With a cast of ...
Lindsey - Triumph Sprint St
Me - RF900
Nobody else cos they're all idle sods
... two.
A rather tasty streetfighter spotted on the site
After a hard days work we where ready for the off by about 6:00.
Clouds threatened a little drizzle but full of hope for better
weather north we set off.
Durham to Conset, damp roads and busy, but otherwise looking good.
Once on the A68 however things started to change. ie cloudburst,
and by the time we find somewhere to stop so has the rain.
Still once bitten and all that so it's on with the waterproofs
and away. The rain came and went, then came again, but I was snug
and warm in me waterproofs and enjoying myself immensely. Then a
gentle trickle started down my sleeves and into my gloves and
some of the enjoyment went out of life.
White Mares Tail
Up by Kielder on one of the best sections of the A68 we
stopped for gas and where immediately set upon by the midges.
Once past Carter Bar we're in Scotland and playing spot the speed
camera and really enjoying the ride now it's a bit drier.
Through Jedburgh then on for a few more miles till we take the A698
to Kelso. This road is a cheeky little number, both fruity and
refreshing with perhaps a tang of summer. Perfect after a long
days ride.
We park in Kelso to collect essential supplies (a few tins of
1664 liquid happiness) and to coax some money from the bank.
No honest it's for charity Mr Cash Machine. What! You think I'm
going to spend it all on beer and piss it up the wall?
Preposterous idea. How could you possibly think ... etc. - Given
the progress of computer technology it can't be long before the
cash machine decides if you can be trusted with any more money. I
live in fear...
Anyway I also digress.
And this is as busy as it got all day down by St Marys Loch
Back on the bikes, up the road and we're at the showground.
The place is huge and the camping is in the far corner, it's flat
and the tent pegs go in - a novelty I sure you'll agree for any
campsite. *
So tent up, drink some beer, off to the beer barn. There is a
blues band on, who are quite good it must be said, but not many
people dancing, only the Siamese twins from Oddballs MCC. Still
it's only Friday night, I guess Saturday will be the biggy.
* The National Council for Campsite states in it's handbook **
that campsite should be constructed of 10mm of topsoil over 30mm
of loose laid stone on top of 150mm well compacted hardcore.
Rubble, domestic waste and industrial, chemical and nuclear waste
may be used for hardcore. So if you dig up a glowing rod while
driving in your tent peg do like it says on the label and "if
found please return to Selafield ..."
** "We're a Bunch of Twats" by Walice Anker.
Oh my 'ead, but Oh, what a day
The organised ride out by Honda MAC
They seemed to be enjoying themselves too
We woke up to cloud and light rain but by the time we actually
got out of bed it was cloud only.
A walk into town for breakfast helped clear last nights excess as
only coffee, egg butties and cheese & pineapple toasties can.
Kelso is a very pretty little town it must be said, although by
midday we where in need of a ride.
Take the A699 to Selkirk, select gear and throttle opening to
taste and enjoy. The afore mentioned Selkirk is worth a look
round too. It's another pretty little town nestling in the midst
of rolling hills, has a least one good cafe and a free museum/art
gallery that is definitely worth 20 minutes.
From there we would suggest a trip out to St Marys Loch. Besides
been incredibly scenic it's also a very naughty road, we where
torn between gaping at the scenery and enjoying the ride.
Yet another picture of St Marys Loch cos it's pretty
On past the loch we stop at the National Trust car park and
have a walk up to White Mares Tail - which is a waterfall.
About this time the sun comes out proper like. We head back along
the loch and stop at the cafe before continuing our mad thrash
back to Kelso.
Back on the site we park up and have a beer prior walking into
town for tea. The Cobbles Inn is our destination since Lindsey
saw the menu earlier in the day.
Repleat with good food and beer we walk back to the rally and
decide to sit in the sun and chill out before having a look into
the beer barn.
We're soon joined by a merry pair of wasters from the deep south,
or Leeds anyway. Later, a little drunk, we bump into then again
and are compelled to drink more. So a big "thanks yer
bastids" to Pete and Jo.
Lindsey and Triumph
and, yes, it is by St Marys Loch before you ask
We wake up to sunshine and hangovers so take a stroll into
town for some breakfast in a feeble attempt to recover.
By the time we return the show is underway and the crowds are
arriving. As with the main BMF Show at Peterborough the Kelso
Show is a one day event although much smaller. The entertainment
is still good, there are good bargains aplenty in the trade
stalls and, due to the smaller size, room to move about and
actually see what's happening.
I fall in love with a black MZ supermoto thing at one trade stall
but they ain't doing test rides - boo hiss etc. The only thing
stopping me parting with cash is the paltry 12litre fuel tank.
A special mention must go to an outfit called "Moonies"
who tuned up with a full mobile air conditioned shop built into
an expanding trailer.
By early afternoon due to the continuing glorious weather we
decide to pack up and take the backroads home.
Out to Jedburgh then off the A68 and onto the backroads towards
Kielder, all good twisty fun with very little traffic and
incredible scenery.
As is our want we parked up in the Kielder visitors centre for
soup and a bun, then on again and back to reality.
Nice sunset over the river in Kelso
the campsite is the noisy place in the black bit to the left of
the picture
So in conclusion I can't recommend the Kelso Bike Show highly
enough. Make the effort and get up Friday evening, tour about on
Saturday and go home on Sunday. Oh and have a look at the show if
your that way inclined.
Only one gripe, why can you never get an egg butty at a BMF show?