The Third Essex Crusade

We had decided to make a long weekend of this rally, what with it being the height of summer and all the nice weather and stuff.
So, as it was the Boston bike night on the Thursday, we booked the Friday off work and set out Thursday afternoon.
Good decision this, as we left home the sun broke through the clouds, and the heavy shower clouds just disappeared.
We had a fabulous ride to the Lincolnshire coast, and once we got towards Boston, the bikes started appearing all around us in the hundreds .
The Lost Riders had a stand set up, and around 10 of our members were milling about. Most of the bikes were parked in a line at the front,
they do look impressive, glinting in the sunshine.
Had a really pleasant evening, just wandering, looking, watching the band, eating chips, chatting, heaven.
I was very pleased to bump into old friends Roy and Julie, it had been ages, but not as long as it was with Ade and Laura,
blimey mate you haven't changed at all.
After a pint in John and Rosie's local, it was off to our hotel, a couple of beers, and it will be rally time.
Woke Friday to glorious blue skies, someone is looking after us for once. What a ride down through the forests to Essex,
if you have not travelled there, I recommend you do, it's fantastic.
We found the rally site easily, due a little to the Crew-saders, sat on camping chairs and jumping up as every bike came along the road.
They even managed to steer my mother in, she was out for a ride and came to say hello, thanks for looking after them for me people.
Yet more folks you have not seen for a while, must have took two hours to get the tent up, it was still sunny, so who cares?
Friday night I stood in at the centre reps meet for EJ, and they told me it was boring, well this one wasn't.
Anyway, off to get some eats, watch the band, drink and dance the night away.
Good old Otto, major burnout, had the bar staff choking this time, who buys your tyres?
The boys in the band really were entertaining, all our old favourites, a few chants of, "You're not singing any more", when the power failed,
and a lot more great songs.
Then it was disco time, Kendra off to bed, so, me Jane Tony and Paul left to carry the flag.
Those of you who know Tony, will maybe have seen him standing in front of the speakers before, I thought they would blow him over, but not so.
At half past something o'clock, they made us go to bed, still there was always Saturday night.
Paul thought his whisky bottle had sprung a leak, as "I have only had two drinks, and there is none left", Hmmmm.
During the night it rained, and then it rained some more, during the cooking of sausage and bacon, in the tent, it rained some more.
And then, as if by magic, at ten the sun came out, must have been for the wedding ride out.
We made a mad dash for Southend, just in case it went back in, I forgot my gloves, so I really appreciated the sun shining all day.
At times it go so hot we had to go to the waters edge to cool down.
Mike, Pat and Di went on the train to the end of the longest pier in the world? Only £3, seems a bit of a bargain these days.
We just wandered, and looked at the sights only a Great British seaside can conjure up.
We managed to lose Paul on the way back, now you did not think it was all going to work out, did you?
We left Southend, rode around 8 miles and arrived in Southend, oh look there is a bike shop, may as well look while we are here, well done Mike.
Saturday night, another great band, more drinking and dancing, Otto as usual pulling up on his V-Max, and doing unmentionable things on the stage steps,
You weren't there, so I can't tell you.
A lovely lady, less than fully dressed, on the back of a white bike, I think, did not see too much of it?
Some antics at these rallys, no wonder we keep going.
And so to bed.
Sunday morning, the sun is still out, we all get packed away in the dry, a bit rare these days, what with all this global warming about, say our goodbyes,
and head home.
Jane and myself managed to get 85 miles before it rained, and then it was only a light shower, we had been home around 20 minutes when the monsoon hit,
too late the bike tucked up in the garage, and us indoors, we don't care any more.
Many thanks to the God of rain, who looked after all of us over the weekend, to the Essex Crusaders, for looking after us, and the other dozen Lost Riders, who spent time with us, you were all great.
Terry

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