Calstock 2011

The Location: - Calstock Cornwall

Okay Calstock is a little further than the average rally we do at weekends but we liked the look of it and Mark and Keith wanted to make it happen so we decided to give it a go. Mark kindly offered to put us up in his humble Torquay abode (thought I was walking into a rock stars pad when we got there wow!!! How the other half live.) So we took Friday off got up and set off on the 13, only made Birmingham before we had to stop for a call of nature but then we were off again. The 13 rode nice we hit the M5 and cruised on down. It was funny because I didn't notice the sat nav say turn in 128 miles...Friggin el thats a ruddy long road. We stopped just before Bristol coz my ass was I'd say square but it wasn't it was flaming flat lol. I filled up the 13 and off we went...all of 2 miles before we hit the mother of all congestion, we filtered for 21 miles before it opened up again. You should try filtering with my wide bars. Any how 5 or 6 hours later we were at Marks and chilled out for the night.

Next day Gail cooked us a cracking breakfast and Mark learned how to fry eggs, he got better as he went on and by the forth had just about mastered it shame I got egg 1 and 2 he got egg number 4 of course. We filled up and Mark took us across Dartmoor, we stopped half way across and took in the scenery. The moor being full of wild roaming ponies, sheep and cows made for interesting riding. Below a pony really took to my 13.

Note it even brought it's mum to have a look.

The bloody thing licked the number plate, chewed the indicator, licked the paint and nibbles the grab rail. LMAO! Just after this we were motoring some when our attention was attracted by a farmer and his dog rounding some sheep up and driving them towards the road, I looked up to see Mark had slammed on the anchors as had the car in front...oops I followed suit as we all thought the sheep would jump the wall into our paths. Good job my brakes work well other wise I may have sliced and diced Gail and Mark with my spiked forks and buzz saw disc's!

Calstock was about an hour and a half from Marks in Devon, we took in some fantastic views some scary roads but rumbled into Calstock safely and parked up in the show area. Literally  seconds after getting off the two 13's a crowd had built.

We backed away and let Mark answer the questions he was been asked. We found Keith who had camped since Thursday and he brought his 13 to join ours.

As for the show, well the whole village seemed to take part. The show being organised by them they seemed to embrace the biker culture with open arms. The show is in a valley with a river to one side and huge Bridge in front. The picturesque village sprawled up the hillside each pub having rock bands on to try and attract the show goers. In fact there we're as many bikes outside the show within the village as those in the main ground. The whole event had a laid back family feel, I was totally blown away by the quality of bikes entered into the show. I just didn't expect the custom bike scene to be so big down here just shows how wrong you can be.

The set of pictures above are bikes entered into the show.

Below are from around the camping field.

And these below are from outside dotted around the village square.

Below are some of the characters from around the show.

 We then stayed at Mark and Gail's for the evening after making a quite treacherous journey back in the rain, the Cornish and Devonshire roads are not for the faint hearted especially when wet and dark.

Sunday of course we had to ride home but I had one quick stop to do as very good friend of mine from the 80's had been in touch and as luck would have it he lived in New Quay but was attending a rally at Mount Edgecumbe Park so we said our goodbyes to Mark and Gail, (once again thanks for having us and making us so welcome it was great to see you both again, offering you a place to stay in Nottingham seems to pale into insignificance after the Rock Star Pad you guys own.) Keith it was great to finally meet you and thanks also for looking after us while we we're at the show. Hopefully we'll be back next year.

Edgecumbe should have been 1 hourish away however we made the ferry crossing and the sat nav went blank...great so we kept asking until finally we arrived. Two things happened at once one as we pulled up, Brian spotted us and walked over, elated to see my friend from the past I embraced him and then turned to see another 13 park next to mine and the owner declare he's always the only 13 at the show.

A couple of pic's of the two 13's and Brain looking at them

Below is Brian's Harley.

It was great to hook up with Brain again after 20 years and conversation flowed easily as we remembered the "Days when we where Gods" Lol it sure felt like it back then, the world was at our feet what I'd give to relive it all again. Times change we grow older and hopefully wiser but the memories live on.

Also a pic of the Hall/house.

I didn't get chance to take pictures around Edgecumbe as we had to hit the road to get back to Nottingham, a trip that was take seven and a half hours in torrential rain and a lightening show to keep us entertained.

All in all a fantastic weekend I wish it could have lasted longer. Next year I'll take more time off and stay at the rally for the weekend.