Diff'rent Strokers

SouthWest SmokeFest, April 2013

SouthWest SmokeFest 2013

Inspired by previous meets such as the excellent Yorkshire 2-Stroke Gathering, we decided to try one of our own.  Our members in the South West told us that there was nothing happening in their part of the world, so a friendly pub was approached who said we could take over their spare car park as long as we promised to spend lots on food and drink.  No argument from us there.  A date was set, the word was spread and various bikes were rushed through MOT's and given a quick polish.

We thought it might just be 3 people bringing a couple of bikes each in a van, having a brief chat over a coffee and bacon sarnie.  But the turnout was great !  Bikes arrived in vans and on trailers but most of 'em were ridden there as they should be.  Plenty of familiar faces but - and this is very pleasing - quite a few new people too who'd heard about it on other forums or from their mates.

And what an eclectic mix of machinery - 3XV's, LC's, Fizzy's, an MC28, 3MA, MVX250, AR125, TDR, SDR, V-Due, RD250, YB100, KR250, Kettle, S1 250 and a 350YPVS-engined Mito.  Aircooled and watercooled, standard and special, singles, twins, triples and fours.  Exactly what we were hoping for.

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Others turned up on modern four-strokes or in cars just to support the event and catch up with friends.  Around lunchtime a dozen of us went out for a brief ride, not quite avoiding the rain but still having a great time breathing in lungfuls of blue smoke.  When there's a V-Due in front of you and your mirrors are full of NSR's and LC's, you know you're having a great Saturday.

If the weather had been a bit better than we'd have gone a bit further than 15 miles and found an opportunity to open the bikes up a bit more.  There was talk of a second rideout later but the rain had settled in by then.

The plan to stock up on carbohydrates and hot drinks went a bit wonky when a suicidal goose from the nearby wetlands bird centre crashed into the 11000v power lines and disabled not only the pub but the local village too.  Everyone was very impressed by the loud bang, blue flash and smoking feathers though.

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Massive thanks to everyone who turned up, we're very grateful to you all.  Based on that, we're definitely going to be doing this again...



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