Wirral Vikings Rally

Spring Bank Holiday 2004

There is always something special about the first big rally of the year, ok so we have had joint run outs, parties and the like but the National rallies have just that something extra, The Wirral was to be no exception.

In the usual disorganised way we have perfected over the past years within yards (literally) we had split into two groups going totally different ways, a swift u turn later (well we were riding with c 12) and off again, led by F.F.F.Pete, the FFF was soon to be known as F’ing Fast Filtering as we filtered over 100miles.

“Hoorah” was the rallying call as we entered the site, and as has become the norm for many an event I was first to see the grinning face of Roger from the Axemen (They just get everywhere don’t they), soon followed by the welcoming committee, strangely doing Freddy Star German Impressions, who relieved us of green tags for goody bags.

On site we were met by the Rejects advanced guard staggering back from the bar, so tent up, Gazebo up and off for food and a small light shandy or two. A torturous route led us to the rugby club, where we squeezed our way to the 20 deep bar, greeting friends we have not seen since the Solent Rally.

The bar was small but the girls behind the bar were doing sterling work, a tattooist was busy taking orders for the rest of the weekend, with a steady flow of volunteers, there was also a good basic menu inside as well.  The sound of a slap bass and real good time rock n roll caught my ear, and in the marquee extension the band KAPPA were entertaining us all, along with a DJ with a cool video screen as well. As is the norm I spent many a happy hour chatting away, grabbing a burger from the big blue bus (that disappeared Saturday, I was worried it was an alcohol induced illusion but no it really was there), but the horrid journey got the better of me so I strolled back down the fairy light lit path to my tent, for a good nights kipp.

One of the best things about the first rally of the year is nosing around meeting new people (is it just me or where there an awful lot of very, very big and tall new people?) and inspecting the latest paint jobs and bikes. Flames seem to be back in vogue again this year.

A good breakfast, and newspapers too (a nice touch) and decision time, some went on the ride out or to see relatives, while the rest of entrusted ourselves to Johns new fangled GPS map thingy to get us to Chester. Finding what seemed to be a safe undercover car park, after circumnavigating Chester’s one-way system we headed off for a little light shopping.

Now there must be something in the water in Chester, all the guys are Goths, while the young ladies, lets just say wow and leave it at that J. Filling with provisions back to bike, a nice argument with a Jobs-worth Car park attendant (£6.60 each and we only used 2 bays) and back to site in the sun, watch cricket, peruse stalls and wait for our takeaway Chinese (well done girls for organising that) 

Saturday evening and another excellent band, who apparently have no name, the marquee was jumping, literally once the Punk started and bodies were pogoing everywhere. There was a very strange selection of super heroes as well. Again another pleasant evening mainly spent chatting and  I toddled back happy.

Sadly due to other commitments I had to head back on the Sunday, a happy smile on my face, as all wished me well as I left the site. So to honour this I did 10 miles in the wrong direction on the motorway J

A great start to the season, lots of happy people around, roll on Holland, Essex and the Scrumpies.

“Bosun”