Jesters 2000

Cum ‘n Dribble In T’Rible 3

22 – 24th September  2000

 

 

  The week of the rally had arrived, and I had decided to be a miserable git, I decided not to bother going to the rally as I couldn’t be bothered and just knew it was going to rain ALL weekend (wuss or what!). I had already agreed to share my camping stove with a friend, so after they finished work I went to their house to loan it to them. Half an hour later and I was blasting back along the motorway to my house to quickly throw my gear onto the bike. I had been talked into going (bloody good jog too!), besides there was two rally virgins going, I just couldn’t miss that now could I? Besides last years rally was a good laugh anyway.

 

  An hour and a half later I was back at Mandy and Bill’s house ready and eager to go. Bill was to take Ben the virgin (of the rally variety that is) on the back of his bike. Mandy unfortunately had to take the car as she was taking Becky their daughter (6), Alison (refused to comment) also a rally virgin, and her two daughters Hannah (15), and Danni (10). I’ve never seen a car so crammed, 5 people and loads of camping gear, just for a weekend!

 

  After signing in and chatting to some of the Jesters for a while who we already knew (a really friendly bunch of people), the tents were put up. Two of which are of a fairly normal size, the third was about big enough for a small race of people.

 

  Next destination, the burger van. Food and a brew, I was bloody starving. By the time we wandered into the main tent, Jackhammer, Friday night’s band was playing and they were impressively good. Several people realised that Ben and Alison were rally virgins and promptly poured several half bottles of beer over them (a waste of good beer really). After the music had finished the group gradually swayed back to the tents. I put my “mad head” on and tried to trip Alison up in the mud, to which I got a plastic cup smashed over my head, and ended up in the mud myself. “hang on she’s 5ft, I’m 6ft. I can’t be beaten by her.” Oh yes I can, I landed in the mud again! After prating about for an hour or so I went to bed, feeling cold and very muddy.

 

  Saturday morning, time to check out the bike show, sorry no pics. I forgot my camera (DOH!). One bike really caught my eye. A GSXR 1100, ever so slightly modified (as in, as trick as f*#&) for drag racing (and was last seen being ridden towards the main road, ha ha ha). For a small rally there was a good selection of trikes, and some very tasty bikes. All of which were viewed in the glorious sunshine! While the grown ups (yeah right!) were wandering round the bikes, the children went to one of the stalls, and had their faces painted. The two rally virgins decided to show their faces eventually, to prepare themselves for another night of partying.

 

   From bike show to silly sod show. Time to view the silly games. Dizzy sticks with a difference, the usual run up to a pole, down half a bottle of wine, spin round the pole ten times, and then …….. bounce back on a space hopper. Arse (Jesters rally sec.) even managed to get some game for a laugh women on the space hoppers as well. Well worth a giggle. Next step, re-stock on vodka and munchies.

 

  Saturday night’s bands were, Celtic Cross (who were good) and Basket Case (who were even better).  The lead singer was originally from another band who had been mentioned, but the Vodka effect had kicked in by then, so I can’t remember who the hell they were.

 

  Sunday morning dawned. Breakfast. Pack up tent and soaked in the BLOODY RAIN!, wish it was sunny like yesterday! One very soggy ride home later. Jump into the shower. Remove brain cell, get back onto the bike (in the pouring rain) and go to the Rossendale Valley Bike Show. By the time I got there most of the stalls were packing up and going, and because of the rain there wasn’t that many people about. I wandered over to the stunt arena, to watch Dave Coates and another mad man (unfortunately I have forgotten his name) doing wheelies, burnouts (more like steam outs) and other tricks, when they brought out the serious machinery. A rev and go moped each. After their hilarious antics Terry Gardener grabbed everybody’s attention with his FJ1200 powered car (a micro machine on a mix of steroids and speed) and managed to do some cunning stunts (I know oldest one in the book, I couldn’t help myself) even in the pouring rain. Time to go, ride the stream / road, back to a nice hot shower.

 

  Well that was one sunny, to soggy September weekend. Will I be doing it all again next year?

                  Damn right I will!

 

 

 

  Kurt (no pictures) Wood