Black Country MAG

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since 04.04.2000

BCMAG's Back From The Dead Rally

14th - 16th May 2002

Words and pictures by Steve.

Start as you mean to go on...

I managed to get to the site just after noon - not bad, only 2 hours behind schedule! My excuse was that i hadn't done a rally since last years Heart Of England rally, and had completely forgotten how to pack all the camping gear! Took a while figuring out how to get all the stuff on my new bike as well.

The theme for the rally seemed to be lots of weather! The wind howled all weekend, and we alternated between thrashing rain and bright sunshine, changing every 20 minutes or so. Typically, I put my tent up during a downpour, then Simon got lovely bright sunshine half an hour later to perform his erection (tent, that is!)

Around 40 people on site by the evening, with the pub doing a brisk trade in beer and "two-for-the-price-of-one" meals. The band sounded alright (but I'm tone deaf, so what do I know - other people said they were decent). I don't know who they were - you'll have to ask Mick if your interested, as he organised the entertainments. (must remember to pay more attention!)

Spooning in the pub

Obviously, some people had managed to drink more than me (and I was at least 2-sheets to the wind!), as an impromptu bar game was "organised". Not sure what the rules were (or even if there were rules!), but it seemed to involve two blindfolded people, holding spoons in their mouths, and taking it in turns to hit each other on the head! Trust me, it was hilarious after eight pints of Stella!

The things you see...

All manner of strange things (most of them Adam) could be found around the field on Friday night!

Right, lets do it all again!

Saturday was more of the same - more people turning up, lots more weather, lots more beer. Special mention to Coventry Kev, who spent an hour of glorious sunshine in the control tent supping tea, only to get pissed wet through setting up his tent - prioritise, Kev, prioritise!

We seemed to inherit the pub cat for the weekend, who seemed very content hanging around the control tent. We had borrowed the "Official West Midlands MAG Tea Urn" and laid on free tea and coffee for everyone. This seemed to go down very well, turning the control tent into an alternative meeting place from the pub.

Saturday night saw more heavy drinking (not for me - after Friday nights excesses, and mainlining coffee all day, I spent the evening drinking lemonade!), and a cracking band. This time I did try and find out who they were, as loads of people had commented on how good they were - only to find out that they haven't got a name yet! When they decide what they are called, I'll post their details here. The pub landlord wouldn't let them stop when they tried to wind it up around 11:30pm, and made them play some more! Top blokes who played for hours for next-to-nothing.

Go on, bugger off, we want to go home!

Sunday morning, and a lot of knackered, irritated people on site. Some bloke with an FJ12 had turned his panniers into a very loud sound system, and was demonstrating it on Saturday night - a stunning feat of electronics, but not that impressive at 4am! The mood was significantly lightened when Bruce backed his Norton up to the guys tent and gave him a very loud wake-up call! Cheers and a round of applause for Bruce - made even funnier when the headlight rattled off the Norton and hit the floor! Looks like he deserved to win "Best Rat".

Oh, and found out Sunday morning there had been "a bit of a punch-up" in the pub between some of the locals and a few of the bikers on site. For legal reasons, the people involved won't be named here, but we know who you are! No harm done, as the landlord agreed that the locals had started it (and deserved the kicking they got!) The landlord ended up with a black-eye of one of the locals when he escorted them off site - service above and beyond the call of duty! The locals are now banned for life, and the gaffer wants us back as soon as possible, as he really enjoyed the weekend! The Masons Arms, Wichenford, is definitely a Biker Friendly Pub!

The Verdict...

Cracking weekend, with lots of entertainment (some planned, other stuff just happened!) and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. 71 people through the gate over the weekend, and a decent profit for MAG. Couldn't ask for anything else (except maybe a little less wind and a bit more sun, but you can't have everything!)

Thanks go to...

• everyone who turned up and made this rally successfull.
• all the BCMAG members who helped before and during the weekend.
• Steve G for fearlessly rewiring the outside electrics box (whilst kneeling in wet grass!)
• the Landlord and staff at the Masons Arms, who made everyone feel welcome, and put in a huge effort.
• the following businesses who all donated excellent raffle prizes and helped publicise the rally:
  • Hein Gericke
    7 Calthorpe Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1QT
    0121 455 7738
  • Scooterway Ltd
    12 Abelwell Street, Walsall, WS1 2EQ
    01922 610 777
  • Silver Machine
    12 Worcester Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4LD
    01902 424516
  • All Bikes, All Spares
    Unit 29, 11 Clifton St, Wolverhampton, WV3 0QT
    01902 423528
  • Chapel Ash Harley-Davidson
    37 - 43 Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, WV3 0UF
    01902 371600
  • QB Motorcycles
    89-91 Hight Street (A4100), Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2AD
    (sales, clothing, repairs) 01384 637168 / (spares, luggage, tyres) 01384 560643
  • Magnum
    70 Worcester Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4LE
    01902 427915
  • OTT Bike Shop
    52 Clifton Street, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, WV3 0QT
    01902 711001
  • Sutton Motorcycles
    49 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 5UY
    0121 354 6901