ROCK AND BLUES 2006

The Location: - Pentrich Showground, Pentrich, Nr Ripley, Derbyshire.

The Organisers: - Outlaws MC Derbyshire Chapter.

This years Rock and Blues was special, special for several reasons.

1) M3 were on. Mega and they shoulda headlined.

2) It was the first run of the Dreadnaught.

3) It was the first year I've ever enter my bike into a show. More on each of these subjects to follow.

Some of you may know that I rebuilt my bike this year I put a wiseco 1405 big bore kit on it and resprayed it. The big bore went on fine few problems except the water pump leaked but hey I only had to strip it and start again, so what. The paint went on like a dream, better than we could have ever imagined. Cool so far. But when I started her she ran fine but got real hot very quick and kept breaking down. With no time to fix her I headed for the Rock and Blues show and broke down 3 times on the way. (This was real bad as I only live 18 miles away.)

But at least I got her there and into the show, Getting her home was going to be a whole other story though. That can come later on though.

On arriving at the site we pitched tent and my bike/paintjob attracted the attention of a couple of guys in the next tent. Hi to Mick and Karl. It was weird coz I recognised Mick from somewhere but just couldn't place him. Anyway they loved the paint job and enquired as to who had done it and were surprised when I said I did it myself. Mick said he had paid an lot of money on paint jobs and would have been proud to have it on one of his bikes.? Who was this guy I kept thinking. Then it hit me it was Mick Clarke, of Mick and Helen Clarke who win most shows they enter. So I was real chuffed that Mick had liked my machine especially when he had some of the best bikes in the country. Gotta be said though he ain't got a Z13. But I guess you can't have everything.

Above is Mick and Helens latest beast. I have to say at this point I had a preconceived idea of them that I guess a lot of us have. I thought they must be millionaires who could throw pot of dosh at a builder to end up with what they want. This isn't true. I'm a straight to the point kinda guy and I asked him was he rich and I was gobsmacked when he said he's a builder. In fact he digs hole for a living so I after talking to them several times over the weekend I have to say my assumption was wrong and I take me hat of to him for working so damned hard to pay for a bike like this. The bottom line is they are a real nice couple with a few real nice bikes. respect to you both, keep it up.

Okay on with the show bikes.....They were real good this year..... especially the 13......my 13.

Meet Hellboy one of Destiny Cycles bikes. Wow. The 3d effect is created using filler and a dremmil. WOW!

I really liked this one.

Check the attention to detail on this machine. Just amazing.

A diesel cement mixer engine.

Guess they got there a little late....

Then the bit I really like you and your bikes the bikes that make this rally so damned good.

The 13's I found at this years Rock and Blues.

My old mate Rushes Drag Bike.... note his lad jakes copy at the side. I must at this point thank Rush and Kip for coming to my rescue when my 13 wouldn't start on the Sunday. They brought a battery pack over and helped me get going. Without their help no doubt I'd needed a tow wagon to get me home. Cheers guy's thanks.

The Bands....

This year line up was fantastic. On the odd occasion in the past I have been disappointed but I felt The Outlaws had surpassed themselves with such a high quality of bands.

Below is Hanoi Rocks

M3

Quireboys

For me Saturday evening was mega. Quire boys where really good they got the crowd going and performed a real tight set. I was very supprised at how good they are now. I say this coz I've seen them loads of times many years ago when they played the pub circuit and they werren't that good. But maybe my tastes have changed and they got a whole lot better. Who knows but man they where a great warm up act.

M3 were next and wow they where fantastic. I have to let you know Whitesnake is my all time favourite band so I am a little biased. M3 where awesome they got the Rock and Blues Crowd going and shouting for more. I don't know why Coverdale parted company with the guy's but I tell you what I'd love to see a reunion gig. I will be finding out when they gig again and going to see them.

Hanoi Rocks where next, I never liked them when I was a youth and they where at there peek but it's a matter of choice. They where proffessionalish except the lead singer kept swearing at us which in my experience doesn't always wash too well if the crowd ain't that convinced if they like you.

The Damned headlined and after a shaky start with a few technical problems they got it together. But in my humble opinion M3 should have headlined, they where the band of the Weekend and I can't wait to see them again.

 The Show winners.

To conclude this review, once again Rock and Blues was a mega show. The weather was great the bands where fantastic and we had a great time. See you next year and a big thankyou to the Outlaws for another good weekends entertainment.