are ready to party.
Don't know who invited the gnats, but the little buggers outnumbered us 1000 to 1,
and as usual they seeme to find us very tasty indeed.
Friday night was going well, the band including our very own Dave, were excellent, and the room was jumping.
Then Polly took a nasty fall, banging her head and breaking her wrist, Wendy went to the hospital with her,
and at 2am I went to fetch Wendy, what a day.
Saturday, and it rained, unusual I know, we went on the ride out, and the rain for the most part held off,
really enjoyed the ride, around 30 bikes went, made it all worthwhile.
During the day, trophies were decided upon for the following bikes,

Best 1100 Dragstar, Tony Hawkins, Excellent condition, tastefully modified.
Best 1300/1900 Liner, Reg No. AE56 GXL, Great looking bike.
Best 1100 Virago, Alan Sargent, Very clean bike, and with 53000 miles showing too.
Best Royal/Venture Star, PN07 EZX.

Ross Felthams(Director of CMC) chose the bikes,
and is promising to pester Yamaha to get these models imported into the UK, hope he manages it.
The rain continued for most of the day, making the well trodden ground very muddy, although the camp site remained grassy to the end.
I don't know, pelting rain, mud everywhere, outside bar, hamburger stand, this was feeling like a proper rally,
funny how a bit of adversity brings people so much closer together.
Now I am not sure if it was being on security until midnight, and so being sober, or the band were just so good,
or even the fact that the rally had been successful, in spite of the rain.
But you had to be in that hall to feel the atmosphere.
So many people letting go, having fun, being themselves, and happy to do it.
Fantastic, if you were there, then you know, if not, sorry but you missed out.
Sunday morning, after yet more heavy overnight rain, the sun shone, unbelievable.
The big clean up, pushing trailers, helping folks with the bags, all in warm sunshine.
It saved the rain for the ride home.
To all of those who said, "F@#k it I am Going", to all those who helped in any small, (or large) way,
we the Lost Riders salute you, and thank you all for the experience.
I for one, loved every minute of it.
See you about.

Terry & Jane

Pictures

Slideshow